I NEED HELP! Thanksgiving Trip to WDW

[peytondw]

Hi, guys! I am new to the board. I was just referred by a fellow Ebayer. My family (DH-30, DD-6, and DS-3) and I are planning our trip to WDW during the week of Thanksgiving... My daughter went when she was two, but this is my son's first trip. I want it to be spectacular! We have reservations to eat breakfast with Cinderella on the day after Thanksgiving, and we are eating lunch with the Princesses on Thanksgiving. Please help me to create an itenerary (probably misspelled) that includes all the great stuff! I am a middle school teacher, and I usually do scheduling things with ease. However, I just can't get my arms around this task! Also, my husband and I want a night to ourselves. I have read about babysitting services, and I need to know about that, too. I appreciate any help from all of you Disney Veterans! Most of your posts have been so positive! I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks so much! Brandi


45 days, and counting! We are so excited!

 

[minniedisney1]

Try tour guide mike, I love him!!! I also use the Unofficial Guide to Disney w/kids for tons of stuff. We went last year Thanksgiving week & had a blast!! Have fun!

 

[sarahsmom73]

MY advice exactly! I am using him for our Thanksgiving trip too!

 

[Mimi Q]

Welcome to the DIS boards. Here's a great link about Child Care at WDW.

http://allearsnet.com/pl/childfaq.htm

 

[Mimi Q]

Check out this link for predicted crowd levels to help you decide which park would be the best to visit during that week.

http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

I also think your family would enjoy the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. My family loves it.

http://allearsnet.com/din/hddcom.htm

My girls really enjoyed the carriage ride after we went to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, too. Here's a link with info.

http://allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm

They would probably enjoy the camp fire program, too.

http://allearsnet.com/pl/mev/tip85.htm

That's just a few of the things my girls like.

 

[mickey0216]

Our family (DW, DD, DS and I) has done Thanksgiving week several times. My biggest suggestion is to get as much touring done in the beginning of the week as is possible. We tend to arrive the Sat before Thanksgiving. The crowds tend to be light to very manageable Sat thru Tue. Wed tends be pretty busy, Thurs is VERY busy and gets worse as the day goes on. We avoid parks on Fri (go shopping at DTD) and fly home on Sat.

 

[jennymouse]

For a first timer, I would definately suggest www.tourguidemike.com too. It'll cost you $20 to join but you've got enough time to read it through and get your money's worth out of it.

 

[mickey0216]

If you've got the extra $15, I strongly suggest that you buy "The Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World". The amount of useful info included in the book is amazing.

 

[goofy4tink]

Welcome to the DIS boards!!! You have most certainly come to the right place for great info. So.......
You have gotten some good advice so far. Get a good guidebook. The Unoffcial Guide is excellent, as is the Passporter. I usually have both every year...just makes for great reading, even after 8 or so trips!!
Then, make a list of those things you really, really, really want to do in each park. Everyone gets to make a choice or two. Then, go to each park as early in the day as is humanly possible and do those preselected things. The parks are going to be very busy at this time of year. And the closer you get to Thanksgiving Day, the more crowded it will be!!! So do your 'must-dos' early each day. Have at least one table service (it-down and be waited on meal) every day...I like to do lunch since it's a built in break. You get to rest and recoup your strength.
Do NOT try to do it all, see it all!!!! This is not going to happen and you'll just drive yourself and your poor family nuts. Include some down-time for the kids. You youngest may be too young for the kids clubs but your older child might love The Neverland Club at the Polynesian. This was always one of my dd's favorite things to do.

Now, as to what you should include.....if you'll be there when the Epcot World Showcase storytellers are out, be sure to catch some of those. A schedule is included in your Epcot info sheet/folder at the park entrance.
The different Christmas trees in each park are quite beautiful.
Only you can decide what is a good attraction for your particular children. Be sure to visit Toon Town...the kids love it. Just be ready for those hordes of people. On Thanksgiving day the parks were wall to wall people last year...at least during the day. Take your time. If/when you don't see all that you want to......well, just an excuse for another trip to WDW.
Come back here and ask away. Get a guidebook, see what you want to do, we'll help you fine tune your plans. Planning is half the fun I think.

 

[anne60]

Doing the popular attractions in the first hour that the park is open will save you so much time and grief!

We have also gone over Thanksgiving, and the other poster is right about crowds building through the week.

Although crowded, it is a great time to go...not too hot (evening can be quite cool) and all the Christmas decorations are going up!

 

[PamNC]

to the DIS!!! Everyone has given you great links for your planning. You may end up like the rest of us and discover that planning the trip is half the fun. Just wanted to say hello and let you know that me and my husband will be there 11/23-11/27. We went last year during Thanksgiving - it's a great time to go. The X-mas decorations at the resorts and the theme parks are fabulous. I'm not sure of your dates...most of the Holiday festivities start on Thanksgiving Day but a lot of the decor is up prior to that. The little Disney elves must work overtime.

I would suggest you not miss the Osborne Spectacle of Lights at MGM, Holidays Around the World at Epcot (storytellers in each Country), and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Also take some time to check out a few of the resorts - the decorations will definitely get you in the mood for Christmas. It's our "kick-off" to the season.

Another piece of advice is to stay on property.

Have fun!

PamNC