Having palpitations...this is gonna be bad!

[WendyWhy]

Oh noes!! Just checked our dates on for crowd prediction on touringplans.com...our last day is going to be a 10/10 crowd level! Ack! I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn't expect the Tuesday before Thanksgiving would be 10/10 bad. I had been checking that calendar for a while - I had never seen anything higher than a 8! I though it would have been higher crowds after Thanksgiving...

Please tell me this is going to be ok!

 

[Briarrose1306]

I've never been during Thanksgiving, but I have heard it is one of the busiest.

 

[OnTheRoadAgain]

You're right. I wouldn't expect that either... maybe a smidge lower. If it makes you feel better, Wednesday will be worse, it's the day before all Deluxe, so cal and so cal select passholders will be blocked. Also some schools in CA are out on Wednesday.

Go early, plan on FPs all day. Take a mid-day break. Don't plan any shows for that day, because of the crowds. If you are buying a character meal, do it that day.

 

[elaw]

... Go early, plan on FPs all day. Take a mid-day break. Don't plan any shows for that day, because of the crowds. ...

No worries .... If you get there at opening or for Magic Mornings we've found you can do just about all the major attrations and/or collect FP's for them before noon.

 

[HydroGuy]

Oh noes!! Just checked our dates on for crowd prediction on touringplans.com...our last day is going to be a 10/10 crowd level! Ack! I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn't expect the Tuesday before Thanksgiving would be 10/10 bad. I had been checking that calendar for a while - I had never seen anything higher than a 8! I though it would have been higher crowds after Thanksgiving...

Please tell me this is going to be ok!

It is going to be OK but the last few years has been really busy before TG. See "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

If you use good touring strategies it will make things better. But it will be crowded. Prepare mentally for that. If you pay attention to AP blockouts that will help understand crowds.

 

[2kidsForMe]

How crowded is a 10 out of 10? I know what that means at WDW, but how long are lines at DL with that crowd level?

 

[Hound 109]

No worries .... If you get there at opening or for Magic Mornings we've found you can do just about all the major attrations and/or collect FP's for them before noon.

Follow this....& all the other good advice given upthread. Plus:

- Eat/grab a bite before 11:15am &/or after 1:45pm & before 5:15pm.

- After 11am (or noon) avoid the dreaded AdventureLand gauntlet. Use Frontierland to move "left to right" & back.

- Zig when others are zagging.

Good luck.

 

[Malcon10t]

You're right. I wouldn't expect that either... maybe a smidge lower. If it makes you feel better, Wednesday will be worse, it's the day before all Deluxe, so cal and so cal select passholders will be blocked. Also some schools in CA are out on Wednesday.

Actually, with the way furloughs were laid out, many CA schools are out the entire week. So, people can come down before Thanksgiving and make it home in time for Thanksgiving.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yep it'll be crowded - AP blockouts don't kick in till Turkey day itself - have you read this *it's from 2009 but last year was no different *I was there Thanksgiving day, Fri & Sat and we're headed back for those same days this year* and I don't see any reason why this year will be different.

HydroGuy's Understand AP Blockouts thread is right on.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Just go, knowing it *will* be super busy. We went the exact same time last year (We were there Mon-Wed before Thanksgiving) and it was probably the most crowded it had ever been for us. And we go busy times--we always go summer, spring break, and holiday season.

I told my husband last year after our Thanksgiving week trip that I would never go that week again in my life--and I am sticking to that! We are often down in So Cal that week (to see the inlaws) but I just didn't find the parks enjoyable at that crowd level. Some people are fine with it.

I have heard that it gets less busy on Thanksgiving and after.

 

[emacat]

I sympathize. We're going shortly before Christmas this year, and I'm nervous about it!

Just remember, it's still a vacation, so don't let yourself get too stressed. Get FP's early, take a break around mid-day, and sign up right away for any special show seating or premium dining.

 

[todzwife]

We went Mon-Wed before T-giving last year and it was VERY crowded. That said, we did FP, got there early (at least an hour), took advantage of MM when possible, and lowered our expectations a bit. It was fine. DH was having major anxiety attacks because he doesn't deal well with crowds, but it wasn't NOT doable.

That said, I would never willingly choose that time again if we could avoid it.

 

[splashtastic!]

I understand how your DH must have felt, I don't deal with crowds all that well either!

I've made a little list of "things to do when it's crowded." Like previous posters have mentioned, I use fast pass whenever possible or jump into a short line if I see a short line, even if it's not my favorite ride. I try to grab snacks when ever I see a short line, anywhere. I make at least one reservation for a meal inside the parks, and another one for Downtown Disney or one of the hotels. (Not at the same time, just so we can get a meal if the "short-snack-lines" don't pan out.)
My little list is:
* Enchanted Tiki Room (Also a great chance to get a dole whip, the "inside" line is usually faster!)
* Main Street Cinema
* The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr Lincoln
* Capt. EO (not a fav of mine but hey, who knows?)
* The Disney Gallery
* Innoventions
* Big Thunder Ranch - pet some cute critters!
* Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island - I could spend hours exploring the island!
* Aladdin - should not be missed it's worth the wait!
* Muppet Vision 3D
* It's Tough to be a Bug
* Disney Animation with: Animation Academy, Turtle Talk with Crush, Character Close-up and Sorcerers Workshop
* Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar


Although shops can get a little crowded, if you find a quiet area, it's fun to look at all the cute merchandise.
Have fun!!

 

[pinksand]

I've made a little list of "things to do when it's crowded.
* Enchanted Tiki Room (Also a great chance to get a dole whip, the "inside" line is usually faster!)
* Main Street Cinema
* The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr Lincoln
* Capt. EO (not a fav of mine but hey, who knows?)
* The Disney Gallery
* Innoventions
* Big Thunder Ranch - pet some cute critters!
* Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island - I could spend hours exploring the island!
* Aladdin - should not be missed it's worth the wait!
* Muppet Vision 3D
* It's Tough to be a Bug
* Disney Animation with: Animation Academy, Turtle Talk with Crush, Character Close-up and Sorcerers Workshop
* Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar

This is fantastic! I have been looking for a Little List of Things To Do/Places to Go for when the parks get really busy between like 2PM and 6PM. This one is perfect!

 

[GeneralTso]

Yup, it's SUPER crowded that week and the week after.
Not a good time to go if you hate crowds--as in wall to wall, sea of people kind of crowd.

You either need to just go with the flow and get all your rides in before then, or plan something different for that day. There's so much other stuff to do in LA.