Thanksgiving Strategy - What Do You think?

[Nhebron]

I know this is a busy week and I have looked at crowd calendars.

Background
We are flying in Wed 11/23 in the morning (Thanksgiving Eve) and flying out that Sunday. I have 4 day base tickets (no hoppers). I have a 6 year old.

I want to hit all four parks. MK (just because), AK (because we missed it last time), HS (for Star Wars stuff, TOT, and Disney Jr Live), and Epcot (TT and Christmas around the world). We are staying on site but I will drive because CBR with buses stinks.

Originally I was planning to spend my full days at MK, Epcot, and HS. AK would be for Wed, our travel day. Problem is that AK closes early.

Here is what I am thinking...tell my if I am crazy:

• Wed - Check-in, pool, and rest. Then MK for evening (pm EMH)
• Thurs (rope drop) - Animal Kingdom, rest, ADR @ 8:05pm - I know this isn't a full day for most but I think this might work for my kid (wilderness train, playground he loves, will take up time) and EE is my favorite ride in WDW and I want to see how many times I can ride it!
  
• Friday (rope drop) - Epcot, ADR @ 7:05pm
• Saturday (rope drop) - HS (star wars stuff, TOT, Disney Jr stuff) rest and maybe checkout holiday decorations at some of the resorts
  
• Sunday - fly home

Is MK on Wednesday night crazy?
I think AK might be the best place to be on Thanksgiving.

 

[LisaRay]

I haven't been over Thanksgiving yet (going this year) but from what I've read MK on Thanksgiving day is crazy busy.
Wish I could give more advice.
Our Friday plan is AK, Saturday HS, Sunday MK, Mon epcot. but it's been stressful deciding.
Good luck

 

[Klayfish]

We were there last year for the exact same time last year.

I would swap HS and MK, unless it's a must for you to start your trip in MK (which I'd understand because it's a must for us...but we have hoppers). People think half of HS is closed...from a physical size standpoint that may be true, but most of the big attractions are still open. So you'll have plenty to do that Wednesday, plus it'll leave an entire day for MK.

It's going to be crowded, but not unmanageable. Only MK on Thanksgiving Day is really insane.

 

[Pats Dragon]

AK has always been our choice for TG day. It has never been crowded and somehow fits with the day. We go to Trails End or Wilderness Lodge for turkey.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

AK has always been our choice for TG day. It has never been crowded and somehow fits with the day. We go to Trails End or Wilderness Lodge for turkey.

This is a great tip! We always go over thanksgiving or Christmas and we always go to AK on thanksgiving or Christmas Day. Its amazing how you can get so much done by noon.

 

[ariane37]

I think it looks good as long as you feel you'll have enough time at MK. We went for Thanksgiving last year and are going again this year. Last year we did MK on the day before Thanksgiving, also had EMH, and it wasn't ridiculously crowded. I unfortunately got sick on Thanksgiving but DH and older DS went ahead with our plan for AK that day. They were there for a few hours mid-afternoon and said it was great-of course there were lots of people lol, but pleasant and they actually got a couple extra FP's after using their 3. On Black Friday we did MK open-1:30ish which wasn't crowded at all, then switched to Epcot for the storytellers in WS and while it was moderately crowded we still had a good time and were nowhere near elbow to elbow.

As for filing in time at HS and AK: I don't know if you and DS like watching performers at all, but we spend lots of time doing that. At HS we love watching the streetmosphere actors earlier in the day. At AK we love the band in Africa and on our trip earlier this week we discovered a new act, can't remember the name but they're acrobats and they were fabulous. We missed the dance party in Asia but if all this is still there in November it can certainly fill a day!

 

[dlavender]

We were there last year for the exact same time last year.

I would swap HS and MK, unless it's a must for you to start your trip in MK (which I'd understand because it's a must for us...but we have hoppers). People think half of HS is closed...from a physical size standpoint that may be true, but most of the big attractions are still open. So you'll have plenty to do that Wednesday, plus it'll leave an entire day for MK.

It's going to be crowded, but not unmanageable. Only MK on Thanksgiving Day is really insane.

I second this.

 

[Nhebron]

I think it looks good as long as you feel you'll have enough time at MK. We went for Thanksgiving last year and are going again this year. Last year we did MK on the day before Thanksgiving, also had EMH, and it wasn't ridiculously crowded. I unfortunately got sick on Thanksgiving but DH and older DS went ahead with our plan for AK that day. They were there for a few hours mid-afternoon and said it was great-of course there were lots of people lol, but pleasant and they actually got a couple extra FP's after using their 3. On Black Friday we did MK open-1:30ish which wasn't crowded at all, then switched to Epcot for the storytellers in WS and while it was moderately crowded we still had a good time and were nowhere near elbow to elbow.

As for filing in time at HS and AK: I don't know if you and DS like watching performers at all, but we spend lots of time doing that. At HS we love watching the streetmosphere actors earlier in the day. At AK we love the band in Africa and on our trip earlier this week we discovered a new act, can't remember the name but they're acrobats and they were fabulous. We missed the dance party in Asia but if all this is still there in November it can certainly fill a day!

Thanks! I just got finished reading your TR last night!

I am thinking about my MK strategy but pretty sold on AK for Thanksgiving day.

I worry how busy the SW stuff will be if I try to go there on Wed midday.

 

[dlavender]

Thanks! I just got finished reading your TR last night!

I am thinking about my MK strategy but pretty sold on AK for Thanksgiving day.

I worry how busy the SW stuff will be if I try to go there on Wed midday.

If you are dead set on doing the JTA, you would have to arrive earlier in the day.