Thanksgiving at Disney World

[cheesekate2005]

How are the crowds and atmosphere for a weeklong trip to WDW at Thanksgiving? Thanks for any information.

 

[vamom]

From what I have read they are busy! I think we will go anyway. Love to see the Christmas attractions.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I haven't been during that time personally, but SIL and family went. It was their 2nd trip (1st was with us in Feb. and very nice weather/no crowds). BIL came back saying he would never go again! Keep in mind he is no WDW lover. But the crowds were heavy. The day after Thanksgiving in MK was so bad the other family they traveled with turned back before they got down Main St. and went back to swim at the resort! I could never do that.

Any busy time of the year can still be a good vacation, you just have to plan and work around the situations that would lead to big crowds and long lines.

Tips: Make ADRs so you will be sre to have somewhere to eat.

Be there when the parks open.

Use Fastpass to its fullest. Always have a valid one in hand.

Be willing to park hop if one park is particularly bad.

Enjoy time at your resort during the most crowded part of the day.

Use the Unofficial Guides recommendations for which park to visit on which day.

 

[blueroses]

I did a Thanksgiving trip in 2004. We arrived the Sunday before Thanksgiving and left the Sunday after. The crowds were light to moderate up to Thursday, then definitely heavy, but not unbearable Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The holiday decorations were up already when we arrived. We had our holiday meal at the Yachtsman. The weather was very pleasant. It was a great time to visit.
They used to say that the first 2 weeks of December were really light as far as the crowds go, but I think this year was an exception (if I remember what I've read about trips from that time correctly).

 

[slduck]

We were there this past Thanksgiving. We arrived on the Saturday before. Crowds were nice from Sat. until Wed. By Wed. afternoon things were VERY crowded but manageable. I would avoid MK on Thanksgiving day.

Decorations were up. Things were so pretty! Since my family is tied to the school schedule, this is nice time of the year to go. We have also been in June. It was crowded and HOT.

 

[jennymouse]

We were there this past Thanksgiving and didn't have any problems with the crowds. I was worried before I left and joined Tourguide Mike and I think that helped a lot. We ended up being at MK on TGday which was not recommended but we just used his touring plan and was able to do everything we wanted to do. I really didn't find it as crowded as I had feared. The worst was the line getting a fastpass for Soarin' of course, but since it's new, it's busy all the time. I would go over Thanksgiving again in a heart beat!