Tell me about the week after Thanksgiving.

[Mickeygolf]

We're getting really excited for our trip 11/25 to 12/2. We usually go in May so we can't wait to see all the Christmas decorations and go to our first MVMCP on the 28th.

Please tell me all about the crowds, the weather, lines for rides, swimming possibilities, and anything else you can think of. We're staying at OKW. It's going to be a great trip.

Thanks

 

[theostwalts]

Bump!!!!!

Going that week too!!!!!!

 

[JMCDisneyBound]

Joining the club!!!

 

[blessedby3]

This is the week that we went last year and it is a GREAT week to go. Wish we were going again during this week this year instead of the week before Christmas. We have to go 12/16-12/23 because my niece is in college and cant miss any days. UGGH!! You will love the week after Thanksgiving. We arrived the day after Thanksgiving last year, but didnt go into the parks until Sunday. We did AK that day and it was great. No crowds. We did the Christmas Party on Tuesday and I didnt think it was crowded at all, but it was my first one. Some rides we went on that week we didnt even have to get off of once it was over because no one was waiting to get on. Just lovely!!! The only crowds we encountered were on the Friday, Dec. 3rd I believe, at EPCOT. I think it was POP Warner kids starting to come in. It was pretty crowded there, but we still did TT 3 times and Soarin 4 times. We swam the first few days and wore shorts, but the next few we wore jeans and short sleeve shirts and carried a sweatjacket for evenings. On that Friday at EPCOT is was actually pretty chilly and we had those stretchy gloves on. You are just going to love that time, and the decorations and Christmas music are so wonderful. We cant wait to go this year with all the Christmas festivities- just wish it was earlier in the month. Have a great time!!

 

[handicap18]

We did the same week last year and are going it again in '07. Wonderful time to go. Crowds are very managable. Weather can be hit or miss. The night we did MVMCP was the only night I wore pants (and I hardly ever wear pants even in the harsh New England winters). But it was in the low 50's and we were outside for 8 hours. Even I have my limits.

First full day we were there it rained in the morning. Cleared by early afternoon and MK was almost empty. It was great. The longest waits we had for 15 minutes for Indy Speedway and a little more than 10 minutes for Peter Pan. Didn't need a fast pass for anything. Walked onto BTMR with NO wait and waited about 2 minutes in line for Splash. Did Buzz 3 times in a row with no waiting. The rest of the week was not much different. Only had to use Fast Pass once and that was for Soarin at Epcot.

Did EMH at MGM on the last night and there was no line at all for RnRC. It was great to ride that a few times without waiting. Weather that last night was excellent. Mid 70's. So unfortunately you do have to pack for both hot and cold weather.

The only time we really saw crowds were on the weekend when the Pop Warner Kids showed up, but it still wasn't crazy. Also many of the resturaunts were filled up. So I strongly suggest getting ADR's for places you want to eat at, ESPECIALLY if you have the Disney Dine Plan.

The holiday decor is awesome. Be sure to hit some of the other resorts to check out thier decorations. Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, and Wilderness Lodge especially have great decorations.

Enjoy the week!!! I know we did (and will next year too!)

 

[Smileybug]

We are going that week too!! CAN'T WAIT!!

 

[korzmom]

just wanted to say, I'll be there too! remember the taping of the christmas parade is that last weekend..avoid mk if you dont like crowds...we go that week every year and the weather is different each time..i usually pack atleast 2 outfits for cold days and a jacket for in the evenings... decorations are awesome and the special fireworks show after illuminations is fantastic..we're staying at bwv, so maybe i'll see some of you other disers..look for STEELER shirts..

 

[maddhatir]

I was going to post this same question.

I just booked POP for 11/27-12/1 Monday thru Friday- figured the weekends are usually crowded- so lets go during the week.

I thought this would be a good time b/c its the Monday after Thanksgiving and the Friday before the Pop Warner kids arrive.

Hopefully I made a good choice!

I'm scared......

 

[ClemsonTigger2]

My DH and I are going then too - 11/27 through 12/4 - for our anniversary trip. See ya'll there!

 

[PinballFamily]

SO very glad to hear this week typically isn't very crowded. Never been there at this time of year. We chose this time for our family's "surprise trip" specifically hoping that it would be less busy - still will be getting a GAC for our son with autism, but it would be great not to have to use it. We'll be at the YC from 11/27 to 12/3. We're really hoping to do a lot of swimming at Stormalong Bay - and hope that temperatures and the weather cooperate. (Any day with 60+ degrees and we'll be in the pool!) Thanks for the warnings about the cool nights - will pack accordingly!

 

[happybratpack]

I've been twice this week of the year and am going again this year, I can't wait!!!

The first year we were in shorts & tshirts the entire time, didn't even use a light jacket. The next year (exact same dates) I was LAYERED and still cold, lol. At the Christmas party one night I had on a turtleneck, shirt over it, jacket, gloves, scarf, hat, jeans, tights under them and thick socks. It was COLD!

Just can never tell, I hope it's cold and crisp this year, but not freezing!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That is one of the 'normal' times for me to go there, been there 7 times either then or the week after that one (early Dec, depends on the calendar). It is traditionally the slowest time of the year, weather is great (but you do have to plan for the cold too), value season for the resorts, all the great Christmas decorations and attractions and events. It is a breautiful time to be at the World. Hope to make it 8 this year.

 

[mbcary]

We are going the exact same time....11/25 to 12/2. We are staying at French Quarter. We can't wait for it to get here. I have been a couple of times during this week before. One was absolutely freezing and the other very nice weather. The crowds were very low!!

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Robo]

Nov. 29 thru Dec. 9th.

Woo-Hoo!

 

[maddhatir]

We have been there a few times in December- beginning, middle AND Christmas/New Year, but never November- I have encountered wearing shorts to a heavy winter jacket, gloves, scarf and hat--- and even SNOW one year- I think it was 1989 or 1990! But a few days later- it was in the 80's!!!!!!

I think I wont mind it being chilly- jeans and a tee are good for me. We just got back last month and OMG it was so hot! I think the cooler weather will be more enjoyable.

 

[Robo]

We have been there a few times in December- beginning, middle AND Christmas/New Year, but never November- I have encountered wearing shorts to a heavy winter jacket, gloves, scarf and hat--- and even SNOW one year- I think it was 1989 or 1990! But a few days later- it was in the 80's!!!!!!

We're from the midwest and have learned to EXPECT ANYTHING as the weather goes in off-season Orlando.
We always pack winter and summer-wear.
In Dec/Jan/Feb we have even worn LONG THERMAL UNDERWEAR (after sundown)... we now pack it for any off-season trip.

Typical day:

Cool outside at 7am.
Wear shorts and Tee's.
Over that add a thin nylon wind-breaker
We put our "chilly-wear" and RAIN ponchos in a back-pack.
(Rain ponchos are REALLY cheap in hunting section of discount retailers.
You can buy BIG THICK ones to allow covering large jackets... more later.)

"Chilly-wear" is a nylon cotton-lined warm-up suit with zipper legs and a cotton-lined windbreaker.
We buy OVER-sized in these so they can easily be put on OVER other clothing.
After standing in the sometimes chilly "early-entry" lines we can usually take off the wind-breakers.
We always rent a locker at the park(s) and leave our "chilly-wear" in the locker 'til sun-down.
If it looks like rain (in Florida? Who'da thunk?) we take the Ponchos.

Much later, if its a warm night, we're just fine in the shorts.
If it turns windy/cool... we can visit the locker and choose which level of "chilly" OVER-WEAR to add to our clothing.

If it turns really COLD (windy 30's-40's not unheard-of at certain times of the year) we can make a restroom trip and slide-on the long underwear... OR... we can even add the final outer-layer of the RAIN ponchos (with their HOODS)... OVER everything else.
That trick (along with ear-muffs and gloves) has allowed us to "comfortably" stay and enjoy Fantasmic! or IllumiNations when others (less-prepared) have been "frozen-out."

 

[AJKMOM]

We like to go then, too. The weekend of Thanksgiving, Friday and Saturday is crowded, but on Sunday, it is OK except in the Magic Kingdom, where we were surprised by the large crowd. You just never know with the weather until closer to the time, it could be swimming weather, or it could be in the 50's and 60's. It will be great to tour the parks with maybe just a sweatshirt or light jacket, and the crowds are very manageable.

 

[oldshovelhead]

Normally we go either over Thanksgiving (my wife loves this, talk about going out for Thanksgiving Dinner instead of cooking at home ) or the week directly after. Thanksgiving Day can be a little crowded in the parks, but the day right after that you're free and clear. WDW is decorated almost over night for Christmas and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is something we as a family won't miss. I make reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner and then we watch the parade from their porch afterwards. The weather can be a little cool at night but we're from PA so we're used to it. That's why they make coats...anyway, I have worn shorts and gone swimming during the day when the temp. can get up to around 80 degrees. This year we are trying something new...we will be there the second week of January. We would have stuck to our original plans but my son plays high school football and we were afraid they would make the playoffs for state this year. Anyway, you won't be sorry!!!

 

[maddhatir]

Normally we go either over Thanksgiving (my wife loves this, talk about going out for Thanksgiving Dinner instead of cooking at home ) or the week directly after. Thanksgiving Day can be a little crowded in the parks, but the day right after that you're free and clear. WDW is decorated almost over night for Christmas and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is something we as a family won't miss. I make reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner and then we watch the parade from their porch afterwards. The weather can be a little cool at night but we're from PA so we're used to it. That's why they make coats...anyway, I have worn shorts and gone swimming during the day when the temp. can get up to around 80 degrees. This year we are trying something new...we will be there the second week of January. We would have stuck to our original plans but my son plays high school football and we were afraid they would make the playoffs for state this year. Anyway, you won't be sorry!!!

Welcome the the boards- I see you are on post#1!!!!

I also noticed your name-- I am a Harley girl-- does "shovelhead" mean you ride???

 

[kyirish25]

You won't be disappointed with picking this week to go! The crowds are light and the decorations and festivities are great. The weather as stated is all over the place from one day to the next, so just be prepared for warm to chilly for most and maybe even hot to cold.

This will be our 5th year going this same week! We just love it!