Christmas on Main Street
  • On Sep 15, 2024
    Emanuel from VA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We are traveling the Friday prior to Thanksgiving weekend and was wondering if attempting to do parks early in the week prior to the Thanksgiving weekend would be more forgiving say Sunday to Tuesday.

    Hi Emanuel,

    The holidays at Disney World are extra magical! Which means that they will also be extra busy. Even when Disney World is at peak crowds, some days tend to be a little busier than others.

    For the week of Thanksgiving, I have found that the Sunday to Tuesday before Thanksgiving is marginally less busy than Wednesday through the weekend of Thanksgiving. For someone who does not regularly go to Disney World, the difference would likely not be enough to notice so I would not make major changes to my plans to shift park visits. There are some other great ways to visit during this week and avoid long lines.

    If I am visiting during a holiday week, I like to focus on attending after-hours events where attendance is limited. This gives you at least one or two evenings where lines are relatively short, and you can prioritize rides and attractions. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is happening several evenings during this week. With limited ticket sales, you can enjoy Magic Kingdom, full of Christmas spirit and not so full of other guests! Hollywood Studios will also host a limited ticket event called Disney Jollywood Nights where you can roam the theme park and jump on rides with fewer guests. Both events still have tickets available for Thanksgiving week but they do sell out so if you want to enjoy either of them, I would get tickets as soon as you are able.

    I also prioritize purchasing Lightning Lane Passes during the busier weeks at Disney World. Guests of Disney Resort hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days before their stay, and all other Guests can purchase passes up to 3 days before their park visit. If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you get a big advantage because you can purchase these passes for your entire trip on your first day of eligibility. This service is great for a busy holiday week because you can prioritize your must-experience rides and attractions to ensure you don't have a long wait for everything. I find this significantly decreases the overall wait times for the day and makes it feel a little less crowded.

    I also recommend getting advanced dining reservations as early as possible for this week because they go quickly! Several restaurants do a traditional Thanksgiving meal so you feel at home away from home. 

    Happy Planning,
    Jenna





     
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Meet the Panelist: Jenna, Tennessee

Hi! I am Jenna. I am an entrepreneur, high school teacher, and mother to 2 teenagers so there is not a single question you could ask me that I would find weird. I love traveling, dancing, reading, and anything that could be considered bougie. Walt Disney World Resort is my second home, and I can't wait to share it with you.  Learn More About Jenna

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