How crowded is Thanksgiving weekend?

[disneymom1]

I'm thinking of rescheduling my trip (due to arrive Thurs AM), due to Hurricane Ivan. I have been to WDW on President's day weekend, Easter week, Jersey week (usually the first or second week in November), mid January and late April. But I've never been there at Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is looking like the best alternative for us. Can anyone tell me how the crowds compare to other holidays and to Jersey week? I can't go Jersey week this year so I'm looking for another long weekend so I don't have to take the kids out of school for more than a day or 2.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I've never been at this time of year before. But based on what I've seen on these boards, I won't be going to MK before that Sunday!!! I guess it gets really bad! Thanksgiving Day is our arrival day also and there will be NO parks that day!!! I believe that Epcot handles the crowds much better due to it's openess. So, you should probably count on humungous crowds that week-end.

 

[Grumpy92]

The forecast for hurricane Ivan seems to have moved far west of the central fla area. So very doubtful they will feel any effects.

As for Thanks, the best part is that as of Friday on that weekend the xmas shows and displays begin. Crowds are very heavy, larger then Jersey week closer to what it is like at xmas. Parks have a tendency to fill to capacity in the morning and reopen later in the afternoon, late evening hours for the weekend. Weather is very nice. Make sure to make a PS at the 90 day mark for Thanks day meals. Otherwise counterservice will be your main option.

 

[Tigger's Mom]

Another consideration is traffic. We went several years in a row during Thanksgiving, but gave it up because of the traffic on 95 during that time... We can deal with crowds in the park, but not turning a 9 hour trip into 15 hours to get back home.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by Tigger's Mom
Another consideration is traffic. We went several years in a row during Thanksgiving, but gave it up because of the traffic on 95 during that time...

Do you think the traffic from MCO to WDW will be really bad on Sat 11/27 as in bumper to bumper?

Thanks,
Tink

 

[Jeanny]

We stayed at the Polynesian two years ago and as you can see, we're going back again this Thanksgiving.

I didn't think the crowds were that bad... really!!! We arrived Wednesday afternoon (after leaving PVD in a snowstorm) to 80 degree temps. We did Epcot on Thanksgiving Day, but went to MK in the evening. Friday, we did MGM and it wasn't really that bad, Saturday, we went back to MK and Sunday, we went to MGM & MK, did the RnR & TOT TWICE with no line. You could actually walk down the sidewalk right before the parade started at MK.

The crowds are as bad as you make them. If you have the mindset that it's not bad, then it won't be, but if you go with your mind made up that it's going to be shoulder to shoulder, then it will be that way for you... following what I'm trying to say??

and you know, the only place we saw/heard crying children was at the MK, for the sake of your children, TAKE A BREAK!!!