Thanksgiving Week-as busy as Spring Break - am I crazy???

[MamaQuack]

We are considering a visit Nov 22-27 because otherwise it will be June '06 before we can get back to the world of Mickey. Never been at this time of year before. Did go late Dec '03 and loved all the decorations. Did go Spring '04 and hated the crowds of Spring Breakers(which we were too). I guess I am trying to get a feel for how busy it might be and if it is worth it. We would have a limited time and we are accustomed to spending at least a week. Anyone have thoughts to share.

Thax,
MamaQuack & ds14

 

[goofy4tink]

We arrived on Thanksgiving Day last year. It was somewhat crazed in the parks. It was almost not worth going into a park until Sunday!! I think the crowds are okay until you get to the day before T-day. Then for about 3-4 days it can be quite chaotic. On Sunday the crowds really got smaller. but it's a terrific time to go weather-wise and decoration wise.

 

[wintergreen]

Our favorite time of year to go (although I must admit that we have not yet been at Christmas). Decorations are beautiful, weather is beautiful. Crowds not as bad as during the time that we went during spring break. If you are an early riser, and can get to the parks when they open, you should be fine. Have fun!

 

[WDW_bn_dt_gb]

We went during Thanksgiving a few yrs ago and loved it. We arrived the Sat before Thanksgiving. The parks were nearly empty Sat, Sun, Mon. and Tuesday. It started getting crowed Wed. It was very crowded Thursday, Friday and Sat. We loved waking up on Friday to the entire Disney property being decorated 100% for Christmas. The weather was also wonderful. No rain and very cool.

 

[addicted2disney]

Me and the kids will be making our 3rd Thanksgiving trip this year. We all go every January and just love it then because there are such low crowds. The first time just me and the kids ( hubby goes hunting ) I expected it to be SOOO crowded that I told the kids be prepared for massive crowds. I didnt think it was near as bad as I thought it was going to be. A lot more crowded than January of course, but very do-able. I knew to stay away from MK on Friday and Saturday, and think we only hopped over for Spectro. There was so much to do and see for the holidays. I think we had more fun just walking around, looking at the gorgeous decorations, listening to all the holiday music being piped in thru all of the parks, and trying to find the characters in their 'winter wear'. We tried to see the storytellers in Epcot, went to see the Osbourne Lights in MGM, saw all the parades that had a Christmasy theme to them, and best of all we went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. To stand on Main Street at night with it snowing made it worth any crowds we had to deal with. It was just beautiful. We tried the Halloween party the next year (we were disappointed that there werent halloween decorations out all the time, only at the party), but went back to at Thanksgiving last year. We went on the monorail to different hotels to see their special decorations and trees. We even went to the MVMPC twice!! Last year I joined Tour Guide Mike and used his itinerary for touring the parks over the holidays.. he was right on!!! We spent Thanksgiving Day with so little crowds, it was hard to believe it was Thanksgiving! We are heading back again this Thanksgiving. I cant wait. Its just awesome that time of year!!! Best of all, my kids are off from school for 6 days and dont have to miss any school!!

 

[MamaQuack]

Thanks everyone. We have decided to go for it!! Just can't wait till June for another visit. Your comments were really helpful and I think we will be just fine. We do get up early and get rolling so I think that will be in our favor. Whatever crowds we encounter will be offset by the wonderful decorations, MVMCP and all the holiday sounds! Thanks again.

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

Count me in for a first Thanksgiving week (19th - 25th) visit. When the school's received the entire week off, it was obvious where my son and I would spend Thanksgiving. I plan to hit the parks Sunday-Wednesday, then relax and stuff myself Thanksgiving Day. I'll be looking forward to seeing park hours in a few months. I can't wait!!

 

[Okiemom]

What is the MVMCP?

 

[leighmidd]

I believe that even though the crowds are larger this time of year, they don't seem nearly as bad because the weather is bearable. When it's a million degrees outside and there's a billion people walking around it just seems more crowded that when it's 75 and gorgeous!

 

[MamaQuack]

MVMCP: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - takes place in the MK - need to purchase a separate ticket for it - well worth it - great parade, snow on Main Street; special photo ops; limited number of tickets sold; magical fireworks, etc., etc.,

 

[addicted2disney]

It also doesnt seem as crowded when you have all of those gorgeous decorations to look at!! We did MVMCP twice last year.. one night for shows, and one night for rides. We just couldnt fit it all in on one night. THen again, we HAD to see the parade twice... and you HAVE to see the fireworks that go off all the way around the park.... you HAVE to walk in the snow on main street and you have to stop and eat cookies and hot chocolate every chance you get..... You just HAVE to do it twice!!

 

[jennymouse]

It looks like we'll be part of the mob during Thanksgiving this year too. At least I hope we are, things are still up in the air at this point.

 

[Okiemom]

Where are the dates for the MVMCP? Do they have one during the Thanksgiving break?

 

[MamaQuack]

Jenifer-hope you can join us too Aimee, I agree about doing everything twice - when we went mid Dec '03 that is exactly what we did - but I think our favorite thing was walking in the 'snow on Main Street; and, every evening around 6, at least one character would visit the lobby of the YC. Our 2nd night it was Minnie & Mickey all dressed in their fine Christmas clothes, then next night it was Goofy, then Chip & Dale, then Pluto and on our last night it was The Beast!! All of them were in Christmas clothes and we got incredible pics!!!! I just hope Thanksgiving week they do the same thing - will all the decorations be out that early????

 

[beattyfamily]

Where are the dates for the MVMCP? Do they have one during the Thanksgiving break?

The first one is November 27 then they are: November 29,
December 1,2,4,6,8,9,11,13,15,16,18,20, 2005