Which holiday is better ??

[Shannone1]

We are going back to FW again next year and I was all set to go at Christmas. I thought it would be great seeing all the decorations and bringing in NYE there. I figure FW was at capacity at Easter so the campground itself really wouldn't be much more crowded. But I keep reading about how crowded the parks are between Christmas and NYE and it is freaking me out. We want to be able to go on the rides and enjoy the parks (we don't mind doing fast passes). We did plan on doing probably 5-7 days at the parks and staying down there a total of 10 nights.

I am wondering if we would be better off going over Thanksgiving instead. We could get there the Saturday before and leave the Saturday after. So we would have less days down there, but it won't be as crowded the early part of the week. When will the Christmas decorations be up ??

What would you do ??

 

[carolinacamper]

You may have your choice made for you already, unless you have booked. I called AAA today and FW was all booked up for Christmas. We are looking at dates early in Nov. or TG week also. I realize it will be more crowded at TG, but we have never been during holiday times. Is it worth going then? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shannone1]

You may have your choice made for you already, unless you have booked. I called AAA today and FW was all booked up for Christmas.

I was talking about next year...2008.

 

[carolinacamper]

I haven't camped at FW before. We've always stayed at one of the WDW hotels. I had no idea the campground booked up so quickly. Live and learn!

 

[becky1960]

We stayed last Christmas Dec 18 to Dec 28 and the Campground fills up very early. I called for a reservation in Jan for Dec and they were full, and thats a year out. I kept calling and finally got it worked out. The parks were not to bad when we first got there, but just before Christmas and after its packed. I would do it again if I had the money. I got Value rates, the last day for it was the 18th and it was carried all the way. After that date its Holiday rates.

 

[Colson39]

Well, this is what I can tell you. Christmas and New Years IS packed. There's no if's, and's, or but's about it. There is really no way you are going to get around that. That being said, Thanksgiving is really packed as well (I would say pretty close to the same levels as around Christmas).

So you're not going to find much of a difference when it comes to crowd sizes whether you go during Thanksgiving or Christmas. It does seem that the resorts aren't AS packed during Thanksgiving as they are during Christmas, but once again, I'm sure it's pretty close (Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Fort are both already sold out this year, at least last I checked).

The holiday decorations are up at Thanksgiving time, so you're not going to miss anything when it comes to that. The Osbourne Lights are running, the hotels are decorated, it's pretty much the same setup as Christmas (you might notice an extra wreath or two at Christmas time, but that's about it). People decorate their campsites, their golf carts, their driveways at Thanksgiving the same as they do during Christmas. It's pretty much the same holiday atmosphere wise for both holiday times.

Personally, I like going during Thanksgiving. There's something about being there and having all the Christmas holiday stuff going on around you and having something to look forward to (Christmas). When we go during Christmas, once Christmas passes, other than New Years we pretty much know that the holiday has passed. With Thanksgiving, once Thanksgiving passes, and you're all full of turkey, you can really get into the Christmas spirit in the parks and still have Christmas to look forward to!

Plus I think the Thanksgiving dinners that they serve in the restaurants are better than the Christmas dinners that they serve, but that's just personal opinion.

Either time, you're going to have a blast. There are pros and cons to each, but crowds are going to be about the same at both times, at least there won't be enough of a difference that you could really tell.

 

[Swimnoid]

If you can, go anytime after Thanksgivng up to the weekend before Christmas. The Christmas Spirit is definitely there but the crowds are not bad at all. With kids though, that is a very difficult time to take them out of school.

 

[stacktester]

I have been going to FW since Thanksgiving 04 and we will continue to go for many years I hope. I don't really feel that crowded when we go that weekend. Now we don't arrive until Friday morning so earlier in the week could be a different story.


Whatever holiday you're there it will no doubt be great. My newest fave thing to do is visit all the different resorts at WDW and see the decorations. I have never been in the Grand Floridian but we want to see the lobby this year. It will no doubt be the only way I'll ever go there lol. I could probably afford it but why? lol. I just can't see paying that much to sleep when I have the fort on the other end of Bay Lake.

 

[lucy_love]

We are going the week of Thanksgiving, where would everyone suggest to go eat for the big day?

Can't wait!

 

[djblu883]

Personally I prefer splitting the time and go between the 2 Holidays..the crowds are bad but not as bad as the official days themselves...if you do go and are set on being there for a HOLIDAY day...be sure you get tickets to MVMCP if you are also set on riding rides with shorter lines...otherwise..bring a good book or 2..Hidden Mickeys or The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook....will pass the time in a fun way!!!

 

[fldisneymommyto2]

Plus I think the Thanksgiving dinners that they serve in the restaurants are better than the Christmas dinners that they serve, but that's just personal opinion.

Last year was our first year at the fort for Tday.. we went to Thanksgiving at the Fort and we weren't really impressed. Where all have you eaten on Tday?? Got any recommendations?? My parents also go with us that week and dad wants to go to WCC.

 

[Colson39]

I've heard really good things about the Thanksgiving dinners at the Wilderness Lodge, but be sure to get seating in advance, you'll never get a seat if you just walk up. Well, you'll get a seat, but you'll wait 2-3 hours for it....lol.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I've heard really good things about the Thanksgiving dinners at the Wilderness Lodge, but be sure to get seating in advance, you'll never get a seat if you just walk up. Well, you'll get a seat, but you'll wait 2-3 hours for it....lol.

Actually, I've heard that the Thanksgiving Dinners at your site are pretty good, too. I was half thinking of just showing up at your site with my plate and silverware and seeing if I could get a seat without an ADR.

 

[Colson39]

Actually, I've heard that the Thanksgiving Dinners at your site are pretty good, too. I was half thinking of just showing up at your site with my plate and silverware and seeing if I could get a seat without an ADR.

Muhahaha, good one The only place I ever actually ate Thanksgiving Dinner was at Trails End a few years ago, but it was pretty good IMO. It all depends I guess, but I've always heard good things about the Lodge.

But yea, come to our site and you get this!!! NO ADR'S REQUIRED!!!

Ok, now I'm starving

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Hey, I recognize that bird - wasn't that the white peacock?

 

[John VN]

1st or 2nd week in Dec. is great, our favorite time, plus don't they usually film the Christmas Parade on one of those weekends?

You could be in the crowd and see yourself on Christmas day.

 

[Colson39]

Yea, it's normally the first or second week of December. That would be pretty cool seeing yourself in the parade on Christmas Day!

 

[Kajunswty]

We are going back to FW again next year and I was all set to go at Christmas. I thought it would be great seeing all the decorations and bringing in NYE there. I figure FW was at capacity at Easter so the campground itself really wouldn't be much more crowded. But I keep reading about how crowded the parks are between Christmas and NYE and it is freaking me out. We want to be able to go on the rides and enjoy the parks (we don't mind doing fast passes). We did plan on doing probably 5-7 days at the parks and staying down there a total of 10 nights.

I am wondering if we would be better off going over Thanksgiving instead. We could get there the Saturday before and leave the Saturday after. So we would have less days down there, but it won't be as crowded the early part of the week. When will the Christmas decorations be up ??

What would you do ??

We were there the week between Christmas and New Years 05-06 and to give you an idea of how crowded it was the wait time at Epcot for Mission Space / Test Track and Soarin was 180 minutes...yep 3 hours!! And Fast Passes are a joke at that time of the year. If you don't have them by 10 am you can forget it. We aren't big "riders" so it was no big deal to us but if you are looking to ride you may want to reconsider and choose the first or second week in Dec or the week after Turkey day. We haven't been at Thanksgiving but I'd imagine much of the same. I don't know how old your kiddies are but it may be worth it to you to pull them from school ???

I'm 90% sure the Christmas decorations are ready Thanksgiving week.

Good luck with your decision

 

[bevypoo63]

I have been to WDW Thanksgiving week and Christmas week. although Thanksgiving week is busy I have found that it is not nearly as busy as the week I spent between Christmas and New Years. 3 hr waits for the major rides was the norm that week. Although it was beautiful I would never go again during that time of year. As many others have suggested the best times are the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But if that is not possible I would definitely go during Thanksgiving Week. Have fun. It is beautiful at that time of year.