MK & Party Day Strategy (Thanksgiving Week)

[SDA]

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we are planning to go to MK and also do the MVMCP (have tickets). We plan to get to MK a little later in the morning, really do not want to EE or Rope Drop and take a break later - much prefer to sleep in and stay once we are there. We are also staying at Swan so seems like it would be an extra pain to go back and forth.

This is for me, husband, and 13 yo daughter.

We plan to get LLMP and LLSP. I realize not scanning into our 1st ride until 10:30 will probably not leave a lot of availability to add spots later in the day, but we'd rather at least have a few rides LL and maybe a few more than none at all. I've rolled it around in my head on what to do with the LLMP. I believe that I will shoot for my Tier 1 as Space Mountain and Tier 2 as Haunted Mansion and Pirates. I'll just bite the bullet and wait in line for Tiana and Jungle Cruise if we can't find a time after scanning our first. I hear Tiana goes down some and we may just not be up for getting wet in late November. The hope will be for some low ride times in Fantasyland as that will be when the first parade is (likely) going on.

Is this reasonable? Outside of not getting LL in the time slots or rides being down, is there anything else I need to think about that might throw this schedule? Any must do MK attractions for my teen that aren't listed? We are planning a visit to the Rapunzel bathrooms. Haha.

Also, is there any chance at grabbing our Xmas party bands prior to our 3:45 reservation - I believe they aren't available until 4, so I assume no?

10:00-10:15 - Park Arrival
10:30-2:45 - LL Haunted Mansion | LLSP Seven Dwarfs | Tiana (est 60 min wait) | LL Pirates | Jungle Cruise (try to book LL after Haunted; est 60 min wait if not) | Other rides/attractions in area as we can fit in
3:45 - Beak and Barrel Reservation (already booked)
4:30 - Get Xmas Party Bands | LL Space Mountain | LLSP TRON | Other Tomorrowland Attractions
7:00 - Main Street for hot chocolate and cookies
7:30 - Fantasyland Attractions (ride what we can)
9:30 - Alternate spot for Fireworks (not front or Main Street)
10:00 - Fireworks
10:30 - Set up for parade (along route not Main Street)
11:00 - Parade
11:55 - Mickey Christmas Show and head out

 

[sponica]

Generally speaking the crowd levels on party nights are lower during the day, we NEVER make it for rope drop and we got a lot done on a halloween party day (although I do recognize overall crowd levels are lower in late august than thanksgiving week).

Are you planning on eating at all? I don't see that in the plans aside from hot cocoa and cookies.

 

[SDA]

Generally speaking the crowd levels on party nights are lower during the day, we NEVER make it for rope drop and we got a lot done on a halloween party day (although I do recognize overall crowd levels are lower in late august than thanksgiving week).

Are you planning on eating at all? I don't see that in the plans aside from hot cocoa and cookies.

Haha! We are just going to Buddy the Elf the whole day.

I think going to take food as it comes at MK. Eat a big breakfast and bring some snacks with us. We'll probably try the corn cakes at B&B and I really want to hit up the egg roll stand.

The only thing that is throwing me with food is that I can see us getting hungry later and it appears that not many places will be open, so still trying to strategize a late dinner option if we are hungry. I think Casey's Corner may be open. I did see that the Plaza has reservations until 8:00 (and some open ones at the moment). Just not sure about sitting down to eat on this day.

I'd welcome any thoughts on food during the parties!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

You definitely don't want to do a sit down during the party. You just lose so much party time, in my opinion. I was there last year and did the party on the Tuesday (and will be doing the party on Tuesday THIS year too.) My recommendation is to do some quick service about 6pm as the park is clearing of day guests. Although, last year, I think I ate a big lunch and then just snacked during the party (popcorn, the special ice cream sandwich from the Plaza parlor, some cookies). It was more than enough to get me through.

Your question about getting your party bands early - last year they absolutely did NOT start giving out bands until 4pm exactly. I was already in the park and headed over to the tomorrowland distribution area about 3:30, thinking they might start. Oh no. CMs got there and got set up around 3:45 but the person at the front controlling the line literally looked at a watch and didn't open until 4pm on the dot. My plan had been to get the band a little early and get in line for the exclusive merch at the emporium by 4. Nope.

 

[SDA]

You definitely don't want to do a sit down during the party. You just lose so much party time, in my opinion. I was there last year and did the party on the Tuesday (and will be doing the party on Tuesday THIS year too.) My recommendation is to do some quick service about 6pm as the park is clearing of day guests. Although, last year, I think I ate a big lunch and then just snacked during the party (popcorn, the special ice cream sandwich from the Plaza parlor, some cookies). It was more than enough to get me through.

Your question about getting your party bands early - last year they absolutely did NOT start giving out bands until 4pm exactly. I was already in the park and headed over to the tomorrowland distribution area about 3:30, thinking they might start. Oh no. CMs got there and got set up around 3:45 but the person at the front controlling the line literally looked at a watch and didn't open until 4pm on the dot. My plan had been to get the band a little early and get in line for the exclusive merch at the emporium by 4. Nope.

Good to know about the bands - we won't waste any time trying for that before our B&B res then!!

 

[AussieFan8]

I think going to take food as it comes at MK. Eat a big breakfast and bring some snacks with us. We'll probably try the corn cakes at B&B and I really want to hit up the egg roll stand.

The only thing that is throwing me with food is that I can see us getting hungry later and it appears that not many places will be open, so still trying to strategize a late dinner option if we are hungry.

Definitely be mindful of food during the party! We had a bad habit of eating a big meal before the party, then not eating at all during it except for cookies. We would then arrive back at the hotel after the party super hungry with no food options. Now we make sure to stop at a quick service at some point before the end of the party.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Maybe planning a sit down to “ recharge” before the party begins …
I like to watch guests arriving for the Party as I relax at the Plaza.

Good idea for MNSScary too.