What are parks like during the week of Thanksgiving?

[kpgclark]

We're thinking about hitting WDW for the week of Thanksgiving. Can someone give me an idea of how busy the parks are during that week? I'd like to know about each of the days during the entire week of Thanksgiving. For example, are Mon. Tues., and Wed. slow? What about the weekend before and after Thanksgiving? Is Thanksgiving itself busy?

Thanks!

 

[clkelley]

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are relatively quiet.

Thanksgiving Day was busy, but me and my boys hit MK at early entry and were the 2nd ones through the gate and by hustling, and using Fast Pass effectively, we rode Space Mountain, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pooh before noon.

The weekend before was somewhat busy, but not terrible, and the weekend after was the same.

Actually, the worst part of our trip, crowd wise was the drive home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving! 45mph all the way to Atlanta on I-75N. A 10 hour drive turned into 13 hours!!! It's a good thing we went to Ocala on Saturday night, or our 12 hours would have been 16 hours!!!

The resorts were full the entire week and when we checked in on Friday night, our room assignment was not very good. I would recommend an early morning check-in to get a decent room assignment.

 

[tink2]

We've been twice during this time. We go to the parks Monday-Friday. Monday-Wednesday are pretty good- hardly any waits for anything. Thursday is extremely crowded at MK- but this is a great day to see the Christmas decorations that are put up Wednesday night after the park closes. Just be prepared to use EE and FastPass. We go to a different park on Friday and have had pretty good luck. The crowds are managable if you use FastPass. This is a terrific time to go- weather is usually great. We've worn shorts everyday both times. It can get cool at night so we take a long sleeved shirt- especially for the kids. We'll be there this year- see you there!

 

[susy]

We will be there , too!!! Arriving Wed and leaving Sunday. We are staying at the WL!!!!! We plan to do MK on Thurs (EE), have our big meal at Crystal Palace for lunch and then leave the mk to relax at WL. Fri- we are planning on Epcot and Sat at MGM. We will only stay in the parks until we want (no commando touring). We will have dinner at Artist Point on Fri night and Chef Mickey on Sat night for DS's 6th B-day!!!!
Tink, maybe you will get a great upgrade for Thanksgiving. I hope you do!!!!! I will patiently await the codes! My mom got the call today. Was only offered CBR, so she got a number to call on Fri to see if there are any upgrade offers. Her ressie is for May 2,the day before they close.

 

[poohlover]

We went this past year and it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. We have a family with 6 kids so we split the family:

Myself & DS's 6 & 8 and DD 4 went on Sunday. Mon & Tue we spent most of our time in MK. Not bad wait times until late afternoon, but by then the kids were wanting a break.

Wed. my husband & DS 12, & DD's 14 & 16 arrived. MK was busier in the late afternoon.

Thur we spent the early morn in MK, Not bad till about 1pm. Then very busy for us.

Thur night we went to Epcot...It was EMPTY. Wonderful time seeing the TOD parade & walking around empty WS!

Fri & SAt. were VERY busy in MK...other parks were not too bad. We spent most eves in epcot.

Sund was the last day...MK was EMPTY! Had a wonderful morning & early afternoon there.

WE have always gone "off season" but with the kids getting older this is impossible now.

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks everyone. I too have ALWAYS gone off season, but we really can't do that any more. I was SHOCKED at how much airfare costs though! I just got back from a Disney Cruise and we flew into Orlando from Philly for $185. That's pretty standard for what we pay. I just checked for Thanksgiving and it is $500! So for airfare for our family of 4 it would be $2000! Don't you think that is outrageous!

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

We went last Thanksgiving. We arrived on the Friday before and left the Saturday following. I thought the crowds were average. We were in the MK Thanksgiving night and got to ride Splash Mountain 4 times in a row with out getting off.
The bad part bout this time of year as you said is airfare. I think we paid about 380 RT from Boston. I just had to pay the same for next weekend and that isn't even a non stop.

 

[DisOrBust]

I am planning on Thanksgiving 2004 for for 2 families a "Trip of a Lifetime " and my DH will be turning 40 . Can anyone tell me if the CP was going on at Epcot? Xmas decorations go up Wed night? How about Osborne lights?


I also need and magically ideas ..already planning an Illum. birthday criuise...


Also were room discounts to be had. We will be arriving the Sat prior hopefully at PO-R. Anyone stay at a Mod for a discount during this time?

 

[clkelley]

Yes, the Osbourne lights and Candlelight Processional start Thanksgiving week. Decorations actually start going up the Thursday or Friday before Thanksgiving week.

When we arrived on Friday night before Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations were already up at All-Stars.

There are lots of discounts for Thanksgiving week.

We had Disney Club rates for that week of $55 a night at All-Stars and there were lots of Annual Passholder rates and general code rates available.

 

[kpgclark]

What????? Where are you finding codes for Thanksgiving? I haven't seen any at all. Please let me know. You can PM me.

 

[susy]

Thanksgiving is value season-on top of that I've seen codes that past two years. AP rates were very low- $109 at AKL sticks out in my mind. FL Resident rates were very low as well.

 

[DisOrBust]

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

DisOrBust....I'm pretty sure that if all goes well in the next 18 months We'll be in WDW for Thanksgiving 2004 too!!!
We did the same week (Sat before to Sat after) in 1999. The only time we really paid any attention to being crowded was Thursday evening at MK. It was packed until the nighttime parade and fireworks were over. MK was open until 11pm, so after like 7 or 8 pm the park was no longer mobbed.

Candlelight Processional started the 26th (Friday after) and the Osborne Lights we saw on Friday (they opened on Wed I believe). My guidemap for the Studios is dated 11/22-11/28 1999 and all it says is OFSL shows nightly, the World Update we got at the resort is dated 11/24-12/17 and doesn't offer any other info. (the 24th was Wed if that is any indication).

 

[leanne2255]

Personally my family and i ( Ally...i'm 13... this is my moms user name) like to go the day after thanksgiving... it is less crowded, which makes it more fun to enjoy... that is just my humble opinion.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We were there for Thanksgiving week in 2001 and the parks were very crowded. I would make your PS's early for Thanksgiving Day.