THANKSGIVING WEEK 21 Your Thoughts?

[xipotec]

I know, I know...I have been away a LONG time......

But time to get back to planning and dreaming! As a healthcare worker on the front line, life has been chaotic and at times frightening, this past year.

I managed to visit last for a day Feb 20, and got sick right after, likely with COVID. But the family is ready to return this year, so we are shooting for Thanksgiving week 2021. Normally, we would avoid this week, but our oldest is starting college and its the only week we can manage to guarantee we can all go together.

SO!

Help me plan? The Family wants to see SWGE and Pandora most of all....plus one day at Universal. ROTR is a must do, but also would like to do Remys new ride....

Arriving Saturday before TG, and leaving Black Friday.

• 1. What parks would you visit? Which days and why?​
• 2. What's your crowd prediction each day? ​
• 3. Staying off site this time...any advantage I am not seeing to staying onsite?​
• 4. Is it possible to convince me to wait another YEAR???​

Many thanks DisFriends!

 

[CynBeth]

If there is a way to add one more day I would because if they have the Candlelight Processional sometimes it starts on Thanksgiving and other times Black Friday. I would try to get to each one once and then decide if you have time to repeat. We have been there a few times that week and found it crowded but manageable. Not sure what it will be like this year with the park reservation system. We always stay on property and for us it is easy to get to the other parks and visit the deluxe resorts to see their decorations. Only one time as a kid did we not stay on property so not sure that week with it possibly being very crowded which would be better for you. Sometimes they extend hours closer to the time and might let onsite guests in a little earlier. Honestly I would skip Universal with such a short trip you really need a day and a half or 2 days for each of the four parks especially if they do not have FP back. We went once to Universal that week the Monday before and it was really crowded. It is more beneficial to stay in one of their premier hotels to get the early entry and an express pass and have a few days of a park to park for Universal and IOA.

 

[sparkle78]

Ive been this week too, we did magic kingdom early in the trip and hit space and thunder mountain then. When we returned on the wed of thanksgiving week, it was more crowded and we stuck to high capacity rides and shows. Heads up , weather has been 80s and as low as 40s at night, so be sure to pack a hoodie or jacket. I would do Epcot or animal kingdom on thanksgiving day and consider BOMA at AKL lodge or the Wave at contemporary resort For Dinnner. happy planning !

 

[MomOTwins]

I ROTR is truly must do, get park hoppers and make several your morning reservations at DHS. With the crowds that week and likely increased park capacity by then, it make take you several days’ attempts to get a boarding pass. If you don’t get it at the 7am drop, you can either cancel your DHS park pass and remake it for another park, or if all other parks are not available (unusual) do DHS in the morning and hop there In the afternoon. DHS park passes are the most likely to sell out, so giving yourself multiple park passes there will help you avoid disappointment if you first attempt at a boarding group fails.

You asked about onsite advantage. By thanksgiving, onsite guests will have 30 minute early entry every park, every day. Meaning offsite guests cannot rope drop any more. I would say that is a pretty big onsite advantage.

 

[JakeAZ]

We are going this week too (not ideal, but it works with everyone's schedules). One thing to take note of. I don't where you're flying from (or if you're flying), but the airlines are trying to get back all of that lost Covid money that week. The pricing to / from MCO is INSANE.

 

[xipotec]

If there is a way to add one more day I would because if they have the Candlelight Processional sometimes it starts on Thanksgiving and other times Black Friday. I would try to get to each one once and then decide if you have time to repeat. We have been there a few times that week and found it crowded but manageable. Not sure what it will be like this year with the park reservation system. We always stay on property and for us it is easy to get to the other parks and visit the deluxe resorts to see their decorations. Only one time as a kid did we not stay on property so not sure that week with it possibly being very crowded which would be better for you. Sometimes they extend hours closer to the time and might let onsite guests in a little earlier. Honestly I would skip Universal with such a short trip you really need a day and a half or 2 days for each of the four parks especially if they do not have FP back. We went once to Universal that week the Monday before and it was really crowded. It is more beneficial to stay in one of their premier hotels to get the early entry and an express pass and have a few days of a park to park for Universal and IOA.

US is a must for my DD, Harry Potter is her world. We have been to all the parks before, So really , for them, its all about the new stuff. SWGE ROTR , Pandora....

I did SWGE in Feb right before covid hit, I actually likely caught it there. I managed BG 2 on ROR on my first visit. Honestly at this point I am having serious reservations about the trip. With plexiglass to deal with, No FP and no Fireworks, it seems like regular prices for discount experience....

We are going this week too (not ideal, but it works with everyone's schedules). One thing to take note of. I don't where you're flying from (or if you're flying), but the airlines are trying to get back all of that lost Covid money that week. The pricing to / from MCO is INSANE.
[/QUOTE

YES! they are, but I think this will backfire on them......Next month, DURING spring break, I found 4 round trip tix (non Stop) from CLT to MIA for 248 TOTAL.......thats for 4 tickets,...not one. The same TIX where 190.00 each a few months ago.