Thanksgiving week

[jaguar9748]

Looking for folks who have experienced the magic during Thanksgiving week. How were the crowds? Would you go again at this time? Thanks!

 

[cascadecupcake]

I just posted this question on the strategies board about 10 days ago. I got several great responses. Sorry I don't know how to link, but the post was titled "Is Thanksgiving a mistake?", or maybe do a search there for cascadecupcake. Anyway, the responses varied a bit, but most people said that if you went either BEFORE or AFTER the holiday weekend (meaning Thursday-TG, Friday, Saturday) you would be okay. The parks are very busy Thu, Fri, and Sat, and also sometimes Wed prior and the following Sun as well. Although one poster said it gets busier that entire week each year as people figure out that it is a good time to go with schools extending their holiday week a bit more now.

We will be going Thursday before Thanksgiving and leaving the Friday just after. My goal is to do all of our park visits on Friday, Sat, Sun, Mon, and Tue and be out of there for the big rush. I'm hoping that this strategy works--we are used to September when it's nice and slow!

 

[dtuleya]

Where are you staying? Your strategy sounds to be like ours. We'll be at the WL. I can't wait!

 

[jaguar9748]

Pam -

Thanks - I'll do a search for your thread! A co-worker of mine is taking her kids for the first time and is concerned that it may be the wrong time. I think I'll suggest to her to go after Thanksgiving. By that time all of the decorations will be up and the parks should be fairly empty! As for me, I love the crowds in the summer and definitely Christmas week. Yes, I know, I'm crazy!!!

 

[goofyfordisney]

We went to WDW/Universal for the first time last Thanksgiving. We got there the Friday before Thanksgiving and left on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We spent the first 2 days at Universal. We had FOTL passes so that spoiled us a bit --the fastpass system at WDW isn't nearly as good, but it works out great if you have a plan. We would always discuss what our plan was for each day so that everyone would get to do their "must do" at each park.

We had nothing to compare the crowds to since it was our first trip to Orlando. We have done DL during Christmas/New Years and it wasn't nearly as bad as that!

We really were able to do most everything that we wanted to do. The hours were extended because of the holiday and we did take advantage of the e-nights at MK during our stay.

We did see some of the holiday decorations--I don't think that they were all up though. MGM had started the Osborne Lights too.
The weather was pretty good too--I think it only sprinkled alittle 1 or 2 days. Otherwise, it was not cold at all.


We probably won't be able to go at this time again because one of our sons will be in High School next year--he probably won't be able to be pulled out of school. We pulled our kids out of school for 4 days prior to their Thanksgiving break. Since we live in California--we really needed the extra days because of traveling so far.

Overall, I think it's a great time to go!
I say go for it!

Sue

 

[sudiequ]

We loved going this week so much in '99, we're going back this Nov. 22-28! Weather was perfect back then for us, it was warm enough for boys to go in pool at ASMo until 12M! Loved seeing Osborne lights! it was an unexpected attraction and got us into the Christmas mood when we came back home.

Sue

 

[cascadecupcake]

How fun, dtuleya! We're staying at CBR. I've wanted to stay there for a few years now and we're finally going to do it! I just hope some codes or good AP rates come out for that time! My parents are coming with us this year. They listen to me go on and on about how magical it is and just had to see it for themselves! I can't wait! But that's why I was really concerned about the crowds at that time of year--I just want them to really enjoy themselves!