Which Saturday in November - 12th or 19th?

[mich311e]

We are getting close to the end of our "Year of Disney" with APs. But, I want to fit in one more visit in November to enjoy the Christmas Holiday decor. We have Deluxe APs (well, I have a Signature, but the rest of my fam has Deluxe) that expire on Thanksgiving and I would definitely go on Thanksgiving day but we are blocked. We are driving from Phoenix.

My options are Saturday November 12th & Sunday November 13th or Saturday November 19th & Sunday November 20th.

The pros of the 12th & 13th are: My son and I don't have work or school on the 11th, but we're blocked. But we can drive over and be there first thing Saturday morning.

The cons are: It's Veteran's Day weekend and a race weekend. We've never been there for either of those but hear it's busy, of course. We normally stay within walking distance of the park. But, if we were driving in early Saturday morning will the Toy Story Lot be full?

For the weekend of the 19th & 20th, no pros or cons really. My son can't miss school Friday the 18th or Monday the 21st. So we'd be getting there late Friday night. I know it's the kick-off of Thanksgiving week and many people have that entire week off. (We only get Wednesday-Friday off of school this year). I remember watching Fresh Baked videos last year the Saturday before Thanksgiving and it was very busy. We were there Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2015 and it was pretty packed.

In closing, I know it's going to be crowded but I just can't decide which Saturday would be a better choice. Or given that they are both technically "holiday weekends" are they about the same?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[crystal1313]

We went the Sunday before TG last year and really didn't think it was all that crowded. We got a ton of stuff done and were pleasantly surprised how not crazy it was. We were expecting massive crowds. We only went to DL that day, so no hopping. And we got there at rope drop and stayed until 11pm. Hyperspace Mtn was brand new at that point, and we got to go on it 3 times. Twice with fastpass and once in stand by right after opening...we also got to see Santa and Darth Vader, plus a ton of other things. This year, we are trying arriving the 19th, park days on the 20-21 and coming home the 22nd. My kids are out of school all week and this is the only time we can go without taking them out of school and see the holidays and not be in the madhouse of the two weeks of Xmas/New Years. I am hoping crowds will be similar to last year, and more people will show up later in the week, closer to TG =)

 

[SMD]

It's kind of a toss up. They announced that Christmas starts on the 10th. But I know some districts take the whole week of Thanksgiving now, so I'd expect the other weekend to be pretty busy too. Have you been during a race weekend? Yes, it's crowded, but a lot of the activity is focused at DLH on Friday and early in the mornings. If you're thinking about possibly doing a runDisney race in the future you could scout things out, and go to the expo on Friday.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

I have been there on Veteran's weekend and it was soooo crowded, they stopped admitting people. Even AP holders.I would go the 19th and 20th.

 

[mich311e]

It's kind of a toss up. They announced that Christmas starts on the 10th. But I know some districts take the whole week of Thanksgiving now, so I'd expect the other weekend to be pretty busy too. Have you been during a race weekend? Yes, it's crowded, but a lot of the activity is focused at DLH on Friday and early in the mornings. If you're thinking about possibly doing a runDisney race in the future you could scout things out, and go to the expo on Friday.

That was my thought exactly.
I haven't been to a runDisney event but unfortunately I can't run anymore - bad feet.

 

[mich311e]

We went the Sunday before TG last year and really didn't think it was all that crowded. We got a ton of stuff done and were pleasantly surprised how not crazy it was. We were expecting massive crowds. We only went to DL that day, so no hopping. And we got there at rope drop and stayed until 11pm. Hyperspace Mtn was brand new at that point, and we got to go on it 3 times. Twice with fastpass and once in stand by right after opening...we also got to see Santa and Darth Vader, plus a ton of other things. This year, we are trying arriving the 19th, park days on the 20-21 and coming home the 22nd. My kids are out of school all week and this is the only time we can go without taking them out of school and see the holidays and not be in the madhouse of the two weeks of Xmas/New Years. I am hoping crowds will be similar to last year, and more people will show up later in the week, closer to TG =)

Oh that's good to hear. Last year we had Seasons of the Force with Hyperspace Mountain in November that were new, so I think that added to the crowds.

Good luck with the crowds! I love Disneyland around Thanksgiving & Christmas!

 

[mich311e]

I have been there on Veteran's weekend and it was soooo crowded, they stopped admitting people. Even AP holders.I would go the 19th and 20th.

Ughh, that's what I'm afraid of. Thanks for the input!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Your later dates seem better. The Holiday, Xmas just opening, plus race... too much.

 

[crystal1313]

Oh that's good to hear. Last year we had Seasons of the Force with Hyperspace Mountain in November that were new, so I think that added to the crowds.

Good luck with the crowds! I love Disneyland around Thanksgiving & Christmas!

Thank you! Same to you. I am just happy to be there. We haven't been in a long time and I am thrilled to be able to go! =) Have a great trip!

 

[GatorChris]

Ughh, that's what I'm afraid of. Thanks for the input!

I'm not sure what she's talking about. They've not closed the parks to anyone on Veteran's Day the last three years, and I've been there two of the last three.. Yes, the crowds are up, but nothing like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The racers being around also make the park busy, but I can't imagine it being any busier than the weekend before Thanksgiving. I don't think there'll be much difference in the crowds - they'll both have a good number of folks in the parks.

If you can travel on Vet's Day, grab a nice dinner at Downtown Disney, and then hit the parks early the next day, that sounds like a good plan. But if you choose, the second weekend, look out for me! I'll be there on Saturday, and if we don't head to the beach, on Sunday too.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'd recommend the 19/20th weekend.

 

[mich311e]

I'm not sure what she's talking about. They've not closed the parks to anyone on Veteran's Day the last three years, and I've been there two of the last three.. Yes, the crowds are up, but nothing like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The racers being around also make the park busy, but I can't imagine it being any busier than the weekend before Thanksgiving. I don't think there'll be much difference in the crowds - they'll both have a good number of folks in the parks.

If you can travel on Vet's Day, grab a nice dinner at Downtown Disney, and then hit the parks early the next day, that sounds like a good plan. But if you choose, the second weekend, look out for me! I'll be there on Saturday, and if we don't head to the beach, on Sunday too.

That's kinda what I've been thinking. Having that relaxing travel day and dinner, hopefully at Pizza Press (It's seriously one of our favorites!) on the 11th is sounding inviting. It's the unknown of race weekend that's holding me back. Oh, it's also my birthday week! (the 8th!) So I keep leaning that way. Ahhhh!

 

[mich311e]

I'd recommend the 19/20th weekend.

Thanks!

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

It was also the weekend they were taping the Christmas show. It was very hot and crowded.

I'm not sure what she's talking about. They've not closed the parks to anyone on Veteran's Day the last three years, and I've been there two of the last three.. Yes, the crowds are up, but nothing like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The racers being around also make the park busy, but I can't imagine it being any busier than the weekend before Thanksgiving. I don't think there'll be much difference in the crowds - they'll both have a good number of folks in the parks.

If you can travel on Vet's Day, grab a nice dinner at Downtown Disney, and then hit the parks early the next day, that sounds like a good plan. But if you choose, the second weekend, look out for me! I'll be there on Saturday, and if we don't head to the beach, on Sunday too.

 

[Heymy]

We just decided on the 19th and 20th today. Our crazy district has given the kids the 18th off as well, so it'll be a long weekend. I figured the 18th wouldn't be horrible and hoping for somewhat managable Sat & Sun. Regardless, it's the Holidays at Disneyland...what could be better?? Enjoy!!

 

[mich311e]

We just decided on the 19th and 20th today. Our crazy district has given the kids the 18th off as well, so it'll be a long weekend. I figured the 18th wouldn't be horrible and hoping for somewhat managable Sat & Sun. Regardless, it's the Holidays at Disneyland...what could be better?? Enjoy!!

True, you are right about the Holidays at Disneyland!

I'm leaning toward the 19th & 20th now. While my son can't miss school on the 18th, due to a field trip, I suppose I could keep him out on Monday the 21st. We'll see! I currently have a hotel reservation for both weekends until I figure it out.