Thanksgiving weekend

[akacake]

We are arriving on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend. It is our 1st time to Disney so not sure what to expect for crowds etc. Will the Saturday and Sunday that weekend be 2 of the busiest days of the year? I am assuming that the Monday-Thursday afterwards will be very quiet....???

The price difference between a 5 day and a 7 day ticket isn't much so maybe we will just pay for 2 extra days and just people watch on the 2 busy days at the parks.

 

[2goofycampers]

I would definitely get the 7 day ticket in case you go to the parks and decide to leave. But if you don't go to a park the 5 day ticket is good for ANY 5 days of your trip.

 

[BradyBz12]

Sat-Sun are typically pretty darned busy. Not "Christmas week" busy, but generally a fairly close 2nd.

The following week should be a LOT lighter. Used to be one of the quietest weeks of the year, but that hasn't been the case for a while now. It's still more like moderate crowds though, so pretty nice.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

I hear a lot about parks closing at capacity on Xmas and New Years, what about Thanksgiving day?

Dan

 

[akacake]

We will be arriving on Nov 27th (Saturday), checking into FW at 1 pm. Which park typically will have the least attendance on a holiday Saturday? Should I have any concerns about a park that could be too full to allow late arriving people in the late afternoon?

 

[Total Joker]

If you are arriving at the fort sat. at 1pm skip the theme parks that day and just explore the fort since its your first time. You will waste half a day of your park pass by the time you get set up and settled in. There is plenty to see and do at the fort. Sleep well that night and hit the theme park fresh and ready!!

 

[BradyBz12]

I hear a lot about parks closing at capacity on Xmas and New Years, what about Thanksgiving day?

No reports of closings on Thanksgiving in any of the parks in the last several years at least.

We will be arriving on Nov 27th (Saturday), checking into FW at 1 pm. Which park typically will have the least attendance on a holiday Saturday?

I don't know what the touring plans predictors are saying but MK is generally always the most crowded. EP handles crowds well because of its size and AK always seems to be the least crowded.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

for the week of thanksgiving TourPlans.com gives Tuesday thru Friday a 10 out of 10, same as XMas .

I have to believe that XMas is more crowded though.

Dan

 

[akacake]

thanks, that is a great idea to just skip the parks that day and explore FW.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

I can't skip, I have an ADR at Liberty Tree at 2:40. Hopefully I don't have to show up early, don't want to leave Disney (the dog) alone that long.

Dan

 

[BradyBz12]

for the week of thanksgiving TourPlans.com gives Tuesday thru Friday a 10 out of 10, same as XMas .

I have to believe that XMas is more crowded though.

Dan

Wow - that's pretty crazy. Of course every year is different, but I've been keeping tabs on park closures the last few years (morbid curiosity) and have never seen anything for Thanksgiving.

Fingers crossed this won't be the first year!!

On the plus side you're staying on site, so that definitely gets you ahead of the game when it comes to closures...

The turnstile master computer at each park keeps track of both entries and exits. When a park capacity closes (which is done in stages) there has to be a certain number of people exiting, with the total "in park" below a certain number, before they start allowing people in again.

I am low enough on the totem pole that I have no idea what these numbers are.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Note - having restaurant reservations in a park, even with written proof, will not override a stage closing for you.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

Sending some pixie dust your way...