Tell Me Everything About Thanksgiving, Please!

[TigerKat]

I'm curious about when the lights go up? The last time we were there for Thanksgiving, we stayed thru Sat. following Thanks Day and saw no lights. We did see MGM beginning to put some stuff up. It's been 7 years so hopefully, from what I've read in the other posts, they've started earlier!!

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

We have been seven times over Thanksgiving starting in '98. They definitely get the decorations up sooner than they used to. We usually arrive the Saturday before and stay til the Saturday after. The first year the decorations were very much in progress when we got there. Recently they have been nearly complete.

As others have said, the weather is usually beautiful. I don't think it has ever rained, but it can get downright cold! One year we did E-ride night in our heavy coats, hats, and gloves when temps got down to 30. (The BoardWalk Inn looks quite picturesque with a heavy frost on the roof )

As it gets closer to Thursday and the crowds increase, we plan more sit-down meals, do the less popular attractions and just enjoy being there. No matter how crowded the parks get, they're nothing compared to stores on Black Friday.

I'll look up some pics and try to post them later.

 

[Tracy Savage]

We were there the last week of Sept. last year and the Osborne lights were already going up.

 

[littlemermaid]

Any suggestions on good places to eat Thanksgiving dinner???? Do any restaurants do anything special that day?

 

[lasmickey]

Don't mean to get off topic, but Dixie Luvr 98 - I just noticed the picture in your signature. Are you from Fairmont, WV?!?! My parents live there, and I visit them quite often. (Really just to get Colasessano's pepperoni rolls!!)

 

[01Sweetpea]

Any suggestions on good places to eat Thanksgiving dinner???? Do any restaurants do anything special that day?

If you haven't made your ADRs yet for Thanksgiving Day, I suggest you do it soon. I know LTT is booked, I know the 7:17 show at HDDR is booked. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Le Cellier is booked, especially since I can't get a decent time for dinner the next day.

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

Don't mean to get off topic, but Dixie Luvr 98 - I just noticed the picture in your signature. Are you from Fairmont, WV?!?! My parents live there, and I visit them quite often. (Really just to get Colasessano's pepperoni rolls!!)

Yup, Fairmont, WV.

Many Colasessano's pepperoni rolls were sold to get that band to Florida! Always a sure-fire fund raiser.

 

[LVSWL]

Just watching this thread and thinking about a trip and hoping!!!!

 

[goofyshell]

Also thinking about going Thanksgiving week 2007. What are your favorite restaurants for T-day dinner? And did I read correctly that they do Mickey's Christmas parties that week? Wow!

 

[mumom95]

We are also thinking about doing WDW for Thanksgiving 2007 (we would probably get there the Saturday before thanksgiving and leave the day after thanksgiving). This will be our first trip in 11 years, and first one with ds and dd. One questions (and I'm sure the first of many) is how far in advance do people suggest making resort reservations? I'm pretty sure we want to stay at CBR and we would probably need three rooms (my inlaws and bil I think are also coming), and I would like them together. So, all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[taragl]

We were there over Thanksgiving week last year. It was pretty crowded, but we were to thrilled to be there (our first trip to WDW as a family) that it didn't matter how many rides we got on. This year, we're going at the same time, but using a touring plan to maximize our activities... we'll see how that goes!

Many days, it was warm enough for t-shirts and shorts, but the mornings and evenings were jeans and sweatshirt weather. As always, if you're leaving the hotel for the entire day, layer a t-shirt under something warmer and keep the extra clothes in a locker (very hany and inexpensive) until the sun goes down.

When we were there, there were definitely decorations on Main Street and the hotels. We're going to MVMCP as well, so that will be full of Christmas cheer! It also means that decorations should be up by the 17th at the latest. There may even be another Christmas Party date before ours.

There was only one thing we didn't enjoy 100% and that was Thanksgiving dinner at 'Ohana -- the food was mediocre and we weren't too in love with the family-style servings. I tried to get LTT for this year, but they're booked solid. We've planned dinner at Planet Hollywood (we all decided that having turkey and trimmings isn't a priority for us) and going to Cirque du Soleil afterwards. I hope that makes for a memorable Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your trip, we'll be there at the same time, so perhaps we'll run into each other!

 

[Moonpie]

I'll be at WDW on my honeymoon during Thanksgiving! We are going to have our Thanksgiving meal at Jiko. I'm so excited to go during this time of year. I expect that the weather will be much more tolerable in November than in August when I've gone in the past. Have a great trip everyone! Maybe I'll see you there!

 

[lasmickey]

Welcome to the DIS mumom95! I suggest making reservations as soon as they start taking them for November of 2007 if you know for sure that's the time you want to go. (I suggest that for anytime of year, but even more so during holiday periods.) The earlier you book, the more likely you'll get what you want and not be disappointed later. Also, the longer you'll have to pay on your trip! My husband and I stayed at CBR on our very first trip to WDW together and we LOVED it! If you've never stayed there before, just make sure to choose a location that's not too far away from Old Port Royale. It can be quite a hike from the farthest buildings out. (Although it is usually very peaceful in those areas.)

Moonpie - Congratulations on the upcoming wedding! Happy Honeymooning to you! We too are looking forward to hopefully a little more tolerable weather in November then we've had in June and September.

 

[mumom95]

Welcome to the DIS mumom95! I suggest making reservations as soon as they start taking them for November of 2007 if you know for sure that's the time you want to go.

Does anyone know the earliest they start taking reservations? They aren't taking them on line yet, but I haven't tried calling.

 

[01Sweetpea]

Does anyone know the earliest they start taking reservations? They aren't taking them on line yet, but I haven't tried calling.

ADRs can be made 180 days out. If you are staying on property than you can make them 180 + 10 days out. Meaning you can start making ADRs at 180s from you date of check in and then for the next 10 days all in one shot.

 

[sarahsmom73]

We went last year from Tuesday before Thanksgiving to Monday after. It was GREAT!!!! WE subscribed to TGM and he was right on. Since I was appointed disney planner , my whole family was totally impressed with very little wait time we encountered!

It was a lot of fun to see the decorations, the CP, the Osborne Lights, and MVMCP all in one trip! I am trying to talk everyone into making this a tradition. There is no place I would rather be for Thanksgiving!!!

 

[mumom95]

Do you mind me asking, what is TGM (all of these abbreviations can get very confusing for a newbie )?

 

[lasmickey]

TGM = Tour Guide Mike (an online planning service).

 

[dbenlee]

Do you mind me asking, what is TGM (all of these abbreviations can get very confusing for a newbie )?

Mumom95, there are a lot of abbreviations used on the DIS boards and here is a link to a really good list of most of the commonly used abreviations. This list helped me a lot when I first started reading these boards, it kept me from losing my mind (LOL)!!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm


Lasmickey, thanks for starting this thread, it has helped my wife feel better about going the weekend before Thanksgiving. She has wanted to see Disney all decorated up for Christmas, but because of both of our jobs we would never be able to go after Thanksgiving.

 

[PamNC]

You've picked a wonderful time to go. We have been three times during Thanksgiving, not for our main trip, but for a long weekend. We usually go Thanksgiving Day and come home that Monday. It's a perfect way to kick off your holiday season because nowhere else is more special and full of the spirit than Disney. There are many places serving traditional Thanksgiving meals. We dined at Yacht Club Galley twice. The first time it was fantastic, but not so great the second time. Last year we stayed at the Dolphin so we dined at the Dolphin Ballroom. The food was FANTASTIC, but we didn't think the setting was very warm. It was a big huge conference room, with very little decoration. Again, the food was very very good.
So, be careful where you choose to have your special meal. Do a lot of research.

The decorations at the resorts are FABULOUS. You must take the time to visit them. Especially the deluxes. The Grand Floridian is my favorite. The Epcot resorts are definitely a must see. The Dolphin tree is out of sight! The largest I've ever seen and they have a cool train that goes around it. YC/BC are decorated quite nicely as is the boardwalk. Don't miss the chocolate carousel at the BC. The theme parks are equally festive. The AK tree might be my favorite. Oh - and Wilderness Lodge is another must see.

My favorite thing is Holidays around the World at Epcot. In World Showcase they have holiday storytellers in each country that tell their own special story. Also - the Candlelight Processional can't be missed.

The weather is iffy. It can range from chilly to quite warm. The day we arrived last year, it was chilly. Highs in the low 50's and windy and cool. But, later on in the week, it reached 79 or 80. The evenings require a light jacket or sweatshirt. And the mornings.

You won't regret going during this time of year!!!

PamNC