Thanksgiving Crowds

[micks]

Help!

DH and I are thinking of a last minute trip to the World over Thanksgiving. How are the crowds REALLY? We'll be taking our two kids (2 and 5 yrs) and moderate crowds don't bother us, but shoulder to shoulder masses of people may keep us home. Anyone been over this holiday in the past or know what it's like? Thanks for all of the help! I'm off to find some PS's for Turkey Day, just in case!

 

[cruisin4disney]

Bumping this back up- wondering the same thing??!

 

[micks]

Bump!

 

[spike@okw]

We were there for Thankgiving last year. I would say from the weekend before till Wed. moderate crowds. Than on Thanksgiving Day thru weekend after heavy crowds. The Monday after Thanksgiving light crowds. Time and fastpass management a must but it can be done.

Oh yea we did it with three kids, 1yr, 3yr, 6yr, and may do it again in 04.

 

[tink2]

We've done it twice and are going again this year! We travel with 11 people in my family, including kids 2 1/2, 4, 7, and 10. We do the parks monday- Friday. Monday- Wednesday are moderate crowds- we haven't had any problems. Thursday is a madhouse at MK- we go anyway, my mom likes the Christmas decorations. This is our day for PS character meals, parade watching, and doing a few rides- especially during EE. Friday we go to a different park, crowded- but do-able. We like this time of year. I hear the weekend after Thanksgiving is a nightmare. Good luck deciding!

 

[lbreen]

We have been there over Thanksgiving (both before, during, and after) several times. Despite the crowds, it is still our favorite time and we will be going again this year. Because I am a teacher, it is difficult for me to get off any other time but a holiday. Anyway, here's what we've found.....
The days up to Thanksgiving get a little more crowded each day until Thursday when all *&$%$ breaks loose. Our Friday evening after Thanksgiving was like a horror movie in the Magic Kingdom. It took us one and a half hours to get from the entrance to Cinderella's Castle. We were trying to get in to see the parade. It was awful. However, Saturday got better and by Sunday it seemed that a lot of people went home. By the Monday after, things were empty. As a matter of fact, one time we covered so much ground on Monday-Wednesday after Thanksgiving that we came home on an earlier flight on Thursday because we had done everything we planned to do.....
If you plan and use fastpass you should be fine. By the way....one time we went to Sea World on Thanksgiving and the park was EMPTY!!! This year we will be arriving on Thanksgiving and eating dinner at Narcooses. We won't venture to the parks until Friday.......but the Christmas decorations will be up so we can handle anything that comes our way. We'll just be so thankful that we can enjoy these times with our loved ones.....the crowds will just be a minor inconvenience.......

 

[micks]

Thanks for the help everyone!!

We're thinking of arriving Wed. morning of Thanksgiving week and trying to do the Magic Kingdomall day Wed, doing Animal Kingdom and MGM on Thanksgiving Day, Epcot on Friday and picking up whatever we need to on Saturday. I think we'll just try to grin and bear it!

Anyone have any thoughts on the itinerary we've penciled in? See anything that obviously wrong? I just don't know how people do Disney without coming here first! Thanks again!

 

[timC]

We go every year. As mentioned earlier, the crowds aren't too bad leading up to TG day, but it can be a zoo on Thursday through the weekend.

Fortunately for us, we've settled into a park routine that keeps even the biggest crowds in check. The trick is to get there early, do the big rides first...use FP wisely.

I'd say go!!! TG is a special time of year at WDW, with the lights, the extra holiday excitement and the cooler weather.

 

[micks]

Thanks Timc!

Can you share your tried and true Thanksgiving park routine or is it one of those "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" things? I just made a mess of PS's (Flying Fish Cafe) for Thanksgiving dinner! so I guess we'll be there along with you!