SSR at Thanksgiving 2008

[TheWhites]

We purchased an SSR contract from Disney on our last trip in June 2007. We are going to be staying at SSR for the first time Thanksgiving Week 2008. Obviously we're very excited about experiencing DVC for the first time. Equally exciting is going during Thanksgiving for the first time.

What I'm looking for are any suggestions anyone might have with respect to SSR and any ideas/must sees when we're at the parks during Thanksgiving. I understand some of the Christmas/holiday shows are up and running at that time. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

We're becoming Disney addicts in this family!!! We're definitely drinking the Disney Kool-aid.

 

[culli]

We are in the same situation - so interesting to hear replies!!!

 

[edk35]

This past Thanksgiving....well we departed on Thanksgiving afternoon back home but we were there from the Wed. (week before) Thanksgiving for 8 nights. We stayed in the Grandstand section next to that pool. WE LOVED THAT LOCATION. In Aug. we stayed in Congress Park and that was nice too. Thanksgiving time is going to be REALLY CROWDED. That was our third trip the same week but the other two trips we left WDW on that Sat. two days after Thanksgiving. People start rolling in that weekend before Thanksgiving but you really notice the crowds pick up big time that Tuesday. Yes the decorations are usually all out, the trees are up at the parks, the Osborne lights will be up, and we were able to attend a Christmas Party at MK. Just expect crowds and plan accordingly. We are avid TourGuideMike users for every trip so we make sure we ADHERE to his plans....but even with that... it is dicey at times. Now...my big suggestion and it is his as well....go to the parks when they are open....ride and also collect fast passes to use at night when the crowds are there. Enjoy the decorations and really take in the atmosphere of being there over the holidays. It is sooooo magical and beautiful. IT is a fave time for us to go. I absolutely love going that week. Now I have a friend that arrived Thanksgiving day....stayed til the following Wed. The crowds were BAD until Monday she said.....so just expect that long Thanksgiving weekend to be packed and try and get MUST DO's IN BEFORE THEN. Have fun staying at SSR we sure did.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This past Thanksgiving....well we departed on Thanksgiving afternoon back home but we were there from the Wed. (week before) Thanksgiving for 8 nights. We stayed in the Grandstand section next to that pool. WE LOVED THAT LOCATION. In Aug. we stayed in Congress Park and that was nice too. Thanksgiving time is going to be REALLY CROWDED. That was our third trip the same week but the other two trips we left WDW on that Sat. two days after Thanksgiving. People start rolling in that weekend before Thanksgiving but you really notice the crowds pick up big time that Tuesday. Yes the decorations are usually all out, the trees are up at the parks, the Osborne lights will be up, and we were able to attend a Christmas Party at MK. Just expect crowds and plan accordingly. We are avid TourGuideMike users for every trip so we make sure we ADHERE to his plans....but even with that... it is dicey at times. Now...my big suggestion and it is his as well....go to the parks when they are open....ride and also collect fast passes to use at night when the crowds are there. Enjoy the decorations and really take in the atmosphere of being there over the holidays. It is sooooo magical and beautiful. IT is a fave time for us to go. I absolutely love going that week. Now I have a friend that arrived Thanksgiving day....stayed til the following Wed. The crowds were BAD until Monday she said.....so just expect that long Thanksgiving weekend to be packed and try and get MUST DO's IN BEFORE THEN. Have fun staying at SSR we sure did.

So in your opinion, would you suggest going before Thanksgiving and leaving shortly after or spending some time after Thanksgiving day?

 

[edk35]

So in your opinion, would you suggest going before Thanksgiving and leaving shortly after or spending some time after Thanksgiving day?

Well Thanksgiving this past Nov. fell early close to Veteran's Day...so we arrived on Wed. two days after Veteran's Day so it might have been more crowded that week because of the way Vet. day fell. If my kids weren't in school....I would arrive the week before each and every time.....maybe leave to go home about Tuesday two days before Thanksgiving. That still gives you that first weekend and all the holiday stuff should have started up.

 

[edk35]

So in your opinion, would you suggest going before Thanksgiving and leaving shortly after or spending some time after Thanksgiving day?

I personally think that Wed. the day before through Sunday/Monday of Thanksgiving weekend are the worse. We have noticed these last two Nov. trips that this has become a very popular time to go now.

 

[TheWhites]

Thanks for the input. It's appreciated. If anyone else has any feedback, I'd love to hear it. Thanks.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I personally think that Wed. the day before through Sunday/Monday of Thanksgiving weekend are the worse. We have noticed these last two Nov. trips that this has become a very popular time to go now.

By "Wednesday before" I take it you mean the day before TDay, right?

 

[edk35]

By "Wednesday before" I take it you mean the day before TDay, right?

Yes the day before Thanksgiving that Wed. through Thanksgiving weekend including Monday are pretty darn packed.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thank you!

 

[Starr W.]

Now I didn't find Thanksgiving that crowded, we went down on Saturday before and left Friday after. We had no problem getting on buses(but we have our secret touring plans) at SSR (CP section). This will be the 3rd Thanksgiving in 2008. Had no problem getting ADR's.

We stop going to the parks on Wed afternoon. This year were going to get a car and do some daytrips to Daytona and the Space Museum.


I will tell you that AK on Sunday of MLK weekend was way busier than Thanksgiving Day of 2006.

I have found out(I always manage to find someone to chat with at the bus stops) that there are alot more oversees visitors(I talked to Brits,Aussies, Germans and some Danes at Thanksgiving) and I think there maybe a trend in some school districts of getting ALL of THANKSGIVING WEEK OFF! Ran into them as well(I think FL and LA was were they were from).

 

[miamimama]

We went T'giving '06 and are going again this year in spite of the crowds. Here's a link to a thread on that trip http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1282754. Tends to concentrate on how cold it was at the beginning of that week, but also some info on SSR. I enjoy that week in spite of the crowds - we have no choice but to go the week of Thanksgiving with DD's school schedule. We'll probably spend alot of time at Downtown Disney again this year, and only hit fastpass attractions at the parks. But, Disney is beautiful that time of the year and it really gets you in the holiday spirit.

 

[Starr W.]

We went T'giving '06 and are going again this year in spite of the crowds. Here's a link to a thread on that trip http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1282754. Tends to concentrate on how cold it was at the beginning of that week, but also some info on SSR. I enjoy that week in spite of the crowds - we have no choice but to go the week of Thanksgiving with DD's school schedule. We'll probably spend alot of time at Downtown Disney again this year, and only hit fastpass attractions at the parks. But, Disney is beautiful that time of the year and it really gets you in the holiday spirit.

I have been debating whether to try to waitlist another resort for Thanksgiving, but having DTD rest. is great during that time. We tried Raglan Road(really liked), Wolfgang Puck(skip the Cafe and hit Express) and our favorite House of Blues. We did the Cirque show on Thanksgiving night(better than I had thought).

But if you think the parks are crowded, DTD was really really packed this year.
We usually stay at Congress Park area of SSR and it's a short walk over for us.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I have been debating whether to try to waitlist another resort for Thanksgiving, but having DTD rest. is great during that time. We tried Raglan Road(really liked), Wolfgang Puck(skip the Cafe and hit Express) and our favorite House of Blues. We did the Cirque show on Thanksgiving night(better than I had thought).

But if you think the parks are crowded, DTD was really really packed this year.
We usually stay at Congress Park area of SSR and it's a short walk over for us.

Was it difficult for you to do walk-ins at these restaurants during this time period?

 

[PantherFanStan]

What I'm looking for are any suggestions anyone might have with respect to SSR and any ideas/must sees when we're at the parks during Thanksgiving. I understand some of the Christmas/holiday shows are up and running at that time. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

SSR....We're SSR owners. We've been to WDW Thanksgiving week for the past three years. We were able to switch to VWL in 2005 and 2006, but we were one night short of being able to make the switch this year. SSR was terrific, we had our car, but found the buses to be no worse than any other resort. The resort is very tastefully decorated and the close proximity to DTD is great. Be sure and try the Thanksgiving special sandwich at Earl of Sandwich (turkey with dressing and a cranberry sauce dressing -- out of this world, and offered well past Thanksgiving Day).

Parks......For our family, the single biggest can't miss (and worth the 700 mile drive from NC alone) is the Osborne lights over in MGM (er, Disney Hollywood Studios). The decorations throughout the all of the parks are spectacular. If time allows, take the monorail tour and check out the decorations in the lobbies of the monorail resorts (Grand Floridian has a "life-size" ginger bread house, life-size choclate carvings of Pinnocchio and Geppetto). Take a bus over to the Boardwalk area (a carved chocolate carousel), then walk or boat to EPCOT or MGM and catch a bus back to SSR. We've never done the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT, but some say it is their favorite holiday event. And....oh yeah, the lighting on the castle this year was beautiful, I hope they keep it as new Christmas tradition. And don't forget the lobby at the Wilderness Lodge -- it's remarkable anytime, but that towering tree is unforgettable.

Crowds.....It can be very crowded, but presumably, you're a regular reader of these boards and with the knowledge you have -- and the fact that as DVC'ers you'll be going back, the crowds are basically a non-issue IMHO. Is it better/easier to go the first week of December? You bet -- but as a Disney veteran, I would never let the Thanksgiving crowds scare me away.

Tour Guide Mike.....Honestly, his generic touring advice doesn't contain one thing that you can't find/haven't seen on the internet (or this board alone). THAT SAID, his advice on WHICH park to choose for which day is well worth the price. We did the first two Thanksgiving's without TGM, and it was very manageable -- but following his advice on which park honestly made us almost forget it was Thanksgiving this past year. I don't think this Thanksgiving was substantially less crowded than past two Thanksgivings (I'm sure someone has posted info regarding park closings during that week), but the results have already convinced us to sign up with TGM for our upcoming trip over Spring Break (which thankfully falls after the two weeks of Easter for us this year).

Good luck, You are sure to have a magical time.

 

[Starr W.]

Was it difficult for you to do walk-ins at these restaurants during this time period?

You can make ADR's for the DTD restaurants. I wouldn't even dream of trying a TS place without one over Thanksgiving at DTD or the parks. Our stategy is to TS for lunch(cheaper and usually easier to get in) and CS or DTD TS for dinner.

 

[Starr W.]

SSR....We're SSR owners. We've been to WDW Thanksgiving week for the past three years. We were able to switch to VWL in 2005 and 2006, but we were one night short of being able to make the switch this year. SSR was terrific, we had our car, but found the buses to be no worse than any other resort. The resort is very tastefully decorated and the close proximity to DTD is great. Be sure and try the Thanksgiving special sandwich at Earl of Sandwich (turkey with dressing and a cranberry sauce dressing -- out of this world, and offered well past Thanksgiving Day).

Parks......For our family, the single biggest can't miss (and worth the 700 mile drive from NC alone) is the Osborne lights over in MGM (er, Disney Hollywood Studios). The decorations throughout the all of the parks are spectacular. If time allows, take the monorail tour and check out the decorations in the lobbies of the monorail resorts (Grand Floridian has a "life-size" ginger bread house, life-size choclate carvings of Pinnocchio and Geppetto). Take a bus over to the Boardwalk area (a carved chocolate carousel), then walk or boat to EPCOT or MGM and catch a bus back to SSR. We've never done the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT, but some say it is their favorite holiday event. And....oh yeah, the lighting on the castle this year was beautiful, I hope they keep it as new Christmas tradition. And don't forget the lobby at the Wilderness Lodge -- it's remarkable anytime, but that towering tree is unforgettable.

Crowds.....It can be very crowded, but presumably, you're a regular reader of these boards and with the knowledge you have -- and the fact that as DVC'ers you'll be going back, the crowds are basically a non-issue IMHO. Is it better/easier to go the first week of December? You bet -- but as a Disney veteran, I would never let the Thanksgiving crowds scare me away.

Tour Guide Mike.....Honestly, his generic touring advice doesn't contain one thing that you can't find/haven't seen on the internet (or this board alone). THAT SAID, his advice on WHICH park to choose for which day is well worth the price. We did the first two Thanksgiving's without TGM, and it was very manageable -- but following his advice on which park honestly made us almost forget it was Thanksgiving this past year. I don't think this Thanksgiving was substantially less crowded than past two Thanksgivings (I'm sure someone has posted info regarding park closings during that week), but the results have already convinced us to sign up with TGM for our upcoming trip over Spring Break (which thankfully falls after the two weeks of Easter for us this year).

Good luck, You are sure to have a magical time.

I think Thanksgiving 07 was more crowded than 06. I even noticed it at SSR. Sunday-Tuesday there was hardly anyone waiting at the CP bus stop in 06. Man it was packed this year, according to some folks from Louisiana, alot of them skipped their annual trip in 06(still trying to get life back together from Katrina) and decided to show up in 07. Now I always notice alot of LSU clothing but there was a definate upturn this year.

 

[miamimama]

I have been debating whether to try to waitlist another resort for Thanksgiving, but having DTD rest. is great during that time. We tried Raglan Road(really liked), Wolfgang Puck(skip the Cafe and hit Express) and our favorite House of Blues. We did the Cirque show on Thanksgiving night(better than I had thought).

But if you think the parks are crowded, DTD was really really packed this year.
We usually stay at Congress Park area of SSR and it's a short walk over for us.

So DTD was packed - even the West Side/Pleasure Island? We went the night before T'giving in '06 and thought it was remarkably uncrowded. We usually hit Adventurer's Club fairly early after dinner at Raglan Road, but we might try House of Blues - do you know if they take ressies?

 

[Starr W.]

So DTD was packed - even the West Side/Pleasure Island? We went the night before T'giving in '06 and thought it was remarkably uncrowded. We usually hit Adventurer's Club fairly early after dinner at Raglan Road, but we might try House of Blues - do you know if they take ressies?

Yep HOB takes ressies! It was busy on the nights the Cirque show was open. We did Wolfgang Puck's Cafe(okay, but the worse service we had on the trip) on Saturday night about 5:45 and it was packed.