In Episode 34, we welcome guest Keith Schneider who has made celebrating Thanksgiving in Disney World a yearly tradition with family since 1996.

Tonight we welcome fan of the show, Keith Schneider who is an expert on Thanksgiving at Disney World because he’s been 18 times since 1996.

No Momma Says because she’s sick

Lindsay’s congratulations post card

Good luck to Heather Brainerd who’s going next week to Disney World for the Food Allergy and Celiac convention.

Ran into coworker who’s going down for Thanksgiving.

Grand Floridian 80% sold. Poly or Grand Floridian?

Orange Bird giveaway and Weight loss challenge.

Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World

Planning for Thanksgiving Trip

Making Reservations (Talk to various family memebers on what they want to do, where they want to eat, etc)

Curt and Lindsay thoughts on planning with Big group

Some Advice on visiting during Thanksgiving

Avoid The Outlets outside Disney(Crazy traffic)

Week of Thanksgiving in park is busy

Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving has the lightest crowds and usually when go to parks

Getting There

-Traveling for Thanksgiving (Keith Usually flies out Thanksgiving Day via Southwest so no crowds!!)

-Curt and Lindsay talk about driving trip to WDW when kids were little

What Turkey Day is Like

Fly Into Orlando

Check Into hotel and meet up with family if staying at multiple locations

Prefer to Have the “Big Meal” at Disney Resort Hotel

After dinner, we walk around Resort where ate or head to Downtown Disney

Why Keith has been going to WDW for Thanksgiving every year

1. Spending time with Family (No Outside World Distractions) such as Football On TV, Black Friday Shopping, Etc..

Why Last Years Trip was Extra Special

First Time with Our son (7 Months at time of Trip) at Disney World

-Met Characters (Met Mickey dressed as Mickey, Pooh as Winnie the Pooh)

Our Son Met Santa Claus for 1st time In Hawaiian Shirt

Having Child gives New Perspective on parks

Keith talks little about Family Traditions do every Thanksgiving Trip

Spending Day outside parks to spend time with family

Examples include:

Renting Boat on Sassagoula river from Port Orleans Riverside or Character Breakfast at Resort hotel

-Keith’s talks about seeing surprise celebrity during Cape May Character Buffett

Stone Family Traditions in WDW (Things Stone’s do every time in Disney World) Ex. Margaritas at Mexico at 11 am

2. Disney World Festivities

Holiday Decorations are Up and puts you in Festive Mood and help kick off the holiday season

Visiting Epcot for (Holiday Illuminations, Epcot Holiday Storytellers and Candlelight Processional)

Resort hopping (Visting Resort Holiday Decorations-Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian,Gingerbread Display at Contemporary, Train Display at Beach Club

Holiday Display at Boardwalk)

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

New Décor in Downtown Disney this year

Osbourne Lights

3. Let’s Talk Food

The Big Meal At WDW and (Oh No) Offsite thru the years

On Site Thanksgiving Meals at WDW Keith has done for Thanksgiving(Olivia’s, Kona Café, Yacht Club Gallery, Turf Club)

How it has changed over the years (Disney has explained selection of food and restaurants having Thanksgiving). A lot of restaurants used to be closed

Off Site Untraditional Thanksgiving Meals

Typical Hotel Thanksgiving Buffett, Seafood Buffett, Brazilian Steakhouse, Boston Market