Thanksgiving 2010 - need advice

[justcynn]

Second trip to the Fort, last trip was a brief 2 night stay no parks included but we were hooked. This trip we are planning is the "trip of a lifetime" for my family and I and we are spending a lot of time to try and get as much of the logistics planned to make the most of our time and money. This site and the folks on this board have already given us invaluable insight including booking a longer Fort ressie and changing later to get the dates we want

Current plan is to arrive Wed before Thanksgiving and stay 9 nights. Cost is important but most important is that we plan now what we want to do and save the money for the trip.

I plan to drive down the weekend before by myself and do some business in FL and then fly the family down Wed before thanksgiving, and then we all drive back (1350 miles) together.

We are very unfamiliar with Disney Restaurant options, first order of business is to get a good place for our Thanksgiving meal and book 180 days out I think? - Allears.net had some info, what do you all suggest? At the fort, at a park or different place at Disney or off site? This will be one of two planned meals at a Disney restaurant, all other meals will be at the Camp Site or less expensive off site options.

Right now we are planning on Base tickets, no park hopper or waterpark. Waterpark may be a splurge while we are there depending on the weather and how busy we stay at the parks.

The only other off site excursion we are planning is a day at Kennedy Space Center. Hopefully this will be more exciting than the Houston version, any insight on this is also appreciated

We are hoping to get all of this done under our budget of $3000 total for the trip. I am sure everything will cost more than we plan, but the goal is to plan out as much as possible and then save the money that it takes to do what everyone in the family wants to do.

Thanks in advance for any insight, tips or tricks, particularly on the Thanksgiving dinner options. We had our first family brainstorming session tongiht on what the kids and DW want out of this trip and it was pretty exciting to even think we will be spending 9 nights at the Fort let alone all of the parks

 

[stacktester]

We are also Thanksgiving Weekend stayers. If you're going to go offsite for dinner there is a Lonestar on 535 about 10 minutes away. It's a great place to eat and much less than Disney food. There's other places too like Cici's Pizza and Taco Bell close by for fast food type stuff. You may even want to get a getty yap and go from Trails End one night.



I didn't see how many you are bringing so it's hard to say if you'll save in certain areas. Things that can be cooked at home like spaghetti, chili and other freezable items are good. I like doing tacos one night which you can do for cheap. I usually do the ground beef at home, freeze it and then cut the veggies up and toast the shells in the camper. There's a cooking and crock pot thread here somewhere that gives a lot of good rib sticking recipes.

Good luck, hope to see you there.

 

[Disneylitch]

I have never been ther over Thanksgiving, but I have been there over Christmas. At Christmas they do a Christmas at the Fort in the back yard barbecue area. It's about $50 per person and had the traditional foods. There was also dancing and a show. I don't know if they do this for Thanksgiving. We stay for 2 weeks when we come and only eat out once. The family voted on this and it was alot of fun.

Also, we always get the park hopper option. On some days, we do 2 or 3 parks. I think it's worth the price difference, but that's just my opinion. I guess it depends on the age of the kids that you are traveling with.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Places to eat TG day.

Over the years we have eaten at several places for TG Day. However, since you are arriving on the Wed before TG, most places will be booked already 180 days out (Chef Mickey's,Liberty Tree Tavern, etc.) However, our favorite place to eat TG dinner is at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. It is not a buffet, but it is all you can eat and the food quality is very good. Also, Trails End has a good TG dinner.

All of the resorts & parks will have some type of TG dinner available, even at one of the counter service restaurants.

 

[CampingBandit]

We were there this past Thanksgiving. They do have a Thanksgiving buffet in the BYBB area, but I just couldn't justify spending over $200 for us to say we ate Turkey. And the TE buffet price goes up for the T-day menu.

Now I could easily justify the over $200 pricetag for HDDR, cuz you get a show and all you can drink beer.

We LOVE Whispering Canyon too, it's the kids' favorite place... Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll have turkey that day?

 

[5stljayhawks]

I would say get yourself an excel spreadsheet going, this will help you plan and give you an idea of where the money is being spent and allow you to set up options.

Where to eat, TE tavern large turkey pizza about $20 and it really good!!!!... Stove Top and can a cranberry sauce and you have dinner for under $30.00

Second trip to the Fort, last trip was a brief 2 night stay no parks included but we were hooked. This trip we are planning is the "trip of a lifetime" for my family and I and we are spending a lot of time to try and get as much of the logistics planned to make the most of our time and money. This site and the folks on this board have already given us invaluable insight including booking a longer Fort ressie and changing later to get the dates we want

Current plan is to arrive Wed before Thanksgiving and stay 9 nights. Cost is important but most important is that we plan now what we want to do and save the money for the trip.

I plan to drive down the weekend before by myself and do some business in FL and then fly the family down Wed before thanksgiving, and then we all drive back (1350 miles) together.

We are very unfamiliar with Disney Restaurant options, first order of business is to get a good place for our Thanksgiving meal and book 180 days out I think? - Allears.net had some info, what do you all suggest? At the fort, at a park or different place at Disney or off site? This will be one of two planned meals at a Disney restaurant, all other meals will be at the Camp Site or less expensive off site options.

Right now we are planning on Base tickets, no park hopper or waterpark. Waterpark may be a splurge while we are there depending on the weather and how busy we stay at the parks.

The only other off site excursion we are planning is a day at Kennedy Space Center. Hopefully this will be more exciting than the Houston version, any insight on this is also appreciated

We are hoping to get all of this done under our budget of $3000 total for the trip. I am sure everything will cost more than we plan, but the goal is to plan out as much as possible and then save the money that it takes to do what everyone in the family wants to do.

Thanks in advance for any insight, tips or tricks, particularly on the Thanksgiving dinner options. We had our first family brainstorming session tongiht on what the kids and DW want out of this trip and it was pretty exciting to even think we will be spending 9 nights at the Fort let alone all of the parks

 

[Disneylitch]

Don't forget the buffet at the BYBB also has the all you can drink beer and wine just like the Hoop de doo. It was worth the money at Christmas just to see all the kids dressed up their Christmas clothes. All of the kids were so excited and having fun. Also, the characters are dressed and readily available for pictures. I'm guessing at Thanksgiving they are dress as Pilgrams, Indians, etc.

 

[Disney Bunny]

Second trip to the Fort, last trip was a brief 2 night stay no parks included but we were hooked. This trip we are planning is the "trip of a lifetime" for my family and I and we are spending a lot of time to try and get as much of the logistics planned to make the most of our time and money. This site and the folks on this board have already given us invaluable insight including booking a longer Fort ressie and changing later to get the dates we want

Current plan is to arrive Wed before Thanksgiving and stay 9 nights. Cost is important but most important is that we plan now what we want to do and save the money for the trip.

I plan to drive down the weekend before by myself and do some business in FL and then fly the family down Wed before thanksgiving, and then we all drive back (1350 miles) together.

We are very unfamiliar with Disney Restaurant options, first order of business is to get a good place for our Thanksgiving meal and book 180 days out I think? - Allears.net had some info, what do you all suggest? At the fort, at a park or different place at Disney or off site? This will be one of two planned meals at a Disney restaurant, all other meals will be at the Camp Site or less expensive off site options.

Right now we are planning on Base tickets, no park hopper or waterpark. Waterpark may be a splurge while we are there depending on the weather and how busy we stay at the parks.

The only other off site excursion we are planning is a day at Kennedy Space Center. Hopefully this will be more exciting than the Houston version, any insight on this is also appreciated

We are hoping to get all of this done under our budget of $3000 total for the trip. I am sure everything will cost more than we plan, but the goal is to plan out as much as possible and then save the money that it takes to do what everyone in the family wants to do.

Thanks in advance for any insight, tips or tricks, particularly on the Thanksgiving dinner options. We had our first family brainstorming session tongiht on what the kids and DW want out of this trip and it was pretty exciting to even think we will be spending 9 nights at the Fort let alone all of the parks

What type of camping setup and how many in the family? I ask, because we have been camping with friends every year since 1994 and we always cook our own Thanksgiving dinner in our camper. Would that be a possible option? That might help you stretch your dollars further.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Don't forget that crock pots are great. Things we usually put on in the morning are stuff like:
Spaghetti sauce with meatballs. Then when you come in all you have to do is boil the noodles.
Beef tips & rice - package of beef tips & add a very large can of cream of mushroom soup, salt & pepper, let it simmer all day, then thicken the gravy with corn starch (sometimes it is easier to pull the meat out prior to thickening, then dump it back in).
Pot roast - chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, onion, salt & pepper, simmer all day & thicken the gravy. For extra starch make some more rice.
Pepper steak - round steak cut in strips, add your bell peppers, onions & seasonings - then make the rice when you get back.

 

[justcynn]

Thanks for the Tips everyone. Decisions, Decisions... I am thinking over $100 for a meal is just too much...We are a family of 5, been pop-up camping for 8 years now, the 9 nights at the Fort are sure to be our best trip ever! Leaning towards flying the family down one way and making the drive down by myself, this could certainly make it easier! That leaves less money for other things and a dinner at Disney may not make the cut...Turkey Sandwiches would be good enough as long as we are eating them at the Fort!

 

[Chuck-N-June]

There is a Publix over at 192 near Celebration. Pre-order a TG dinner there and when you arrive Wed. just swing by and pick it up and you are ready to go TG day at the Fort. Just a thought.

 

[m1tchells]

Don't forget that crock pots are great. Things we usually put on in the morning are stuff like:
Spaghetti sauce with meatballs. Then when you come in all you have to do is boil the noodles.
Beef tips & rice - package of beef tips & add a very large can of cream of mushroom soup, salt & pepper, let it simmer all day, then thicken the gravy with corn starch (sometimes it is easier to pull the meat out prior to thickening, then dump it back in).
Pot roast - chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, onion, salt & pepper, simmer all day & thicken the gravy. For extra starch make some more rice.
Pepper steak - round steak cut in strips, add your bell peppers, onions & seasonings - then make the rice when you get back.

Definitely! Load the Crock Pot and the Griddle up and make a quick stop at Publix on your way in. This makes for very easy, no fuss breakfasts and dinners, plus saves lots of money. We usually plan for 1 or 2 dinners out per trip. The HDDR is a must do if you have never done it before.

Also...as far as your ticket selections go...you really should reconsider on the Park Hopper. Do you have a AAA membership? If not, you should check and see how much a membership would cost you and then calculate how much it might save you. I think you might find a bit of savings there.

Happy planning!!!

 

[cheekymonkey]

Now I could easily justify the over $200 pricetag for HDDR, cuz you get a show and all you can drink beer.

Don't forget the buffet at the BYBB also has the all you can drink beer and wine just like the Hoop de doo.

Really??? Beer and wine are included in the price of the buffet??? I may need to rethink and make a ressie...

 

[justcynn]

Thanks again for the tips, the main thing I have learned so far is SAVE MORE MONEY, originally was hoping for a $2,500 budget for 2 adults, 3 kids and 9 nights at the fort. Bumping that to $3,000 (knowing it probably hits $3,500). Thats $400/month between now and the trip...Time to redo the monthly budget, Disney is calling.

Park Hopper, Water Parks, Golf Carts, Character meals...

Will will bring the bikes this trip - saves on Golf Cart. (might golf cart for a day)
Water Parks will be a game time decision based on how the weather is.
Hoop De Doo will probably be the only Disney meal we do - does anyone know if they do a Thanksgiving specific meal on Thanksgiving day? Otherwise we will pick a different day for Hoop De Do and do the Publix carry out meal or just cook a Thanksgiving meal at the pop up.
Park Hopper - still debating on that. My theory is we will be there 9 nights and have at least 7-8 days in the parks, not really thinking we are going to be rushing to ride every ride everyday - but more input on pros and cons would be appreciated.

I have also read others tips on buying Disney Pin Lots on Ebay and then letting the kids trade these for their souvenirs, sounds like a great idea - anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Disney Bunny]

Thanks again for the tips, the main thing I have learned so far is SAVE MORE MONEY, originally was hoping for a $2,500 budget for 2 adults, 3 kids and 9 nights at the fort. Bumping that to $3,000 (knowing it probably hits $3,500). Thats $400/month between now and the trip...Time to redo the monthly budget, Disney is calling.

Park Hopper, Water Parks, Golf Carts, Character meals...

Will will bring the bikes this trip - saves on Golf Cart. (might golf cart for a day)
Water Parks will be a game time decision based on how the weather is.
Hoop De Doo will probably be the only Disney meal we do - does anyone know if they do a Thanksgiving specific meal on Thanksgiving day? Otherwise we will pick a different day for Hoop De Do and do the Publix carry out meal or just cook a Thanksgiving meal at the pop up.
Park Hopper - still debating on that. My theory is we will be there 9 nights and have at least 7-8 days in the parks, not really thinking we are going to be rushing to ride every ride everyday - but more input on pros and cons would be appreciated.

I have also read others tips on buying Disney Pin Lots on Ebay and then letting the kids trade these for their souvenirs, sounds like a great idea - anyone have any experience with this?

Okay, so you have a pop up and not a camper with a full size stove/oven. You can still do a turkey if you know someone who has an electric roaster that you can borrow that you can just plug in. Don't know about the dinners you can pre-order from Publix, but many times those dinners you pre-order from grocery stores still require the availability of an oven to prepare them. Found this out the year I had back surgery just before Thanksgiving and my DH was tasked with preparing one of those said dinners.

 

[retired and happy]

We've done the pre-ordered dinners and were surprised to find it was all frozen. (That worked out better when we had a cabin in the Smokies with a real kitchen.) Since then we have done some of that and some cooking, but never eaten out. We have also brought a turkey breast and bought the sides at a local store. Or you can bring a turkey fryer and cook outdoors. Lots of do-it-yourself options in addition to the MANY restaurant options on site and off. Or find a Dis-er with a little extra food and beg. My guess is that you would get an invitation before you had to do too much begging.

 

[m1tchells]

Park Hopper - still debating on that. My theory is we will be there 9 nights and have at least 7-8 days in the parks, not really thinking we are going to be rushing to ride every ride everyday - but more input on pros and cons would be appreciated.

I have also read others tips on buying Disney Pin Lots on Ebay and then letting the kids trade these for their souvenirs, sounds like a great idea - anyone have any experience with this?

We have annual passes so the hopper option is already built in but if we didn't have them, I would definitely add them to whatever tickets we purchased regardless of the amount of days I was staying. For us, these are the biggest reasons: You have had a fabulous day at one of the parks, but you are totally worn out and just can't make it to the evening extravaganza (whichever one this may be). You can just come back to that park another evening just to catch the show/parade/fireworks (whatever!). Or say you spent the entire day at Epcot and did everything you wanted to do except for Soarin' (that darned line and sold out fast passes). Just run over the next morning and catch it before you head on to the next place. Basically, it gives you the freedom to fit in what you may have missed without alot of planning pressure. Also, lets you relax and enjoy the Fort more without feeling like you have to pack everything in each day.

As for acquiring the trading pins on ebay....

PS...before anyone corrects me, i know fast passes don't "sell out" but I have had a long day and can't think of the proper terminology. But you all know what I mean.

 

[mdoc]

We've been at Fort Wilderness for Thanksgiving week the past three years. The first year our Thanksgiving dinner was a turkey leg from Toluca Legs at DHS (we failed to make ressies early enough). Second year, we went to Boma. Excellent meal. Last year, we went to Cape May Cafe. Also excellent. However, those buffets are very expensive, and while they were good, I have to say they weren't worth the money, especially with the "holiday surcharge." For Thanksgiving this year, we're either taking our turkey fryer with us and deep frying a turkey at the site, or we're going to Golden Corral (a favorite with my kids). I'm leaning toward Golden Corral.

We've found Thanksgiving week to be a great time to visit WDW. The crowds can be managed with good planning, the weather is generally good and the Christmas decorations are up, which makes for a festive time. As to park hoppers, we don't get them because we rarely want to park hop and it's not worth $350+ for 7 of us to hop once or twice. Plus we make heavy use of Fastpass, which is more difficult to do if you're hopping. You can always buy regular tickets and add the park hopping feature if/when you decide to hop - it's a decision that doesn't need to be made up front.

 

[PJ]

We're arriving ourselves the Sunday after Thanksgiving for 6 nights - it's always been one of of our favorite times to go - especially after the holiday weekend crowds leave. My suggestion is also to do an alternative to Disney for the TG day meal. One year we had a turkey dinner they added to the menu at Sci Fi Dine-in and it was expensive and very average. Our favorite TG day meal: We BBQ'd Turkey hot dogs with all the trimmings and picked up a pumpkin pie and whipped cream at the grocery store!

 

[lledman]

We will be arriving on Thanksgiving day. My plan is to do a simple Thanksgiving dinner at our site. Instead of doing a whole turkey I'll probably do lunchmeat turkey, roll it and cook it with gravy. Then do ham steaks on the grill with mashed potatoes, whatever vegetables we decide and rolls.

My cousin's family is also camping with us and when they went to DW a few years ago at this same time, they stopped at a Cracker Barrel and said they food was amazing at a very reasonable price. She wants to stop at one before checking into the campground but my plan is to drive enough the day/night before so that we can check in around noon and that would give me plenty of time to prepare my simple meal mentioned above. I just did a quick search and there are several Cracker Barrels in the Orlando area if you didn't want to cook on your own.