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  • On Jul 6, 2013
    Randi from TX Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We booked a WDW vacation for the week after Thanksgiving, because historically attendance is normally lower. Do you know if this year is projected to be busier? I'm having a hard time booking dining reservations 6 months in advance, do you know why?

    Hi Randi! The week after Thanksgiving will definitely be significantly less crowded than the week of Thanksgiving. You're right that the first few weeks of December are generally a period of low attendance levels in the Disney parks, and for that reason, early December can be a great time to visit. 

    Some unofficial websites post Crowd Calendars, on which estimated park attendance levels are predicted based on historical crowd levels, holidays, special events and other factors. I checked the Crowd Calendars for the dates of your visit and the attendance levels in the parks are expected to be fairly low during the week after Thanksgiving. The Magic Kingdom is hosting Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on several nights during the week of your visit, which could potentially affect the availability of dinner reservations in that park. Likewise, the popular Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages could cause Epcot restaurants to be busy that week.

    Guests could begin making dining reservations for the week after Thanksgiving at the beginning of June, so it's likely prime dining times at the most popular restaurants booked up a month ago. However, you should still be able to make plans at most of your desired restaurants if you're persistent and flexible. Try searching for "Breakfast" or "Dinner" rather than a specific time at a restaurant, and consider dining at off-peak hours. Keep checking for openings even after you arrive at Disney World since many guests will cancel their reservations a few days in advance to avoid incurring a cancellation fee.

    Wishing you a magical December vacation! Come visit us again at the Moms Panel if you have more questions!
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Meet the Panelist: Amanda, North Carolina

I'm a busy mom of two from North Carolina who loves to find ways to stretch a Disney Dollar so that I can enjoy the luxury of Disney's deluxe resorts and fine dining. Learn More About Amanda

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