Will DL parks, run later then normal for Thanksgiving week, please share any tips?

Disney Fans

Disney Fans
Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
2,379
I haven't been to DL since I was about 8 years old, So its been along time.LOL

We have planned a trip for Thanksgiving week, we got a Great Deal!!! So anyway, Does anyone know how late the parks will be open and will there be anything different, and if so could you tell me what? Or any tips for the trip during that week, like what to do or look for thats special? ( I heard something about snow? but do not know what that means?) And could you tell me where to eat for Thanksgiving Day?
We have two boys - ages at time of travel will be 4 and 6 years old, if that helps with any ideas.
Thanks :thumbsup2 :cool1: :Pinkbounc :yay: :dance3:
 
We did a day trip in 2005 TG week on the Wed before TG.

TG week at DLR is considered high season, so the park hours will be maxed out. In the past this used to mean 8AM-Midnight at DL and 10AM-9PM at DCA. But DL is experimenting this summer with closing at 11PM instead of midnight. Whatever DL considers to be maximum park hours will be in place TG week.

TG itself and the weekend after are some of the busiest days at DLR all year long. The Mon-Wed before TG are considered to be not too bad. What I saw on Wed before TG looked very similar to what we experienced in early August 2005 - pretty darn crowded. Don't let that scare you though. If you have a good touring strategy and get to the parks early (at the gate 20-30 minutes before the park opens) you will be fine.

In Sept DL takes down Haunted Mansion for the "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay which is just special decorations for Halloween and Christmas. The HM comes back up in late Sept/Early Oct and NBC will in place thru New Years.

In October DL takes Small World down for its Holiday Overlay and this is usually brought back up in early November when DL transitions to holiday mode. So during TG week you will see all of the Christmas decotations, hear the Christmas music, and see the Christmas parade which shows in the evening.

I think they close down the Parade of Dreams during this time. At most it will only have only one showing at 3PM. Does anyone else out there remember what happens with POD at Christmas? I cannot remember.

Weather can vary during TG week in SoCal. I grew up there and know from experience. Plan for rain and hope for sunshine. On our day trip during TG week there was sunshine with a delightful high of 70 degrees. We could have worn shorts but all had jeans on.
 
Thanks so much HydroGuy!!! If you or anyone else can think of anything at all to help for tips, etc!! Please let me know!!

Its there really some sort of snow? After a parade or something? :confused3

Is there any place you would suggest to eat for Thanksgiving Day! That you think is best?
 

We'll be there Nov. 16-23, leaving on Thanksgiving day. We spent this same time-frame there a few years ago (2002). In the past, the snow has been after the fireworks. The XMAS parade will be showing during that time, and I highly recommend it, but I don't think it had the snow as part of it.

I'd recommend planning to watch the fireworks at least 2 different nights, because they can be cancelled due to winds. I do know we waited for them only to have them cancelled. :sad1: It's so very disappointing when this happens.

The weather can definitely vary. I know that in mid Nov. one year they were having very high temps in the 90's, but I'm guessing that is unusual.

All of the XMAS decorations are beautiful! Make sure you take time to just soak up the atmosphere and don't just rush around not really absorbing what's around you.

I think that Thanksgiving day and the following days will be extremely crowded, and have the possibility for DL closing its gates due to reaching capacity. I echo the advice to arrive early (30 minutes before opening).

Most of all, have fun! :goodvibes
 
Disney Fans said:
Thanks so much HydroGuy!!! If you or anyone else can think of anything at all to help for tips, etc!! Please let me know!!

Its there really some sort of snow? After a parade or something? :confused3

Is there any place you would suggest to eat for Thanksgiving Day! That you think is best?
We watched the Christmas Parade last year and they have the "snow" after the parade now - not after the fireworks. At least they did last year. The snow does not happen everywhere, but is focused in certain locations along the parade route. We live in Colorado and the fake snow just did not do anything for us - so I never pinned down the locations. But just be aware that there are locations. If you cannot get solid info on this ahead of time, be sure to ask someone at DL when you get there.

I cannot help very much with dining on TG day. You should keep asking and researching because I have read that there are certain places there that are good on TG day. I just cannot remember them.
 
The snow is after the fireworks (or at the time they decide they need to cancel the fireworks due to winds of higher elevations). I've never, ever seen the snow after the parade (and I saw the parade many times last year).
 
iceskatejen said:
The snow is after the fireworks (or at the time they decide they need to cancel the fireworks due to winds of higher elevations). I've never, ever seen the snow after the parade (and I saw the parade many times last year).
Well I guess I was misremembering. :) Thanks for the correction.
 
Oh, so there is fake snow? I was thinking it was real snow from a machine maybe on top of a buliding coming down on people that way. Sad :sad2:
but it sounds like it is still real pretty to look at all of the decorations around everywhere! :goodvibes
Can't wait to go! I saw many opitions for eating on Thanksgiving day, what would any of you recommend for dinning on that day?
 
We went to DLR last year during Thanksgiving. We were there a few days before Thanksgiving thru the morning after. The crowds started to pick up the day before Turkey day, but they were still manageable. On Thanksgiving we went early in the morning and took a long break until after dinner, so we weren’t overwhelmed. The crowds were not as bad as when we went during Christmas break in 2004! We loved going during Thanksgiving so much that we are going again this year. The resorts and parks are gorgeous and the fireworks show is awesome. The parks had such a wonderful family atmosphere-very enjoyable! I do recall the parks staying open pretty late. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Paradise Pier and it was just OK in my opinion. This year we are going to try to get reservations to the DLH Grand Ball room or Goofy's Kitchen. I heard that the dinner was excellent at both places. :)
 
tlynk said:
This year we are going to try to get reservations to the DLH Grand Ball room or Goofy's Kitchen. I heard that the dinner was excellent at both places. :)


Ive been to 2 events in the Grand Ball Room and both times the food was fantabulosa :woohoo:
 
As a Canadian who celebrates Thanksgiving in October, I am curious which week is considered Thanksgiving Week at Disneyland? This year Thanksgiving in the US is Nov 23, so is Thanksgiving week the week before or the week after? We are booked to arrive on the 16th of Nov and leave on the 22nd of Nov.
 
mundaremom said:
As a Canadian who celebrates Thanksgiving in October, I am curious which week is considered Thanksgiving Week at Disneyland? This year Thanksgiving in the US is Nov 23, so is Thanksgiving week the week before or the week after? We are booked to arrive on the 16th of Nov and leave on the 22nd of Nov.


Thanksgiving week is considered the week of Nov. 20-24 (and can include the 19th, 25, and 26th-weekend days added).
Most schools either have off (Mon. 20- through Fri. 24th -thats when my son has off for school) or usually at least that Wed Nov. 22-24th off for school holidays.
It will always be the week on which that Thanksgiving day is.
Work holidays usually just get off that Thur. and maybe the Fri. other extra days off are taken as vacation days.
Hope this helps.
 
mundaremom said:
As a Canadian who celebrates Thanksgiving in October, I am curious which week is considered Thanksgiving Week at Disneyland? This year Thanksgiving in the US is Nov 23, so is Thanksgiving week the week before or the week after? We are booked to arrive on the 16th of Nov and leave on the 22nd of Nov.

You should be missing the busiest crowds which will be the 23-26. What you should be aware of is that Wed, Nov. 22 is one of the busies airline travel days of the year in the U.S. Assuming you're flying on that day, be sure to allow lots of extra time to check in at the airport.

I think you've picked a good time. We'll be there the 16-23rd! We fly home on Thanksgiving, and I expect the airport to be pretty empty that day.
 
We were there the Sat. and Sunday BEFORE Thanksgiving last year. We loved (and even my kids commented on) the x-mas decorations! They are beautiful! Not much in the way of "Thanksgiving" stuff there, but the x-mas season has started by then.
We were surprised at the smaller lines, but walking through the parks nearly did us in due to all the people. Seemed weird to have all the people wandering around but the rides so relatively slow. The only fast pass we used the entire time was for for Soarin! DCA was almost empty. We walked on to Indy w/a 15 minute wait. Same for Pirates.
It was hot, I can tell you that. We were hoping for warm, but it was hot. Drank lots of water on Sunday in particular. But it cooled down pretty mightily at night.

Are you planning to stay onsite or off site?
 
Just wanted to say a quick Hello and thanks to those of you who have helped give tips, etc! Thanks :wizard:
 
Yeah, anytime from Thanksgiving to the first week of January is a beautiful time to go. Not only are christmas decorations up everywhere, you have Haunted Mansion Holiday and Its a Small World Holiday. Make sure you go over to its a small world at night...the lights all over it are unbelievable. Great spot for a pic!
I will say that I went to Disneyland the day after thanksgiving and it was one of the most crowded days I have seen. I have heard that its better earlier in the week though, so you will probably be ok.
have fun!! :bitelip:
 
Does anyone know how each hotel decorates for Christmas time? I did read that PPH has a under the sea Christmas tree which sounds really cute! So I am assuming that PPH has a beach/sea type them. I wonder what the other two hotels trees/themes are? :dance3:
 


Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom