We survived Thanksgiving week ... and you can too!

[Delilah1310]

sorry for the delayed report ... but I wanted give a bit of encouragement to anyone who might be considering a thanksgiving week trip .. or a trip anytime during a busy season = it is manageable!!!

We were afraid we would not be able to get anything done and it would be shoulder to shoulder the whole time. that luckily was NOT the case.

we had flown in San Diego the evening of Friday, Nov. 22 and spend two nights at the Legoland hotel. on Sunday, we drove up to DLR and we got there about 10:30 and checked in at the Grand Californian - first pixie dust of the trip ... the room was ready! we settled in then shuffled off to DL!

Sunday, Nov. 24 (week of Thanksgiving)
park arrival time around 11:30

HMH
Pirates
Matterhorn
Indiana Jones
then we took a break and back to the room
Dinner at Ariel's grotto at 6 pm
tickets for 7:45 show of WOC WD
then we walked around Carsland at night to see the decorations, take some pics, do some shopping

WOC Winter Dreams - I loved it. I know ppl are saying its a big commercial for Frozen ... and maybe it is if you look at it that way, but I just thought ... here's a "winter" character they have that is being used as the host. didn't make me want to see the movie, but I LOVED the WOC WD. it was fun and funny and really pretty. the slow and poignant parts didn't last too long to bother our restless 6yo ... the snowflake thing at the end is amazing! i don't know how it is done!!! seriously ... can anyone tell me how?!!

Haunted Mansion Holiday - now we had just seen that movie for the first time about two weeks ago and our DS6 is very interested. I thought I would not like the overlay as HM is one of my all time faves. but I have to say it was really well done! I enjoyed it as something different ... can't say I like it better or worse as to me it really makes it two completely different rides.

Monday, Nov. 25 (week of Thanksgiving)
DCA Early Entry 7 am

RSR
Mater
TS
TOT / RS fastpass line (we split up)
(8 am open)
Monsters Inc
Luigi
RSR FP (9:40)
lunch break back to hotel
DLR
gadget go coster (a 45-mintue wait for a 45-second ride!!!)
Mickey and the Magical map
DL Train
dinner at hotel (storytellers)
small world
castle lighting/snow (main street)

So Monday was the day we learning how we prefer to "do" the holiday/busy days. Getting there for the EE is a MUST! If you can afford it, stay at DLR properties to get the daily access ... this hour is so vital ... along with the next couple of hours, because you have a jump on the crowd. We really discovered that for us, the best thing to do was rides in the AM though lunchtime, break, then return for shows / shopping / sightseeing or maybe just one or two things that we were willing to wait for. the late afternoons/evenings were NOT conducive to riding multiple rides. It was simply too crowded for that ... nearly everything was 40-plus minutes.

Small World Holiday was simply the highlight of the holiday events for me. it was so amazingly pretty - the photos don't do it justice. the changes they made in the ride were so perfect ... this one is worth waiting for. the show on the IASW facade helps the time pass quickly, so don't be discouraged by lines for this one. we had only planned to do this one thing after dinner, but as we were walking out in main street, our son wanted to stay for the castle lighting/snow. This was super cool ... the castle lighting was very pretty and magical. the snow was a neat bonus, but is much better paired with the lighting. be sure to catch this holiday event on main street for the full effect.

Mickey and the Magical Map ... what a wonderful surprise!! not a holiday event, but relatively new, I believe. VERY cute live show ... fast paced and visually interesting! our son even stayed interested during the "princess" parts, which usually get a big "bleh" from him! the setting in that theater was wonderful, too. We just went in to see it because we were waiting for a train at the Toontown station and though, what the heck. glad we made that decision!


Tuesday, Nov. 26 (week of Thanksgiving)
DL Early Entry 7 am

Star Tours
Space Mountain
Buzz
Star Tours
(8 am open)
IJ fastpass
Jingle Cruise
HMH
Spalsh Mountain X2 - she let us stay in the log as there was no line yet!!! pixie dust!! )
Jack Skellington / Sally M&G
IJ (used FP)
pirates
early lunch
Tom Sawyer Island
shopping / 2:30 parade
break back to hotel
Big Thunder Ranch BBQ dinner (6:30)
Star Tours (I think we had fastpasses)
Space Mountain (40-plus minutes in line ... breaks down when we are just past the last "chicken exit" ... 6yo wants to bail)
fireworks

Jingle Cruise was cute. Our captain was good, the new jokes are just as good as the old ... I thought it was a cute overlay. Didn't walk around upstairs, so no idea about that.

Jack and Sally M&G ... because of our son's interest, when we saw him there, we got in line about 9:40 am. the CM told us that Jack would be taking a break to see if Sally had "pulled herself together" and he would be back. He did indeed return with Sally and had a great chat with my son about his birthday and the HMH ride and lots of things. great PP pics from this.

parade ... cute and about what I expected. We found a space on the Main Street curb right across from the Crystal Arcade about 2 pm !!! so shocked! the sun was in our eyes for a while, but by the time the parade started, it was not. it was a nice and fun parade. My son was excited to give high fives to some of the characters.

fireworks ... honestly, my only disappointment of the holiday events. they seemed short and there are several slower, somber songs in the mix. I think it would have been better paired with more upbeat music. It was very confusing when it was over, too. we weren't sure if it had ended ... the finale didn't seem final for some reason. and then the snow started, so we knew it was over. but that was also kind of an awkward transition. this really could be improved, in my opinion.


Wednesday, Nov. 27 (day before Thanksgiving)
DCA early entry 7 am ... we need to leave park by 10 am to catch flight
slept in and skipped EE
at rope drop for DL open 8 am

Space Mountain
Star Tours
Indiana Jones
Spalsh Mountian X2
Winnie the Pooh
left at 9:40 am


Hope this helps someone.
Please feel free to ask any specific questions!
We had a absolutely wonderful time and our son is already asking about when we can go back again!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Thanks for this report. We were there at the same time (Sun-Sat of Thanksgiving week) and I'm glad to see somebody else say it was manageable! I completely agree that the EE/EMH is so vital and if not eligible for that, making sure you are at rope drop. We took our afternoons really easy, heading back to the hotel or DTD a lot to take a break from the crowds.

 

[mrsw94]

sorry for the delayed report ... but I wanted give a bit of encouragement to anyone who might be considering a thanksgiving week trip .. or a trip anytime during a busy season = it is manageable!!!

We were afraid we would not be able to get anything done and it would be shoulder to shoulder the whole time. that luckily was NOT the case.

we had flown in San Diego the evening of Friday, Nov. 22 and spend two nights at the Legoland hotel. on Sunday, we drove up to DLR and we got there about 10:30 and checked in at the Grand Californian - first pixie dust of the trip ... the room was ready! we settled in then shuffled off to DL!

Sunday, Nov. 24 (week of Thanksgiving)
park arrival time around 11:30

HMH
Pirates
Matterhorn
Indiana Jones
then we took a break and back to the room
Dinner at Ariel's grotto at 6 pm
tickets for 7:45 show of WOC WD
then we walked around Carsland at night to see the decorations, take some pics, do some shopping

WOC Winter Dreams - I loved it. I know ppl are saying its a big commercial for Frozen ... and maybe it is if you look at it that way, but I just thought ... here's a "winter" character they have that is being used as the host. didn't make me want to see the movie, but I LOVED the WOC WD. it was fun and funny and really pretty. the slow and poignant parts didn't last too long to bother our restless 6yo ... the snowflake thing at the end is amazing! i don't know how it is done!!! seriously ... can anyone tell me how?!!

Haunted Mansion Holiday - now we had just seen that movie for the first time about two weeks ago and our DS6 is very interested. I thought I would not like the overlay as HM is one of my all time faves. but I have to say it was really well done! I enjoyed it as something different ... can't say I like it better or worse as to me it really makes it two completely different rides.

Monday, Nov. 25 (week of Thanksgiving)
DCA Early Entry 7 am

RSR
Mater
TS
TOT / RS fastpass line (we split up)
(8 am open)
Monsters Inc
Luigi
RSR FP (9:40)
lunch break back to hotel
DLR
gadget go coster (a 45-mintue wait for a 45-second ride!!!)
Mickey and the Magical map
DL Train
dinner at hotel (storytellers)
small world
castle lighting/snow (main street)

So Monday was the day we learning how we prefer to "do" the holiday/busy days. Getting there for the EE is a MUST! If you can afford it, stay at DLR properties to get the daily access ... this hour is so vital ... along with the next couple of hours, because you have a jump on the crowd. We really discovered that for us, the best thing to do was rides in the AM though lunchtime, break, then return for shows / shopping / sightseeing or maybe just one or two things that we were willing to wait for. the late afternoons/evenings were NOT conducive to riding multiple rides. It was simply too crowded for that ... nearly everything was 40-plus minutes.

Small World Holiday was simply the highlight of the holiday events for me. it was so amazingly pretty - the photos don't do it justice. the changes they made in the ride were so perfect ... this one is worth waiting for. the show on the IASW facade helps the time pass quickly, so don't be discouraged by lines for this one. we had only planned to do this one thing after dinner, but as we were walking out in main street, our son wanted to stay for the castle lighting/snow. This was super cool ... the castle lighting was very pretty and magical. the snow was a neat bonus, but is much better paired with the lighting. be sure to catch this holiday event on main street for the full effect.

Mickey and the Magical Map ... what a wonderful surprise!! not a holiday event, but relatively new, I believe. VERY cute live show ... fast paced and visually interesting! our son even stayed interested during the "princess" parts, which usually get a big "bleh" from him! the setting in that theater was wonderful, too. We just went in to see it because we were waiting for a train at the Toontown station and though, what the heck. glad we made that decision!

Tuesday, Nov. 26 (week of Thanksgiving)
DL Early Entry 7 am

Star Tours
Space Mountain
Buzz
Star Tours
(8 am open)
IJ fastpass
Jingle Cruise
HMH
Spalsh Mountain X2 - she let us stay in the log as there was no line yet!!! pixie dust!! )
Jack Skellington / Sally M&G
IJ (used FP)
pirates
early lunch
Tom Sawyer Island
shopping / 2:30 parade
break back to hotel
Big Thunder Ranch BBQ dinner (6:30)
Star Tours (I think we had fastpasses)
Space Mountain (40-plus minutes in line ... breaks down when we are just past the last "chicken exit" ... 6yo wants to bail)
fireworks

Jingle Cruise was cute. Our captain was good, the new jokes are just as good as the old ... I thought it was a cute overlay. Didn't walk around upstairs, so no idea about that.

Jack and Sally M&G ... because of our son's interest, when we saw him there, we got in line about 9:40 am. the CM told us that Jack would be taking a break to see if Sally had "pulled herself together" and he would be back. He did indeed return with Sally and had a great chat with my son about his birthday and the HMH ride and lots of things. great PP pics from this.

parade ... cute and about what I expected. We found a space on the Main Street curb right across from the Crystal Arcade about 2 pm !!! so shocked! the sun was in our eyes for a while, but by the time the parade started, it was not. it was a nice and fun parade. My son was excited to give high fives to some of the characters.

fireworks ... honestly, my only disappointment of the holiday events. they seemed short and there are several slower, somber songs in the mix. I think it would have been better paired with more upbeat music. It was very confusing when it was over, too. we weren't sure if it had ended ... the finale didn't seem final for some reason. and then the snow started, so we knew it was over. but that was also kind of an awkward transition. this really could be improved, in my opinion.

Wednesday, Nov. 27 (day before Thanksgiving)
DCA early entry 7 am ... we need to leave park by 10 am to catch flight
slept in and skipped EE
at rope drop for DL open 8 am

Space Mountain
Star Tours
Indiana Jones
Spalsh Mountian X2
Winnie the Pooh
left at 9:40 am

Hope this helps someone.
Please feel free to ask any specific questions!
We had a absolutely wonderful time and our son is already asking about when we can go back again!

Thanks for the notes. We weren't able to get an on site hotel, so will be with the masses. We'll take your info under advisement!

 

[frankyray]

We have been to Disneyland 2 of the last 3 Thanksgivings and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Both times on actual Thanksgiving day and a couple of days on either side of Thanksgiving. I agree that it is very manageable as long as you get up early when the park opens and have a plan for the first few hours until just before lunch. We then take a break and watch the parade or see the decorations and relax at the hotel for a few hours before going back for dinner and some nighttime attractions.

They recently added online reservations for dining. I have never liked making reservations for meals because I can never be sure where we will be at a certain time. On Thanksgiving day, we were waiting in line for Jungle Cruise in the morning. Since I knew we would be in that area of the park, I was able to make a reservation for lunch at Cafe Orleans using the web browser on my phone for just a few hours later.

We dined for Thanksgiving dinner at the Disneyland hotel Ballroom last time but didn't think it was worth the price, especially with the picky eaters in our family. This time we tried Storytellers Cafe so we could have a less expensive and lighter buffet. I made a priority seating reservation for 645, and when we checked in we were told it would be a 90 minute wait! There were a lot of angry people that had been waiting at least that long. The manager said that once people sat down, they were staying an abnormally long time backing the whole day up. My wife walked over to Ralph Brennan's which we always liked and they were able to seat us right away. Probably worked out better anyway because my 4 year old was able to eat pizza for Thanksgiving dinner.

I would go to Disneyland on Thanksgiving again without a second thought.

 

[tksbaskets]

Sounds like you packed in as much as you could. I'm glad that you liked the Winter Dreams WOC. I was wondering if it was worth standing and waiting for. Sounds like you'd say 'yes'.

TK

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

We have been to Disneyland 2 of the last 3 Thanksgivings and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Both times on actual Thanksgiving day and a couple of days on either side of Thanksgiving. I agree that it is very manageable as long as you get up early when the park opens and have a plan for the first few hours until just before lunch. We then take a break and watch the parade or see the decorations and relax at the hotel for a few hours before going back for dinner and some nighttime attractions.

They recently added online reservations for dining. I have never liked making reservations for meals because I can never be sure where we will be at a certain time. On Thanksgiving day, we were waiting in line for Jungle Cruise in the morning. Since I knew we would be in that area of the park, I was able to make a reservation for lunch at Cafe Orleans using the web browser on my phone for just a few hours later.

We dined for Thanksgiving dinner at the Disneyland hotel Ballroom last time but didn't think it was worth the price, especially with the picky eaters in our family. This time we tried Storytellers Cafe so we could have a less expensive and lighter buffet. I made a priority seating reservation for 645, and when we checked in we were told it would be a 90 minute wait! There were a lot of angry people that had been waiting at least that long. The manager said that once people sat down, they were staying an abnormally long time backing the whole day up. My wife walked over to Ralph Brennan's which we always liked and they were able to seat us right away. Probably worked out better anyway because my 4 year old was able to eat pizza for Thanksgiving dinner.

I would go to Disneyland on Thanksgiving again without a second thought.

Same and same experiences! Crowds actually died down a bit Thanksgiving on, felt like normal weekend crowds to us.

 

[DharmaLou]

We went the week of Thanksgiving last year and I never felt it was unmanageable. We just planned our days wisely, used FPs, took advantage of MM/EMH and didn't spend too much evening time in the park. Our trip there on Columbus Day weekend this year was FAR worse than any day we spent Thanksgiving week last year.

 

[julieheyer]

Great report, thanks!


I have a question for those of you who've "gone back to the rooms for a break". We've never done this! I know, crazy! But this time I'm considering it on Sunday the 8. It'll be CP in DL and I want my family to be there at 7:30, for 8 am opening. I'd also like to close the park down at midnight and suspect there'll be much complaining. If we took a break mid day, when the crowds build, will it be insane going back into DL in the evening? I'm guessing thee will be a lot of locals coming just for CP, so it might be a bit of a zoo getting back in?

Even so, in general, those of you who've gone back to the rooms for a rest, when do you leave, and return? Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Great report, thanks!


I have a question for those of you who've "gone back to the rooms for a break". We've never done this! I know, crazy! But this time I'm considering it on Sunday the 8. It'll be CP in DL and I want my family to be there at 7:30, for 8 am opening. I'd also like to close the park down at midnight and suspect there'll be much complaining. If we took a break mid day, when the crowds build, will it be insane going back into DL in the evening? I'm guessing thee will be a lot of locals coming just for CP, so it might be a bit of a zoo getting back in?

Even so, in general, those of you who've gone back to the rooms for a rest, when do you leave, and return? Thanks!

Julie --

Remember that the CP seats are invitation-only. So it's not like locals or non-locals can just walk up and easily get a view of the CP. There are people who stand around Town Square all day long just to be able to get a good standing view. So if locals show up later they are not guaranteed to see anything well, and a lot of them may want to avoid the CP crowds.

I go back to my hotel for a break every year. I think it's going to be crowded on Sunday no matter how you slice it, because of the crowds trying to either see or avoid the CP. It may not be as bad earlier in the day, but from mid-to-late afternoon on it will be crowded, especially around Town Square (unless it rains).