Thanksgiving at the Parks?

[Mom2Dash]

We're going on our first family trip from Nov. 25-29th (Black Friday to Tues). I was just wondering how crowded it is that weekend? I was going to try to plan around the EMH but I keep thinking that those will be the most crowded. Any advice?

TIA!

Jenn

 

[pennyplanner]

The parks are indeed, very crowded on Thanksgiving and the day after. We departed that Friday so I can't provide you with info beyond that.

It was an early opening at MK that Thanksgiving in 2003 so we high-tailed it to the park and then left at 11 a.m. We then went to AK where the crowds were very manageable. The day after we went to Epcot for the morning. Left for lunch at WL's WC for lunch, meeting my mom.

When she left, we thought, what the heck, let's try the MK, only a boat ride away, for a last attempt. OH MY GOODNESS! It was crowded beyond my wildest dreams. We just ended up winding our way around the park and leaving to get back to the WL for our airport pick-up.

Hope it helps! Think early start on those weekend days and be ready for lots of easy on and off when the holiday crowds depart!

--penny

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'll be there at that time too; although I've never been at that time, I've done a little research on crowds. Looks like typically, the parks are pretty crowded through Sunday. Then, supposedly, the crowd level drops off quickly after Sunday. Hope that's true.

 

[Bellefan66]

Hi,
Thanksgiving is crowded, but worth it.Alot of the Christmas decorations are up,it's gorgeous!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We were there this past Thanksgiving for the first time over a holiday. It was crowded, but make your PSs and have some plans other than parks during the day and you will have a ball. (rent boats, surrey bikes, sleigh ride, resort hopping, kid activities at the GF)

One really fun thing is that the MK was open until midnight that week and after Wishes it was EMPTY even Thanksgiving evening. We had a PS for 7:30 at the Plaza and after that dinner we went to Adventureland and it was just us!! We just walked on rides for 2 hours. That was just one of our most awesome trips. Have a blast!

I would definitely do it again and I REALLY don't enjoy it too much when it is crowded. I am Jan/Feb visitor to the world, but the late hours and the terrific weather made up for a bit of a rearranging of our usual schedule.

Hope you have a great time!

Lives4Disney