Thanksgiving....were going for all 4 days......so prepare me for the worst/best?

[Disney-Kim]

How bad will it be? anyone been there during those 4 days?

 

[madaboutmouse]

Once again, I don't have first-hand knowledge. Just second hand from a friend over Thanksgiving and was involved in a sea of humanity at DL. She said it was a record breaker day on Saturday that weekend, close to 100,000 guests. Again, this is second hand and was about five years (?) ago.

Anyone else have any stories?

 

[Disney-Kim]

Well I am hoping I have a few positives in my favor.....
a. DCA opened.....good/bad don't know
b. economy is slower
c. Thanksgiving days are blacked out for ALL passholders........helps...


I really want to see the Christmas lights, the Haunted Mansion redo, DCA, Downtown Disney,
and all the new stuff since the last time we were there in Feb 99.
I don't want to use any vacation days from 2002 so we are going over Thanksgiving as opposed to early December.

I am thinking positive.....if the park is mobbed (I've been there on July 4th ) we will do other stuff........we have been there enough that we are not commando anymore.

Tell me what you guys think?

thanks, Kim

 

[Judy from Boise]

are you positive that all of thoses holiday things will be up and running on T-day , or do some of the final transformations occur after ?

 

[Disney-Kim]

well I hope they are all up....anyone know?

 

[jlima]

I've had a DL AP since 89; and have been to DL on Thanksgiving day . . . 2 -3 times.

Yes, expect crowds. Stay at a property where you can get early entry into the park, and make full use of it.

Yes, all the Christmas decorations should be up. Thanksgiving day is usually when the Very Merry Christmas Parade debuts. And Small World should be fully decorated for Christmas; the past few years it usually re-opens in all its Christmas glory 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving.

I would inquire about priority seating for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, particularly at the Disneyland Hotel, at least 30 days before you travel.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Disney-Kim]

I completely forgot about Turkey dinner...thanks.

Do you think all four days will be PACKED?

I think to get early entry we have to do a package....right now we are not...may have to rethink that.....thanks !!!!!

 

[jlima]

I would do research on these boards to see what park tix you can get that allow early entry; and what days have early entry while you are there.

My husband says to try one of the restaurants - Soap Opera Bistro, Avalon Cove & Vinyard Room - in DCA for Thanksgiving. (The Avalon Cove restaurant was excellent; you can request outdoor seating on the water. And I'm sure restaurants in the Grand Californian will have something special for the holiday.

I would expect the park to be more crowded than usual, due to the holidays.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Disney-Kim]

thanks !!!!!!1

 

[Darian]

Hi Disney-Kim,

Yes, it will be crowded, but there are ways to deal with that as jlima said. The early entry is the way to go. Use that time to hit the high priority rides and get fast passes for some of the others. The Plaza Inn serves a nice thanksgiving dinner, good food, reasonable prices. Unlike some of the other excellent restaurants that others have mentioned, this is a buffet style place. Its still a nice compromise of cost vs dining experience.

Not all annual passes are blocked out though. Premium Annual Pass holders have no black out dates at all: or "365 days of fun". We plan on being there!!! Its a blast! Don't be worried about the possibility of crowds. Just go, be relaxed, and enjoy! Sure, some people get stressed and rude, but sometimes being polite, cheerful and courteous in return causes them to catch that couteous attitude and you actually see them smile. It contagious, but in a good way.

Be on watch for the "ebb and flow" of crowds at the park during the day to take advantage of short lines. For example, during the parades, people are drawn away from other attractions making lines shorter. Also, it can be a good idea to do everything in a particular "land" before moving on. You save a lot of walking time that way. Those 10-20 minute walks really have a way of adding up! Add Thanksgiving day crowds, and and a rushed attitude and it can become quite the ordeal. This is when planning really pays off.

We usually visit disneyland/DCA/DTD about 25 to 30 times a year. Its so much fun to see the place change during the various seasons of the year. Well, as much as seasons do change in southern california!

Darian

 

[Disney-Kim]

wow....thanks for the tips.......

of the 4 days are any of them going to be slower......we are planning on going Thurs (Turkey Day) first thing......as early as possible.....(don't know when early entry is) to DL and
then as it gets busier thru the day we will hopefully have accomplished our favorite rides.

Am I way off in my thinking?

We have been many times in the past including July 4th (we were crazy ) but that was years ago........

 

[Darian]

Don't Worry!!! It will be fine and you will have a great time!

I think you are right that Thursday will have a lower attendance. At least all those people stuffed with turkey should be feeling "mellow" and moving slower than usual... you know how it is, eat big turkey dinner then feel like you must have nap? Since the remodel at Plaza Inn, its much easier to get in, get your food, and get to a table. Bigger selection now too.

Saturday, on the other hand, should be pretty high attendance. You're not "way off on (your) thinking." You should be able to get your favorite rides in before things get to wild. Remember people will be lining up for the parade, wanting to go eat their turkey dinners, etc. which can really help shorten lines.

What are your "Must Ride" attractions?

Darian

 

[MickeyMoose15]

I have no idea on Disneyland but it is pretty good at Walt Disney World on Thanksgiving Day. Note that any Saturday at Disneyland is pretty crowded.

 

[Disney-Kim]

lets see.....must rides....remember we will be at WDW in 5 more days.....so will be easier to miss the rides we were on there.......

so....Matterhorn, HM (with Jack Skellington) is a must !!, Peter Pan, Indiana, POC,
all of Fantasyland if possible......its so much better at DL....

We are easy going about it.......oh and we definately want to eat at the
Blue Bayou.....its tradition for us.....

 

[Darian]

Ok, The Matterhorn is definitely one attraction you should ride during Early Entry, since its not a Fast Pass ride. (At least it wasn't a three weeks ago when it was closed for refurbishment.)

I'd hit all the popular rides in Fantasyland while the lines are short during the Early Entry time. There are times of the day when the line to Peter Pan is just insanely long. Dumbo and Mr. Toad aren't quite as bad, but bad enough that you'll want to hit these during EE. If you are running short on time, take the chance that Mr.Toad will have a short line later on in the day.

You can get Fast Passes for HM, Indiana, Splash Mtn, Space Mtn and over the holidays, Fast Passes are availalbe for IASW. If you have never seen Its a Small World converted for Christmas, it is spectacular! The transformation is just amazing! It sounds like you've seen it. But hey, once is never enough! I love that ride!

You also might want to see the new Autopia. Fast Passes are available for it as well. Tommorowland Terrace has been rennovated and looks great. For some reason the hamburgers there are just soooo tasty and they seem (to me anyway) the best in the park!

The Blue Bayou is the best! Good choice Disney-Kim! Have you seen the new restaurant where the old mexican restaurant used to be in Frontierland? It still seems odd being able to walk right thru the new place and come out in the Carnation concert area (by the matterhorn). They have AWESOME mexican food (as expected) plus the BBQ menu items from the (now closed) Big Thunder Ranch. Have mercy those ribs are good!

Have a great time at WDW!

Darian

 

[Disney-Kim]

we have NOT been at Christmas time....so this is #1 reason we are
going over the BUSY BUSY thanksgiving holiday.

Thanks for the tips......I forgot about the new Mex food restaurant.......cool......
and the new autopia......we will use fastpass for everything we can.....

thanks for the tips !!!!!