How crazy crowded is WDW the week of Thanksgiving?

[CACruisin']

I have spent time on the DCL board, but am new to this forum. We are considering a trip to WDW Thanksgiving 2007.

How crazy crowded are the parks the Sunday - Wednesday before Thanksgiving?

Would it be better or worse than July crowds?

With the kids going into middle school we are limited to "holiday" travel now: Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break. I am sure the crowds are bad for Christmas & Spring Break. Summers are so HOT!! I am sure that Thurs-Sunday after Thanksgiving is also crowded, just hoping the days before are not so bad?

TIA

 

[shelleybell]

We visited over Thanksgiving last year. Having only visied in June and July, I must say it was not as bad as I thought it would be. It did get busier later in the week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, MK seemed empty to me. We will try to go again over Thanksgiving this year. shhhh DS doesn't know!

Have a great trip!

shelleybell

 

[terryfromhawaii]

and they have been very croweded both times. Unfortunately, that's the ONLY time we can take off from our family business. I would strongly suggest subscribing to Tour Guide Mike and use his advice for visiting during holidays! I just subscribed and will be trying it this year. Make sure you make your Resort Reservations, Rental Car Reservations and ADR's waaaaay in advance! It's a nice time of the year to visit, though, because the parks stay open longer.

 

[sarahsmom73]

We went this past Thanksgiving from the Tuesday before until the Sunday after... We used TGM and he was right on.. I actually thought it was worse over spring break (with the exception of leaving the Candle Light Processional..)... I agree about MK the Sunday after it was EMPTY!!

 

[CACruisin']

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like it will be bad, but it could be worse.

I am new. Who/What is Tour Guide Mike?

TIA

 

[Del]

We've gone a few times from the thurs or friday before thanksgiving to the tues before thanksgiving.....it is a wonderful time to go. The crowd picks up on tues.....but before that.....minimal lines and people. Enjoy!

Del

 

[Greg K.]

Check the link on the site (just look at the top of your page!)...he's one of the corporate sponsors of the DISBOARDS, and offers some GREAT online touring advice and tips. He's really got some terrific ideas (though, ahem, I find his site a little confusing to navigate...)

As for Disney during Turkey Week: we went over Thanksgiving Week in 2004. Sunday through Wednesday was busy, but bearable, while Thursday (Thanksgiving) through the following weekend was pretty crowded.

That said: the weather was beautiful (cool, sometimes chilly in the mornings, but very nice by mid-day...bring warm coats!) and we loved being able to see all the Christmas decorations.

NB: I believe that week is when they begin both the Osborn Lights, and the "added" finale for IllumiNations. We caught the former but missed the latter, thanks to bad information at the front desk of CSR, where we were staying. I had read on these boards that they do something special at the end of IllumiNations over the holidays, and asked at CSR if they had started doing that yet, and the CM picked up the phone, asked someone, hung up and said, "No. There's nothing special at the end of IllumiNations."

Lesson: check with the people at Epcot first!

Anyway: we had a great time. Some of the restaurants offer special Thanksgiving buffets -- we had turkey and all the trimmings at the Cape May Cafe of the Beach Club (mmmmmm....!) -- and you can't find a happier time of year to visit the happiest place on earth. :

 

[CACruisin']

Thanks for all the great info. Sounds like Turkey week is "doable" and I'll definitely check out tour guide Mike.

Thanks again. DIS boards always have the answers!