Thanksgiving a bad idea?

TheLittles

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 5, 2014
Messages
309
I was planning on spending Thanksgiving in DL since we already have some days off and I thought it would be super nice to have Thanksgiving dinner in the parks and celebrate a holiday there. I have a friend that lives in San Diego who said she has been at that time and it was miserably crowded and suggested I not do it. Has anyone done this? Is it not worth it? We would be coming from New Orleans and spending 4 days there but I am afraid it will be insane.
 
We have gone for Thanksgiving week the last 2 years (and we're doing part of that week this coming year) and I loved it. It does get crowded in the afternoons, but that's always a good time to take a break, IMO. Start early (rope drop or EMH if you have it) and you can still get a ton done! I know some people said the crowds were outrageous, but I didn't find it that way.

We ate lunch at BB on Thanksgiving day last year and when we walked out the parks felt significantly emptier than they had that morning (and would later that night).
 
You are not insane for visiting DL during Thanksgiving. The crowds are heavy, but lighten up the day before and during the Thanksgiving day. It can be done so long as you are aware that you will be hitting heavy crowds. Take advantage of rope drop and Fast passes. Eat at off times, and you'll be fine. I would reccommend that you book your table reservations no later than 45 days prior. I know that TS restaurants are booked solid on Thanksgiving day, so if you can book during the 60 day window for reservations, do so. I just wanted to also add that BB has a special Thanksgiving dinner, and some of the TS restaurants have a Thanksgiving dinner, including the Plaza Inn. I had the turkey dinner last year at the BB and it was outstanding. The price was in the same price range of Blue Bayou's usual menu.
 
I've been the day before and it was lie a ghost town. It was quite a few years ago, so I'm not sure if things have changed. More recently, I've tried to go the day after & the line to get off the freeway & into the parking structure was so bad, I turned around & went home.
 

We were there last year for Thanksgiving and the crowds weren't bad at all. I love being there on holidays; crowds or not it feels special to us.
 
We were there last year and really enjoyed our turkey dinner at the Plaza Inn. We walked right in about 4pm no reservations or line. We sat in the front corner by the Christmas tree overlooking the hub. It was surprisingly relaxing and very tasty.
 
We have been there for that week in 2010, 2011, and 2013. It is very crowded early in the week. Turkey day on, not too bad through the weekend. To us, feels like a slightly busier than normal weekend, not as busy as say a Halloween party weekend. As stated above, get there early and take breaks, you an get a lot done. Have a great time!

We ate at Ralph Brennan's all three time for Thanksgiving dinner. They usually had turkey at least two different ways and all the fixings, not to be missed.
 





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