Disney Vacation: Thanksgiving week VS 1st week of Nov...FIGHT!

[blackdogdeek]

We're planning on going to WDW in November but need to determine which is the better time to go. At first, the 1st week of November sounds better because everyone gets off during Thanksgiving week. But maybe because of that reason more people might avoid going to Disney during that time.

If you are a Disney regular or know anything about the park's population during either times or have any good sites you frequent regarding Disney vacationing or just like commenting on which anime princess you like best please feel free to opine to your heart's content.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Exterous]

If you are flying - airports are really busy during Thanksgiving weekend and airfare are usually more expensive as a result. I would imagine the parks would be busier as well. If I had to choose I would choose to not go during Thanksgiving week

 

[Queasy]

I would say go during the off-peak season but the dates you list coincides with Disney's peak times. That said, I'd go during the first week of November for the less crowds.

 

[ghostman]

Find out when they have the free or discounted Disney Dining Plan. Even without the discounts, I hear the plans are well worth it given the pricey food. I went a few years ago when they were offering it for free. We then made reservations to the nicest restaurants that would take the plan several months in advance. Good food and so much of it.

As for Nov. 1 or Thanksgiving, I have no clue. Sorry.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Having worked at Epcot, I can say that WDW is in-fucking-sane during Holidays. However, late fall (such as the first week of November) is one of the tamest and least crowded seasons, and therefore most enjoyable...probably the first week of December is best (not to mention tolerable temperatures).

 

[santuitman]

I like Jasmine

www.intercot.com

www.allears.net

www.mousesavers.com

 

[TecHNooB]

Anime princess?

If you're going to use a taxi to get around, don't overpay. I think they ask for ~$60. You can go from the airport to disney for $20 if you deny a few initial offers.

 

[santuitman]

If you stay at Disney they have a magic express bus service which is free

http://disneyworld.disney.go.c...efits/airport-service/

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: santuitman
If you stay at Disney they have a magic express bus service which is free

http://disneyworld.disney.go.c...efits/airport-service/

Yep. My suggestions
* Stay at one of the Disney Value resorts Seriously, you're going to be spending most of your time at the parks anyways and they aren't much more expensive than local hotels. The time you would spend in your car and paying for parking easily offsets the cost.
* Use the buses to get to and from the parks and the resort
* Use the Disney FastPass so you don't spend all day in lines
* Get the Disney Dining Plan

I don't know what the deals for Disney are right now but we had a pretty nice one sent to us in the mail back in the spring where the kids' would basically go free. With this economy, they should still be doing some pretty nice deals.

 

[DT4K]

The whole "reverse psychology" angle you're looking at doesn't really fly. Yeah, some people might want to avoid the crowds of a holiday week, but the fact is that most people with kids don't have a choice.
So yeah, Thanksgiving is going to be more crowded. If you have the freedom to be able to go when kids are in school (first week of November), then by all means, take advantage of that. The weather will be great and the crowds will be low.

The free dining plan is definitely a great deal, but I'm pretty sure it only goes through August or maybe part of September, both of which are unfrickinbelievably hot and muggy.

Mousesavers.com is the best site for learning about various discounts.
If you need any advice, sign up at disboards.com and ask whatever questions you have. You'll get tons of answers. It's a huge online community of disney nuts (myself included).

Or PM me if you have other questions.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Exterous
If you are flying - airports are really busy during Thanksgiving weekend and airfare are usually more expensive as a result. I would imagine the parks would be busier as well. If I had to choose I would choose to not go during Thanksgiving week

If I recall, Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: santuitman
If you stay at Disney they have a magic express bus service which is free

http://disneyworld.disney.go.c...efits/airport-service/

Yep. My suggestions
* Stay at one of the Disney Value resorts Seriously, you're going to be spending most of your time at the parks anyways and they aren't much more expensive than local hotels. The time you would spend in your car and paying for parking easily offsets the cost.
* Use the buses to get to and from the parks and the resort
* Use the Disney FastPass so you don't spend all day in lines
* Get the Disney Dining Plan

I don't know what the deals for Disney are right now but we had a pretty nice one sent to us in the mail back in the spring where the kids' would basically go free. With this economy, they should still be doing some pretty nice deals.

Disney has a promotion right now that includes the Dining Plan at no cost.

 

[UpgradeFailure]

Space Mountain has gone under an almost year long refurbishment and doesn't open until Nov 12th. Also, the Christmas stuff goes up on thanksgiving. So if you want to see those 2 things, go later, if not, go earlier since the crowds are 5s and 6s compared to 9s

 

[DT4K]

If you want to experience the christmas stuff, go during the first 2 weeks of December.