Thanksgiving 2012 - a few questions?

[alayne]

So my DH and I are taking our son on a Disney Cruise this year for Thanksgiving. We booked the trip late April right after spending 9 Magical Days at the Fort in my parents camper. Because we didn't have our own camper and because it was going to be a short 4 night trip we decided a Cruise might be a bit more relaxing for Thanksgiving so we made plans.

I have been reading all the November Trip Reports, questions, plans and events and I'm starting to think that next year I want to forget the cruise and just stay at the Fort.

We purchased our first 5th Wheeler Camper at the end of July and we LOVE it. It's perfect for the three of us and we really want to take it to the Fort soon.

I'm thinking of driving down the Friday before Thanksgiving and coming home the Saturday after.

So here are my questions:

How soon do I need to book to make sure I get my days?

When are the MVMCP dates for 2012 announced so I can change my days around to make sure we can attend the party?

My DS may have to miss a few days of school (2009 they were off Wed, Thurs, and Fri, 2010 they had the full week and 2011 back to Wed, Thurs, and Fri). So is it less crowded the days before Thanksgiving or the days after?

Thanks so much for any information you can give me. I'm thinking that Thanksgiving at the Fort may just be a new family tradition.

Allison

 

[bama_ed]

Congrats on your 5th wheel purchase

You can book a ressie as far out as 500 days from your check-out date. Do the math but at this point Tgiving 2012 might be within the window. Just get a "room only" campsite ressie. Thanksgiving is a popular time and will fill up fast. Check now if you can snag a AAA discount (if you're not a member now you can join between now and when you check in. the discount might pay for the membership!).

The MVMCP dates seem to have been consistent year in and out so look at the 2011 dates as a guide to what 2012 might be. No guarentees, of course, but the parks get in the Christmas spirit pretty quickly.

We did Thanksgiving 2009 and the three days (Mon-Wed) before Tgiving day were less crowded but only slightly so. It was CRAZY anyway and slammed full Thurs-Sun. So the difference was "crazy crowded" versus "mega crowded". I cooked a 22 lb turkey at my pop up (in a table top roaster oven) for 18 family members (we had our own Grand Gathering). I would love to do it again. Try to get over to the Gaylord Palms for their ICE/Christmas show (I think it was worth it).

Bama ED

 

[luckycharm19335]

You can make your ressies for Thanksgiving 2012 now.
I made mine about 2 weeks agog.
As for MVMCP, it does not take place during Thanksgiving week. ???
I know I don't get it either.
The week before and the week after, but not the holiday week.

 

[alayne]

You can make your ressies for Thanksgiving 2012 now.
I made mine about 2 weeks agog.
As for MVMCP, it does not take place during Thanksgiving week. ???
I know I don't get it either.
The week before and the week after, but not the holiday week.

I noticed this when I looked at this years dates. Again, using this years dates as a possible guide there is a party the Friday before Thanksgiving Week and the Sunday of Thanksgiving Week.

I'm thinking if Disney follows the same dates then maybe we could drive down Thursday Nov. 15, 2012 and attend the party on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 if that is an option. Or if they do the Sunday Party again maybe we could check out on Monday though I would rather my DS miss days at the end of the week then the first part of the week.

Thanks for the information. If I wasn't working on a school schedule I just saw someone post that they were booking their trip were they can attend the last Halloween Party and the First Christmas Party all in the same trip. Wouldn't that be cool!!!!

 

[alayne]

So I went over to the Disney website to play with my 2012 dates and get an idea of what prices I may be looking at so I can start saving.

Can anyone give me more details about the difference between the Preferred vs. Premium? Is it worth the extra money?

When we were at the Fort in April I planned a park a day (I know it was a mistake but I learned and I know not to do that again.) and we were only at the camp ground to sleep. We didn't get to spend enough time at the camp ground and really enjoy it so this trip I'm going to forget about US/IOA and just enjoy everything Disney.

I figure there will be a few early morning rope drops and then a few sleep in days and at least one full day just at the Fort.

Since we will be spending more time at the Fort is it better to upgrade to a Preferred or even a Premium spot? Is there more room for backing in to these spots.

We just had a full hook up spot in April and it was tight. This time we will have a bigger camper (three slides) and I know it will be a little harder. We're still learning how to back in without killing each other.

Thanks again for all the information.
Allison

 

[alayne]

Just bumping to see if anyone can help me with my last question.

 

[bama_ed]

Since you stayed in a Full site last trip, the Preferred are the exact same type of sites. The only difference is Preferred are down close to the lake in loops 100, 200, or 300.

Premiums are more expensive and loops 400-1400. If backing is an issue these have plenty of room. Since u say your camper will be bigger this time and the Full last time was tight I think the Premium is in your future.

It will help keep harmony in the family.

Bama ed

 

[luckycharm19335]

If you are worried about space, premium is the way to go.