WDW for Thanksgiving?

[Kisha3018]

Is it a good time to go? We are looking at Thanksgiving 2008. How are the crowds and the rates? Or would earlier in the fall be a better idea?

 

[daMomma]

We went to WDW last Thanksgiving. The trip really got me into the Christmas mood early. The decorations were up and the Christmas music was playing. We had a great time and would go again. The crowds increase as you get closer to Thanksgiving Day. Wednesday - Saturday are really busy. The crowds are totally doable but you do need to have a bit of a plan (FP, ADRs , etc.) or you can wait in very long lines. If you don't mind sharing your vacation with a few new (ok thousands more) family members I would go. If you want less new family members you could go the week after Thanksgiving or the week before. This way you can still enjoy the holiday atmosphere.

 

[DisneyLaura]

We plan on going in 2009 for Thanksgiving. I can't wait.

 

[MS_mom_1965]

Thanksgiving is VERY crowded - course, that said, we're going Thanksgiving this year!

 

[mikkiwikki]

We went 2005 to our first Disney Thanksgiving. It is crowded Thursday -Saturday. We simply dont go to the parks on those days. We extend our visit until the first week of December and love it.

I can see us going every year at this time,...in fact we have & will be there in November.

 

[FoggyToad]

Is it a good time to go? We are looking at Thanksgiving 2008. How are the crowds and the rates? Or would earlier in the fall be a better idea?

We will arrive on the Monday after Thanksgiving (11/26) and staying until 12/6. We've never gone at Thanksgiving time before and we're really looking forward to smaller crowds after the Thanksgiving guests leave. I don't think you would really want to go Thanksgiving through Saturday unless you really don't mind long lines and lots and lots of people. I understand those days are second busiest only behind Christmas crowds. Earlier in the fall would also work out great but the weather will be warmer. I understand September crowds are some of the lowest but the temperatures are pretty hot then.

 

[ToGreen78]

We are flying out on Thanksgiving day next year, but aren't starting the parks until Sunday. Does anyone know how the crowds will be then? Before we do the parks we want to tart around the resorts and check out the decorations and the gingerbread villages!

 

[JPN4265]

Going over any major holiday is okay as long as you plan. Make your ADR, and take advantage of all the available FP's that you can. Remember half of the fun in going to WDW, is crowd watching.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Is it a good time to go? We are looking at Thanksgiving 2008. How are the crowds and the rates? Or would earlier in the fall be a better idea?

It will be very, very crowded. The UG Crowd Calender has the whole week before, until the Saturday after Thanksgiving as 9s on a 1 - 10 scale. That would make it the third busiest week of the year, only behind Christmas and Easter weeks. Also, the rates are higher during Thanksgiving. Last time we went, we arrived the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the crowds were very low that week and we got value season rates.

 

[N2THRILLRIDES]

That is a wonderful time (Thanksgiving) to book a trip to WDW. We have had good experiences with a previous trip booked around this time. We are also scheduled to be there this Thanksgiving and can hardly wait. The most important thing is to plan, plan and do more planning. There are large crowds but the parks are very doable and we enjoy the Christmas decorations that are already in place.

 

[Locomigo]

What they said.

When we went 8 years ago, we were there a couple days before (not bad), during (went to other attractions in the area when it got too crowded, Universal, Kennedy), and after. It was AMAZING to see the overnight transformation of the park into a winter wonderland.

Spent Thanksgiving evening in the ER as my DS (6 at the time) got dehydrated. That was also an Epcot day, so a long day, unseasonably warm, and refusal to continue pumping the liquids = not a good combination.

Enjoy!!!

 

[pineapplaclaire]

We've sone it twice, and I love being there in November!
Here's why:
Christmas decorations-The overnight transformation is amazing! It really puts you in the Christmas spirit!
The Food- Lots of places to have your "feast"!
The Weather- Practically perfect!
The Feeling- How can you not feel extra *thankful* watching your kids' faces at Disney?

 

[pineapplaclaire]

Am I quite possibly the worst typist on the DIS?! I guess I just get so excited, I can't slow down long enough to preview my posts and check for idiotic spelling mistakes!

 

[DisneyLaura]

A few years ago my DH and I meet a couple from MI and she said she goes to WDW every Thanksgiving because of the crowds being less. Now I am confused. Still not chaning my mind about going then though. I want to WDW at Christmas.

 

[duchess_tisha]

We went in 2004, 2005 and are going this year for Thanksgiving. We always leave the Saturday before and come home the Saturday after. We have found that there are not a lot of people there from Saturday to Tuesday. In our experiences, the crowds hit on Wednesday and stay through the weekend.

The weather is beautiful! 04 and 05 it was low to mid 70's the whole time, and in 05 we actually had one really cold night (well the 50's)! We had to buy the Mickey stocking caps that night to keep our ears warm!

Kids with their stocking caps, and Minnie and Mickey!!

The thing that can't be beat though, is all the holiday spirit at Thanksgiving. You get all the benefits of Christmas when you go at Thanksgiving. Everything is already decorated, you get the Santas from around the world at Epcot and the Osborne Spectacle of Lights at MGM (which is a don't miss). And if you plan well enough you might even catch the first of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties....I am hoping to this year...shhh don't tell DH!!

We have eaten at Whispering Canyon and Trail's End of Thanksgiving dinner. This year we have reservations at Le Cellier for Thanksgiving. Whispering Canyon and Trail's End were both fantastic!