Thanksgiving week

[John Darling]

I was looking online last night, and nearly every hotel is showing no availability. Could that be possible this far out? I know it's Thanksgiving week, but geez.

 

[AnnieLytical]

I was looking online last night, and nearly every hotel is showing no availability. Could that be possible this far out? I know it's Thanksgiving week, but geez.

We called Disney looking for a room for the 5 days leading up to Thanksgiving and there was nothing across the board.

 

[RangerPooh]

Yes it is possible. November is quite popular these days. This past spring there was a free dining promotion released, and room only fall discounts were released this summer. Many school districts are also off that week or families that their kids out of school for vacation. People have been discussing the lack of availability for fall for months.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Don't get me started on ADRs

 

[ColoradoMom12]

We called Disney looking for a room for the 5 days leading up to Thanksgiving and there was nothing across the board.

Pop Century is available then. I was just checking for someone. At least it's available the Saturday before thru Thanksgiving Day.

 

[sharadoc]

Thanksgiving week in 2016 was the worst we've ever seen, so I expect this year to be the same. We're not taking our usual trip any more, we don't like the wall to wall people. We were able to use Fastpass and ride everything we wanted, so if you don't mind the massive crowds, you can do fine.

 

[John Darling]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll look for another time to go.

 

[DisTXMom]

Thanksgiving week in 2016 was the worst we've ever seen, so I expect this year to be the same. We're not taking our usual trip any more, we don't like the wall to wall people. We were able to use Fastpass and ride everything we wanted, so if you don't mind the massive crowds, you can do fine.

I watched the wait times last year because we were planning thanksgiving trip this year. It was nuts! Ultimately, we booked the week anyway because that's all we could do with work/school schedules. Very nervous about crowds, so glad to hear we will be able to survive and be able to ride what we want. We are early risers, so that should help.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We actually arrive in Orlando on 11/14, so we used the Thanksgiving break to lengthen our trip. We'll hit the parks hard until Monday and then spend less time in them for the last few days. We drive home on Black Friday. I feel really lucky that we were able to do it this way. I think I would get frustrated if my only park days were during the week of Thanksgiving. Crowds don't really bother me or make me angry, but I do like the idea of having more days to enjoy the parks.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

I watched the wait times last year because we were planning thanksgiving trip this year. It was nuts! Ultimately, we booked the week anyway because that's all we could do with work/school schedules. Very nervous about crowds, so glad to hear we will be able to survive and be able to ride what we want. We are early risers, so that should help.

Yes, we've found that being early risers is helpful during very busy times. This year will be our first at Thanksgiving, but we've done other really busy times (Easter, President's Day, New Year's). If you're staying onsite and MK opens at 7:00 for AM EMH (the schedule hasn't been updated yet, but I'm guessing MK will open at 7 on the day after Thanksgiving), take advantage of it! The park is very empty then. It starts to get really busy around noon, but if we've been in the park since 7, we're usually ready for a break by then anyway. FP helps, too, as the parks start to get busier around 10:00. You'll survive. We find it very manageable if we go in with a plan. If you have Touring Plans subscription, you can see the predicted wait times for different attractions throughout the day. I use that when I plan.

 

[buzznina]

I watched the wait times last year because we were planning thanksgiving trip this year. It was nuts! Ultimately, we booked the week anyway because that's all we could do with work/school schedules. Very nervous about crowds, so glad to hear we will be able to survive and be able to ride what we want. We are early risers, so that should help.

This will be our 3rd turkey day trip in the last 7 years, like you school really dictates our schedule This is where FP+ really works great for us, since we no longer do RD much anymore, we just like the parks so much better at night and would rather close the parks than open them, and mid-day breaks just doesn't work for us. We know it's going to be crowded so we just go with the flow and if we miss something, oh well We just enjoy seeing the transformation to the Christmas theme. So if you go there knowing the situation and know that you may not get some stuff done, you will be fine and have a good/great time. Have a magical time, I know we will do our best too.

 

[DisTXMom]

Yes, we've found that being early risers is helpful during very busy times. This year will be our first at Thanksgiving, but we've done other really busy times (Easter, President's Day, New Year's). If you're staying onsite and MK opens at 7:00 for AM EMH (the schedule hasn't been updated yet, but I'm guessing MK will open at 7 on the day after Thanksgiving), take advantage of it! The park is very empty then. It starts to get really busy around noon, but if we've been in the park since 7, we're usually ready for a break by then anyway. FP helps, too, as the parks start to get busier around 10:00. You'll survive. We find it very manageable if we go in with a plan. If you have Touring Plans subscription, you can see the predicted wait times for different attractions throughout the day. I use that when I plan.

Thanks! Yes, we use touringplans and they are a big help!

 

[southjerseymom]

Kids and I flying down Tuesday before Thanksgiving and DH comes down Sunday. We like to close the parks. Kind of sad not very many night EMH during our stay. Hoping by Sunday crowds will be manageable. Anyone have any experience after Thanksgiving?

 

[buzznina]

Kids and I flying down Tuesday before Thanksgiving and DH comes down Sunday. We like to close the parks. Kind of sad not very many night EMH during our stay. Hoping by Sunday crowds will be manageable. Anyone have any experience after Thanksgiving?

I totally agree about the PM EMH, WDW continues to charge more and keeps cutting hours etc.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Kids and I flying down Tuesday before Thanksgiving and DH comes down Sunday. We like to close the parks. Kind of sad not very many night EMH during our stay. Hoping by Sunday crowds will be manageable. Anyone have any experience after Thanksgiving?

We used to go the week after Thanksgiving and not hit the parks till Monday. Was always a great week to go. Christmas decorations were always going up and lower crowds. Back then though they didn't start the MVMCP till the first Friday after Thanksgiving and we always hit it. Now I think they start them in June just to get in a few before the Halloween parties start in July.

 

[Aurora0427]

I think this week would be really difficult with small children and strollers. We just returned and our 6 year old is finally stroller free, but now we have the 19 month old. Sigh. 4 more years.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I think this week would be really difficult with small children and strollers. We just returned and our 6 year old is finally stroller free, but now we have the 19 month old. Sigh. 4 more years.

Till you have another one?

 

[Aurora0427]

Till you have another one?

Nope. Done. Not a concern!

 

[buzznina]

I think this week would be really difficult with small children and strollers. We just returned and our 6 year old is finally stroller free, but now we have the 19 month old. Sigh. 4 more years.

We will really miss our stroller, never thought it was a hassle and was sooo nice to have to store stuff, cup holder etc.

 

[sunshinemelody]

As of a minute ago I was able to see that there are Magical Holidays Room offers for the entire Thanksgiving week (19th-25th) in ASMo, ASSp, POP, ASMu, BWI, and CB. I specifically looked at CB, especially since hearing that they demolished basically half of their rooms, and the King Bed and Standard Pirates Room was available.

Kinda sucks because I was trying to plan a last minute trip out there, oops.