Kory,
Of these weeks I prefer Thanksgiving. While the crowds are huge both weekends, they seem se during the Christmas time frame. And if you go during the Thanksgiving time frame you can see the park magically transform from standard decor to the holiday decor, literally overnight!
Now the holidays are truly a magical time to visit, there is no doubt. But I am not a fan of large crowds. For my money, I prefer to schedule during a time other than these two weeks. Maneuvering the packed parks and over-scheduled restaurants keeps the vacation from being at all relaxing for me.
You will be coming to the parks with May, a relatively low crowd season, as your measuring stick. The change of crowd size is sure to shock your system. If it were me, I would do one of two things;
- Try to schedule around Thanksgiving, but have several of the vacation days on the week after or before the actual week of the vacation (preferably after).
- Wait until 2011 and schedule at a less crowded time.
This is probably not what you wanted to hear, but I think you will be happier this way.
Have a magical vacation!