Thanksgiving at Disney?

[Figmentmommy]

Our family of 4 - me, DH, 2 DS 13 & 11 - is considering a trip to the World for the Christmas season. We have visited a few times in the last several years but usually do not go during a holiday week. We are thinking of Thanksgiving week or the weekend right after into the following week. If anyone has been in recent years during the actual Thanksgiving week I would love your feedback on crowd levels, park closures, etc. It wouldn't be our first choice of weeks, but it may be our only choice this year. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[mrsp1030]

We went last year for the whole week of Thanksgiving from Friday before until the day after Thanksgiving. It was by far one of our favorite times to go! We did not feel like the crowds were crazy at all compared to previous trips at spring break and summer. The weather was perfect, although a few huge storms went through the area and dampened one evening. We have all voted this is our favorite week to travel!

 

[sharadoc]

We loved it last year and are going back this year. It's not that bad, it's summer crowd level. It's not ridiculously hot, and so festive! Just be sure to follow the easywdw crowd calendar.

 

[afinnteach]

I agree with the previous 2 posters. We have been there twice during Thanksgiving week, the most recent being last year. The weather is cooler, crowds werr similar to summer (so very manageable with a plan) and the decorations put you in a holiday mood. Thanksgiving is our favorite school break to spend in WDW!

 

[Figmentmommy]

Thanks so much. At least hearing some positive experiences has made me a little more open to it!

 

[mrsp1030]

We also followed the crowd calendars except one day as we wanted to take advantage of EMH at DHS one day.

 

[Barbara C]

We also followed the crowd calendars except one day as we wanted to take advantage of EMH at DHS one day.

which crowd calendar did you follow?

thanks.

 

[mrsp1030]

We used easywdw also

 

[ilovevacation]

This is good to hear, we are heading down the day before Thanksgiving. We have been there the first week of December, but never over the holiday. We also use the easy wdw calender and planned our fast pass and adr accordingly

 

[sharadoc]

We definitely have seen that easywdw is correct. It's our bible.

 

[JennyMP03]

Just curious: does everyone try to get reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern on Thanksgiving Day? Seems like it would be popular since it has the turkey dinner.

 

[asbyrneva]

Just curious: does everyone try to get reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern on Thanksgiving Day? Seems like it would be popular since it has the turkey dinner.

With Liberty Tree in refurb right now the only day they opened reservations for was thanksgiving day (supposed to open on Nov 20th) and those went super fast. Lots of other places do traditional dinners for thanksgiving.

OP if you are planning you should look at dining now as reservations will be hard to come by for thanksgiving day inside the parks and resorts since you are about at 50 days out.
We go every year and last year we had hats and gloves for rope drop. (early morning hours mean waiting for a bus before the sun is up LOL!) Very chilly in the am.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

 

[PrincessJo]

My son's birthday falls during Thanksgiving and we have gone to WDW that week a few times. We love going at Thanksgiving and we have never experienced crazy crowds like I've read about on here. We go bright and early, ride what we want to, see everything we want to and then take it easy the second half of the day when the crowds get worse. Last time we ate at Whispering Canyon and had a great time. Sometimes we head back to the parks in the late evening and ride a few more rides. The night before Thanksgiving we rode Star Tours 3 times in a row because there was no line. Seriously... don't let anyone scare you away

 

[Flamingeaux]

I agree with the previous 2 posters. We have been there twice during Thanksgiving week, the most recent being last year. The weather is cooler, crowds werr similar to summer (so very manageable with a plan) and the decorations put you in a holiday mood. Thanksgiving is our favorite school break to spend in WDW!

I totally agree with this!!! And you might get FD too!!!

 

[wdw4rfam]

Thanks so much. At least hearing some positive experiences has made me a little more open to it!

Me too. thanksgiving time is new to us so I'm a bit nervous. But I'm going in with the mentality that it will be really crowded and then anything less will be a surprise.

 

[JennyMP03]

I'm planning a trip either next November or December (2016). I really want to see the Christmas decorations and experience pleasant or even cold weather (I've only ever been when it's blazing hot), and free dining would be a nice bonus. I hadn't even considered going during Thanksgiving week because I've been scared of the potential crowds. This thread is making me think about it, though! The crowds in June didn't bother me more than they ever do, and I was in DHS for Mark Hamill's weekend, so I don't think I'd personally be overwhelmed. You guys are making it sound like fun.

 

[RCSpur]

We went last year during Thanksgiving. If there's a little drizzle the park is not busy at all but when the sun comes out... It was crowded. That said we are going again this year.

 

[edk35]

We have been 4 times that week. We literally booked last week for this year. Our last time was 2008 that we went Thanksgiving week. We are actually flying down the Wed. before Thanksgiving and departing the night before Thanksgiving. Can't wait.

 

[SA mom]

We went a few years ago, arriving on Saturday before Thanksgiving. We spent 3 days at Universal and 5 at WDW. It was great. I really didn't notice crowds getting heavy until Thanksgiving Day in MK. It was crazy crowded all day every where. We did eat at Liberty Tree Tavern and had a wonderful meal. We spent Friday in AK and it wasn't crowded at all.