Thanksgiving week strategy

[bunny]

Is there any strategy for Thanksgiving week? I thought it was less busy at the beginning of the week, but I checked the crowd calendar and all days are 10s. We are scheduled to go to Epcot on Friday, but I am thinking of changing that to the beginning of the week. I am afraid Friday will be jammed since it is the first day of Epcot's Christmas celebrations. I have been to Disney several times during the holiday season so I won't be disappointed if I miss that stuff. I am just looking for lower crowds. Or does it not make a difference? Any thoughts???

 

[Accident]

First day and weekend of anything tends to be much higher crowds. If you don't mind not seeing the epcot holiday stuff during your trip, sounds like a good idea to do epcot earlier in the week.

 

[asbyrneva]

My motto is go early. As early you can rope drop or emh. My Friday plan is Mk. We stay on site and they usually open early. This year emh starts at 7. Locals are shopping and most folks roll over to Epcot with later start and Christmas festivities. I get more done from 7 to 11 then most people get all day. Actually I can get more done in that first hour and a half then most people get done all day. Last year in that first hour we did pan, dumbo,pooh, little merm, buzz and space. That's 10 minutes per attraction including waiting and walking. Try doing that at noon. By 1130 we sit down and have a relaxing lunch use a couple fast passes see philarmagic, shop on the way out and maybe stick around for parade. Back to resort by 4. Chill for a couple hours and have dinner at a resort. Epcot doesn't open till 9 that day so you lose the two hour jump compared to Mk.

 

[bunny]

Right now we are scheduled for Discovery Cove on Monday and Epcot on Friday, but I think I will flip them. I hate to miss the CP though.

 

[sharadoc]

Don't have an expectation to do anything, just plan to walk around and enjoy what you see. Fastpass what you can. Don't count on a Thanksgiving trip to be chock full of rides, etc. Expect to have lines for everything.

We've done Thanksgiving week in the past and we've been fine, but we like to spend resort time, mini golf, etc. and not just parks. Visit the resorts to see the decorations, eat some special holiday treats (especially Mickey Gingerbread cookies!)

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

The power of prayer!

 

[Rustyroo]

In the same boat, but got FP's and ADR's for most of what we wanted, and only booked it last Wednesday. Hoping crowds aren't crushing, but expecting waits for everything. Been at Christmas twice, so trying to just be happy to be there (thanks Corey!)...

 

[Babs1975]

We are the week after Thanksgiving and when we were booking adr's and fps, we COULD get things for Thanksgiving week, but not for the week after. More was available on Thanksgiving and black friday, than the next week. Go figure...

 

[MrsDuck]

Don't have an expectation to do anything, just plan to walk around and enjoy what you see. Fastpass what you can. Don't count on a Thanksgiving trip to be chock full of rides, etc. Expect to have lines for everything.

We've done Thanksgiving week in the past and we've been fine, but we like to spend resort time, mini golf, etc. and not just parks. Visit the resorts to see the decorations, eat some special holiday treats (especially Mickey Gingerbread cookies!)

Yep. This is the only way to tackle Disney during the holidays or peak season.

We will be there next week!

 

[2pinwheels]

We went last year. It seemed fine enough to return this year.

I rely on FP and the rest is gravy. I have ADRs for everything I want. Thanksgiving Day was crowded at MK last year, so we will be at AK that day.

The airport is my bigger concern. At Disney, if the crowds aren't crushing, I'm ok.

 

[ekatiel]

We've done Thanksgiving once before. To me, it seemed less crowded earlier in the week. Wednesday through the weekend was really crowded. We are doing Disney Quest on that Friday. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure it was my brightest idea to be in Disney Springs on Black Friday. I don't think Disney Quest will be crowded, as long as we can fight through the Black Friday crowds to get there!

 

[sharadoc]

I looked at fastpass availability for almost every day Thanksgiving week, and at MK, the only ones totally gone are Mine Train and Big Thunder Mtn. I'm not afraid of the crowds at this point.

We're going to DHS on Thanksgiving and everything is available.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We will be there next week as well. Yes Epcot will be crowded on Friday, but if you want to enjoy the Holidays Around the World, that all starts on Black Friday. Could you go to Epcot on Saturday after Thanksgiving? It is less crowded then from my past experience.

 

[socababy]

My motto is go early. As early you can rope drop or emh. My Friday plan is Mk. We stay on site and they usually open early. This year emh starts at 7. Locals are shopping and most folks roll over to Epcot with later start and Christmas festivities. I get more done from 7 to 11 then most people get all day. Actually I can get more done in that first hour and a half then most people get done all day. Last year in that first hour we did pan, dumbo,pooh, little merm, buzz and space. That's 10 minutes per attraction including waiting and walking. Try doing that at noon. By 1130 we sit down and have a relaxing lunch use a couple fast passes see philarmagic, shop on the way out and maybe stick around for parade. Back to resort by 4. Chill for a couple hours and have dinner at a resort. Epcot doesn't open till 9 that day so you lose the two hour jump compared to Mk.

Do you think it would be worth going to MK for just 7-8isham? We are staying at GFV and have a 9:15 ADR at 1900. As of right now, we have other non park plans during the day.

 

[asbyrneva]

Do you think it would be worth going to MK for just 7-8isham? We are staying at GFV and have a 9:15 ADR at 1900. As of right now, we have other non park plans during the day.

Only if you have an AP. Not worth using the ticket for an hour IMHO.

 

[ibela]

Went last year and ennoyed it. Thursday we were in Epcot and had a traditional dinner at Rose & Crown. Don't honestly remember our breakdown of days but definitely get there at park open, we rode everything we wanted between that and fast passes. Enjoy!

 

[memo10]

I just booked FP for MK for this Saturday and there's still a lot of availability. I'm hoping that means manageable crowds!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Where is everyone going to eat on Thanksgiving day? I'm just curious since we're going next year

 

[karensi]

Where is everyone going to eat on Thanksgiving day? I'm just curious since we're going next year

Funny, this was going to be my exact question also. We will also be there next year over Thanksgiving week and I was wondering where we should eat on Thanksgiving.

Any suggestions?