Week before thanksgiving

[mickeytown48]

Calling to anyone who went to Disneyworld the week before thanksgiving? We usually go in October, but next year we are going to try Nov 11th thru 19th. Can anyone say how the crowds were, ride wait times, etc etc. Thank you!

 

[Flower1]

We went a few years ago at that time and it was perfect. No crowds- no hot, humid weather, but still warm enough for the pool. The resorts were just beginning to put up their trees. We stayed at animal kingdom lodge and got to see them put up their tree that week. By the time the Sunday and Monday of Thanksgiving week came we could definitely tell the difference in the crowds. We left that Tuesday morning.

 

[Accident]

If week before means the week not including thanksgiving I found it really nice and comfortable in the parks. I only went in a night or two so find out what others think to know what a full day was like.

 

[Mary2e]

I was there this year, and due to the way Veteran's Day fell this year (on a Monday) the parks were particularly crowded - more so than I have ever seen that for that week (we usually go that week). I was expecting the usual uncrowded parks and was met with some pretty large crowds all week.

I think that next year may also be on the busy side because the holiday will be on a Tuesday and people will take the long weekend.

 

[Amelia :)]

I'm sure veterans day was the Friday.. anyhow, I found it to be a mixed bag, our Epcot day was quiet, our MK day was predicted to be a crowd level 4, and was actually 9 when I look back on touring plans. It was really busy. Weather was perfect though. Resorts, roads feel of the place in general I'd say felt moderately busy (certainly much quieter than the week before-we were there two weeks).

 

[Mary2e]

You are absolutely correct.... It was the tail end of NJ week and I was confused.

Still, I was quite surprised as how busy it was until Tuesday when it got a little slower - but not much. I made my plans exactly 1 week before arriving and couldn't get FPs for a couple of the rides and refused to wait for them, since Mine Train was generally running 70 mins+ every time I was there.

 

[glassslippergirl]

I was there November 11-12 this year, and it was super-crowded. Veterans Day + the last weekend of F&W + Dapper Days = huge crowds, at least at MK and Epcot. This will also be the final weekend of F&W next year, so I recommend skipping Epcot until Monday. Weather was great, though!

 

[Naterfan]

We were there two weeks ago (12-19 November) and it was perfect. Never got over 80-ish and the nights were clear and cool. Crowds, with the exception of Disney Springs, were very low, especially at Typhoon Lagoon where there was NEVER a line for the slides and the water was nicely heated. I would have liked for more late nights at the parks, but at that time of year I guess I should be happy with 9pm closings. The Magic Kingdom was open until 11pm on the 14th. Also, we waited until Food and Wine was over before we ventured into EPCOT.

 

[rwdavis2]

We did it this year. Fri/Sat/Sun were crowded everywhere but by Monday things were fairly empty for the rest of the week. F&W on Friday was crowded all day long from noon, on.

 

[nkereina]

We've been the week before Thanksgiving in 2013 and 2014, both times avoiding Veteran's Day as the day or two before and a day or two after will be more crowded. We found crowd levels very manageable and comfortable, however the weather was hit or miss. In 2013, we got rain about half the time. In 2014, a cold front came through and some of our daily highs were barely 60 degrees. This meant 40-50 degree temperatures for most of the mornings and evenings as well.

 

[Crystal824]

We were there Nov. 12-20th. The first few days were crowded. Then the crowds really let up until the last few days, which was getting into the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. Wait times weren't bad once we got out of the Veteran's Day crowds. We had a FP+ for Frozen Ever After. My husband and oldest daughter waited in the standby line for Soarin' for 30 min. I didn't think that was too bad considering we didn't get to Epcot until about 9:45 that day. The weather was great. I would definitely go this week again sometime. We were able to get lots of additional FPs in the MK.

 

[mickeytown48]

Thank you everyone. Your comments were greatly appreciated

 

[stinkpickle]

My experience mirrors many of the others'. We were there 11/12-11/21. The first few days felt busy but not terrible (F&W was packed, though). Mid-week crowds dropped quite a bit. Tuesday through Friday were nice, especially with the 4:30PM early closing at MK. That last Saturday (11/19) wasn't as bad as I'd thought it would be at the parks, but resort really filled up with people that evening. The last two days, Sunday and Monday, I could've done without. We probably should've flown back Saturday night, instead.

 

[stinkpickle]

BTW, I'm eyeballing 11/11 - 11/18 for next year.

 

[disfanforlife]

I'm debating the same week as you for next year either 11/-11/18 or the week after thanksgiving 11/27-12/3 ( less chance for nice weather?)We were just down from 11/5-11/12 and found it very busy. We have been both of those week before, but not since 2013. I agree with what everyone has been saying - I think it will be a good week, but the first weekend and maybe even Monday might still be quite busy. That's still better than the entire week being packed for us a few weeks ago. But, I think it was an unusual combination of things all going on while we were just there:jersey week, marathon, Veterans Day, presidential elections, last full week of food & wine, and Christmas party taping.