Walt Disney World Vacation Planning: Tips for Planning Around Holiday Crowds
Note: This is part 3 of a 3 part series. If you’d like to read the first two articles, please go here and here.
A couple new wrinkles: Usually, when we go in November we go around the 10th-15th. We got married on the 16th in 2014. So this year, of course, I was looking at our “Anniversary Weekend” when I planned our dates. What I didn’t notice is that Thanksgiving is on the 23rd this year…Rookie mistake.
Thanksgiving
For those of you that don’t know, Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at Disney World. TONS of people go to Disney for Thanksgiving, primarily due to the shorter school week, I think. It’s not as bad as Christmas, but it’s fairly close. Now let me say something about crowds: It’s Disney…frankly, it’s pretty much ALWAYS crowded. They run so many room and vacation specials these days that “slow season” doesn’t really exist anymore. My mom and I usually go during the spring because we like to attend the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. Spring at Disney is RIDICULOUSLY crowded, due to the spring break crowds. BUT, if you go in prepared for it, pack your patience and go with the flow, you can still have a great trip. However, if I CAN plan to go during a week that isn’t super busy, I usually do. Early November has always been one of my favorite times to go. Generally, it’s the calm before the storm of Thanksgiving and Christmas crowds. Usually, the Christmas decorations are up by the 10th or the 12th, so you can get all the Christmas mojo without the hassle of the Christmas crowds. ANYWAYS….I didn’t realize when I planned our dates that we are rolling into the Thanksgiving week. So crowd projections starting Sunday are CRAZY. Giant bummer. Total rookie mistake. I can tell I’m out of practice on my trip planning. {sigh} So basically, I know that Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be (hopefully) manageable crowds, while Sunday and Monday will be a little more on the super crowded side.
Construction
Also, Hollywood Studios…under MAJOR construction right now. Star Wars land is under construction and Toy Story Land is under construction. A lot of areas and attractions have been closed and torn down to make way for these changes. In the meantime though….Not sure Hollywood Studios will actually involve a whole day. So I may end up modifying our Sunday/Monday plans. Conversely, Animal Kingdom was traditionally for us an “open until 3 or 4 pm” kind of day. We love AK, but usually, we’d be done around 4. NOW, AK is open in the evenings AND there are new attractions (PANDORA) and nighttime entertainment. SO I may plan to hit AK on Sunday afternoon and evening instead of waiting until Monday which might free up Monday night to go back to MK for one last fireworks before we go home on Tuesday. Not sure yet, still figuring that out.
And looking at 72 days, oh my goodness, I really should have this figured out by now! Fast pass reservations open up in 12 DAYS!
The most important thing is to be aware that crowds are much higher around the holidays, and you need to consider that in your planning. DEFINITELY plan your Fast Pass reservations as soon as your window opens; same with your meal reservations. You will competing for a limited number of spots with a lot of other people!
Having said that, the holidays are a very special time at Disney. There are lots of special decor, merchandise, activities and photopass Magic Shots. There are special snacks and a special kind of energy in the air that doesn’t happen any other time of year. It’s a magical time! But…it IS crowded, so it’s important to plan for extra rest time to escape the crowds, and to pack your patience!
You absolutely will still have a wonderful Disney vacation–you just have to take the crowds into consideration as you plan. I like to say that I’m “Planning Around the Crowds” because I like to minimize the impact of the crowds on my vacation as much as possible. With some advance planning and the right attitude, you too can plan around the crowds!
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke