Thanksgiving time

[redsox1924]

We were wondering how busy is it during this week and does Disney offer any traditional Thanksgiving dinners at any of the resturants. We were thinking of having a family vacation that would start the Monday before and end the sunday afterwards. We were hoping to stay at OKW and get a 3 bedroom Villa.

 

[Candace]

Are you DVC members? 3BR Grand Villas book up very fast at the 11 month window. You might want to have a back up plan for accomodations (like a 2BR unit plus a studio, etc.). As for the restaurants, yes they book up fast, so make your ressies for T'giving day as soon as allowed. One thing we have done at T'giving in the past, also while staying at OKW, is to purchase an already cooked meal at one of the local supermarkets and then add our own side dishes. Great for left-overs the next day and really relaxing to eat "at home" without fighting the crowds. Enjoy your trip! Thanksgiving is a busy, but wonderful time to be at WDW!

 

[tinkerbell1967]

There are alot of Disney restaurants that have the traditional meal. We ate at the Wilderness Lodge and had turkey, mashed potatos, gravy, etc, all the traditional type food.

 

[redsox1924]

We are dvc members but our Home resort is SSR. We called DVC today and asked about OKW and Thanksgiving. They said they are already booked for this year. So our second plan is for the first full week of December. Can't try to book until 7 months out so we are crossing our fingers. One twist is my wife is due with our second child June 8th. We flew with our first child at 6 months to Marco Island and 8 months to Disney. So we think we know what we are getting into. However we have never ordered food as you described. What are limitations, baby food, diapers kind of items?

We are hoping that Disney will have started to dress up the resorts for Christmas during this period.

Thanks for the help

 

[padams]

We've been to WDW during Thanksigiving week. The weekend and Monday before Thanksgiving are not so crowded but by Tuesday afternoon, the parks are packed. One bonus of going that week is that most of the Christmas decorations are up.

 

[SSDonut]

That week has become our standard vacation week because the kids are out of school and it's not a crazy time for DH at work.

And:
-the weather's fantastic (the chilliest November we were there, we did wear sweatshirts during the days, but we still had on shorts and managed a bit of swimming)
-the crowds are not bad until the Tues or Wed prior to Thanksgiving (we try to go at the end of the week before and get our park fix in)
-The Christmas decorations are up (or going up; a few years ago they seemed to be behind schedule at some of the resorts)
-The Osbourne lights are on at MGM--get there right at the time they flip the switch (I think it's 5pm) and it will amaze you and be "snowing"; it's really cool

As for your Grand Villa hopes, that seems very doubtful to me. I'm a DVC owner, and don't have the family/friends to probably ever want a GV, but even I know they pretty much go at the 11-month window, especially for a week like that. You'll probably have to come up with a few other bearable room configurations and hope for the best.

Yes, you can get a traditional Thanksgiving dinner--many of the restaurant have special Thanksgiving menus--but you should call at 180 days out just to be sure.

I shouldn't rave about this time of year at Disney so much. . what was I thinking, anyway??

Oh well, good luck and have a great time!

 

[GeorgeG]

Thanksgiving week is pretty crowded. We only go that week if we're meeting friends who can't go any other time. A sit-down dinner is almost impossible without a PS. The turkey leg stand might be easier.

If you can, the weeks before or after Thanksgiving week are much less crowded.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

We ate at Raglan Road T-Day, and they had a traditional T-Day plate. Turkey, ham, dressing, etc. It was good, but pricey.

 

[DisnyMama]

When we went Thanksgiving week a few years ago it was absolutely beautiful. The crowds were not bad at all till Thanksgiving day itself IMO and we had a wonderful traditional Turkey dinner served family style with all the trimmings at Ohana's. Also, FYI- we had our dinner very early so when we got back to POR in the evening DS was hungry and the food court had a really nice thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings including pumpkin pie for under $6 and it was delicious. It was kind of like being able to return to the kitchen later for leftovers.