Thanksgiving Week @ WDW

[vamom]

Has anyone been during the week of Thanksgiving?

We are considering going that week, but want to know if the parks are decorated for Christmas and if they have Christmas programs going on that early.

Thanx for any info.

 

[Caylin]

I went about ten years ago Thanksgiving week so things could have changed. . . We stayed at CB and when we woke up the day after Thanksgiving, the whole resort was decorated for Christmas! It was wonderful, like we got the best of both seasons. I hope they still do that; it was really magical.

 

[tzvdmd]

We were there this year and the parks were decorated. It was nice seeing the parks done up for Christmas but it was cold and very busy.

 

[Tiffany]

Has anyone been during the week of Thanksgiving?

We are considering going that week, but want to know if the parks are decorated for Christmas and if they have Christmas programs going on that early.

Thanx for any info.

We were at WDW from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the Saturday after this past November. The parks and resorts are decorated with new things going up every day. The Osborne lights were up. The EC stuff did not start until the day after Thanksgiving and MVMCP did not start until the Sunday after. The parks were manageable just avoid the MK on Thanksgiving Day. We spent the morning at the Spa and then the rest of the day at MGM and it was very managable.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

Although I have never been there the week of Thanksgiving, we start our vacation on the next day through the following week, we love it. That first weekend is very busy, but starting Sunday the crowds drop right off. We take the kids out of school. But I think that it is worth it. I don't like having to wait for long lines. It's great going then, they have all the christmas decorations, and MVMCP. It's a nice treat to start the holiday season.

 

[slduck]

We were there from the Sat. before until Thanksgiving day. The parks weren't very crowded until Wed. Christmas decorations were up. MGM had the Christmas parade already and Osborne Lights. It was quite chilly the last two days of our stay, but it beats the summer heat anyday. We will visit again during Thanksgiving week.

 

[vamom]

Thanks for all the great information.

 

[polly p]

We love this time of year. the parks are decorated for christmas and it is beautiful. MVMCP is great if you've got the time. It does get busy Thanksgiving weekend but then slows down. We normally do 10 days during this time. We don't do the parks on Thanksgiving, but rather DTD or a water park.

 

[aunt kelly]

We went to WDW during Thanksgiving week in 2000 and again in 2003. If I remember correctly, on both trips, we were there from the Monday before Thanksgiving until the Monday after Thanksgiving. The Christmas decorations were up when we arrived and they are beautiful. The weather was very pleasant. The crowds were much heavier in 2003 than 2000. The crowds were so heavy in 2003 that we decided we would probably never go again during Thanksgiving. I think you can have a lot of fun at Thanksgiving, but you must be prepared for the crowds!

 

[sarahsmom73]

We were there this past Thanksgiving (Tues before until Monday after). If you plan well and play your cards right you will have a wonderful time! We sure did! I would go back for Thanksgiving in a heartbeat!

 

[Sinderelli]

The crowds were so heavy in 2003 that we decided we would probably never go again during Thanksgiving. I think you can have a lot of fun at Thanksgiving, but you must be prepared for the crowds!

We were there for Thanksgiving in 2003 and you are right! My DH will NEVER AGAIN go during this week- he was miserable! Luckily we have the option of going during Mardi Gras and that's what we will rpobably do from now on.

 

[vamom]

Thanks for all the informative info. Still not sure if we will go THankgiving week or the week after Christmas. Keep the new info coming.

 

[elan]

We've been twice during thanksgiving. Once flying in on the friday after and once flying out the friday after tday. Yes there are crowds, they really pick up on the wed before and drop off on the sunday after tday. It can't be too bad, we plan on flying in on tday this year and stay for 8 nights. The weather can be kind of iffy, so defintaly pack something warmer. We love the xmas decorations, cp, and mvmcp. I believe the week before and after xmas are some of the busiest - I figure with tday the entire week isn't packed. Good luck deciding.

 

[theostwalts]

Although I have never been there the week of Thanksgiving, we start our vacation on the next day through the following week, we love it. That first weekend is very busy, but starting Sunday the crowds drop right off. We take the kids out of school. But I think that it is worth it. I don't like having to wait for long lines. It's great going then, they have all the christmas decorations, and MVMCP. It's a nice treat to start the holiday season.

That is what we are planning on doing this year. We will arrive the Sunday after Thanksgiving and stay for the week. How are the crowds and weather then? Sounds like you have a good time that week.

 

[cjsmom5]

We go every year arriving on Thanksgiving Day and then staying for 10 or 11 days. It is really crowded until Sunday after Thanksgiving Day but on Sunday it clears out and is very pleasant. Picks up again on the weekend, though. You can really tell the difference...but by then we are typically done and just hanging out at the hotel. If you are there after Thanksgiving be sure to buy tickets for MVMCP. We typically go on Tuesday and seldom stand in line for any rides. It is great plus we get to see all the Christmas parades and shows.

 

[theostwalts]

We go every year arriving on Thanksgiving Day and then staying for 10 or 11 days. It is really crowded until Sunday after Thanksgiving Day but on Sunday it clears out and is very pleasant. Picks up again on the weekend, though. You can really tell the difference...but by then we are typically done and just hanging out at the hotel. If you are there after Thanksgiving be sure to buy tickets for MVMCP. We typically go on Tuesday and seldom stand in line for any rides. It is great plus we get to see all the Christmas parades and shows.

We do want to do MVMCP!!!!! Sunday will be our first park day. We will probably do Sunday and Monday at MK. When does MVMCP usually start?

 

[cjsmom5]

Typically there is a MVMCP on Sunday night after Thanksgiving, Tuesday and Thursday. It gets really crowded on the weekends for MCMCP as many of the "locals" attend. Last year the Tuesday and Thursday MVMCP had discounts for those with APs. Keep in mind that most of MK is open during MVMCP. By doing the party we were able to spend our days at the other parks and not worry about MK during the day. We typically do MVMCP on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings...it has been from 7pm until midnight.

 

[cjsmom5]

The weather is anyone's guess. Some years we are in shorts while other years we have our mittens and long johns. You can typically count on wearing long pants and a sweatshirt in the evening. The mornings are often cool but by afternoon there are days when you could be in shorts. It really cools off in the evenings, though.

Keep in mind, we now live in AZ ... so cold to us isn't really cold to some. When we lived in Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho we used to swim all the time during that timeframe. Now... though ... I like my pool water at about 85 so it seems cool to me. That being said my DS7 still thinks it is wonderful (funny, though, he won't get in the 70 degree water in Northern Idaho).

Crowds are really manageable. They thin out on Sunday and are pretty good until Thursday evening. Friday is much busier and Saturday is crowded. We try to get everything done Sun-Thursday and just "hang out" until we leave on Sat or Sun. We stay at the AKL so there are lots of kids activities during those days...it works great.

I would definitely plan on it being cool at some point, though. There are years when people would pay a fortune for gloves as they fly off the shelves. Thus, we always bring both cold and warm weather clothing. Means packing a tad more but we've been when we didn't have it and even my DH doesn't mind an extra piece of luggage just to make sure.

 

[theostwalts]

Our first day in the parks will be the Sunday after Thanksgiving. How crowded is MVMCP that Sunday?

 

[vamom]

Very helpful info. I,m glad to see I am not the only one planning this early.