Help with HS morning on Thanksgiving Day

[SFMommy]

We will be in HS on Thanksgiving morning. Attending 7:00 a.m. EMH walking or boating from The Swan.

First question...what time do the boats start running? We would like to be at the gate by 6:00...or earlier, depending on what we decide to RD.

We have a 9:00 a.m. reservation at Oga's and would like to accomplish the following attractions between 7-9.

MFSR
RNRC
TSM
A2S

Second question...what order would you do these in? If we can do these 4 attractions between 7-9, we will be very happy because we have FP+ for SDD and ST and no interest in ToT. Just wondering if it is a realistic goal.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[SarahC97]

We went last year during Thanksgiving (and going again this year!) and we found that it's so crowded that week that there's not a ton of advantage to rope drop or EMH as there is during other times of the year. Other people may have different experiences to report, but that's what I've found. We weren't able last year to do that much during the first couple of hours a park was open just because there are so many people, especially for big rides.

That being said, I would try to do MFSR, Aliens Saucers, and TSM first, then trek to the other end of the park for RNRC. Whether you'll be able to get those done in that time frame is up in the air, but that's what I'd attempt to do.

 

[SaintsManiac]

1. I would plan on walking.

2. I think you need to pick 2 of the 4, since you need to factor walking amongst those attractions.

We are going to HS on 11/26 and our plan is ToT at 7am EMH, then Aliens and Mania before an 8:30 Slinky FP window. I am hoping it's not too ambitious!

 

[SFMommy]

Thanks! I think we will go to RNRC first and then over to MFSR and wait it out. A2S and TSM are not a priority for us. My DD13 really wants to ride RNRC (it will be her first time) and my DH really wants to ride MFSR. If we are able to grab a 4th FP+ for A2S and TSM, then that's great. But if not, then we will be OK. We have riden TSM many times in DCA. And A2S seems a lot like Mater's.

Thanks for the input!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Wow, you guys are making me nervous! I will be there that day, too. I've never been at Thanksgiving before, but you all have me thinking it will be crazy!

1. I would plan on walking.

2. I think you need to pick 2 of the 4, since you need to factor walking amongst those attractions.

We are going to HS on 11/26 and our plan is ToT at 7am EMH, then Aliens and Mania before an 8:30 Slinky FP window. I am hoping it's not too ambitious!

I would love to hear how it works out for you. Of course, Thanksgiving Day will probably be even more crowded. We want to do TSM at 7 a.m. EMH, then while 3 of us go to ToT and RnRC, the other 3 will try to ride SDD. I was hoping to be in line for MFSR before regular opening, but I'm starting to think that won't happen. We have no reservations that day though, so we have plenty of time in the morning if we have to wait it out. But I would love to be at AK by lunchtime.

 

[SarahC97]

Wow, you guys are making me nervous! I will be there that day, too. I've never been at Thanksgiving before, but you all have me thinking it will be crazy!

I would love to hear how it works out for you. Of course, Thanksgiving Day will probably be even more crowded. We want to do TSM at 7 a.m. EMH, then while 3 of us go to ToT and RnRC, the other 3 will try to ride SDD. I was hoping to be in line for MFSR before regular opening, but I'm starting to think that won't happen. We have no reservations that day though, so we have plenty of time in the morning if we have to wait it out. But I would love to be at AK by lunchtime.

It will be crazy -- it's crowded. But I really think it always feels a little crowded any time you go, it's mostly just the wait times that shoot up when you go over a holiday like this. Last year when we went over Thanksgiving it was the first time and it wasn't anything we couldn't handle. You don't get as much done, but it's really just the being there that's fun. I would also eat at off times when you're doing QS -- finding a table at a QS restaurant can be a big challenge.

On a side note, I notice you're staying at AKL. We are too! It's our first time and I'm very excited to try that resort. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Wow, you guys are making me nervous! I will be there that day, too. I've never been at Thanksgiving before, but you all have me thinking it will be crazy!

I would love to hear how it works out for you. Of course, Thanksgiving Day will probably be even more crowded. We want to do TSM at 7 a.m. EMH, then while 3 of us go to ToT and RnRC, the other 3 will try to ride SDD. I was hoping to be in line for MFSR before regular opening, but I'm starting to think that won't happen. We have no reservations that day though, so we have plenty of time in the morning if we have to wait it out. But I would love to be at AK by lunchtime.

I will come back and post about it. Remember that most people go to the MK on the major holidays and hopefully the 7am EMH helps spread things out at HS.

We've been for Thanksgiving before and had no problem doing everything we wanted to do. You just have to be ok waiting in line.

 

[Delirium]

We were at Disney during Thanksgiving week last year, and at HS on Thanksgiving morning. If I recall, it was a normal 9 a.m. opening. We did not schedule FPs on Thanksgiving Day at HS, using them that night at MK instead. We had 2 other partial HS days where we used FPs there.

I put a lot of detail into our touring plan and found Thanksgiving week to be very manageable. It was busy, but with good planning and realistic expectations we still thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Our longest wait the entire trip for a ride was under 30 minutes (though we did wait longer to see Mickey at MK on Main Street).

As mentioned, we had FPs two other days at HS during our trip, so we did not have them on Thanksgiving Day. We rope dropped Alien Saucers since we did not have a FP for it at any time during our trip. We walked on and could have walked immediately back on it. However, we thought we might be able to sneak a ride at TSM, but the wait was already posted at 45 minutes at 9:15, so we stuck to our original plan and did shows up until the time we headed to MK.

With a 7 a.m. opening this year, I think it's realistic for you to get 3 of those 4 things done. I would do Saucers first since you can be on and off in 5 minutes. With Star Wars open, I don't think you'll run into what we did for TSM, so I would do that after Saucers. Then I would check the app and see what the waits were for RNR and MFSR to see which one has the longest wait. If they are relatively equal, I would do MFSR because you are on that side of the park.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

It will be crazy -- it's crowded. But I really think it always feels a little crowded any time you go, it's mostly just the wait times that shoot up when you go over a holiday like this. Last year when we went over Thanksgiving it was the first time and it wasn't anything we couldn't handle. You don't get as much done, but it's really just the being there that's fun. I would also eat at off times when you're doing QS -- finding a table at a QS restaurant can be a big challenge.

On a side note, I notice you're staying at AKL. We are too! It's our first time and I'm very excited to try that resort. Hope you have a great trip!

Maybe we will see you there! You will love AKL. It's amazing! AKV is our DVC home resort, so we stay there a lot. We are bringing our DS's GFs this time, and they've never stayed at AKV. I'm really excited for them to experience it.

As far as CS, I will relay the info to them. My DH and I always eat at TS just because of my food allergies. But they will be eating some CS without us. Thanks for the help!