How crowded is Disney Thanksgiving week?

[BrettRox]

As opposed to the summer months? I can understand it being a busier time. I've been spoiled the last two trips as I went in the middle of November two years ago and for Mardi Gras week earlier this year.

Am I going to be let down by the number of people on hand this time around? Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Bump.

We leave next Tuesday for our first Thanksgiving stay. I am concerned, too. Just want to be prepared.

We went 8/19 for 10 days and believe it or not we were a bit bummed about the crowd levels. I had seen posts that the end of August weren't too bad, but.... (we are spoiled as we have mostly gone in January)


Help prepare us!!!

 

[GrannyPC]

BrettRox,

We are from south Louisiana also and are planning a trip for Thanksgiving 2005. Let us know how the crowds were.

Have a safe trip.

 

[Mouselander]

My family of five have spent Thanksgiving week at WDW every year since 1999. We will be arriving for our sixth WDW Thanksgiving this weekend. EVERY THANKSGIVING week we have been there has been a different experience in attendance levels. After 911, there were many times our family were the only people on the bus or water taxi and the parks (especially MGM) was spooky because the CMs seem to outnumber the guests. Last year was just medium attendance. However, this year I hear Disney is giving free park attendance to all those who helped during the four Hurricanes. The Deluxe Resorts seem to have more reservations than usual. We anticipate this year's attendance during Thanksgiving to be very crowded since MK will be open late every night we are there - an unusual situation.

Now, about the weather! Our first two trips at Thanksgiving the weather was perfect. The third, was sooooo cold, from high 30's to mid 60's. The fourth was perfect one day and cold the next throughout our stay. It can get real cold on a windy evening near the lakes for the fireworks. We have learned to pack at least one cold weather attire.

Regardless, there is no place like WDW for the Holidays. Have a great trip.

 

[snicker-doodle]

Mouselander --

Do you happen to know if there are specific dates that Disney is giving free admission to Hurricane volunteers?

 

[katgarbars]

According to http://www.guide2wdw.com/

Disney's Salute to Central Florida Hurricane Heroes
Eligible power company and emergency relief workers can receive a free 5-day park hopper plus ticket now through December 20th. Discount tickets and room rates are available to these workers as well. Visit the Walt Disney World site for more information.
-----------------------------------
Hope this helps.

 

[tink2]

We have been during Thanksgiving week 3 times. The first was in 99- pretty good crowds. (of course we had not been to WDW in 15 years- so we were pretty niave) The next was just after 9/11- parks were pretty empty. The last was last year- much more crowded than the trips before during this time. We had a couple of cms tell us that this week is getting more and more crowded with every year- of course, so is every time of the year!
Looking at the hours for this year, I'd say it will be crowded- MK is open to midnight every night!!! I don't think the hours were this late last year- but I could be wrong. We are going in early dec. this year- but still expecting crowds- maybe not as large as Thanksgiving.
My advice is to strategize:
Use EE and hop to another park after lunch- this worked well last year
Use fastpass as much as possible- used it all day every day last year
Do the important stuff early in the day- the parks get more crowded as the days go on
BE FLEXIBLE!!! We changed our whole plan after teh first day and glimpse of the crowds
You will be fine. Just be prepared. I haven't been in the summer since I was little- just won't go during this time if I can avoid it. Look at it this way- at least it will be cooler than the summer!

 

[BrettRox]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I can't believe I'm only two days and change out from heading to Disney!

 

[TimandTanya]

This will be our third trip thanksgiving week, and MK is very full on Thanksgiving day itself. We found that the day after Thanksgiving was the least crowded at MK (although the crowd was still in full force)

The day after Thanksgiving is also very nice, because all the CHristmas decorations come out. Very festive and absolutely beautiful!!

We are doing 3 days at Disney, and 2 days at Seaworld, Seaworld is amazing, and with small ones (DS is 3), we take our time, crowds are medium at best, and 2nd day is FREE!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Today we went to Epcot. We were expecting crowds. It wasn't bad at all. When we got there, Spaceship Earth had a huge line, so we skipped it. As we were exiting the park, we did Spaceship earth without any line. I was talking to someone who went to the MK yesterday. She said the crowds were horrible there. Guess we just picked the right park to go to today!

 

[Heyyall]

Originally posted by Lives4Disney
(we are spoiled as we have mostly gone in January)

im actually going this time for the first time ever..so its not that crowded?? we usually go early december and the crowds are very light..can i expect the same thing in the first-second weekd of januarY?

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I would say it was pretty crowded this past week. We went in May of '97 during the 25th anniversay and this past week was about the same. Getting there early and using Fast Pass helped a lot, though. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, we got there at rope drop into Liberty Square at 9:00 and by 1:00 pm we had done BTMRR, SM, POC, JK (FP), the treehouse, Tiki birds, Alladdin, and Country Bears. Just stay out of MK on Thanksgiving day! We did AK and it wasn't near as crowded for us as some people.
Kim