Just bought - Thanksgiving Questions

[WDWmom08]

After talking about this for over a year we finally got everything togehter and bought BLT Wednesday. It had been my hope that our first trip would be for Thanksgiving, however it took longer than expected so by the time we booked our first ressie we were only able to get a 2 BR at SSR. While SSR looks wonderful it is a bit far when travelling with young ones (we still need naps) so we waitlisted BLT. Is this just wasted energy or do we have ANY shot at getting it? Didn't want to get my hopes up. Also, anybody have any great tips for our first Thanksgiving with Mickey??? Thanks.

Alicia

 

[disneynutz]

BLT will be hard to get since it's so new and hyped. We enjoy eating Thanksgiving dinner in our room with just the family.

 

[CarolMN]

If you waitlisted for a Lake View, I think you have a chance, although probably not a great one since we're only about 3 months away. (I think you have a very, very, very small chance of getting either a standard view or a Magic Kingdom view). Thanksgiving week is a very popular one.

Will you have a car? If so, since you want to do afternoon naps, I'd drive everywhere, except to the MK. Buses do not seem to run as frequently during mid day as they do for park open and park close.

Try to get to the parks before official opening, take in your "Must Do" attractions and then take your break. Reserve the evenings for the attractions that can take a lot of people, parades, shows and fireworks.

Make any restaurant reservations (esp Thanksgiving Day and the weekend) in advance to ensure a spot at a convenient time.

Thanksgiving at WDW
Thie above is still 2008 info, but it will give you some info to help plan & make choices.

Have fun - it's a wonderful time to visit!

P.S. There will be some Holiday activities/decorations while you are there. Don't miss the Osborne Lights at DHS and Santa at Downtown Disney.

Christmas at WDW

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm amazed you got SSR for Thanksgiving. SSR is a wonderful resort and the bus ride back to it doesn't take very long, except for maybe AK (because that's just far from nearly all the resorts except for Coronado Springs, AKL/AKV and the All Stars.)

 

[Starr W.]

We own at SSR and this will be our 4th Thanksgiving there. I tried to switch resorts last year, but the boys(13 and 8) said NO! Doing a Grand Villa this yr.

The staff is great, we have "our regular CM's" we see every year. From the staff at AP, to bell service, there "Welcome Homes" are genuine because they also add it's great to see you again.

The boys love being able to walk to DTD(especially the younger one, who's a lego/bionicle nut).

I just made ADR's yesterday and go everything we wanted. We tend to eat Thanksgiving dinner at one of the DTD places. We will be at Raglan Rd again this yr. They have a Thanksgiving dinner, but we always order off the regular menu.

 

[wdw1972]

Be prepared for big crowds. Years ago Thanksgiving wasn't bad, but the past few years it's been pretty uncomfortable. I'll be at BCV - but I think SSR is a good location since you have all of Downtown Disney close by. It's not as good as BCV though, where you can walk to the Osborne Lights or to the Epcot stuff. But, make the best of it this year & from now on you can book exactly where you want to stay at 11 months (or 7 if that's not where you bought your points).

 

[Starr W.]

Be prepared for big crowds. Years ago Thanksgiving wasn't bad, but the past few years it's been pretty uncomfortable. I'll be at BCV - but I think SSR is a good location since you have all of Downtown Disney close by. It's not as good as BCV though, where you can walk to the Osborne Lights or to the Epcot stuff. But, make the best of it this year & from now on you can book exactly where you want to stay at 11 months (or 7 if that's not where you bought your points).

Now we have found it very managable, we come in Friday before hand and leave on Black Friday.

It's great Sat-Tues, picks up a bit on Wednesday. Thanksgiving day is doable if you get TGM's plan and follow his advice(which I think is spot-on). We used it last year(we had come up with our own plan, which was similar, but we changed a couple of things per TGM).

Personally I wouldn't try to get an ADR to eat dinner in a park that day, especially MK.

 

[WDWmom08]

Thanks for all the great advice. I was going to try to get an ADR for 50's Prime Time for Thursday and then check out the Osbourne Family lights.

Does your waitlist show up anywhere on your account online? I don't see it anywhere.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for all the great advice. I was going to try to get an ADR for 50's Prime Time for Thursday and then check out the Osbourne Family lights.

Does your waitlist show up anywhere on your account online? I don't see it anywhere.

No, you will not see the wait list. You will know that you got it when you see the reservation change from SSR to BLT.

Have a great trip and congratulations on your new purchase!!!

 

[Girlie1]

If your waitlist does not come through and you end up staying at SSR, I would add a request to your reservation to stay in the Grandstand section. We stayed there last year and we loved that area. Plus a bonus with the kids - it is the first bus stop (or at least it was on our trip). I always felt bad when we got to the last stop or two and the bus was packed and people were trying to squeeze in with kids and strollers or in one instance the bus just drove by and didn't even stop it was so full. I am sure that you will have a great time on your trip. We will be there from 11/24-12/1 staying at VWL. Can't wait