Thanksgiving Crowds?

[Andrea0710]

We are arriving at Disneyland on the Friday before Thanksgiving and staying until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Has anyone ever been during this time? What can we expect as far as crowds? Also, what can we expect crowd wise coming home from LAX on the day before Thanksgiving? Thanks in advance!

 

[marymargaretblanchard]

Disneyland seems to be maintaining the same level of crowded-ness all the time now, so it's hard to say if it will be "crowded" (i.e. busier than normal). A lot of people have that week off, so yes, there will be crowds. Over the weekend some annual passes are blocked, so you'll probably experience shorter waits and fewer crowds on those days.
The day before Thanksgiving is when many people travel, so give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport - LAX is usually pretty crazy to get to, but the day before Thanksgiving is going to doubly so! It normally takes me 30-45 minutes from the time I exit the freeway to get into the airport and around the hub of terminals (when I drop off family members), so I would say expect closer to an hour of traffic.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Unfortunately, the days before Thanksgiving are some of the most consistently crowded days in the parks. You'll probably have increasing crowds during the days you're there, especially on the weekdays when all passes are open, as PP mentioned. Just prepare and have a plan, and definitely rope drop!

 

[Jerryp49]

Been there during that time frame. Never again . Expect long lines for rides, food, restrooms , crowded walkways and stores. You would have much less crowding if you changed it to the week after Thanksgiving.

 

[Andrea0710]

Unfortunately we cannot change the dates due to work and school schedule. We will just work around it I guess!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

It will be crowded-get to the parks as early as you can. We have found that later in the week is tolerable-Thanksgiving and after. I would make a list of things you want to make sure you get to see and do and try to do them as early in your trip as possible.

We avoid LAX if we can-but the day before Thanksgiving is going to get you peak crowds at the airport too. I would give myself plenty of time to combat traffic-if it were me I would leave at least 3 hours before my flight unless it was real early in the morning.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Ok, I'm going to be the dissenting voice about the crowds. Yes, it's busy, but in our last 6 years there over this same week, I haven't found it unbearable. I have found our Spring Break and Oct trips much worse. I actually found the days leading up Thanksgiving and the day of to be great. The weekend after has always felt like a zoo to me.

That said, start early! It always helps to feel like you're staying ahead of the game. And I would suggest making some dining reservations as it is unlikely you'll be able to walk up to any table service places and get in.

 

[Delilah1310]

I will also say that pre-Thanksgiving week is manageable ... if you plan.
Things may have changed, but we were there in 2013 from the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day through the day before Thanksgiving, and I cannot stress how vital it is to get there as early as possible.

They had early entry for on property guests every day (except Sunday, I think) at BOTH parks at 7 am. (not sure if that will be the same this year)

We got so much done in that first hour and even the next three hours ... it was really the only way it would be possible to do as much as we did, given the level of crowds on that holiday week.

Even getting there at 8:30 as we did one morning after breakfast made such a difference.

Rides that were virtual walk-ons at that time of day had outrageous 75- or 90-minute waits later in the afternoon and evening.


Here's our trip report to give you more detail about how it worked for us - "We Survived Thanksgiving Week and You Can Too"

Have a great time!

 

[chickapin parterre]

.....you will want to make sure that you are rested for Tuesday morning when you use your MM. So Saturday and Sunday would be good days for back to lodging for naps, pool and eating. You will not want to use MM on Saturday because of the crowding. You will lose the advantage of the "second hour" because of the influx of family visitors visiting and school kids. The advantage that the second hour offers is that folks are still entering the gates and MM folks spread out and if you choose to Enter ROA area, it will be empty during those immediate hours after MM.

 

[Miggee]

we were there last year thanksgiving week (mon~friday), insane crowd and long long long lines to attractions and resturants. even thought we still had a great time, I told my kids we will never go back during thanksgiving week again.

 

[Andrea0710]

we were there last year thanksgiving week (mon~friday), insane crowd and long long long lines to attractions and resturants. even thought we still had a great time, I told my kids we will never go back during thanksgiving week again.

What days out of the week did you find the most crowded? We will be coming back home that Wednesday, so we will be in the parks Friday night- Tuesday night.

 

[Miggee]

What days out of the week did you find the most crowded? We will be coming back home that Wednesday, so we will be in the parks Friday night- Tuesday night.

The only night that was somewhat ok was Thursday night on thanksgiving when most leave for dinner. From all the feedback I got, many said the day before or after isn't bad, but it was just crazy last year! We still enjoyed it, but had to change our strategy a bit, less rides and more just enjoying the park, like the redwood trail and Hollywood land with indoor stuff, it was nice that all the Xmas decorations were up and it was beautiful

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

What days out of the week did you find the most crowded? We will be coming back home that Wednesday, so we will be in the parks Friday night- Tuesday night.

Saturday is the best. Crowds build after that.