sweettea

Thinking about driving from Atlanta to Orlando over Thanksgiving '07 with two small kids (under 5) and meeting up with family and more kids. Is this an absolutely terrible time to go? Is it as bad as winter break? Any recommendations on where to stay with young children so it's not too far from the Magic Kingdom. Thanks!

thurstonbb

Local papers always say it is the busiest week of the year!

Hubster

Only if long lines and waits are your idea of a good time.

DebitNM

"Thanksgiving in Disney...are we nuts?"

yes.

GoTravel

"Thanksgiving in Disney...are we nuts?"

Ha ha! Yes.

karameli

CRazy or not, you're going anyway, right? If you go early in the morning, you'll beat some of the rush. It'll be crowded, but take advantage of FastPass, which definitely helps with the more popular rides. And IMHO it's slightly less crazy than going during Fourth of July, when it's almost as crowded but much, much hotter. But hey, I've gone both times of year and love it anyway.

sweettea

No, we're not going anyway. We were just trying to find a place where one family can drive from West Palm Beach and the other from Atlanta. Personally I don't want to do Disney but we're not sure where else to go that's somewhat in between. Seeing that everyone so far thinks the Disney idea is nuts, are there any other recommendations?

karameli

Ah, okay. I thought it was already planned and you were hoping for reassurance. How about Clearwater Beach?

GoTravel

It's a drive for the Atlanta crowd but it is also a direct flight on Delta so my vote goes to Key West!

321go

As busy as Thanksgiving is, I'd take it over any day in the summer. If you decide to go, do as karameli says.

Have you thought about somewhere on Florida's east coast; St. Augustine, Amelia Island, Ponte Vedra? I'm guessing, but those areas are around 350 miles from Atlanta and West Palm, and there's plenty to do in the area.

sweettea

I just started investigating the Clearwater/St. Aug/Sea Island possibility. Looks like it's 5 hours for each of us...not bad.
If it's not warm though, is there stuff to do at those beaches? The benefit of doing Disney in Nov. is that it's not so hot. Torn...will have to get the group's consensus. But all ideas are welcome! Thanks so much everyone.

LG2

Last trip to Disney World was 1996 with older kids. Had to go Christmas week (busiest week per Disney site), but had a great time. Yes, lines for the most popular rides were long, but those usually appeal to older kids. Thanksgiving weekend is busy, but the days preceeding Thanksgiving are not bad (per Disney). Looking forward to going back soon with kids and grandkids. Will probably be Christmas week again. Anyway, I say go for it. Great experience!

birder

The other thing is, you don't have to spend all your time in Disney. Sea World is wonderful and kids love it. Also, if you pick a hotel with a great pool complex, the kids won't want to leave! Both the Omni Championsgate and the JW Marriott have REALLY great pool complexes. Other hotels in the area probably do as well.

sweettea

now that's a good idea! only one day at one of the parks is really all we need. and if Sea World isn't as crowded, we could do that instead of Magic Kingdom. Thanks!

basingstoke2

How about Sanibel Island. The beaches are kid friendly in that the water is usually quite calm with a very gentle slope as it gradually deepens. It is also sea shell central. You will see many folk hunting shells - and there are a huge variety to be found. When small, my kids enjoyed seeing how many different kinds they could find and have kept them to this day. Nearby Captiva Island is also worth a look.

schmerl

Or...you could stay on site and visit the Universal Orlando parks. By staying on site you get express access all day on all the sttractions!!!

karameli

Just one note on your last post, sweettea -- Sea World isn't actually a Disney park. From your post it sounds like if you DO choose Disney/Orlando, you want them to go to at least one Disney park -- right? In that case, I would say Magic Kingdom is the must-do for young kids. It's the one with Cinderella's Castle and the most kid-friendly rides.

'Course if you decide to go with a beach trip, that's a moot point...just wanted to toss it out there!

GoTravel

If you could do the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday and Sea World, Universal, and IOP Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, it probably would not be too bad.

Also, what about driving over to Busch Gardens for a day? IOP might not be much fun for the kids under 5 but any kids over 9 or 10 (including the adults) would be in heaven.

padams421

Living in ATL (close enough to drive to WDW and a quick flight otherwise) and your kids are under 5 (so they are not in school), you should not go to Orlando for Thanksgiving on one of the busiest weeks of the year. Go to Orlando in early Dec., Jan (but not MLK weekend) or Feb (but not Pres Day weekend). I'm speaking from expereince as an Atlantan who has taken kids under 5 to WDW about half a dozen times including Thanksgiving week.

Kristinesonja

We're in WPB and going to spend T'giving at Sea World. We spend T'giving 2004 at Epcot and found it to work out fine. Buffet at Norway was perfect for this family with Finnish ancestry.

I'm hoping Sea World will be great this T'giving too. Plan to eat our dinner with the sharks.