which week in November

[kailuagirl]

We want to go for 4 days in November, what do you think will be best -
The week of the 15th, 22nd (thanksgiving week) or the 29th? Longer hours would be great, we went at the end of June last year for 3 1/2 days and it was pretty crowded so we didn't get to do everything we wanted, so less crowds would be great. Want to make sure fireworks are running as well as F. Thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Based solely on longer hours (but more crowds) I'd say the week of Thanksgiving....HOWEVER crowds are considerably low the week after Thanksgiving and you should get quite a bit done in 4 days even if they hours aren't as long.

 

[goldies 5]

I agree about the week of the 29th. Thanksgiving will be much more crowded. You will still get the Fireworks and snow every night throughout the Holiday Season, weather permitting.

 

[kailuagirl]

Thanks! So do you think the week after would be better for less crowds than the week prior?

I just have to change my way of thinking that longer hours are better. But with a 3 year old, having shorter hours would get us out of the park earlier, making it easier to get there early in the morning.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Yes the week after is historically a lot less crowded. 10 am-8 pm park hours are extremely nice with little ones. We didn't leave the park mid-day, just found a quiet place to rest mid day.

 

[kailuagirl]

Sounds good! Do you think the crowds will still be there starting on Sunday, or should we start with Monday?

 

[Eeee-va]

Last year, at least, I remember hearing good things about the day after Thanksgiving and following, which I believe was due to AP blockouts. (Whereas I believe some schools in Southern California get the whole week of Thanksgiving off, and the majority of annual passholders were only blocked on Thanksgiving and following--so the days BEFORE Thanksgiving were crazy.)

So IF you want higher-season hours but somewhat lower crowds, I think the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving just might be a good place to start. But with your 3-year-old, I think shorter park hours might be better for you anyway; it's really your call. Even as an adult I prefer moderately short park hours (no later than 9 AM - 11 PM) with no afternoon break. The park will already be getting dark pretty early, so the only thing you'll really be missing with early closures will be shows (and I'm not sure your 3-year-old would want to see Fantasmic! anyway?).

I imagine the Sunday after Thanksgiving will probably be a lot more crowded than Monday (and maybe worse than the Saturday after Thanksgiving)--but I think that's probably mostly because it's a weekend, not so much just because it's Thanksgiving weekend. Weekends will PROBABLY be crowded by definition, but if you want to see Fantasmic! and/or World of Color, that's likely your best bet.

Have a great trip!

 

[jennilouwho]

Thanksgiving day and after was much better than the three days before Thanksgiving last year. We were there the Monday and Tuesday before and it was crazy busy. We went back on Thanksgiving day and the Friday after and it was great! Not super light, but nothing too terrible. I have heard that the Saturday after was a ghost town.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you want to see F! Or WOC I'd start Sunday as those will most likely only show on weekends. Sunday is still blocked out for AP holders I believe.