Thanksging week or New Years?

[Firepath]

Looking forward to next year's trip I just realized that since DS will be in college, our October Fall break family trips will no longer be possible. We don't want to go in summer, so our best options would be Thanksgiving week (probably the Saturday before until Friday after) or around New Years thru January 5 - DD has to be back to high school mid week. We have been right After New Years a couple of times and found the crowds gradually decreased as the week went by, but the CMs seemed a bit done with all the holiday happiness. We haven't gone Thanksgiving before, though I imagine our home resort would be lovely then. What would any of you who have experienced these times recommend? Are they about the same in crowds? Thank you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have never been for Thanksgiving, but I have been 4-5 times for NYE because I love fireworks. As far as "lacking Christmas spirit" I think most is gone right after Christmas, as far as visitors as well. No or very few Sanda hats after Christmas, even if you go to CP.

NYE has crazy crowds, December 30th may be marginally better at MK than NYE, and they do have the same fireworks then.

I have a "thing" about being with family for Thanksgiving, but if I was going for normal WDW things, I would give that week a try. If I did, I surely would be sure to go to a Candelight Procesdional at EPCOT, and I think they usually start the day after Thanksgiving.

 

[staceymay00]

We have been at least twice both those times of year. Thanksgiving is crowded, but less crowded than the week of New Years. I would not hesitate to go back again for NYE week - we are able to work around the crowds and fit in what we want to do - but prefer Thanksgiving week. The one thing I prefer about Christmas or New Years over Thanksgiving is that my kids get a full two week break instead of one week at Thanksgiving, so it gives us time for a vacation plus some down time at home during the same break.

I think the first few days after NYE can be crazier than between NYE and Christmas. There are so many people in central FL for bowl games and visiting family, and it seems to really increase crowds if NYE falls early to middle of the week and people have the rest of the week off before returning to school and work. In our experience the crowds do not drop off dramatically right away after NYE. I did not really notice that CMs seem over the holidays by NYE, but being at WDW for Thanksgiving is a great way to kick off the holiday season.