MK the day after Thanksgiving

[SouthernBuckeye]

I have been reading these boards for quite awhile and learned so much about touring plans. Great tips to make the best of a crowded park! This will most likely be the most crowded time we've ever visited and the day after Thanksgiving will be our first park day. Were you at WDW the day after Thanksgiving last year? Which park(s) did you visit and how was it?

 

[cassie58]

We have been at MK twice the day after Thanksgiving, and it was very busy, actually more so than on Thanksgiving Day itself. I think people feel it will be busy on the holiday and avoid it, and then come the next day. When we did Thanksgiving Day we got there early, got things done, and scheduled dinner at 1900PF to be out of the park (and see the giant gingerbread house!) in case it was busy, but did end up coming back in for night activities. The second time we got lunch ADR at LTT, so again we had our meal and could leave early if we wanted, but it was not necessary. But on Black Friday, we had a Prepark opening brft at CP, and when we came out, it was just opening, and a wall of people were coming at us, I took photos beforehand as well on the empty Main St., and the after photo is striking. I would probably pick a different park, but with Sat. being a usual busy day for MK and the start of FD for some, that may be worse. If you go Fri., I would be there at RD, with a plan for what you want to hit, and have your FPs for early afternoon and try to get 4th after, or take a break and make them for evening when you return. You could also get things done in the a.m., then hop to another park if it is crowded later. The parks generally get less crowded starting Sunday, as we have stayed till Wed. before, and it is definitely calmer after the weekend. Check out Josh's easywdw site if you haven't for his recommended parks on those days - he rates the best to worst, and gives his reasons. You may want to wait to go there for the first few days, but I know some people can't!

 

[mmouse1239]

We have been there at that time of the year several times. On our first Thanksgiving week visit, we decided to head somewhere else in the AM, then thought we would go to the MK later in the day. WRONG!!! It took us two hours to get from the entrance, down main street, and to the train station (in Fantasyland I think???) to get out of dodge. I was so nervous being crammed in like that....anxiety overload. You literally could not move. It was just awful, and I will never put myself in that situation again. JMHO.

 

[Accident]

I have been reading these boards for quite awhile and learned so much about touring plans. Great tips to make the best of a crowded park! This will most likely be the most crowded time we've ever visited and the day after Thanksgiving will be our first park day. Were you at WDW the day after Thanksgiving last year? Which park(s) did you visit and how was it?

I was not last year but I was in 2014.. the weekend is PACKED.. second largest crowd aside from xmas to new years... but that sunday night and monday morning everyone disappears and the first week of dec, which usually has no discounts might actually be the quietest week for WDW. they also tend to film the dec 25th tv show (although last year that happened in nov and not the normal first week of dec).

I compeletely avoided WDW last year because osbourne lights were ending and it made some not normal crowds and honestly, I couldn't find a room to book when I was free to visit so I had to skip..

 

[maj42169]

We always spend Thanksgiving and the days after in the parks. Last year the parks were very crowded, but I will have to say that the crowds did not die down as the next week approached. In fact, I found the first week of December to be just as crowded as Thanksgiving week. Even the cast members said they were shocked because it has historically been one of the slowest times of the year. It looks like everyone has decided to go that week since they have heard it was slow. EPCOT will be jammed the day after Thanksgiving because it is the first Candlelight Processional.

 

[ariane37]

Hmm, well my take is a bit different. We were there last year and are going again this year. We got to MK on Black Friday when they opened (8am). It was lovely, SO not crowded prior to our 10:05 CRT breakfast. We came out around 11:30 and while it was definitely more crowded, it wasn't overwhelming and we were comfortable and able to do a couple more attractions with little wait. And we don't wait for anything over 20-25 mins.
By 12:30-1 we could feel the crowds building and we left around 2 for Epcot. We were there until about 8pm and were only in WS, watching performers and the holiday storytellers. Of course it was crowded but not packed; it was still pleasant and we could easily find a good spot to see every storyteller/performer we wanted. Crowds did get a bit heavier around 5-6:00. Surprisingly we felt it was MORE crowded in Epcot on Black Friday back in 2012 when we were there.

 

[Karabear15]

This is all very good to know, we are arriving Tuesday before Thanksgiving, staying until Sunday. I am trying to figure out our plans for which park on what day. So far we are thinking MK on Wednesday, Epcot Thursday, DHS and AK Friday...of course we will park hop, but the general idea is most of the time spent in these parks on these days...with everyone's experience during this week...does this sound good, or are we setting ourselves up for disaster?

 

[disneygolfer1985]

This is all very good to know, we are arriving Tuesday before Thanksgiving, staying until Sunday. I am trying to figure out our plans for which park on what day. So far we are thinking MK on Wednesday, Epcot Thursday, DHS and AK Friday...of course we will park hop, but the general idea is most of the time spent in these parks on these days...with everyone's experience during this week...does this sound good, or are we setting ourselves up for disaster?

I would definitely avoid Epcot on Friday. Epcot will be beyond packed Friday and the WS will be a massive wall of people due to Holidays Around the World just starting. I like going over Thanksgiving because I think it is not as crowded as Christmas, but some days are packed. Usually, for thanksgiving, we go to AK and you can do everything that you want. You could do some things at Epcot in the morning on Friday before the candlelight processional starts. I'll be there from Tuesday through Monday. I would highly recommend seeing the candlelight processional.

 

[Karabear15]

I would definitely avoid Epcot on Friday. Epcot will be beyond packed Friday and the WS will be a massive wall of people due to Holidays Around the World just starting. I like going over Thanksgiving because I think it is not as crowded as Christmas, but some days are packed. Usually, for thanksgiving, we go to AK and you can do everything that you want. You could do some things at Epcot in the morning on Friday before the candlelight processional starts. I'll be there from Tuesday through Monday. I would highly recommend seeing the candlelight processional.

Epcot probably isn't on our radar much for Friday...as we will spend all day Thursday. If we were to go Friday, it would be in the evening for dinner and then possibly the processional. We have seen the processional before, it is a highlight, but not something we NEED to do. I am more concerned about MK...everyone in our group is really excited to spend the day there, but I don't want to have picked a day where it's going to be unbearable. I've tried looking at the crowd calendars, and they show MK being less crowded on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving...so I guess that is what we are sticking too. We are only doing 3 day park hopper tickets this time around as we will arrive late Tuesday evening due to work and want to have a day out of the parks to just enjoy the pools, DS and maybe take a drive over to Cocoa Beach. I'm trying not to plan plan...but it's hard especially when you have limited days and it's busy.

 

[SouthernBuckeye]

Thanks everyone! This is exactly what I wanted to know. A little worse in some ways than I had hoped, but at least I can be better prepared. I hadn't thought about the first Candlelight Processional starting that day, so that's also very helpful.

 

[Accident]

Thanks everyone! This is exactly what I wanted to know. A little worse in some ways than I had hoped, but at least I can be better prepared. I hadn't thought about the first Candlelight Processional starting that day, so that's also very helpful.

right after thanksgiving is when everything for the dec holidays is fully out and going. it's a great time to go in my opinion if the holidays are a prime reason for when your going.