What are your opinions on Thanksgiving?

[*WeLuvDisney*]

We are going to WDW in June, for our second family trip. This will be the second time we have gone in the summer.

We thought about trying a different time of year and were also thinking about trying a holiday in the world.

Have you ever been there for Thanksgiving? What are your pros and cons for it?

I appreciate your opinions!

 

[lpizzuro123]

We were in WDW two years ago on Thanksgiving and plan on going again this year. It all depend on which week you are planning on. The week of Thanksgiving the parks get very crowded especially Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We used that time to explore all the different hotels and check out their holiday decorations. We went to the first night of MVMCP and it was not too crowded. The parks were empty from Sunday on through the next week.

Right after Thanksgiving all the holiday happenings begin. There is a special ending to IllumiNations (and it will make you cry), all the Holiday Around the World events also start then in Epcot. There is a different holiday storyteller in each country telling about how they celebrate the Christmas season in their country - the stories usually last about 10 to 20 minutes and they are given throughout the day. There is also a great Santa and Mrs Clause in the American Adventure. The Candlelight Procession is also shown three times each night in the American Adventure Theater (the one outside). This is the telling of the Christmas story narrated by someone usually pretty famous along with a large chorus - all carrying candles. MGM has the Osborn light show, AK has the Jamin' Jingle Parade - instead of the Jamin' Jungle Parade and of course MVMCP is in MK.

Happy Holidays and hope you go at this time.

Linda

Linda

 

[disnut8]

We alternate going to Disney World for Thanksgiving (and only Thanksgiving the four day weekend) and back home for the holiday. This year, it's Disney World. It will be crowded. But it's fun.

One thing - make your dining reservation for Thanksgiving dinner or lunch as soon as you can. I cannot tell you how many people were being turned away from the Epcot restaurants because they had nothing. Even the Rose and Crown, ironically, changes its menu slightly and adds a traditional American turkey meal with all the trimmings.

I love going at Thanksgiving - gets me in the mood for Christmas.

 

[All Aboard]

We haven't missed Thanksgiving in the past 8 years. One of my favorite times to go. Holidays Around the World is just kicking off, everything is fully decorated, the weather is usually cooperative.

 

[lorilori]

We went Thanksgiving week this past year and like others mentioned, it was fairly calm prior to Wednesday then busier as the week wore on, EXTREMELY busy Thanksgiving Day, Friday and Saturday. But those were excellent days to check out all the holiday decorations at the hotels, go to the Boardwalk, walk around Downtown Disney, take a carriage ride at Port Orleans, things we normally don't take the time to do.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We were at WDW for Thanksgiving, 2005 from the Saturday before until the weekend after. The biggest pro, I thought, was the perfect weather. However, if you want to swim (we didn't), it might be a little cool. For me, the biggest con was that it felt more like "pre-Christmas" than Thanksgiving. But that seems to be the trend everywhere, unfortunately, so we may go back.

 

[sarahsmom73]

we went this past thankgiving and it was AWESOME!!! I would go again in a second! We did MVMCP as well as the CP! It was getting the holiday without the monster crowds.. If you play your cards right you will have a wonderful time!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

We love this time of year at Disney and in fact, it's our favorite time to go. On Tks. night, all of holiday decorations are fully in place and it's just a sight to see - Disney does it right for sure! In addition to all of the decorations, there are so many special additions to the parks. In Epcot, the tree lighting, the story tellers in each county that do an awesome job explaining how Christmas is celebrated (our kids were mesmerized), the Candlelight Processional, are all fantastic. The Osborne Lights in MGM are not to be missed. Everywhere you go, Christmas Carols are playing, "Snow" appears here and there, MVMCP is an extra special event, and the decorations in the hotels are very neat to see as well. Seeing Santa and Carolers in Downtown Disney while you pick up some presents, and the list goes on and on - nothing beats it and it's so special to see!!! We have been a few times and the weather has been great for the most part. We usually even get to swim! There was only one year where temps dropped at night into the 40's but we were prepared and faired well, and that may be the ONLY thing that I can report that could be a con. IMHO, you will just love Disney at Christmas - it's even more special than it already is!!!

 

[*WeLuvDisney*]

I can not thank you all enough for all your advice!

You have really made me want to go for Thanksgiving. I am going to talk to dh and hopefully we can make it there next year!

Thank you again! I truly appreciate it!
Meredith

 

[Princessbaby]

These posts sound promising! We also plan on going at Thanksgiving time next year!!