Which Park for Day After Thanksgiving

[Terk-1]

As my flight is scheduled to land around 10:30am the day after Thanksgiving, am guessing I should be at my resort around noon. Have dinner reservations at EPCOT that night, but am wondering what to do in between. I was thinking of touring the deluxe resorts to see their decorations, then head for EPCOT, but am now wondering if I should head over to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon, then head over to EPCOT later in the day. My biggest concern is if the MK will be packed that day. I am planning on going to MGM on Saturday morning for the EMH. Should I do the Magic Kingdom, head straight for EPCOT, head to MGM to catch the parade, then head over to EPCOT or tour the resorts, then head for EPCOT? Forgot to mention that this is a solo trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

We found all the parks, with the possible exception of AK, to be pretty crowded that day. We arrived on T-day, had dinner at CM's and wandered around at Epcot for a few hours. Then, on Friday, the gates opened!!! I have never seen such crowds. We went to MGM and it was a zoo. Then tried Epcot, it was a nightmare just walking around WS, dodging people everywhere.
If you go, expecting to find the parks crowded, then you should do fine. Plan to take your time, not rush. Enjoy the holiday decorations everywhere.

 

[Terk-1]

bumping

 

[Fitswimmer]

I've been to MK on "Black Friday" a couple of times in the last few years and my advice is STAY AWAY. It is packed to the gills, lines are huge. That whole 4 days is pretty busy, lots of locals come because they have off, and lots of people at the resorts. This year we're going on Sunday and staying until the Wed after Thanksgiving. Hopefully, that will cut down on some of the crowds.

 

[magicaldisney]

I've been to MK on "Black Friday" a couple of times in the last few years and my advice is STAY AWAY. It is packed to the gills, lines are huge. That whole 4 days is pretty busy, lots of locals come because they have off, and lots of people at the resorts. This year we're going on Sunday and staying until the Wed after Thanksgiving. Hopefully, that will cut down on some of the crowds.

Would this also be true for the water park and Disney Quest. Are they also that busy on this day?

 

[Caitsmama]

We have gone for 3 TG's at WDW.. My advice would also be to plan LOTs of extra time if you decide to do a park! TG day thru the weekend are packed. However, i would be much more apt to do a park if i were traveling solo.. Not so fun toting around a little one!
We are doing Downtown Disney on that day, which i am sure will be packed too, but we have an appt. at the BBB for my dd and my niece.. so we won't be going there til later at 3pm, then to dinner at 1900 Park fare. In the early part of that day, i plan on staying at the hotel and swimming.. possibly touring other nearby hotels to see Christmas decor.

 

[theostwalts]

At what point do the crowds start to thin out? We are arriving on Saturday after Thanksgiving and will start the parks on Sunday.

 

[Caitsmama]

I would say by Monday it will be alot better.. Thurs, friday, Sat, and Sunday are pretty crowded.

 

[markb]

The resort hopping is a great idea.
We actually will get to WDW on Tday, but will really avoid the parks until Monday. Sunday, I'll head to the ESPN club to OD on NFL, but for the most part, we hit the parks really late, really early, or not at all, then we stay the entire following week and feel like we have the park to ourselves.
this plan has worked for us in the past.

 

[Terk-1]

It's been a few years since I went the day after Thanksgiving, but I really enjoy going down during this time of year. I know the parks will be crowded that Friday & Saturday, but they seem to thin out quite a bit by that Sunday. With this being a solo trip, I have a bit more flexibility to my touring. I just thought relaxing for a bit at the resort before touring the resorts that day would be a nice & festive way to start off the trip. Plus give me the chance to get a second wind, as I'll be up at the crack of dawn that morning to head to the airport for my flight down. I have an ADR at the Rose & Crown, just in time to view Illuminations. And with the Candlelight dinner packages having dining BEFORE the show versus after, I think I'll keep that ADR and maybe change one of the one's I have for mid-week instead.