THANKSGIVING: Would love feedback

[littleminnie]

We are thinking about going to Disney World over Thanksgiving.
We would go down the Sat. before & stay the week.

Three questions:

1) For our 11 month window of opportunity, do we wait till the day of checkout to start reserving? Or do we reserve one night at a time to be sure to get what we want?

2) I heard that main street gets transformed overnight from Wed. to Thurs. into a Christmas decorations. Has anyone experienced this? is it really nice?

3) Is it exceptionally crowded at that time of year?

 

[Caskbill]

You don't mention your home resort, but a lot can depend on that. I would suspect that OKW may have a lot more vacancies all week, whereas BWV and VWL may tend to book faster. This might be expecially true if you're looking for a standard room at BWV.

If it were me, I'd call MS at the 11 months to the first day (that would be the 2nd day of your week, since that would be a checkout day for a 1-day stay), and reserve your unit. Tell the CM what you want for the whole week, so they'll mark it in the computer and not send you confirmation forms until everything is completed.

Then, ask the CM how the resort looks and whether it will be necessary for you to call back daily or wait until the end.

As mentioned, a lot of that will depend on the resort/unit type you're after.

 

[PKK/MJK]

We were at WDW for Thanksgiving this year--about the same time period you are considering. There were decorations up when we arrived on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and the decorations increased as the week progressed. By the day after Thanksgiving, it appeared that most everything was completed. I had heard the "everything goes up overnight" story too--but it doesn't seem to happen that way. I did notice that the MK tree and the vines across Main Street did go up close to the end--the light posts were decorated earlier in the week. Regarding the crowds, it was very crowded this year--but still very enjoyable. Be sure to make your PS dinner reservations for Thanksgiving dinner as soon as that is possible.

We stayed at OKW. I made my ressies 11 months from my date of departure--didn't do day by day. I had no problem--but I agree with the other person posting, other resorts might be more difficult because they are so much smaller.

 

[chicago641]

We were there Thanksgiving this year[nov.15-25] the first week was great we had no lines,the 2nd was too crowded to enjoy.

 

[roelongo]

I am wondering the exat thing. We are closing on Dec 26th. We are going Thanksgiving '02 from Nov 26 - Dec 2. We need three studios at WLV (our Home) should I call everyday? I'm starting to get nervous about having to do my very FIRST DVC ressie day by day. I could really use some advice and to hear some of your experiences. Thanks.

 

[fkj2]

I've not stayed the week of Thanksgiving, but have arrived at WDW the week after. It seems the crowds drop off considerably after the 4 day weekend when everyone wants to be there. Before 1997, the holiday decorations went up nearly "overnight" the Sunday and Monday after the holiday. That year I was told by a cast member that many guests, down for the Thanksgiving holiday, complained about not seeing the elaborate decor and the decorations have gone up the week of Thanksgiving since.

For those who have not seen them, the decorations, everywhere in the parks and resorts, are incredible. One fantasy after another.

You should be able to get the time you're looking for if you book close to your 11 month window but keep in mind that you're looking for three studios at VWL.