How crowded is it really for Thanksgiving?

[dmonroe]

Hi! I starting to plan our 2004 trip; and I need some help from you guys!

Right now I'm trying to decide between December 3-12, or November 19-27 (which is Thankdgiving week) Normally I would have no trouble picking the week in December. But, next year ds will be in Kindy and he will actually have to miss school to go. By going for the holiday he will only miss 3 days as opposed to 6 days in December. I am familiar with the school system, and missing school is not a real problem there. From what I know they are pretty good about giving work to take, excusing absences, etc.

So..... I really want to know how crowded it is for Thanksgiving. Especially the Friday and Saturday after. I really don't want the end of our magical vacation to be full of stress and elbow to elbow crowds. Usually we go to MK on our last day (which is typically a Friday). I'm thinking it would be a madhouse the day after Thanksgiving though. How are the other parks on that day?

Any help or advice from y'all is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Dana

 

[TimeWarp]

My family will be vacationing this year from the weekend before Thanksgiving through Thanksgiving day. We originally planned on staying through the weekend after Thanksgiving but based on what I have read on these boards about crowds, we decided to go to Universal and IOA for two nights and stay on site for FOTL. I will be posting a trip report so you can watch for it after our trip. Happy Planning

 

[dmonroe]

I thought about doing IOA and Sea World after Thanksgiving, but I figured they would be just as crowded as Disney? Anyone have any experience in this area? Also, does anyone know if it's just MK that's really crowded, or will all four parks be equally crowded?
Thanks-Dana

 

[kalidk]

I am going Thanksgiving week this year oooo next month

Anyway I went there is 1999 for Thanksgiving Week I did not find it that bad the day after T-Day, but we went to Epcot.

I think alot of the locals go to MK that friday, and thats why its so crowded




Have Fun Planning!!

p.s.

This week is cool to go because they turn the park over to Christmas Time over night. Its cool..

 

[timC]

We go every year, but we normally depart on Friday, avoiding the big crowds.

Leading up to TG, it feels like summer type of crowds, but remember you don't have the heat, so it's not nearly as tiring. Also, we try to take in a water park... a little cool, but we enjoy it, and they are really quite this time of year.

Generally, if you know how to use FastPass efficiently, and start your day early, you find it very enjoyable.

 

[Heather]

We usually go earlier in November, but this year can only go the weekend before through the day after Thanksgiving. It's been two whole years since we've been (sob, sob!!) and we are feeling woefully unprepared.

Any advice on which parks to go to/avoid the week before and, especially, the day of and after Thanksgiving?

Thanks, as always, for all the great help y'all give here!