N.W.
We go every year the day after (Friday) and there's usually a line, but I don't think it takes that long. There's not a lot of shopping at City Centre anymore, so we've noticed that the crowds seem smaller. Good luck!
We usually go to the Macy's holiday display on a weekday every year, but my in-law's are coming in town for Thanksgiving and we thought it would be a nice outing while they are here. Has anyone ever gone the Friday or Saturday after Thanskgiving, at opening time? If so, is it horribly busy? Is there a good time to go during that weekend? By the way, the theme this year is 'A Day in the life of an Elf.' :)
We go every year the day after (Friday) and there's usually a line, but I don't think it takes that long. There's not a lot of shopping at City Centre anymore, so we've noticed that the crowds seem smaller. Good luck!
Every year, we go to the "Breakfast w/Santa" hosted my Macy's and then go thru the display. This is almost always on a Saturday and it is so horribly busy it makes me want to rock in a corner and cry. The kids love it regardless but they get frustrated with the waiting, not being able to see around all the big people, and constantly being nagged to "stay with mommy!"
Sorry to say that in my experience, it is a madhouse then. Maybe if you go very early. Good luck!
A couple of years ago, we went the night before Thanksgiving thinking everyone else would be home getting ready for the holiday and it was pretty crazy then. Even when it's busy though, the lines go fairly quickly and it's still a fun outing! We went last Monday - it's really cute.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is a HUGE shopping day and people will be there as soon as the malls open to get the deals... it will be crazy ALL day on Friday, Saturday might be a tad better if you go right away in the morning (most people do the black Friday shopping).
My cousin and her family just went this morning. They were the first ones there, it wasn't open yet, so they had to wait. The daughter had to go to the bathroom so by the time my cousin and the daughter got back downstairs, the line was all the way down the hall and curving around. She said it's well worth it though.
Um, yes, it will be the busiest you have ever seen anything.
Getting there first thing may actually be the worst idea. My in-laws have a tradition of Black Friday shopping and most people that do that are there waiting for the stores to open. Outside. Sometimes for hours. No matter how early you get there I promise there will be a line. However, a lot of those people are done shopping by lunch time as most of the "doorbusters" are over by noon.
I have had luck going later in the day on Friday; dinnertime or after.
HI A.:
Sorry I haven't been in recent years Thanksgiving weekend but what I can tell you is this: I have gone to see A Day in the life of an elf last weekend and we went on a Sunday when the Vikes vs. Packers games and when the game got over it wasn't super busy. The story is very nice again, but it is very short too. There isn't much reading as there has been in the past - ie Harry potter had like 26 story boards to read. This one had like 5 or so. The lines moved very fast, but one thing to consider, I think the Holidazzle Parade starts that weekend too, so you are going to want to go early eat dinner downtown and then maybe hit the parade to avoid the lines. I know that is gets really busy right after parade gets through.
good luck and enjoy! i really liked this years!