1st time at T'giving: the good/bad/ugly?

[vamaggie]

We are planning a trip for T'giving-our first time at the holidays and first since 2007. We are going with another family (that we have traveled with a lot), 8 pple total. Any helpful hints, suggestions, must do's/must misses, etc. We will probably be staying at SoG or WL and most likely won't do the dining plan. Other than that we are open. Thanks!

[Strmchsr]

Depends on when you're arriving. Generally crowds aren't too bad early in the week and things start getting really crowded on Wednesday and last through Sunday. The best plan in that Wednesday through Sunday timeframe is to arrive at opening, take a break for a nap or a swim in the afternoon when crowds are at their peak and then come back in the evenings. That helps maximize your park time. If you can arrive Monday or Tuesday then hit all your "must dos" then. Keep in mind during Thanksgiving week they don't do the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and much of the Epcot stuff doesn't start until after Thanksgiving, so you'll miss some of that but the Osborne Lights will be up and running and the decorations will all be out.

[BigRedDad]

Crowds are manageable until Wednesday before. After that, it is slam packed. It is another one of the busiest times of the year come Wednesday. There are plenty of threads on managing the busiest times of year.

[DisneyFan1979]

I've been at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Eve and found Thanksgiving to be the least crowded of these 3 peak holiday times. When I was there for Thanksgiving, we had Thanksgiving Day dinner at a relative's so I can't speak specifically to how crowded the park may be on that day. What I do recommend though is doing what we did for Christmas Day dinner and have it at one of the resort hotels--it was a wonderful, relaxing atmosphere as compared to the parks.

[KathyMJ]

My one bit of advice, whether on the dining plan or not, make sure you book your dining early! The restaurants really fill up that week.

Enjoy!!!

[vamaggie]

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately we are arriving on Weds (can't take that much time off to be there all week). Good thing is that both families have been before and don't really feel the need to "do it all". Missing the MVMCP is sad but not devastating-still excited to see all the decorations. Like the suggestion of T'giving dinner at a resort hotel vs park.

Any other suggestions/ideas are more than welcome.

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Don't miss the Osborne Lights at DHS!

[jnfr2424]

We usually arrive Thanksgiving Eve and stay until the following Wed Been doing this for the past 6 years
As the PP stated out of the 3 major holidays this one is the least crowded(hard to imagine) parks are manageable early in the day
Weather can be tricky sometimes it's warm other very cold so pack for anything. If you stay until the Sunday after the holiday you can go to MVMCP plus in Epcot the candlelight procession begins on Black Friday
We also usually have dinner at a resort since most are fully decorated by Thanksgiving and you stated you might stay at WL thats where we were this past season and loved it!!

[nunners]

We just went this past Thanksgiving for the first time and thought crowds rivaled Easter week. Also, the parks were open much shorter hours than in the summer or spring break weeks. Go early and try to do new, not so popular things. We did lots of resort touring to see all the Christmas decorations and really enjoyed that. We also did the Candlelight processional's first night on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We loved it! Great way to kick off the holiday season and the highlight of our trip! Disney is awesome anytime, just be prepared for lots of friends!!

[ginger19]

Don't go to Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving unless you get in at opening and leave by 11. We found AK to be much more manageable on Thanksgiving day and we were also able to get thanksgiving lunch at Flame Tree bbq.
We found that the parks really fill up by noon so we'd be sure to get in, get stuff done early and have fast passes for later so that we could see everything we wanted to.

The decorations are beautiful but book dinners early as they book up very fast! Most years we have had beautiful weather but this year was VERY cold.

[princessgirls]

The BEST weather I have ever experienced in WDW on any trip was our THANKSGIVING 2012 trip!!!

We left Thursday 11/15 and came home Friday 11/23.

The Very good:
Weather...sunny, mid 70's and NO HUMIDITY!!! Perfect perfect theme park weather
The Hours...Parks were open!!! Most nights of our trip MK was open until midnight. AK until 8pm, Studios 10pm, Epcot 11pm. We used EMH in the morning. Got up and out early and that worked for us. AK had added a lot more show times to FOTLK and Nemo.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE UP!!!! Christmas is in full swing in WDW.
The Good:
All of the rides were up and running with the exception of Test Track, which was scheduled to be down until December.
The Crowds:
They were manageable if you got UP and OUT early!! We have done Disney several times, and with the exception of our first trip have always had crowds. With the heat not being an issue, it was pleasant to be out. Yes, it got crowded starting Sunday of Thanksgiving week, overall a minor annoyance. Most days were out by 7:30am and did not return until 11pm or later.

Make your ADR's early. There were none to be had. No walk ups.
Enjoy! It was a great week to go...although this year Thanksgiving is later than it was last year.
Julie

[vamaggie]

THank you so much everyone for the great information. One more: Does anyone know if they post holiday (i.e. Thanksgiving day) menus or specials somewhere and when they would be available? I know we are super early in the planning phase but we will have to coordinate with another family and we want to make sure to know our plan when the ADR window opens. Thanks again!!

[Pop Centurion]

Not sure which ones, but some of the park & resort restaurants have Thanksgiving offerings. Last year Pop put a sign up a day or two before to let guests know.
We ate at BOG on Thanksgiving Day but they didn't have anything besides their normal menu. But that was fine with me since I had a turkey leg for lunch.

[mousetrapper]

We've "done" Tgiving at WDW twice now. It is crowded but still manageable. I agree with the advice about avoiding MK if you can on the holiday itself. Last year we had Tgiving dinner at 50s PrimeTime Cafe for that "family" feel. It was OK but not outstanding. We did have a turkey leg and beer for lunch last year! (Only minor regret was that we missed the "Harbowl" on Thanksgiving - we're huge RAVENS fans/ticket holders and missed that home game! But we were in WDW so it was fine )

The other time we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern - satisfying home-style food but again, nothing to write home about.

It really is a great time to go...weather is nice and the Christmas decorations really get you in the holiday spirit.

Have a great time!