When to go? MLK wknd or Thanksgiving

[Jomrog]

This is a tough decision & since we are 2 weeks away from Thanksgiving, I guess we should make a decision.

If we go for Thanksgiving, we would driving down on Wednesday night & staying at our Aunt's place in New Smyrna. Then we will go to WDW on Thursday & Friday & probably stay at an offsite resort those nights so we can be closer. My biggest reason for wanting to go is to see the Christmas deco's but I get the feeling that if we have to fight crowds and can't get on as my rides, my kids might be disappointed.

To go in January, we could stay onsite because of the great AP rates. The crowds are lighter, too. But we would miss out on the great Christmas decorations.

Decisions, decisions. What would you do?

 

[Bob P]

Well, the crowds on Thanksgiving and Friday will be immense. You also will have trouble finnding a place to eat without ADRs.

 

[Kapp]

but NOTHING like the weekend of Thanksgiving. That weekend could be horrible with crowds (i.e. parks closing to non-Disney resort guests due to being filled to capacity). If I were you and these were the only 2 weekends, I would go with MLK for sure!
Have a great time!

 

[Jomrog]

Thanks for your input. As much as I would love to see the decorations, I think that we would get more out of WDW if we were to go in January.

We were fortunate enough to spend a week in WDW last August (crowded, but we managed by getting to the parks earyl). It would be nice to go during a less crowded time.

Hopefully, my DH will get approved for the 2 days he needs to take off because that's kinda his busy season. If not, we still may try to brave a quick visit on Thanksgiving.

I love these boards.

 

[addicted2disney]

I find MLK weekend to be quite crowded too. I will be making my third Thanksgiving trip in 2 weeks

We go every January for 10 days, and we AVOID MLK weekend. As far as January goes, its a crowded weekend. Especially at Magic Kingdom.

You are going to be fighting crowds on both weekends. Especially at MK. But moreso at Thankgiving. At least if you cant get on rides, you can do Christmas-y things. Look at decorations, see the Osbourne Lights in MGM, They will have the special parades in MGM & AK, the christmas storytellers are in Epcot, Tree lighting ceremony, Illuminations will have its special Christmas ending.

Last year, we joined TGM and we avoided crowds during Thanksgiving pretty well! aRE THE ONLY days you can do WDW over thanksgiving is Thurs & Fri?

WHat days are you thinking for MLK? Can you do the weekend before or after MLK?

Rooms at all stars & pop for January with the AP are $49/night plus tax. You have to book at 60 days out.. which is coming up fast for you. We booked for our trip starting January 20th the other day. You cant even take advantage of Extra Magic Hours and hitting the parks that extra hour in the am or 3 hours in the pm. If you only have 2 days, January will be better. The holiday decorations are amazing. But you can get more done in January staying on property and doing the extra magic hours.