Help me decide what to do for Thanksgiving Dinner

[Leonsmom]

We are planning to arrive in WDW early on Thanksgiving Day.
Originally DH had said we should just treat it as any other day, we'll just order Pizza or something. Me, I am not happy with this idea.
I have a few ideas about what I may want to do and some questions to go with them, that hopefully someone out there can help me with.

1. Because I don't know yet if we want Thanksgiving Dinner on or off property, my first question is ....Are there any good off-property restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner?

2. If we eat on property, I am thinking a resort would be the best choice, given the crowds at the parks. We are staying at Pop Century, which is CS only, so that is out. What is your favorite resort restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner?

3. If we go to a resort restaurant I was wondering if we can also enjoy some of the perks of that resort while we are there. Like if we choose Boma At AKL would we be allowed to go look at the animals on the property while we are there? Or if we went to POFQ could we bring our bathing suits and use their pool even though we are guests of Pop? My DS5 is dying to ride the Dragon Slide just once. And if yes, what other resorts should I consider that may offer duel benefits. I'd like to make the most of our arrival day.

4. Any other ideas? If you have been to WDW on Thanksgiving, what did you do?


TIA for your help!!!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

It is going to be very hard to get an ADR on Thanksgiving, so make sure you have your phone in hand at 6:59 am 180 days out! I have heard that Trails End at FW is a great spot for Thanksgiving that doesn't get too crowded. The down-home atmosphere is perfect for the holiday.

3. If we go to a resort restaurant I was wondering if we can also enjoy some of the perks of that resort while we are there. Like if we choose Boma At AKL would we be allowed to go look at the animals on the property while we are there? Or if we went to POFQ could we bring our bathing suits and use their pool even though we are guests of Pop? My DS5 is dying to ride the Dragon Slide just once. And if yes, what other resorts should I consider that may offer duel benefits. I'd like to make the most of our arrival day.

You cannot use the pool of a resort you are not a guest at. You can look around, check out the animals AKL, enjoy the holiday scenery, but you can't use the pool.

 

[rsmithx]

I would think you couldn't go wrong with Liberty Tree for Thanksgiving.

Turkey and mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy...

Plus chip and dale and goofey and minnie... sounds like a dream thanksgiving to me

 

[bigbabyblues]

We're going at Thanksgiving this year too, and I haven't totally made up my mind yet either.

1. Because I don't know yet if we want Thanksgiving Dinner on or off property, my first question is ....Are there any good off-property restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner? We don't go off property, so I have no idea.

2. If we eat on property, I am thinking a resort would be the best choice, given the crowds at the parks. We are staying at Pop Century, which is CS only, so that is out. What is your favorite resort restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner? I agree with a resort, that's what we're thinking. From what I've found from last year, and assuming things are the same every year, a lot of restaurants will serve a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner, some in addition to their regular menu, some in place of. I've read that Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge has a great T-dinner, but I think a dinner show (Luau, HDDR, BBQ) would be fun for a holiday.

3. If we go to a resort restaurant I was wondering if we can also enjoy some of the perks of that resort while we are there. Like if we choose Boma At AKL would we be allowed to go look at the animals on the property while we are there? Or if we went to POFQ could we bring our bathing suits and use their pool even though we are guests of Pop? My DS5 is dying to ride the Dragon Slide just once. And if yes, what other resorts should I consider that may offer duel benefits. I'd like to make the most of our arrival day. You can visit, you can eat, you can shop, you can look around, you CANNOT swim. Pool hopping is not allowed, there are signs posted at all the pools. I think (may be wrong) you can rent the boats/watercraft even if you aren't staying there, some resorts have adventure/pirate cruises for the kids, Fort Wilderness has pony rides and things.

4. Any other ideas? If you have been to WDW on Thanksgiving, what did you do?

 

[Leonsmom]

Thank you for the help everyone. This definatly clears alot up for me although I still don't know yet where I will go.

 

[tytydane]

you can go to the pools just not the beach club because they check your room ID just dont bring your own towles or alot of stuff because they could suspect things it is fun to pool hop

 

[missminniemouse]

Two years ago we went to Whispering Canyon Cafe for Thanksgiving. We made a lunch reservation. They had a wonderful meal, with Turkey as one of the meats presented on the platter. It was a fun place to have our Thanksgiving meal. We'll be going again at Thanksgiving this year and haven't decided yet where to go. Our children would probably do Whispering Canyon again, but I'll try to convince them to try something new.

 

[Leonsmom]

Two years ago we went to Whispering Canyon Cafe for Thanksgiving. We made a lunch reservation. They had a wonderful meal, with Turkey as one of the meats presented on the platter. It was a fun place to have our Thanksgiving meal. We'll be going again at Thanksgiving this year and haven't decided yet where to go. Our children would probably do Whispering Canyon again, but I'll try to convince them to try something new.

I am glad you said that, I was just salavating over the pictures of some of the WCC food. The skillet looks good!! Was it crowded on Thanksgiving??

 

[missminniemouse]

I am glad you said that, I was just salavating over the pictures of some of the WCC food. The skillet looks good!! Was it crowded on Thanksgiving??

We had an ADR for lunch opening time, which if I remember correctly was 12:00. Yes, it was very busy. By the time we were finished with our meal, the place was packed. The food was very good and we really enjoyed the meal.

 

[Leonsmom]

Okay i am thinking either WCC with sliegh ride after

or Boma so with tour around AKL

or Off prop

Has anyone ever had Thanksgiving dinner off property???

 

[bigbabyblues]

you can go to the pools just not the beach club because they check your room ID just dont bring your own towles or alot of stuff because they could suspect things it is fun to pool hop

Pool hopping is not allowed.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Okay i am thinking either WCC with sliegh ride after

or Boma so with tour around AKL

or Off prop

Has anyone ever had Thanksgiving dinner off property???

WCC is a lot of fun for a regular dinner, I think it would be great for T-day!

 

[teedisney]

We ate Cracker Barrel 2 years ago. good for the price. We'llbe on-site and trying for ADRs on TG as well. I was thinking WCC.

 

[MinnieGi]

We will be doing a resort for T-day also. I just haven't figured out where for this coming trip. This past T-day we did Yachts Club Galley at YC. It was a very good buffet and they served our group of 22 well. I'm waiting for a list of what restaurants will be serving a traditional meal plus regular items to narrow my choices down.

 

[Leonsmom]

We ate Cracker Barrel 2 years ago. good for the price. We'llbe on-site and trying for ADRs on TG as well. I was thinking WCC.

I LOVE Cracker Barrel!!!!

We will be doing a resort for T-day also. I just haven't figured out where for this coming trip. This past T-day we did Yachts Club Galley at YC. It was a very good buffet and they served our group of 22 well. I'm waiting for a list of what restaurants will be serving a traditional meal plus regular items to narrow my choices down.

We had to change our ressies to arrive the day after T-day, but I was so convinced by the pics of WCC food that I did decide to go there T-day or not!

 

[pilgrimr]

We are thinking of doing the 1900 Park Fare for Thanksgiving dinner. Any thoughts on it or experiences? We wanted to go there so we could also see the gingerbread house.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I LOVE Cracker Barrel!!!!



We had to change our ressies to arrive the day after T-day, but I was so convinced by the pics of WCC food that I did decide to go there T-day or not!

We had a ball at WCC, I hope you like it as much as we did!

 

[MinnieGi]

WCC is a good choice for any meal! We always have a fun time there.

 

[MinnieGi]

We are thinking of doing the 1900 Park Fare for Thanksgiving dinner. Any thoughts on it or experiences? We wanted to go there so we could also see the gingerbread house.

I can't comment on 1900 Park Fare, but the GF gingerbread house is very cool! And yummy too.

 

[mdoc]

Last year we did a last minute Thanksgiving week trip (last minute meaning we didn't reserve until August!), and I couldn't get an ADR anywhere. Our T'giving dinner was turkey legs on the fly from Toluca Legs at DHS. This year we're planning a bit further in advance, and we're hoping to go to Boma. Second choice is Trail's End at Fort Wilderness.