When does Thanksgiving open up?

[570traveler]

They are holding some Epcot reservations back. I was unable to book Akershus and Garden Grill for that weekend. It’s highly unlikely to be booked already as there was lots of availability for Akershus earlier in the week. I went last year at thanksgiving as well and recall them opening up a few days after my initial reservation day.

 

[jimandami]

Thanks guys! I did put in a TP request so hopefully that will work!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

According to the WDW website today it says the Candlelight Processional begins on Thanksgiving Day, 11/28/19.

I just looked and the website says it starts on 11/29/19. Where did you see it starting on thanksgiving?

 

[disneygolfer1985]

They are holding some Epcot reservations back. I was unable to book Akershus and Garden Grill for that weekend. It’s highly unlikely to be booked already as there was lots of availability for Akershus earlier in the week. I went last year at thanksgiving as well and recall them opening up a few days after my initial reservation day.

Our 180 day window opened up today and we got a reservation for Akershus the day before thanksgiving. I’m personally surprised they shorted holidays around the world this year after the past 3 years and with thanksgiving being late this year.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Some sites say the Candlelight Processional will start Thurs,11/28 and others, Fri, 11/29, which is the day after Thanksgiving Day. The day after was the opening date last year.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Some sites say the Candlelight Processional will start Thurs,11/28 and others, Fri, 11/29, which is the day after Thanksgiving Day. The day after was the opening date last year.

Actually, last year was the first year the Candlelight started on Thanksgiving. Historically, it always started on Black Friday. The sites I have found have confirmed festival of the holidays starting on Black Friday. It would be different to have the candlelight start before the rest of the festivities.

 

[TiffanyCricket]

I just looked and the website says it starts on 11/29/19. Where did you see it starting on thanksgiving?

It won’t let me insert the link, but I just searched “Candlelight Processional “ on the WDW website. I also asked my Disney travel agent to look it up to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating and she saw the same thing. Is this not always accurate?

 

[TiffanyCricket]

disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays

 

[disneygolfer1985]

It won’t let me insert the link, but I just searched “Candlelight Processional “ on the WDW website. I also asked my Disney travel agent to look it up to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating and she saw the same thing. Is this not always accurate?

I just checked earlier as well. That is the only place that states that, yet the site won’t say when the storytellers starts. The believe wdwinfo and few others have info stating the festival starts on 11/29, which would make me question the start date for the candlelight. I was hoping on the festival starting on 11/24 like the last 3 years, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I would say until the dates are official on the website anything could change. I mean they change park hours quite frequently.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Actually, last year was the first year the Candlelight started on Thanksgiving. Historically, it always started on Black Friday. The sites I have found have confirmed festival of the holidays starting on Black Friday. It would be different to have the candlelight start before the rest of the festivities.

You're right. We saw Chita Riveria, she was the narrator twice and we had to see her on her last night which was Black Friday. We ate at V+A for Thanksgiving so there was no time to see or do anything else that evening.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is it possible they're holding off on all Thanksgiving ADRs until exactly 180 calendar days? Has anybody been able to book Friday+ yet?

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Is it possible they're holding off on all Thanksgiving ADRs until exactly 180 calendar days? Has anybody been able to book Friday+ yet?

We booked dinner at La Hacienda for Friday night. However, are reservation is at 7, so it should be after any slots for candlelight since you have to eat before the show now.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We booked dinner at La Hacienda for Friday night. However, are reservation is at 7, so it should be after any slots for candlelight since you have to eat before the show now.

Thanks. What time do you need to eat dinner?

 

[SaintsManiac]

Is it possible they're holding off on all Thanksgiving ADRs until exactly 180 calendar days? Has anybody been able to book Friday+ yet?

I booked Tusker House today for Thanksgiving. Most restaurants have availability for Thursday and Friday, but Biergarten, Coral Reef, Rose and Crown, Garden Grill and Chef Mickey's (and a few others) do not.

 

[TiffanyCricket]

Is it possible they're holding off on all Thanksgiving ADRs until exactly 180 calendar days? Has anybody been able to book Friday+ yet?

Yes we booked Tiffins for Thanksgiving Day.

 

[jimandami]

Yes, we have ADRs booked through Monday, and have a BOG for Thanksgiving as our backup incase California Grill isn't eventually available.

 

[JKMastalski]

I've heard that Jiko does an interesting spin on a Thanksgiving dinner, we will be down there this year and hoping to try it!

 

[kiramay]

Thanks everyone! I’ll just keep checking to see what opens. Most of the places we’d be interested in are CP package restaurants, so I’ll just have to watch for adrs to open up. I have to book for 14 people, which also limits our options. Worst case we’ll eat CS and do Biergarten later in our trip. We’re having a full Thanksgiving before we go to Disney too.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Thanks. What time do you need to eat dinner?

For the candlelight you have to eat before the show and typically 2-3 hours before the show. Any reservation after 7 should be open as it shouldn’t compete with the candlelight packages.