Thanksgiving at Universal?

[PantherPete]

We planned to go to Universal in early November, but my kids' school calendar just came out and the days we usually get off in early November (for teacher conferences) are now in October. Between them likely hating the horror nights and their football playoff schedule lasting through the end of October (assuming they make it), October is out for us. So we are thinking of going the week of Thanksgiving. We'd arrive on the Sunday before and go home on the Saturday after. We would stay onsite at the HRH and would want to ride Gringotts and Forbidden Journey at least once, but aren't really that into Harry Potter. We'd be going because we like the other things the parks have to offer and we love the HRH and the City Walk. We'd go to the parks most days, but if it is warm, we'd spend a lot of time at the HRH pool (we live in the north, so 70 is warm enough for the pool for us).

How crowded will it be? Any Christmas stuff going on yet (Disney is in full Christmas mode by mid November)? Do the resorts do traditional Thanksgiving dinners? How long of a cab ride is it to Disney (in case we decide to go to MVMCP)?

What else should I know about Thanksgiving at Universal?

Thanks in advance!

 

[cbsnyber1]

From what I've read the parks are really busy Thanksgiving day through Saturday, then they start to slack off Sunday forward until the Christmas rush starts (around the 18th or so of December). I am interested in this as well since our trip in 2016 will be from Friday November 25, leaving Wednesday November 30.

Unfortunately, I don't believe there is a ton of Christmas stuff up in the parks by Thanksgiving, since Uni brings the Macy's parade balloons (some of them) down from NY after Thanksgiving for its Christmas parade. Might be some decorations up but not sure about that. Regardless, it will be a good time!

 

[dsmom]

We have been several times over Thanksgiving. It's never been bad up to Thanksgiving ,even Thanksgiving day itself was not bad nor the Friday after. Saturday was the worst day. Most Christmas stuff starts the first weekend of December. Check out Harbor Nights at Portofino Bay, it's usually been the Friday after Thanksgiving in the past. It's a seperate charge but we enjoyed it.