Expert: Steve DizKahuna - 11/5/2009

Question
I made an assumption that the crowds would be lighter the on the weekend and through Tuesday before Thanksgiving and get heavier Thanksgiving day and through that weekend.  but I am hearing that the entire week is very busy.  what do you think about the days leading up to Thanksgiving?

Answer
Hi Jenette,

Whomever told you the whole week is crowded is quite correct. In fact, the crowds are summer-like in size. Even though local schools just get Thursday and Friday off, many school districts in colder areas just give the whole week off. I've spoken to many families at Disneyland while standing in line (one of my hobbies), and found out that if the district doesn't give them the week off, they take off anyway. Heck, why not? Here we are in November in SoCal, and I'm in my house, windows all open, still wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Temperatures this week have been in the 70's and 80's. So why not take the whole week off to go to California, where it's warm?

Traditionally, the Christmas decorations and parades started the Friday before Thanksgiving, and you had really huge crowds that weekend, tapering off only slightly the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. However, this year they are getting an earlier start (isn't everybody?), and will have everything in full swing on November 13, which is a week earlier than normal. I'm thinking this may have the effect of diluting some of the crowds the weekend before Thanksgiving, since locals will have already experienced the holiday parades, decorations, etc the first weekend. What actually happens remains to be seen, however. Disney's treading a lot of new ground this year with their marketing and scheduling.

If you go, be prepared for some pretty good-sized crowds. The key is to arrive early, before the park opens, and to use fastpass as much as possible. And call 714-781-DINE to make reservations for sit-down eating. This will save a bunch of time. We go during major holidays, and found this works well for us.

Have fun!