Which dates would be better?

[alisonleigh21]

We have a trip booked to be in the parks November 16th - 19th. We knew it would be crowded because it's the first week of the holidays, but I'm a little more nervous now that Tiana's Bayou Adventure is opening that weekend as well. Between the ride and the holiday food I am worried that the crowds will be even higher and we won't be able to walk from all the influencers having their arms out to hold their cameras

Would it be better to do the following week? Like maybe the 20th - 23rd? I've always heard Thanksgiving is crazy at the parks, and this would be the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Or should we just plan that it's going to be chaos and add an extra day to our trip? To give further context, we are taking our 5 year old. We are experienced park goers, but we've relied on DAS for the last 12 years and I'm not sure if we'll still qualify. We also go at a much slower pace (and often have a midday break) with our daughter. Entertainment and characters are more important to us than rides. We've taken her for 4 days a few times, but never during Christmas season.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Pluto468]

We have a trip booked to be in the parks November 16th - 19th. We knew it would be crowded because it's the first week of the holidays, but I'm a little more nervous now that Tiana's Bayou Adventure is opening that weekend as well. Between the ride and the holiday food I am worried that the crowds will be even higher and we won't be able to walk from all the influencers having their arms out to hold their cameras

Would it be better to do the following week? Like maybe the 20th - 23rd? I've always heard Thanksgiving is crazy at the parks, and this would be the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Or should we just plan that it's going to be chaos and add an extra day to our trip? To give further context, we are taking our 5 year old. We are experienced park goers, but we've relied on DAS for the last 12 years and I'm not sure if we'll still qualify. We also go at a much slower pace (and often have a midday break) with our daughter. Entertainment and characters are more important to us than rides. We've taken her for 4 days a few times, but never during Christmas season.

Thanks for any insight!

I think crowds will be similar either week. I like your plan of adding an extra day for the 16-19th trip. More park days!
The holidays start on the 15th, so I think most of the influencers will go on that day since they want to be First.
You'll have a great time!

 

[LKing]

Bloggers and vloggers tend to go the first day. Disney usually has a media event where media/influencers can take pictures of food, merchandise, character costumes, etc. so most of the big names try to be there for that. MK reservations are already full for DL on Nov 15.

Regardless of what week you go, throughout the holiday season, you will see many, many people walking and holding cameras in outstretched arms. The vast majority are regular guests who are visiting to see the holiday decorations and entertainment.

Tiana's is definitely going to be a popular attraction. That isn't going to change in a matter of a week. Tiana's at WDW has been open two mos and is still VQ.

 

[maleficent55]

Bloggers and vloggers tend to go the first day. Disney usually has a media event where media/influencers can take pictures of food, merchandise, character costumes, etc. so most of the big names try to be there for that. MK reservations are already full for DL on Nov 15.

Regardless of what week you go, throughout the holiday season, you will see many, many people walking and holding cameras in outstretched arms. The vast majority are regular guests who are visiting to see the holiday decorations and entertainment.

Tiana's is definitely going to be a popular attraction. That isn't going to change in a matter of a week. Tiana's at WDW has been open two mos and is still VQ.

I am seeing reservations for Disneyland wide open for November 15th for both single park tickets and park hoppers

 

[OlliePop27]

Reservations are not difficult to get for regular ticket holders almost ever. On the morning of July 4th this year I switched my starting park. Passholder reservations are a different story.

I would probably choose the 16th-19th because you'll have two days with higher single day ticket prices and the two lowest passes blocked. This will equate to lower crowds on two of your days. Be prepared that the weekdays will be packed.

 

[LKing]

I am seeing reservations for Disneyland wide open for November 15th for both single park tickets and park hoppers

Magic Key reservations have been full for at least a week. I see MK availability right, but it probably won't last for long. OP is worried about influencers. Most Disneyland influencers are MK holders.

Edit: And just like that, Disneyland is not available on 11/15 to MK again.

 

[OlliePop27]

Magic Key reservations have been full for at least a week. I see MK availability right, but it probably won't last for long. OP is worried about influencers. Most Disneyland influencers are MK holders.

Edit: And just like that, Disneyland is not available on 11/15 to MK again.

Correct. As 11/15 gets closer they'll also start re-allocating regular park reservations for single day and multi day ticket holders to passholders, further increasing passholder impact on crowds.

Several years ago I went on the first Friday in September when Halloweentime started. This was before reservations. No AP's were blocked. It was the worst decision we ever made. Never again.

 

[LKing]

On the positive side, MK holders don't tend to purchase LL. They will likely be there for Tiana's, the parade and fireworks. Nov 15 is not the day to try to stake out a spot to view fireworks in front of the castle. If Tiana's is VQ, and MK holders can log in from home, that will space out when people arrive at the parks.

 

[maleficent55]

Magic Key reservations have been full for at least a week. I see MK availability right, but it probably won't last for long. OP is worried about influencers. Most Disneyland influencers are MK holders.

Edit: And just like that, Disneyland is not available on 11/15 to MK again.

Oh yes! Sorry, didn’t realize magic key!

 

[OlliePop27]

On the positive side, MK holders don't tend to purchase LL. They will likely be there for Tiana's, the parade and fireworks. Nov 15 is not the day to try to stake out a spot to view fireworks in front of the castle. If Tiana's is VQ, and MK holders can log in from home, that will space out when people arrive at the parks.

One positive about Genie+/LLMP has been a lower amount of passholder usage because of the non-discounted pricing. It makes it better for day guests.