How crowded is DL and DCA on Thanksgiving and through that weekend?

[ElizabethB]

We expect it will be crowded. Could someone comment on how crowded it's been in the past? Have they had to close the parks to all but Disney hotel guests? Does the fast pass system enable you to get on most rides? What else should we be aware of? Thanks.

 

[jencav5]

I love going to DL the week before Thanksgiving-thru Thanksgiving! The few days before the holdiay are usually great! The park is not that crowded and all the decorations are up and the shows are running for Christmas. The only thing that isn't there yet, is Santa. The holiday itself and the days following get a bit more crowded, especially the actual weekend days, however, I would not say it is that bad. The worst time to go to DL is actually mid to late December-it has been so crowded during this time, that they've had to limit the people going into the park before-much more crowded even than summer! Thanksgiving, though, is not as bad as that. I would excpect it to be somewhat crowded, starting on Friday, thru the weekend, but the fastpass works great! I'm not sure if the 50th anniversary will bring more people this year. It was more crowded in May than usual due to the 50th. I'm not sure what you're plans are or where you're coming from, but we usualy drive and have found it best to come the few days before Thanksgiving and leave the Friday after Thanksgiving, as to miss the holiday traffic home. We drove home on the Sunday once and it was stop and go traffic the whole 350 miles-way worse than any crowds at DL!

Also, if you're spending the holdiay-the best dinner is the Thanksgiving dinner in the ballroom of the Disneyland hotel-the food is good-a buffet with tradiational turkey, prime rib, stuffing, etc., as well as other foods, like pasta, sushi, a kids food area, etc.., and the characters are there for you to see. You go to them-they don't come to your table, but it is a great way to get to see characters-not long lines, as people are coming and going and eating, etc... You need to call and book this ASAP, though, if you're interested, or haven't already.

 

[cmpaige]

We arrive at DL on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and plan on being in the parks Mon-Thurs that following week. I'm hoping for sparse crowds.

 

[ElizabethB]

Jencav5 -- Thanks so much for your response. That's very helpful. And, I will check into the Thanksgiving dinner. That sounds like fun! I would not go this time, except my sister is a preschool teacher and this is the only time she has off for a while. Thanks again!

 

[HydroGuy]

I love going to DL the week before Thanksgiving-thru Thanksgiving! The few days before the holdiay are usually great! The park is not that crowded and all the decorations are up and the shows are running for Christmas.

We are going for a day trip on Mon, Tue, or Wed before Thanksgiving. The advantage of Wed is that there is no EE and the scheduled park hours are 8AM-Midnight. But I am concerned about crowds as the week progresses. Have you noticed a big difference in crowds among these three days?

 

[Vanvmom]

We've visited DL the week before Thanksgiving for years, and over the past few we've noticed that the days prior to Thanksgiving have gotten busier over the past few years, but nothing like the summer months. This year with the 50th Anniv. there may be more crowds than normal. By all means, avoid the day after Thanksgiving (it is totally nuts, summertime crazy) in the parks. I also agree that trying to drive out of the area is crazy stop and go traffic the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day traffic is just a bad. It took us over 5 hours to drive from DL to Bakersfield last year on Thanksgiving Day (no accidents, just massive traffic).

Of the days Monday - Wednesday... we've found Tuesday to be the least crowded. I believe that So. Cal schools all have the entire week off of school, and schools in our area (northern CA) all have Wed off from school. The crowds we saw were mainly large family groups (like our group of 14). Many times we had long waits in line because Disney gives priority to groups that contain a member that needs assistance (such as someone using a wheelchair). So, even with Fastpasses, our wait was longer during Thanksgiving week than during other visits because of the large number of groups with a grandparent in a wheelchair. I'm NOT complaining mind you, just mentioning that there seemed to be a higher than normal number of "needs assistance" groups at DL that week. Likely many grandparents live near DL and when family comes to visit for Thanksgiving, they decide to visit DL as well. I know I would!

 

[HydroGuy]

Of the days Monday - Wednesday... we've found Tuesday to be the least crowded. I believe that So. Cal schools all have the entire week off of school, and schools in our area (northern CA) all have Wed off from school. The crowds we saw were mainly large family groups (like our group of 14). Many times we had long waits in line because Disney gives priority to groups that contain a member that needs assistance (such as someone using a wheelchair). So, even with Fastpasses, our wait was longer during Thanksgiving week than during other visits because of the large number of groups with a grandparent in a wheelchair. I'm NOT complaining mind you, just mentioning that there seemed to be a higher than normal number of "needs assistance" groups at DL that week. Likely many grandparents live near DL and when family comes to visit for Thanksgiving, they decide to visit DL as well. I know I would!

Thanks for the feedback! I will be going with my sister, who is a SoCal resident. Her three kids are out of school all of the week. I think this is the first year they are giving her kids the whole week off. Our party will be 12-15 people.

We plan to be at the gates at 7:30AM, so when there is no EE (like on Wed) you can really crank out some rides in the first hour. On Tuesday there will already be lines in FL and TL when one gets in at 8AM because of EE. I guess the answer to my question depends on how the crowds differ between Tue and Wed. If Wed were say 10% more crowded, then I think I would go Wed because there is no EE. But if it is 20% more crowded on Wed, I would probably choose Tuesday even though it is EE.

 

[Dagny]

We will be there too.. Arriving Monday night and departing Thanksgiving Day. We are trying to cram "everything" in three days... bwahahahaha... wishful thinking, I'm sure

 

[HydroGuy]

We will be there too.. Arriving Monday night and departing Thanksgiving Day. We are trying to cram "everything" in three days... bwahahahaha... wishful thinking, I'm sure

What do you mean by "everything"? We went for four days in early August and did everything we wanted. And then some. If you plan well and get to the gates early, you might be able to do everything you want.

 

[jencav5]

We are going for a day trip on Mon, Tue, or Wed before Thanksgiving. The advantage of Wed is that there is no EE and the scheduled park hours are 8AM-Midnight. But I am concerned about crowds as the week progresses. Have you noticed a big difference in crowds among these three days?

I have some pics from last year that show the crowd background, but I can't seem to figure out how to post them on here.

I think I agree that Tuesday will probably be your least busy day. DL is always more crowded than CA, so you may want to keep that in mind when deciding your days. The nights are the worst at DL, as far as crowds go, but there are some great night shows, so you may also want to consider/plan for that. DL is really not that large, so when it gets crowded it can get jammed, where at CA the walkways are wider and you just feel like there is so much space! Unfortunately, all the best nightime shows are at DL and everyone flocks over there when they close CA! You'd think they'd figure out a better way to handle that! Anyway, usually the week before Thanksgiving is not that crowded, but you should be prepared for it to be somewhat crowded due to the 50th. If you use the fastpass and plan your day out, you should be fine.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have some pics from last year that show the crowd background, but I can't seem to figure out how to post them on here.

I think I agree that Tuesday will probably be your least busy day. DL is always more crowded than CA, so you may want to keep that in mind when deciding your days. The nights are the worst at DL, as far as crowds go, but there are some great night shows, so you may also want to consider/plan for that. DL is really not that large, so when it gets crowded it can get jammed, where at CA the walkways are wider and you just feel like there is so much space! Unfortunately, all the best nightime shows are at DL and everyone flocks over there when they close CA! You'd think they'd figure out a better way to handle that! Anyway, usually the week before Thanksgiving is not that crowded, but you should be prepared for it to be somewhat crowded due to the 50th. If you use the fastpass and plan your day out, you should be fine.

Thanks again. We just went on a four-day trip in early August and are familiar with the DL and DCA shows and such. We saw every show and will skip them this time. It has been 25 years since I have been to DL on a non-summer day. I know how to work the system in summer. But I do not have a feel for non-summer. We will be going with my sister and her family on this day trip, and we are trying to decide the best day. It will be Tue or Wed.

 

[jencav5]

HydroGuy:

If you were just there in August, then you already know what to excpect. It will not be more crowded than that-most likely less crowded with the weekdays before the holiday. They do have different shows for the holidays, though-they have a Christmas parade and a Christmas fireworks show. They are both different from the regular ones. I'm not sure with the 50th if they will be changing any of the holiday stuff they usually do. Also, Small World is changed for Christmas and the Haunted Mansion. I think you will enjoy the day during that time of year-it is a nice time to go-and not too hot! Whichever day you choose, it will be fine.

 

[drgalyen]

We went to DL 2 years ago over Thanksgiving. We got there the Sat before and left on Sat- day after Thanksgiving. The weekend was busy but Mon and Tues were managable. Let me also say that we went 2 years before that in Feb and the parks were great- we walked onto some rides. With that said, we tried DL on Thank. day and it was totally insain!!! We could hardly move- I was afraid we would loss one of our kids and we were holding hands. We went to DCA for the day and had lots of fun- we rode Cal screamin 8 times in a row just before the park closed.
Go early and use the fast pass- it does help!
drgalyen

 

[HydroGuy]

We went to DL 2 years ago over Thanksgiving. We got there the Sat before and left on Sat- day after Thanksgiving. The weekend was busy but Mon and Tues were managable. Let me also say that we went 2 years before that in Feb and the parks were great- we walked onto some rides. With that said, we tried DL on Thank. day and it was totally insain!!! We could hardly move- I was afraid we would loss one of our kids and we were holding hands. We went to DCA for the day and had lots of fun- we rode Cal screamin 8 times in a row just before the park closed.
Go early and use the fast pass- it does help!
drgalyen

What is your best guess at the crowds on Wed vs. Tue on your trip? 10% more? 20% more?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[drgalyen]

I can't remember Wed. as much as Thur. but it was a lot busier than Tues. I would say about 30% more people on Wed. and 80% more on Thurs. Monday and Tues were the best days to go!
drgalyen