Subsonic Radio

How crowded are the parks on Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday? My wonderful wife wants to go but I think it would be too crowded to be enjoyable.

Touringplans.com has it listed as a 10 out of 10 for crowds that whole week. I've never been there during Thanksgiving, and I'm not sure I would want to go then!

Brian845 wrote:Touringplans.com has it listed as a 10 out of 10 for crowds that whole week. I've never been there during Thanksgiving, and I'm not sure I would want to go then!

Thanks.. me neither but I have to have "proof" to convince my DW that I am right on this one

I'm hoping it isn't too bad since that will be when F1gment and I are there. I think we will just have to be prepared to go at a bit slower pace and not have anything we have to do on those days...

The parks can be very crowded from about Wednesday through Saturday-Sunday Thanksgiving weekend. On Monday they start to thin out just a little bit. First week of December is awesome!!

I don't know about Thanksgiving but I can tell you about the large crowds around the 4th of July and the busiest summer days. It can be a 10 out of 10 on crowds but I have always felt that as a seasoned Disney park goer, you can do anything you want even at the busiest times just because of your knowledge. Knowing how to use the Fast Pass system, what time to get to the parks, when the best times are to eat, and what rides to ride when are all contributing factors to a great vacation.

So my opinion is go to Disney World for Thanksgiving! Get to the parks early and have a great time!

Thanksgiving is usually a busy time since school is usually out around that time around the country. It isn't like christmas/New Years or Fourth of July but it is still busier than non-holiday times at WDW.

Thanksgiving is extremely crowded. You not only have the people who have off from school, but locals coming in Friday - Sunday as well. I would avoid the parks, or go in the morning and power through some rides before the late risers show up. Then spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel, or doing some things most of us usually don't have time to (boat or bike rentals, Downtown Disney, mini golf courses, etc).

CarolwoodPacific wrote:Thanksgiving is extremely crowded. You not only have the people who have off from school, but locals coming in Friday - Sunday as well. I would avoid the parks, or go in the morning and power through some rides before the late risers show up. Then spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel, or doing some things most of us usually don't have time to (boat or bike rentals, Downtown Disney, mini golf courses, etc).

Trust me. The locals know not to show up to WDW during any holiday week(s).

Way back in '89 I was there for Thanksgiving. I remember it being busy but tolerable, and the parks were open late which is always a plus in my book. We enjoyed the best of both worlds that trip arriving just before the holiday, and staying the week after Thanksgiving as well. At the time, the week after was considered the least busy of the year, and it was very peaceful I have to admit. Quite the contrast.

Sharonofwindham wrote:Way back in '89 I was there for Thanksgiving. I remember it being busy but tolerable, and the parks were open late which is always a plus in my book. We enjoyed the best of both worlds that trip arriving just before the holiday, and staying the week after Thanksgiving as well. At the time, the week after was considered the least busy of the year, and it was very peaceful I have to admit. Quite the contrast.

That's what I keep saying to myself. It will be busy the week of Thanksgiving, but we'll still have a few days after that should be quiet

I went 2 times during Thanksgiving. Back in 1997, it was "Tolerable", crowded, but tolerable.
I went again in 2009 and it was terrible. There were long lines at 1:00 pm just waiting to get into the park (Magic Kingdom). I think the dinner specials were the reason so many people showed up. I don't know if they are doing that again this year.

kosmosworld wrote:I went 2 times during Thanksgiving. Back in 1997, it was "Tolerable", crowded, but tolerable.
I went again in 2009 and it was terrible. There were long lines at 1:00 pm just waiting to get into the park (Magic Kingdom). I think the dinner specials were the reason so many people showed up. I don't know if they are doing that again this year.

We're going to be in EPCOT since we have lunch ressies that day at Via Napoli. We'll likely plan on getting in early staying put...

My last experience told me to never go there again during Thanksgiving. My kids actually made me skip some of there favorite rides, because of the wait time. This year we plan to go the week before. I love Disney during the holidays, but it can be miserable. If the weather wouldn't be so hot, it wouldn't be as bad, too!

kosmosworld wrote:My last experience told me to never go there again during Thanksgiving. My kids actually made me skip some of there favorite rides, because of the wait time. This year we plan to go the week before. I love Disney during the holidays, but it can be miserable. If the weather wouldn't be so hot, it wouldn't be as bad, too!

We pretty much had no choice with our annual passes expiring December 1st. We're hoping the weather is warmer than it was when we were there in December ~ it was routinely in the 30's at night and 50's during the day. I think we had two days where it was over 70. That made for a miserable F1gment since she was trying to stay warm. I didn't mind the cooler temperatures but I felt bad for my Mom who was shivering and barely visible huddled in her down coat and hat. I'm really hoping it isn't too hot though. That makes the crowds even more miserable for sure...