Thanksgiving 2011

[ocean134]

Ok gang, looking at a trip over the Thanksgiving holiday. Who's done it before, pros/cons? I know it will be crowded, but, just how crowded? I am used to crowd levels during the winter value seasons so I imagine it might be a bit busier!

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. TYIA!

 

[jamiesmom07]

subbing to your thread, we are going Nov. 19-16 and don't know what to expect...

 

[stmize]

I'll be there from the 18th to the 25th. We've been several times at this time and love it. The weather is great. Crowds are moderate until the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving then it is busy. We have been able to do everything we wanted to do.

 

[Missytara]

I arrive the Saturday after Thanksgiving and it is still very busy from the week. Most people report that is somewhat busy early in the week, but busiest Wednesday through Saturday.

You have to remember, it isn't just the people staying on-site, there is also locals who invite their family for the holidays.

You can expect 90 minute to 120 minute waits on the most popular rides. Two years ago, the two people I went with insisted we go to Epcot on Saturday. We waited 45 minutes for Spaceship Earth, 90 minutes for Test Track and about 110 for Soarin. We were done.

You should have ADR's.

You should have some type of touring plan; even if it is just a bit loose.

You should plan on getting to a few rope drops.

 

[ocean134]

Thanks everyone, I had that feeling. Right now, the tentative dates are Tues. 11/22 through Sun. 11/28.

I was planning on having a very relaxed visit - definitely planning ADRs (as usual) and thinking of taking a more relaxed trip due to the expected crowd levels.

I am thinking more time at DTD and visiting the AMC to see a movie and they have the new dining thing there.

I would also be more than happy spending time visiting other resort hotels and seeing what they have to offer. That's always fun for us. It might be a good time for Cirque du Soleil, dining at the Poly, etc. Mini-golf anyone?

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We often arrive Wednesday afternoon and depart Sunday morning. We usually do Epcot on Thanksgiving day. It seems to absorb the crowds well.

We arrive for rope drop each day and collect fast passes. We have our own touring plan for what we want to do and have a real good time. Bring layers of clothes...............it may be cold at 8am but warm and comfortable at 2pm..............then chilly by 8pm!

 

[ocean134]

We often arrive Wednesday afternoon and depart Sunday morning. We usually do Epcot on Thanksgiving day. It seems to absorb the crowds well.

We arrive for rope drop each day and collect fast passes. We have our own touring plan for what we want to do and have a real good time. Bring layers of clothes...............it may be cold at 8am but warm and comfortable at 2pm..............then chilly by 8pm!

I am the layering queen! We are usually in WDW in Jan or Feb so we know how those temps can fluctuate!

We are planning on being in EPCOT on Thanksgiving Day. Seems like it is less crowded during the 'high crowd' periods.

 

[gerald]

We went Thanksgiving week in 2009. That others have said the Wed before gets very busy.

Headed back this year Nov 18-25.

We stay off site and don't go to the parks on TG day.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

DTD will be a mad house that weekend. Especially on Black Friday. SO I would avoid going at all cost.

 

[ocean134]

Getting close to the ADR date. YAY

 

[ocean134]

DTD will be a mad house that weekend. Especially on Black Friday. SO I would avoid going at all cost.

Interesting...are there deals to be found in the stores or are the prices the same as usual? Maybe that will be a pool and/or movie day.

 

[mdsd8700]

Interesting...are there deals to be found in the stores or are the prices the same as usual?

We were in Daytona last year for a cheer competition the week before Thanksgiving and went to DTD on Black Friday just for fun. We got there as soon as it opened and only stayed for about 2.5 hours. It wasn't that bad while we were there but was getting more crowded as we left. Unfortunately they didn't have any "special" sales going on, just regular price stuff. I beleive that they have done "deals" in the past, but not recently.

We will also be there this year from Thanksgiving checking out Monday (24-28) so a short trip just to take in the decorations and enjoy the Holiday's Disney style. We are totally excited as we are taking family/friends who have never been to Disney at Christmas before. I just know they will love it!

 

[ocean134]

We were in Daytona last year for a cheer competition the week before Thanksgiving and went to DTD on Black Friday just for fun. We got there as soon as it opened and only stayed for about 2.5 hours. It wasn't that bad while we were there but was getting more crowded as we left. Unfortunately they didn't have any "special" sales going on, just regular price stuff. I beleive that they have done "deals" in the past, but not recently.

We will also be there this year from Thanksgiving checking out Monday (24-28) so a short trip just to take in the decorations and enjoy the Holiday's Disney style. We are totally excited as we are taking family/friends who have never been to Disney at Christmas before. I just know they will love it!

You bet they will love it! Enjoy the trip!

 

[MacFam4]

I love, love, love Thanksgiving at Disney We've been there 3 times and going back this year for Thanksgiving. I find the crowds to be manageable. We are there for rope drop and utilize fast pass. We have all of the rides we want to do completed before lunch. Then we have time to shop and re-ride if we want. Have a good plan and you'll be fine. We typically don't notice the crowds until Tuesday, they start picking up a bit. Wednesday is crowded. We've spent Thanksgiving day twice at HS and it was crowded, but we still did everything that we wanted to. We usually head home on Black friday so I can't comment on that. You will need ADRs.

The weather is gorgeous. We wear t-shirts and jeans. We always needed hoodies in the mornings and nights. I bring gloves too because sometimes it gets pretty darn chilly. Never a problem with sunburns. We went for the first time during hot weather this past May. It was amazing how much more quickly we became tired with the heat.

The Christmas decorations are beautiful and add to the magic.

Side note...we visited Universal Studios a couple of years ago the Monday of Thanksgiving week. Super manageable crowds. Thanksgiving Day we were at Islands of Adventure and the place wasn't crowded at all. I won't say dead, but no crowds. However, they were still building Harry Potter so I'm sure that's changed now.

 

[mwmom]

We have been twice over the past 3 years at Thanksgiving and loved it! We arrive the Friday before Thanksgiving and leave Thanksgiving day. We find crowds very manageable. By Wed., we have done most of the parks and spend time resort-hopping to check them out. Then go to the park in the evening.

I agree with a PP that you need to arrive when they open and have a plan (use one of the touring guide web sites to plan what rides to ride when). Utilize fast passes when possible and use tricks like grab a fast pass, stand in line for ride in a.m. and then utilize fast pass for same ride later. That way you get to ride the best rides twice.

I also like park hopper passes, but we have done it both ways and it isn't an absolute necessity. If you can afford it, it gives you more flexibility, especially if you can only score an ADR on day when you don't necessarily want to stay at that park all day. Parks that have EMH are typically more crowded.

Know which parks your kids will enjoy. For instance, we have been when DD was 3 and 5 and HS did not excite her nearly as much as MK, so we spent several days at MK this past trip and only went to HS to see the Osborne Lights one night (again, the flexibility of park hopper made this possible.) This way we didn't feel rushed at MK bc we knew we had plenty of time to do it all.

Have fun!

 

[ocean134]

Well, change of plans, no Thanksgiving trip this year. Oh well, guess I really have to wait until June 2012. Boooooo