WOW, I think Thanksgiving is going to be pretty crowded!

[rdsx28]

Hi, I was just playing around on the Disney web site and was checking my resort out to see what the prices were.It looks like most of the moderates only have suites left. Has anyone been at Thanksgiving before? I hope I didn't make a mistake booking at this time.Also how's the weather usually? Thanks for any help!

 

[SueBill]

I am booked @ AKL during Thanksgiving week also. I have never been during this time but I believe you are correct about the crowds !!! Oh well, I am still very excited and if it gets too crowded we will just go back to the hotel.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We went last year and yes it was crowded, but we had a blast. We have usually gone during January and February when things are much slower, so the crowds were a shock but we were ready for them.

We found that the parks are open much later (well, they were last year - MK til midnight) and we would sleep in and go late. On Thanksgiving, we stayed out of all parks until about 7pm. Had a dinner at Plaza and off to Adventureland. We walked on everything as we made our way around the MK. It was about 8:30pm at this time. Hope it will be the same this year!

The weather was GORGEOUS. It was blue sky, sunny days in the upper 70s during the daytime, but got very chilly (50s) in the eve as soon as the sun went down.

Have a great trip!!

Lives4Disney

 

[cjsmom5]

Crowds are very heavy the week of Thanksgiving up until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. On Sunday they tend to clear out with people heading home. That way most only need to take three days out of school or off work.

Weather can be wonderful and it can be cold. We've been when we were wearing mufflers, hats, gloves and heavy coats. Last year it was very nice. Shorts during the day and pants and long sleeve shirt at night. Anytime we go at this time of year we pack so we can dress in layers. A warning though --if it gets cold finding sweatshirts, gloves and hats is very difficult. We find it easier to bring our own, even if we don't use them.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Our school district (in SC) now gives THREE days off on Thanksgiving week, enabling more people to travel out of town for the whole week; WDW included!

 

[goofy4tink]

Last year it was wall to wall people until Sunday, then it got a bit better. But, still more people than I had expected. By Tuesday it seemed that a lot of the people had indeed gone home. We went to MGM and Epcot on Thanksgiving Day last year and it was a nightmare. Evidently the week-end before Thanksgiving can be crowded and then it gets less crowded until Wed and then the dam opens!!!! But, it's a great time of year to go. We loved the weather...in the low 80's/high 70's during the day.

 

[ckret01]

Hi, I was just playing around on the Disney web site and was checking my resort out to see what the prices were.It looks like most of the moderates only have suites left. Has anyone been at Thanksgiving before? I hope I didn't make a mistake booking at this time.Also how's the weather usually? Thanks for any help!

I never knew moderates had suites????

 

[dcgrumpy]

I never knew moderates had suites????

CSR has suites

 

[my3princes]

We were there Over Thanksgiving week in 2000. It wa very busy until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The following week everything was walk on. I would say the crowds were comparable to Easter week or April Vacation.

Deb

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

CSR has been sold out for months (except the suites) due to some conference going on. That wont effect the parks but it will still be extremely busy.
I think hotel availability is up this year due to people who would normally stay offsite wanting to try out the new dining plan.

 

[can]

This will be our fourth trip at Thanksgiving, and it seems like it gets more and more crowded each year. Over the years we have learned when to visit the parks and when to stay away. We have been there as early as the Sat. before Thanksgiving and as late as the Tues. after. One CM told us the week after is just as crowded, if not more, than the week of.

There is no rhyme or reason as far as the weather goes. We have been down there when it has been strictly shorts and sandals weather and gone back the next year totally unprepared and heading for the WalMart for pants and gloves. We now pack both ways, for warm and cool. Couple pairs of shorts, couple pairs of pants, and the stretchy gloves and hatbands. Once the sun goes down it can get really cool in the parks while waiting for the later evening festivities to begin, so come prepared. Even though it maybe only in the upper 60's or lower 70's, doesn't stop the Midwesterners and Northerners from laying by the pool and soaking up the sun, so don't forget your swimsuits. It really has never really rained, so that is always a good thing.

It is such a great time to be at Disney, really gets you in the holiday spirit. The parks and resorts are magically transformed overnite into Christmas and it is absolutely beautiful! Would also highly recommended that you see the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. It is a beautiful reminder of what the Christmas season is all about!

 

[rileyroosmom]

I was there last year for Thanksgiving. The weather was great, we wore just sweatshirts at night. My kids did swim. I prefer this type of weather while at WDW. So nice to stand in a line and not be dying from the heat and humdity.

I was very worried about crowds, but was surprised when we got there. There seemed to be people everywhere, but lines were not that long. Arrive early, use fastpass and have fun!

Make sure you have your ADRs in place, there was no walking into any restaurant.

 

[dtripli]

Hi we are arriving the day after Thanksgiving for a week. I thought we would avoid crowds as well, but I have a feeling I was wrong. I am hoping it starts to clear out a bit by Sunday so we'll have the better part of the week with fewer lines. Either way Im excited. We are staying at the Poly (first time there)... Anyway good luck to you Enjoy!

 

[edk35]

We are arriving Wed. night THE WEEK BEFORE Thanksgiving. We plan on hitting the parks hard and heavy those first few days before it gets really crowded. We know which parks to avoid which days. WE did this same trip 3 years ago, but arrive the Friday before Thanksgiving.......the first few days were great...about Tuesday it started to really pick up...and more on Wed. and then IT GOT EXTREMELY PACKED. I go with a plan of action...........do as much as possible the first few days..THEN SLOW THE PACE AND ENJOY THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE OF JUST BEING THERE DURING A HOLIDAY. WE go NOT EXPECTING TO SEE AND DO IT ALL when it is crowded........but just being in the middle of all the magic..STILL MAKES THE TRIP VERY FUN. We will also spend some TIME DOING NON PARK STUFF THIS TRIP TOO. It all depends on how long you are going for and what you like to do. I would love to spend about 2 full week at WDW and then maybe I would feel COMPLETE. LOL But then again.........IT MIGHT TAKE AN EXTRA WEEK.

Denise

 

[rdsx28]

Thanks everyone for the great information. We are so excited! Especially, my DD 5yrs old.Happy Thanksgiving to You All!

 

[Shanan]

Well, I called today to see about upgrading to Wilderness Lodge Dec 2-10. I had booked at Pop using the Best Rate Plan and decided to treat myself to WL. There are no openings during this time using Best Rate Plan. Guess I will treat myself in other ways.

 

[PamNC]

We went last year starting Thanksgiving day for 4 nights and it wasn't that crowded...not empty by any means but very manageable. We're booked again this year for the Dolphin 11/23-11/27. We like to take a short trip during Thanksgiving to kick of the Holiday. I hope to make it a tradition. However, we might have to cancel our trip (everyone send me good vibes that this won't be the case). I'm self-employed and so is my DH...and it may not work out that we can go. Anyway, the weather...it's a crap shoot. One year we went the first week in December and the weather was fabulous - upper 70's low 80's. Last year it was chilly at night (50's and even upper 40's) and 60's and 70's by day. It just depends.

Here's hoping we get to go. HAVE FUN ON YOUR TRIP.

PamNC