Week before or after Thanksgiving week?

[ssledoux]

Which would you choose, and why?

 

[mesaboy2]

Which would you choose, and why?

Both should be pretty quiet crowd-wise, weather too similar to distinguish. Just avoid the week of Thanksgiving.

 

[Snoozan]

I've done the week after Thanksgiving 3 times and found crowds quite manageable. This year, we're trying the week before(actually leaving on Wednesday)to see if the weather is any warmer and the crowds even lighter.

 

[TowMater92]

No one should go the week after Thanksgiving I actually think they close the parks that week and don't do the math on my countdown

 

[ponyboy]

This year we're going the week before and week of Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back.

 

[nalajms]

After Thankgivings! Christmas stuff is in full swing. We love going and just dropping in for parts of Candlelight Procession, all the resorts are fully decorated. It's just a completely different atmosphere.

 

[Wendybird55]

We went many times the week after Thanksgiving (usually arriving the Friday after Thanksgiving or even late Thanksgiving night) and always enjoyed it.
The parks were decorated for Christmas which we liked, weather was nice and crowds very manageable. By going the week after we were able to use some (if only 1 day) of the weekend towards our vacation having to use less vacation days off work. Also the parks were open later during the rest of the Holiday weekend giving us a couple of late night for fireworks and parades and such.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

No one should go the week after Thanksgiving I actually think they close the parks that week and don't do the math on my countdown

This. And please, pay no attention to the countdown below...

 

[JimS4210]

Funny I saw this thread. Last night I just booked the week before Thanksgiving...

Jim

 

[mrsap]

We always go over Thanksgiving week and the week after. Thanksgiving is very busy at the parks. Typically the crowds are better the week after, but with the late Thanksgiving last year, it was pretty crowded for that time of year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for somewhat lighter crowds this year! Good luck deciding!!

 

[DisMama5]

I've been toying with the idea of going these weeks also, I've had a hard time deciding. From the research I've done, the week before thanksgiving is typically lighter crowds but the week after is very manageable crowds also. The weather is pretty similar.. Mid-nov averages are 79-60 and after thanksgiving/early dec is 74-55 averages. ALL the Christmas decorations and events are not in full swing till after thanksgiving but some will be up before. Things like epcots Christmas events, the MK Christmas tree, and some of the resorts will not be done till after thanksgiving. From what I understand if you want the full Christmas effects of Disney it's said to go the week after, if you don't mind missing a few things and having slightly warmer weather then go the week before..... All in all both are great times to go, that's what I've found out atleast

 

[jcemom]

No one should go the week after Thanksgiving I actually think they close the parks that week and don't do the math on my countdown

 

[disneyfantotheend]

We went the week before Thanksgiving last year and it was great! Low crowds and nice weather. One day of rain, but you can have that anytime. The one thing to consider is if you are looking for discounts like free dining, last year the week after Thanksgiving was blacked out.

The only Christmas things that were not available the week prior to Thanksgiving were the Candlelight Processional and Epcot story tellers.

We did go the week after Thanksgiving in 2007. Crowds were a little heavier than the week before, but not drastic enough to stop me from going that week. Temps were quite a bit cooler, but still nothing that needed more than a sweatshirt.

 

[ShannonMB]

WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING!!!

Granted, I haven't been the week after, but I can't imagine a more pleasant time to go. When I say "low crowds", I mean that it was almost weird how to-ourselves we had the place. I was all ready with my usual strategies, and it just wasn't necessary. We had no more than a 15 minute wait standby for ANY thing at ANY time. If it weren't for DD being in middle school now and my not wanting to take her out for a week anymore, we'd be there that week every year!!

Good luck and have fun!