Sunday after Thanksgiving - what to do?

[RichNKatHolly]

That will be our first full day at the parks. Does anyone know how crowded it is at the end of the holiday weekend? I'm hoping everyone and anyone will be on their way HOME! LOL

Which park would be best?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CHIPSTER]

This past year our first day was Saturday after Thanksgiving - we did MGM and while it was crowded we did everything except the Indy stunt show. We got FP for TOT while going on RNR first thing in the morning.

Sunday after Thanksgiving we did MK and there too it was a bit more crowded than we are used to but it wasn't all that bad as a lot of folks were heading home.

I also don't think EPCOT would be too bad that Sunday.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

THanks Chipster. Since none of us will be doing TOT or RNR we will probably start with MGM then (as long as it's not scheduled for EMH). I appreciate the help! We usually go in early November and it is so nice and uncrowded, I was a little worried about a holiday weekend.

Katrina

 

[kathyseb]

For the past three years we arrive at WDW on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. But, we usually check in around 2-3 in the afternoon. Unpack and head over to EPCOT. It is normally dead.
By the amount of traffic we pass that entire day heading north while we are heading south, I would say your statement is correct and everyone is heading home.
It is a great week to be down there. Be sure to take time to visit the Disney resorts to look at the decorations. They are something to see.
We noramlly take an afternoon and walk from EPCOT to the Beach Club, Boardwalk, Dolphin and Swan.
We are hoping this year to get over to Fort Wilderness to see their decorations.

 

[disney1990]

Wow -- what a wonderful time to be at Disney. Don't forget to see the Osbourne Lights at MGM and make plans to see the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Two of the best ways to start feeling the holidays.

P.S. The crowds should be thinning out by Sunday.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow, sounds like there'll be several of us getting there the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Epcot very quiet? So does that mean that might be a good day to plan on seeing the CP? And is it also a good day to plan to see the Osborne Lights. I wasn't sure if it would be so crowded everywhere, I wouldn't see anything. Now I may have a choice of things to see!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

What is this? I figured the decorations would be up by the time we visit so I'm very excited. We are doing the land/sea package so I'm bringing Santa hats and plan on taking our kid's xmas photos on Castaway (wooohoo!). It will be nice to rub in everyone's face back here in NY

Anyway, I did not hear of the Osbourne lights or the processional in Epcot. Are they everyday or special events? Any info would be great.

We are staying at AKL and I CANNOT WAIT to do all my holiday shopping in Epcot. I'm so excited to go this time of year. I really hope it's not too crowded. Early Nov. is always GREAT. Even during Super Soap it was soooo much better than summer.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Forget the last post. I just looked up the holiday info. Boy, that stuff is not in any of the guides I've read. It looks great!!! I'm soooo much more excited now. Maybe since we are arriving the day before we will pay for another day at the parks just to get a jump on things.

Thanks for the info - it is sooooo appreciated!

mom DS DD Auntie Dad

 

[Minerva]

That will be our first full day at the parks. Does anyone know how crowded it is at the end of the holiday weekend? I'm hoping everyone and anyone will be on their way HOME! LOL

Which park would be best?

Thanks in advance!

It will also be our first day in the park. We arrive the day before but plan to spend the afternoon and evening exploring resorts and riding the monorail and swimming if it's nice. Sunday we're going to MGM in the morning then taking a rest in the afternoon and heading to the first night of MVMCP that night.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

That's such a great idea. We are getting in the day before as well. Going to visit the resorts would be great. Do you have to pay to park at each of them?

 

[Minerva]

That's such a great idea. We are getting in the day before as well. Going to visit the resorts would be great. Do you have to pay to park at each of them?

I don't believe you do. We're staying on property though and plan to take a tour of the monorail resorts so that won't be a problem for us. We're just going to get on the first bus that comes and take the monorail from there if it's MK or Epcot to switch to the resort monorail or take the fist bus that comes to one of the monorail resorts if it's AK or MGM and spend the afternoon strolling through those three. At that time of year they'll all be decorated for Christmas and it should be a pleasant way to spend some time.

 

[kathyseb]

If you did not know about the Osborne lights or the Candlelight Procession, you might not have heard about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party either (MVMCP). It seems you either think it is a waste of money or you love it. We are in the love it group. It is held at MK after hours on various nights. The last three years, we have gone on Tuesday night (Tuesday after Thanksgiving). It is not too crowded and believe it or not, all three years, Tuesday has been the best weather.
There is a link to it at the top of this thread.
It is a way to see the Christmas Parade they show on TV on Christmas Day and there are speical shows.
Just don't plan on doing it all as it is impossible as there is so much to see and do.
MK closes at 6PM on the nights of the party. Then reopens at 7PM and the party lasts until Midnight.
If you have a ticket to the party, you can enter the park at 4PM. Last year we went over to Tomorrowland and waited. By the time the party had started at 7PM, we lareday had taken in two of the special shows as they were housed in Tomorrowland.
As I said, we love it.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Thanks! I knew nothing of this because I just thought Iwould never go over the holidays (not that 11/26 is Christmas) but I didn't know all the "holiday stuff" would be available. I'm really going to have to reorganize now.

Since we are arriving actually on 11/26 and our land/sea starts 11/27 I may now book a one night value resort and get started one afternoon earlier.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Katrina