Are you awake? I hope so, if you are reading this blog post! But, if you are, by chance, reading while asleep, then wake up right now and make your dining reservations for Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World!
Reservations open TODAY for Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom, Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West Resort and all those wonderful Disney Springs table service restaurants, like Summer House on the Lake, the Boathouse, Raglan Road, and Chef Art’s Homecomin’.
Here is a sample itinerary for a Thanksgiving mini-trip. This plan takes into account that crowds are a bit lower at Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day.
I thought a lot about this, because I really wanted to also add a trip to Epcot to see Festival of the Holidays. However, the first day of the Festival of the Holidays is the day after Thanksgiving. The park will be extremely crowded — all the parks will be on that day and weekend. In addition, the flights on Saturday, Sunday and Monday are very expensive and the hotel rates sharply increase on Friday, November 27 (you’d really need to stay overnight on Friday if you went to Epcot or you’d miss the Candlelight Processional).
Given these constraints, I’d suggest returning to Disney World during the second or third week in December and schedule a Tuesday or Wednesday park day at Epcot to see Festival of the Holidays.
This itinerary suggests resort-hopping on Friday to see Christmas decorations and then taking a flight home. The air fares on Friday (for now) are much less expensive.
Now, would you like to arrive a little earlier? If you do, hotel rates on Tuesday night and Wednesday night are nice and low (relatively, speaking, of course). If you have not gone to Mickeys’ Very Merry Christmas Party, you might want to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving to add that event to your vacation. I went last year, so I probably won’t go again this year. But I do recommend the party, if you have never gone before. If you add on those extra hotel days, be sure to make time for Disney Springs at night. See my Christmas Planner for details on fun things to do.
Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Arrive at Reagan National airport by 5 am
- Flight to Orlando: Southwest DCA-MCO 7:05 am – 9:35 am $153
- MEARS Bus to Drury Plaza Disney Springs to check in
- Bus to Magic Kingdom. Lunch/Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern.
Friday, November 27
- Breakfast at Drury Plaza
- Check out of Drury Plaza
- Options:
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- Drury Bus to Magic Kingdom. Resort hop monorail resorts and Wilderness Lodge to see decorations
- Drury Bus to Hollywood Studios. Take the Skyliner and Friendship Boat to the Boardwalk Resorts. See gingerbread decorations
- Lyft to Blizzard Beach to play the Christmas-themed mini golf at Winter Summerland Mini Golf
- Shopping at Disney Springs (it may be really crowded, though)
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- MEARS or Lyft back to airport by 6:50 pm
- Southwest flight to Washington, DC 8:50 pm –
Thanksgiving Vacation Checklist
ASAP…like, TODAY!
- Book dining reservations for your Thanksgiving dinner.
- Book hotel rooms – If you are staying at the Drury Plaza in Disney Springs, use Mouse Saver’s code MSAVHD for extra saving.
- Purchase theme park tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, if you are going to that. Purchase Party tickets at Undercover Tourist for a small discount and an important refund option not offered by Disney World.
- Purchase airline tickets.
- Add vacation details to Disney Planner pages, print and assemble your Planner.
- Arrange for pet care and plant care while you are away.
- Get in condition: increase daily walking; break in shoes.
1-2 Weeks Before Trip: November 11-18
- If desired, book Minnie Van airport service (407) 828-3500 for up to 6 guests, 2 child seats
- Hair care, Rx, bills, tasks, must-do’s
1 Week Before Trip: November 18 – 23
- Book Lightning Lanes
- Make MEARS Shuttle reservations
- Do laundry. Pack: suitcase; personal item
- Contact bank and credit cards about travel plans
1-2 Days Before Trip: November 23-24
- Clean home, dishes, take out trash and recycling
- Charge Magic Bands; camera
- Check in online for flights; checked luggage
