Thanksgiving Day--Of course it will be crowded...

[persimmondeb]

But, what areas will be more or less so?

I'm assuming MK will be a zoo, and people who wanted to visit a theme park would be better off with Epcot, or possibly AK. We're going to try for a reservation for Art Smith's Homecoming for dinner, but I'm also assuming that Disney Springs will get very crowded, particularly late in the day into evening.

I had thought it might not be a terrible time to resort hop and look at decorations, or do something like mini golf.

Does this sound right, or am I off?

 

[SamFaniam]

We have gone on Thanksgiving, and yes it’s going to be crowded. But I think as long as you go in with the attitude that it will be crowded and just have a nice easy-going day, it can still be terrific. I think Homecomin is an excellent choice for a Thanksgiving day meal. You might also look to see if some of the resort hotels are offering a special menu that day. Maybe make a reservation for one of the fireworks dessert parties to end the evening on a special note.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

We went to MK on Thanksgiving in 2017. We were also in MK the Sunday before, and the Sunday before seemed worse. Maybe it was the land we visited, maybe after 4 days of touring,we got used to the crowds. Maybe the dreary weather Thanksgiving day kept some people out of the park. But it ended up being a nice day to visit MK!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Did Epcot in 2017 and will do it again this year. It was fantastic.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Did Epcot in 2017 and will do it again this year. It was fantastic.

I was planning on Epcot for Thanksgiving Day as well. I've never been on that holiday, but from all the advice I got on here, I figured that was a good choice. But this year they aren't starting the Festival of the Holidays until the day after Thanksgiving! We really want to do it, so I guess we will just fight the crowds at MK.

OP--You will LOVE Homecomin'. It's one of my favorites. Sorry I can't help you with your crowd question since I haven't been during that time. Maybe we will run into each other--literally! LOL!

 

[Delirium]

We were at Disney for Thanksgiving week last year. Crowded yes, but still had a fantastic trip. All it takes in some good planning. Thanksgiving Day we did Hollywood Studios in the morning (Rope dropped Alien Saucers) and then did shows until about 4 o'clock. Hopped to Magic Kingdom for late afternoon and evening. Was not nearly as crowded as I expected. Used FPs at Pan, Jungle Cruise and Mine Train. Ate dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern (did not get seated until 45 minutes after our reservation and service was horrible). Big Thunder was a walk on the last 15 minutes or so of the night.

 

[a1tinkfans]

There 2018. We had an amazing trip. We were at MK and with our fast passes set and using the app we did everything we wanted. (We didn’t try mine train) ate at crystal space which we really enjoyed.
We did some xtra things outside the parks... like horseback riding and the nighttime Safari at kidani. Both were great!
It was a fabulous visit as we were planned, expectations were reasonable and I’d do it again without hesitation.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We were at Disney for Thanksgiving week last year. Crowded yes, but still had a fantastic trip. All it takes in some good planning. Thanksgiving Day we did Hollywood Studios in the morning (Rope dropped Alien Saucers) and then did shows until about 4 o'clock. Hopped to Magic Kingdom for late afternoon and evening. Was not nearly as crowded as I expected. Used FPs at Pan, Jungle Cruise and Mine Train. Ate dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern (did not get seated until 45 minutes after our reservation and service was horrible). Big Thunder was a walk on the last 15 minutes or so of the night.

This is our exact same plan--DHS, then MK. Not good to hear about LTT! I'll try to get an earlier ADR than I had planned just in case.

 

[mydisneyanytime]

We were in Epcot in 2018. It was not as bad as I expected. We had dinner at Rose and Crown. They had a special Thanksgiving meal, which was very good.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We will be going for thanksgiving this year as well. Have been 3 other times for thanksgiving and quite a few times for Christmas. What we have learned is to avoid MK on those days. We usually go to either AK or Epcot in the morning then have dinner at a resort to avoid some of the crowds. Typically we would eat at Artist Point. I will say from experience, since Festival of the Holidays won’t start until Black Friday, expect Epcot to be super crowded on Friday. However, we will be going to Epcot then since we will be leaving Saturday and I want my little girl to experience some of the storytellers.

 

[10CJ]

Can you typically swim this time of year?

I think we are going to try AK on Thanksgiving Day.

 

[mrsap]

Can you typically swim this time of year?

I think we are going to try AK on Thanksgiving Day.

You might get a couple of chilly days, but you will definitely get days you can swim!!

 

[okilydokily]

I went to MK on a thanksgiving a few years ago. It really was not busy in the morning, and it was a beautiful day. I think maybe a lot of people want to sleep in on a holiday. We made it there just after rope drop. Went back by Splash and BTMR and got to ride each of those twice. Then PotC and Jungle Cruise. Then had a snack, went and used FP's. Left about 1:00 and Main Street was a zoo. But it was a fun morning. That is my only experience, so IDK what the average is but it wasn't as bad as I had thought.

 

[sharadoc]

Just wanted to add - BOMA is a great choice for Thanksgiving dinner!

 

[soniam]

I think Black Friday felt more crowded to me in 2018 than Thanksgiving.

 

[TheBigErn]

The new Stars Wars land at HS will change everything this year so I don't think past years will be a good indicator of this year.

 

[sparkle78]

We have arrived on thanksgiving or the day after the last several years. Liberty tree was very easy to get on Black Friday or Saturday after thanksgiving. So we had our turkey a day later and enjoyed it. MK is crowded so we do the shows and rides like small world, carrousel then go back later in the trip for the mountains.

 

[Shelleyfs]

We did Thanksgiving day last year at Hollywood Studios. It was great, but I am sure this year it will be a mad house. Last year we found Black Friday much busier.

 

[alohanole]

I'm struggling with this as well. Can't decide where to eat on Thanksgiving Day. I am leaning towards Liberty Tree, but am not dead set on it at all.

 

[SarahC97]

I'm struggling with this as well. Can't decide where to eat on Thanksgiving Day. I am leaning towards Liberty Tree, but am not dead set on it at all.

We're going Thanksgiving week this year too and I'm wondering if Garden Grill is a good choice for Thanksgiving day. They serve a pretty traditional meal.