Throwing in a Thanksgiving trip? Crowds?

[lenshanem]

Do the crowds dramatically lessen the day after Thanksgiving or no? Or does it remain busy all thru the weekend?
Hubby mentioned us throwing in a quick getaway trip without the kids for a few nights leaving that Friday after Thanksgiving. (We have APs.) He doesn't have to go back to work until Wednesday so we could do a Saturday thru Tuesday stay. Any thoughts?
Would it be just too crowded too enjoy? Our main goal would be to hit the thrill rides since we won't have our little ones with us.

Thanks!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Our 2000 trip was at Thanksgiving. We got to Orlando the Friday BEFORE Thanksgiving, and the crowds were low until Thanksgiving Day. We went to MK on Thanksgiving Day and it was extremely crowded, like some flood gates had opened and people just poured in! We left early afternoon and went to Epcot which was also more crowded but not as bad. The day after Thanksgiving we went to MGM, which again was very crowded, but we were better prepared, stuck to our plan, used FP, and enjoyed the day.

So my experience was MUCH more crowded from Thanksgiving day on through the weekend, but it wouldn't stop us from going back at that time again. We just won't do MK on Thanksgiving Day! And we'd definitely go the week before and not after.

 

[Jestocost]

We arrived at WDW on Thanksgiving Day in 2003 after a 4-day Wonder cruise. Epcot was absolutely nuts on Thursday; Test Track FPs were gone for the entire day by 11:30 a.m. Friday in the MK was busy too, but not much different than Summer crowds. The X-Factor in November is the weather. A cold front passed through on Friday evening (we got caught in a downpour on the way to HDDR) and temps went from highs in the 80s on Thursday and Friday to highs in the 60s on Saturday and Sunday. As a result, Saturday in MGM was busy, but not crazy. Sunday in the MK was not too bad at all. I'm guessing it would have been worse if the weather hadn't turned, however.

 

[tink2]

We've done Thanksgiving week three times now, Monday before to Friday after. Last year the whole week very was crowded in comparison to our previous trips. We've opted to go Dec. 5-11 this year. MK is a zoo Thursday and I've heard it's as bad or worse Friday. I think it was closed both days this year due to crowds, but not sure on this one. We've done AK and MGM on Friday after turkey day- both pretty crowded with AK being less than MGM. I've heard the crowds are very high through the weekend and it slows down Monday- but we always leave Saturday and don't do a park that day. I'm not sure where I stand on this one. It will be crowded for sure. If you've been before and don't have small children with you- you might could do it. However, the thrill rides are the ones that you want and they will definitely be crowded- FastPasses were out by lunch, if not before, this year. However, it is Disney and if money isn't a problem, I'd say go, be prepared for crowds, and have fun. Monday and Tuesday shouldn't be crowded and you could do MVMCP probably- not sure about the dates for Thanksgiving yet but the party usually begins the weekend after.
Good luck deciding!!!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I wonder which park would be the least crowded on Sunday (if there is such a thing). And then again, a water park or just hanging out at the resort pool is an option too (weather permitting).
Tink