How busy Thanksgiving weekend?

[tracyl921]

Ok, i've posted this once before and no responses...I can't believe no one on the DisBoards has been to WDW Thanksgiving weekend! If you have, please help!!!!! I'm wondering which park(s) would be the least crowded Friday and Saturday. Which might be a good day to check out the decorations at teh resorts. Is there a do not miss resort as far as decorations go? Is DisneyQuest usally packed this weekend too or might that be a good place to go? This is our first trip to WDW during a holiday so any input, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tracy

 

[slduck]

I know that the unoffical guide says the days are really crowded. We are going up the Sat. before Thanksgiving, so I am curious about that whole week too

 

[BabyMo]

I'll be there the whole week. From what I've heard, it's going to be very crowded, even more so than in the summer.

 

[Okiemom]

We went several years ago over Thanksgiving, and will be there again this year. Yes, it will be crowded. I just know to avoid MK on Thanksgiving Day. Arrive at the parks early.

 

[AJKMOM]

Crowded the most on Wed., Thursday, Friday, and Sat. I have heard that the MK has closed to the public early on Thanksgiving Day.

 

[Laura_Lewis]

We've been there the weekend after Thanksgiving. Yes, it is very crowded. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we went to Discovery Cove. We knew how many people could get in there. We ususally go to Epcot on Saturday and then Magic Kingdom later on Sunday. We've previously stayed the week after as well.

We'll be there again this year, arriving on Friday this time. Late dinner reservations at Jiko and then we will wing it from there on the weekend. We have annual passes so we can come and go as we please. Even with the crowds, it's a lot of fun. All of the holiday decorations go up in the MK and Epcot. Go and enjoy!

 

[JenniferW]

It is going to be busy. I would avoid MK Thurs, Fri and Sat. unless you don't mind crowds or spend only the morning maybe and then hop elsewhere. By Sunday it will get better. I would vote for AK on Tday and maybe Epcot on Friday or MGM. Get there early and be ready to go!

The resorts are all beautiful I haven't been to all of them, but AK had a lovely tree and WL's tree was unique also. CBR was ok, but I liked the other ones better. Downtown Disney also has decorations and Santa out and about if you are interested.

Jenn

 

[cjsmom5]

We typically arrive on Thanksgiving Day and miss the parks on that day. It will definitely be very crowded. I don't think it matters which day -- Friday or Sat -- they are both packed. We've been to Epcot on both the Friday and Sat. It isn't too crowded in the AM but later in the afternoon it is packed. MK is absolutely packed on both days. You have a better chance of less crowds first thing in the AM. As far as the resorts, we typically go around and look at them on Friday and Sat. Here are our favs ...

1) Grand Floridian -- the tree is magnificent and the gingerbread house (all edible) where they sell candies and treats out of in the lobby is amazing.
2) Animal Kingdom -- The tree is very nice and huge, also. In the lobby it is so grand. The edible village down by Boma's is also really intriguing.
3) Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk -- Each of these have displays in the lobby area and it is fun to see them. They all have edible ones that the staff makes and it amazes me what they do.

I'm not sure if there is a MVMCP one of those nights (Friday or Sat) --if there is then you might want to consider watching the fireworks from the balcony area at the Contemporary -- it is at the end of the property-- facing MK -- I think one floor above the monorail. The MVMCP fireworks from there are great -- if the wind is blowing in the right direction.

We have found that the lightest crowds at MK are on Sunday early morning. It starts to get crowded again around 11 or 11:30 but prior to that the crowds are pretty thin. But, you definitely need to plan on large crowds. Downtown Disney Friday and Sat evening is wall to wall people. It is difficult to move in the World of Disney Store there are so many people. And even the outside areas are crowded.

 

[DisTeach1]

We are limited to two weeks in November-from Veteran's Day through Thanksgiving weekend in 2006. We want to do the cruise. If we do the cruise before, we can do a 4 night cruise, and the parks after, flying home the day after Thanksgiving. Or we can do the parks first, but we would then have to do the 3 night cruise, but the positive on that would be we could catch the end of the Food and Wine and the parks would be less crowded. That's what I'm worried about...The crowds in the parks from around Nov. 16 through the day defore Thanksgiving. Yikes! Confusing-What would you do?
Cruise first so we could do the 4 night, or cruise last so the parks would be less crowded.

 

[ellyn2000]

We've gone numerous times for Thanksgiving week and it does get more crowded on Thanksgiving day and the rest of the weekend. We've never been bothered by the crowds or prevented from something we wanted to do except for the year we tried to go to MK on Thanksgiving day. Big mistake. We spent turkey day @Epcot last year and it was wonderful. It's still worth it to me to go Thanksgiving week because I have to use less vacation time and I still get to enjoy the holiday decorations. Not going next month because oldest DS in on his 2nd tour in Iraq----waiting for him to come home and then a big family holiday @WDW for Thanksgiving 2006. I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[kschn3671]

MAgic Kingdom is crowded on Friday and Sat night. By Sunday and Mondy, the parks tend to thin out

 

[izzys4]

We were there last year Thanksgiving week and it was nice the beginning but got VERY busy the day before turkey day on......we're trying the week before this year.....the 10 - 18 and hope it's better!!!! Anybody think it will be not as busy??

 

[modernmickey]

Typically, beginning the day before Thanksgiving and continuing on for another few days it's mobbed.

That doesn't have to ruin your fun though - just learn everything you can about FastPass and use it like crazy!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm going to be there Thaksgiving weekend, but this is the first year for me. However, based on what I've read here, I'm going to avoid MK the entire weekend. I'm thinking that MGM might be attracting the locals who want to see the Osborne Lights, so if I go to MGM, it'll be only early in the day (outta there by 1-2). I was in Epcot on another busy holiday, Memorial Day, and once we got thru the line to get in, inside the park was fine, so I'm thinking Epcot would be a pretty good choice. And because I'm just plain crazy-I love AK-I'm going to AK later in the day on Saturday. It's open until 8:00, so I'll get to see it after dark and also I'll get to see the parade. However, unless you love AK like I do, I wouldn't recommend AK-it seems to "show" the crowds, partially because the pathways are narrow. So I guess I'd recommend MGM, AM only, otherwise Epcot.