Thanksgiving or the week after New Years

[LilBart]

While I am a WDW veteran, I am a Disneyland rookie. We have booked a stay over the Thanksgiving Holiday at the Grand Californian. We are contemplating changing our trip to the second week of Christmas Break (December 29 through January 6). While I know that crowds will probably be terrible at both times, is there one time that will be worse than the other. We are planning our park days to occur on January 2 through the January 5). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The busiest time at Disneyland is that second week of Christmas break. I'd stay with Thanksgiving week. Thinking back to last year, the park wasn't busy the days leading up to Thanksgiving and even Thanksgiving day wasn't too buy until the afternoon. I do not know how the rest of the weekend was, but the park did not reach capacity.

I went for a special after hours event on Jan. 2nd last year and the traffic, both cars and foot traffic in the area was insane. I had dinner in downtown Disney around 8:00pm and it was a madhouse. Parking took a very long time and there were swarms of people everywhere.

 

[MacMama0930]

Thanksgiving week!! All the holiday decorations and entertainment without the insane crowds. It wasn’t that bad last year if I remember correctly, whereas there was a day or two that hit capacity, I believe, after New Years.

 

[Cal-Pie]

Hope it's ok if I tack another question onto this thread...Is it typical for EMH to be every day Thanksgiving weekend like it is over Christmas, or not?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Hope it's ok if I tack another question onto this thread...Is it typical for EMH to be every day Thanksgiving weekend like it is over Christmas, or not?

Can't say it's typical yet since it only started last year (or maybe the year before? time blends events, sorry), but I wouldn't be surprised if early entry is every day during the Thanksgiving week again this year. It definitely was last year.

Btw, OP, I have been for all the dates you are considering and I would recommend Thanksgiving week for a slightly less crowded feel and less likely occurrence of gate closures. I also find I enjoy the holiday decorations and festivities more before Christmas has come than afterwards when I'm a little holiday-ed out, but that of course can be different for each person.

 

[tarheelalum]

Both will be very, very crowded but I'd go for the one around Thanksgiving. Bring a lot of patience with you and don't try to plan things out like a Disney world vacation. Go with the flow and you will have a great time.