Tell Me Everything About Thanksgiving, Please!

[lasmickey]

I would love to have all of the "inside" advice from all of you who've been before over Thanksgiving. We'll be there from the Saturday before Thanksgiving until the Monday afterwards. What can I expect crowd wise? I've been in February, June, September, and October, but never over a holiday. I know that it will probably be crazy crowded, and we're prepared to deal with that.

I would also really like to know what the weather is like during this time of year. I have no idea how to pack.

Finally, I'm dying to know what to expect as far as Christmas decorations. I'm thinking that since there are MVMCP's scheduled during that week, that surely most of the Magic Kingdom decorations will be up? What about all the other parks, and the hotels,too?! Will we be able to see everything in all of their Christmas spledor?

I'm looking forward to reading everything you can tell me. TIA!!!

 

[brerrabbit]

Christmas decorations are all up and so are the Osborne Lights at MGM. The crowds we had for the Sunday before till the Wednesday before were not bad. We did notice the crowds growing a little each day leading up to Thanksgiving day. We ate at the Crystal Palace for Thanksgiving dinner. We had been warned that during busy times MK can fill up by around 1:00 so we made sure to get to the MK by opening. I have heard stories both ways that if they close a park because of crowds you can still get in with an ADR and also that you could not. We didn't take any chances and just got there early. Park hours for the first part of the week can be shorter so be sure to check those. Overall from Wednesday till we left Friday night the crowds were pretty heavy. We just got back July 22 from our latest trip and the summer crowds were small compared to what we encountered from Wed to Friday at Thanksgiving. We were ther for Thanksgiving 2005 and Christmas 2004. Thanksgiving was definately less crowded than Christmas. It was our first holiday visit in 2004 having always been during the summer or spring break but well worth it to see all the decorations.

Also during the holidays if your plans permit definately try to visit several of the resorts. The Grand Floridian has a lifesized Ginger Bread House in the lobby while the YC/BC has a chocolate carrosel. Also at AKL they do an entire African village out of colored marzipan with all the huts and colorful clothes and blankets. It is really neat and worth the time to visit some of them.

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi! This is our fourth Thanksgiving in WDW..
Yes, all the decor is up, in all the parks and hotels.. it is BEAUTIFUL!
Also, MGM, has the osborn lights up!

As for weather, it has generally been about 75-80 during the day, then cooling off to about 50-60 at night. Perfect if you ask me! I pack shorts and jeans.. You just don't know this time of yr.
Once my inlaws were there, and WDW was in a cold snap, they ended up all having to pay crazy prices for sweats cuz they didn't bring them, and winter coats!! It was like 30 degrees! But, Like i said, this is our 4th TG there, and we have lucked out with it..

As for crowds, It is not bad at all up TIL thanksgiving.. so, best bet is to get all your must do park things in then. From TG day on it is very crowded. But, still bearable.

You will love it!! Cya there!

 

[DanMedix]

I've spent Thanksgiving of 01 and 04 at WDW, and they were absolutely wonderful! I wouldn't have traded them for anything! But, keep in mind that every year, Thanksgiving gets busier and busier. What I originally thought was a great, well-kept secret is now the time when MANY love to go...and the crowds are there now, when they weren't so bad before. So, keep this in mind, and make your own judgement.


Whether or not it's on Thanksgiving Day, get APS for dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, if you 're wanting a traditional thanksgiving dinner that will rock your socks off!

 

[disnut8]

We go every other year for Thanksgiving. It does get crowded but we deal with it. The decorations are worth it. The Lights of Winter at Epcot are so cool. I could stand there for an hour and watch them.

One word of warning. If you haven't gotten your dinner reservations for Thanksgiving yet, you better call ASAP. I cannot tell you how many people are standing around at 7:00 Thanksgiving evening with no sit down place to eat.

 

[lasmickey]

Thanks for all the great info and tips so far. Please keep them coming! Also, if anyone has any pictures from their Thanksgiving trips they'd like to share, I'd love to see them.

 

[lasmickey]

BUMP

 

[monymony3471]

We are going to be there the week following Thanksgiving. I have had no problem making any of my ADR's. Got just about any time I wanted except LTT and that's our MVMCP night. But dinner at 4:20 isn't bad. Just my only option. I can't imagine the crowds during that time being worse than the crowds were last year the second week in June. I am so looking forward to this trip. I am reading along with you lasmickey. We're there Nov 24-Dec 2.

 

[sabres]

We went last year the sunday after Thanksgiving and I thought the crowds were not bad at all. One day we had rode all the rides in the MK by 130. You need to get up and get there at openning of park, rest later. If we ever did wait for anything it was 10 min at most.

Fast passes werent even available. Decorations are beautiful. Makes you feel like its XMAs already. We are going again this year and cant wait.

 

[Caitsmama]

Here are some of my photos from 2004 TG ..
MGM Parade:

MK:

MGM Osborn Lights:

And at our hotel (Beach Club) -Yes, ask me how bad i wanted to hurt my dh for wearing a "Dickies" shirt!!!!

 

[JOELLE]

We arrive Thanksgiving day evening, we will get a early start Fri. What park do you think will be least crowed? We will wait to to the MK sunday, and we return home Tuesday afternoon. How is the food counter service in the parks. Do they unoffically open the parks any earlier on the holiday weekend?
Keep the post coming! Thank you!

 

[Magalex]

I just wanted to subscribe to this thread because we might be planning our next WDW trip for Thanksgiving 2007. I want to go at least once during the hoilday season to experience WDW. My DS will only be in 1st grade so school should not be a problem. Keep those tips coming! Helping to keep the thread alive

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

We will be at WDW just before Thanksgiving this year. Hopefully the crowds won't be too bad although if I have to wait in line, what better place than at WDW

 

[modernscarlett]

So I'm also following this thread very closely! I'm completely and totally excited and obsessing about this trip already!

 

[LarryM]

I am also watching this thread for any info. We are arriving very late Wednesday and leaving Sunday AM. We could not get any DVC for Wednesday or Thursday so we are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge then two nights at the Boardwalk. First time for us on a major holiday so just looking for any ideas.

 

[01Sweetpea]

We'll be there 11/18 - 11/25. ADRs are all made, waiting for CP, and hoping to snag an IllumiNations boat.

This will be our first Thanksgiving, and hopefully if all goes well, it won't be our last. Maybe I can make this a tradition!

 

[lasmickey]

I'm really enjoying seeing all the great responses from people who have been there over Thanksgiving in the past, and those of you who will be there this year. Thanks for the great pictures, too.

I'm wondering when exactly do they put up the Christmas decorations? I have heard some say that they will be up when we get there (the weekend before Thanksgiving, and others who say they don't actually put them up until after Thanksgiving. Those of you who've been before, what's been your experience?

 

[JOELLE]

bumping....looking for more replys

 

[Caitsmama]

I'm wondering when exactly do they put up the Christmas decorations? I have heard some say that they will be up when we get there (the weekend before Thanksgiving, and others who say they don't actually put them up until after Thanksgiving. Those of you who've been before, what's been your experience?

Geezzz.. your gonna make me think huh?? If i remember correctly, The decor was always up when we got there (the weekend before TG) , except the gingerbread carosel at our hotel (BC) - we got to see them create the whole thing! It was cool.. they did that the day or so before TG i think. Oh! And the trees outside the conceirge lounge, those "magically" went up one night before TG. But, if i recall as for the parks and stuff.. Wait.. let me check out my arrival day pics! -----------------------


OK, from last yr's arrival pic at the MK (We flew in on Sun. and went to MK on Monday am..) The decor was up!

ETA: They are ALWAYS up before TG.. So, whoever told you they did them after, i would be VERY surprised!! EVerything is up when we are there.. Including trees, garland, pointsettias, osborn lights.. the whole nine yards!! Don't worry, you will see a TON!! I don't remember what WDW looks like UNdecorated anymore, cuz we always go for TG!

 

[Mersmom98]

We went the week of Thanksgiving last year. We arrived Saturday night and hit the parks on Sunday morning. We were able to do everything and more at the beginning of the week, so by the time Thanksgiving day rolled around we could relax. The hours are longer....MK was open for EMH until 2am one night! We still went to the parks but also made time to go look around at other resorts. You DEFINITELY need to make ADR's for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. We had ours at Old Key West resort (I think...) and it was very good food. I had to just take a chance because ALL the other restaurants were completely booked all day long by the time I called! The decorations are amazing. I can't stress enough how great it was to begin our Christmas season at WDW! The weather was kinda unpredictable. We wore shorts some days and jeans and long sleeve shirts on other days. I'm from the Texas Gulf Coast so I'm used to this but you will want to be prepared. What else??? Oh, yeah! Have a wonderful time!