Mini Trip Report - Thanksgiving

[Megb1]

Hi
Here is my mini trip report. I have to figure out how to add pics later. This was our 7th year celebrating Thanksgiving at Disneyland. This year we spent 3 days in the parks vs our usual 1 day. We usually go to Universal also but since my kids are under 3, there's not much for them there.

Wednesday, November 22
We landed at LAX at 3. Shuttle lost our reservation and didn't get us until 4:15. Traffic was a nightmare and got to Grand Californian at 5:45. Dropped our bags off in our room and rushed to Goofy's Kitchen for our reservation. We went back to our room to finally check it out. We booked a 2 bedroom suite and our room was next to Soarin and looked directly in front of Grizzley Run. Love the views! From my parents balcony, they could see some fireworks at Disneyland.

Thursday, November 23
Rode Star Tours - got picked as rebel spy
Coffee time
Indiana Jones
Space mountain
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
lunch Hungry Bear
Soarin
California Screamin
Dinner at Naples
Thunder Mountain
It's a small world
Ice cream

Friday, November 24
EMH CA
Guardians 2x
characters at animation building and cars land
breakfast at Carnation Cafe
Roger Rabbit
walk around Toon Town
Go Go gadget roller coaster
It's a small world
Buzz
Little Mermaid
Bugs Life area rides
Dinner Storytellers Cafe
California Screamin
Carousel
Guardians

Saturday, November 25
EMH Disneyland
Space Mountain
Star Tours
breakfast plaza inn
Buzz
Matterhorn
Jungle Cruise
Its a small world
Disneyland Train
Magical Map Show
Dinner Carnation Cafe
Its a small world
Carousel
Toy Story mania
ice cream

All 3 days we got the Maxpass. We loved the ability to fast passes on our phones especially when we could plan rides while the kids were napping.

I don't think we will go back to only spending 1 day at Disneyland! 3 days was perfect for our family.

 

[Cal-Pie]

I'm thinking of going next Thanksgiving. I'm curious to know if the crowd level varied much during those 3 days, or was it pretty steady

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Looks like you guys did some cool stuff. We have always found the later in the week, from Thanksgiving on, the crowds are not all that bad-think busy weekend crowds-not insane. It can actually be fairly pleasant up to about 10 each day.

 

[Megb1]

We didn't think the crowds were too busy. They were manageable. One helpful thing we did was making sure to have reservations for lunch and dinner since we had a large party. I think it helped make it feel less busy since we weren't waiting a long time for each meal. When we were at carnation cafe, people were being told at least a 1 hr wait and we can't do that with a 1 and 2.5 year old.

 

[chickapin parterre]

how long was your wait for the ice cream? And you didn't hop, so how did that go in the middle of the day? thank you for reporting

 

[Megb1]

We park hopped a little bit just before or right after the kids nap time. Wait time for ice cream was no more than 5 minutes at Clarabelles and Ghirardelli in CA or Gibson girl in DL. Ghirardelli was extremely busy but still only took about 5 mins even with multiple coffee and ice cream orders! Hope this helps!