Thanksgiving at DLR

[momto3pirates]

I finally convinced my Dh we should venture to the other coast and visit where it all started. So we are planning a short notice trip to Disneyland for Thanksgiving. Short notice for us as DVC always has us planning 11 months out. I have been cruising this section of the board for several days. Some questions though...

Is it as crowded as WDW at Thanksgiving? We've done WDW at Thanksgiving and are used to being there early and using FP system. How is the weather? How should we pack? Will we need jackets in the evenings? We are planning on flying in to LAX and staying in Grand Californian.
Thanks so much to the DLR experts for helping this overwhelmed newbie.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We were there last year and will be there again this year! Our days last year were Turkey Day, Fri & Sat. *we'll visit these same days this year* the parks had super light crowds, we had a fabulous time full entertainment/hours - I spoke with a CM on Thanksgiving - he said "This is the quietest it's been all week." APs weren't blocked at all up until Thursday and it was crazy crowded on those days.

 

[Princess Row]

We have been to DL a ton of times during Thnksgving. (excuse the abbrv.)
The past 5 years I believe we have gone.
If your flying check Orange County airport first. Most of the time for us its cheaper and its cheaper for transportation to DL itself.

The week of Thanksgiving it IS crowded but ON Thanksgiving day its wonderful.....especially in the evenings! I mean it is Disney so there will ALWAYS be people but Tg day is a great one to choose.

Weather.....is Southern California. Usually cold. This past trip it was colder and more rainy than usual.
I usually wear Jeans and sweatshirts......and flipflops or walking shoes.

Also if you need help with WHERE to eat on TG day. Feel free to PM me i'll let you know about it.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We had our Thanksgiving lunner *late afternoon* at Mimi's ~ it was mighty tasty, but goodness the turkey had some kick to it.

 

[momto3pirates]

Thanks so much for the tips!! We are very excited. It will be nice to have cooler Disney weather. Even last year at WDW for Thanksgiving it was warm.

 

[HydroGuy]

For historical data "Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

The last few years have seen a shift to being really busy before TG and less so the weekend after. It depends on SoCal AP blockouts. See "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

Have a magical trip!

 

[cyclenut]

Might I offer a Thanksgiving meal suggestion. Try the Knott's Berry Farm Thanksgiving Day buffet. You don't need to pay for park admission. You only need to pay for the buffet. It is a little expensive but there are an enormous number of choices, including their famous Chicken Dinner and Boysenberry Pie.

Make a ressie! You cannot go there without one. Be careful though, don't order the "take home dinner". They have those too. You want the buffet.

They are not taking reservations yet. You'll have to watch for them.

You can enjoy DLR during the day, hop on over to Knott's for the dinner at your ressie time and then return to DLR later that afternoon. As an added bonus, there is a section of KBF open to those who have a dinner ressie and that includes the barn with Santa Clause and the crafters village. There are a couple of rides in that section too but I don't think you'll be allowed on them without some sort of proof that you've purchased a ticket. Unlike DLR, KBF can be crowded on Thanksgiving day.

We've done this buffet brunch three different times and have enjoyed it every time. They start serving fairly early so if you don't mind having your Thanksgiving dinner a little earlier than normal you could actually do this at mid-morning when they'll also have breakfast items. I think we did it at about 10:00 am one year.

 

[momto3pirates]

Thanks for the suggestions. I love the Knott's Berry idea. We never have a car at WDW, and had not planned on renting one at DLR. Is that a bad idea? Should we look into getting a rental?
Also, with a family of 5, is one room at Grand Californian enough space or should we get 2?

 

[Sydnie]

It depends on how old your kids are but I think you will probably be ok with just one room at the GCH.

It will be crowded, and pretty cool and windy, but Disneyland at anytime is wonderful

 

[DisneyMomma81]

It will be crowded, and pretty cool and windy, but Disneyland at anytime is wonderful

I will disagree with all of that except Disneyland at anytime is wonderful *I was there last year as I said earlier.... it was not crowded at all, the weather was quite mild, however I'd prefer to visit DLR when a sweater or jacket is needed than go when it's 90 degrees..

 

[Eeee-va]

Thanks for the suggestions. I love the Knott's Berry idea. We never have a car at WDW, and had not planned on renting one at DLR. Is that a bad idea?

I believe you can get a 1-day rental at Downtown Disney, if you want. You could certainly also price rentals from the airport, but I can definitely see the appeal of not driving. In fact, I try my hardest not to drive in LA when I can help it!

Anyway, if you're just planning to stick to Disney property (i.e. DL, DCA, Downtown Disney) there is really no need to have a car, IMO. But conversely, if you want to go off-property, it's difficult to do if you DON'T have a car!

 

[Sydnie]

I will disagree with all of that except Disneyland at anytime is wonderful *I was there last year as I said earlier.... it was not crowded at all, the weather was quite mild, however I'd prefer to visit DLR when a sweater or jacket is needed than go when it's 90 degrees..

Lol I suppose it is all relative!!! To my California blood anything less than 80 is cool I agree though, it's nice not to be waiting in lines in the heat.