Who has been Thanksgiving week?

[jmclester]

Can anyone give me the scoop on Thankgsgiving week? Touring plans give it 7's and 8's on attendance.

What are the crowds really like? We have been to WDW many times and have the FP system down to a science, like to arrive early and park hop. How do you rate this time of year to say....the busy summer months?

We have been at Christmas one time and the last thing I want is to duplicate those crowds. Unfortunately, the time period is not very flexible this year.

Any thoughts, experiences will be appreciated.

 

[Mary2e]

slow Mon-Wed before and Mon-christmas after

The holiday weekend will be very busy, but it will vastly empty out by the Monday after.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We were there early that week in 2004 (left on T-Day). Saturday and Sunday before the holiday were pretty low crowds. I remember Monday at MGM was more crowded than I like. Wednesday (day before T-Day) at MK was just nuts by the end of the day. I was -gasp -ready to leave. I am glad we weren't staying later in the weekend. We always seem to go at moderately crowded times (never July, Christmas, spring break, etc). This was the most crowded I have seen it. On the plus side, weather was great... and if you have a plan to tour the park, work that plan and you will probably do OK.

 

[Mersmom98]

We were there last Thanksgiving. The only other trip I had to compare it to was a Spring Break that coincided with Easter! Thanksgiving week was a piece of cake compared to that! Like everyone else has said....Low crowds at the beginning of the week but gradually got more crowded. Later in the week we just took complete advantage of the fast passes and had NO PROBLEMS! Have a great trip! The Christmas decorations will be up and it's a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season.

 

[goofy4dis]

We went Thanksgiving last year and the crowds were great Mon-Wed. Picked up alot on Thurs and Frid. We went around to some of the hotels and looked at the Christmas decorations.....Grand Gloridian, Contemporary, Beach Club instead of being in the parks during the middle of the day. Went back to MGM Thanksgiving night to enjoy the Osborne lights. Crowds there were not a problem at all.

 

[cjsmom5]

We always arrive Thanksgiving Day -- for last 6 years or so -- crowds on Friday and Saturday are probably at the 7-8 level ...use FastPass... we found that Sunday morning it was great as most were leaving and those arriving had not arrived...Sunday afternoon got much busier at MK ... but very manageable. Last year, though, I remember crowds the week after Thanksgiving being much higher than previous years. But, when compared with Spring Break, Christmas Break, Presidents/NJ week, New Years and 4th of July they are a piece of cake.

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

We are thinking of going at Thanksgiving also. My kids are off of school the entire Thanksgiving week so I am thinking of pulling them out of school the Friday before and flying in that day. Do any places have a special Thanksgiving Meal?

 

[jlovesee]

My husband, myself, his sister, mom (My MIL) and his BIL are all going from Nov 23-Nov 29th, we realize it will be crowded, but it will be nice to see all the christmas decorations.

I was just there this June, and the crowds were not to bad, but the heat was oppressive, so I think November should be fine if you take it in stride.

If you are eating on thanksgiving at a sit down restaurant get you're ADR's NOW. I made an ADR at Whispering Canyon, and a few days ago when I thought our flights were going to be later (whole other story) I had to call in and see what was left, WC, 50's Prime Time at MGM were both booked solid until 9PM, I did get an ADR at Brown Derby non-fantasmic for 5:10 though.

I will probably be cancelling atleast one here sometime and will post here when I am ready to cancel.

Jennifer

 

[grahamsgirl]

WE were there last Thanksgiving, and (although have been in November before never been over Thanksgiving) so weren't sure what to expect. We had a great day we had an ADR for Chef Mickeys 8.40am then we headed off to Typhoon Lagoon for the day, it was pleasantly packed but not overcrowded and then headed to MGM for our ADR at the 50's Prime Time Cafe (the Turkey dinner was fabulous) and then watched Fantasmic and headed back to our resort. Not nearly as bad as we had feared crowd wise - being from UK we weren't sure what it would be like but wouldn't hesitate to return in November again.

 

[Harmony]

subbing

 

[Rudy6]

My one and only, and never again, Thanksgiving Day at the Magic Kingdom was not all that fun. Here is what we did: We were in Universal most of the day. We had APs so we decided to head out from Universal to the Magic Kingdom around five or six. The traffic on I 4 was horrible, had to take an hour. We got to the Magic Kingdom and it rained. The only attraction we went on was the Country Bear Jamboree, which was the highlight of the evening as the Christmas show was on. That was the first time I saw the Christmas show. Afterwards, it was still raining. We ate at Pecos Bills, then went back to our room at Universal. I vowed never to go to the Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day again. We were there the week before, too, and it was great. The crowds were basically not a concern. I think that just Thanksgiving Day, Friday and the weekend will be busy.

 

[jmclester]

Wow, thanks for all the input!!

Family trips get more difficult to plan as children get older and have their own schedules to work around.

Breaking news is that we may now be able to arrive on Sat the 18th and then leave on Thanksgiving Day so, if that turns out to be doable, we should have no worries for the 4 days in between.....according to all of your posts.

Thanks again! This forum is awesome!