Are the parks slower?

[Skyw]

Hi
I am looking at my trusty crowd calender from touringplans.com and I was wondering if the it seems less crowded this year for the obvious reasons. I am trying to lock down some dates in may and there are a few days that will have pretty heavy crowds. Or at least they predict some.

Thanks

[ynottony99]

We were there on the 1st two Saturdays of this month. Magic Kingdom was packed. I don't see that the economy has slowed down park attendance. Disney announced lay-offs in Anaheim and Orlando due to the economy. Perhaps these vacations were already bought and paid for, and they are seeing a reduction in future bookings.

[ftwildernessguy]

It's hard to day if the recent spike in attendance is normal or not, since traditionally Feb is busy around President's Day. My buddy the CM says that attendance has been pretty good, but the stores are not selling squat. I'm sure Disney's incentives to visit will keep attendance up for a while, but if unemployment continues to creep up and service at WDW continues to decline, who knows what will happen.

[Born 2 Fish]

My GUESS would be that folk will start stay'n off property to save $ and not purchase in the parks stores to save $.

I would guess that the park attendance would be the last thing to start slow'n down, which would explain the still high attendance in the parks.

[Skyw]

I have been reading Trip Reports and it doesn't seem to have slowed down. I guess I will have to apply some strategy if we go in May. I am so spoiled by going in the off season. I have been trying to get to WDW for 6 months. And we have such deals on the Mil Discount. Kinda hard not to go.

thanks for the replies.

[Tent Camping Mom]

We were there a couple of weeks ago and it was packed! Granted it was the weekend of Valentine's day and Presidents Day.

MK was extremely packed. We were able to ride all 3 mountains but heck, it took us the whole day with fastpasses! Hollywood Studios was almost as bad. We didn't get there early enough to get fastpasses for Toy Story Mania so we decide to stand in line...yeah, right when pigs fly! The wait time was 200 minutes. :eek: I refuse to stand in line longer than 40 minutes. We did manage fastpasses for Rockin' Rollercoaster and Star Tours. Stood in line for 30 minutes for ToT (time said 40 but it was actually 30). Ended the evening at Brown Derby :love: without an ADR and only had to wait 5 minutes. Oh, and Fantasmic wasn't showing that evening, what's up with that? :confused3 There was no rain or even a threat of it :confused3

[Born 2 Fish]

We were there a couple of weeks ago and it was packed! Granted it was the weekend of Valentine's day and Presidents Day.

MK was extremely packed. We were able to ride all 3 mountains but heck, it took us the whole day with fastpasses! Hollywood Studios was almost as bad. We didn't get there early enough to get fastpasses for Toy Story Mania so we decide to stand in line...yeah, right when pigs fly! The wait time was 200 minutes. :eek: I refuse to stand in line longer than 40 minutes. We did manage fastpasses for Rockin' Rollercoaster and Star Tours. Stood in line for 30 minutes for ToT (time said 40 but it was actually 30). Ended the evening at Brown Derby :love: without an ADR and only had to wait 5 minutes. Oh, and Fantasmic wasn't showing that evening, what's up with that? :confused3 There was no rain or even a threat of it :confused3

A while back, Disney cut the Fantasmic show back to only a couple shows a week.
My feelings on this is that Bobby I. figures they could save a few $$ and maybe even try'n to slow the attendance (but I can't imagine why).:confused3

[eandesmom]

We were there a couple of weeks ago and it was packed! Granted it was the weekend of Valentine's day and Presidents Day.

MK was extremely packed. We were able to ride all 3 mountains but heck, it took us the whole day with fastpasses! Hollywood Studios was almost as bad. We didn't get there early enough to get fastpasses for Toy Story Mania so we decide to stand in line...yeah, right when pigs fly! The wait time was 200 minutes. :eek: I refuse to stand in line longer than 40 minutes. We did manage fastpasses for Rockin' Rollercoaster and Star Tours. Stood in line for 30 minutes for ToT (time said 40 but it was actually 30). Ended the evening at Brown Derby :love: without an ADR and only had to wait 5 minutes. Oh, and Fantasmic wasn't showing that evening, what's up with that? :confused3 There was no rain or even a threat of it :confused3

EMH saved our days at all 3 parks but at MK in particular we didn't get to experience it the way I'd hoped. The others I felt like we had a very good full day at but MK was brutal.

[ntsammy5]

My buddy the CM

Of course we all know he means Bobby.......

[WDWFWfan]

Hi
I am looking at my trusty crowd calender from touringplans.com and I was wondering if the it seems less crowded this year for the obvious reasons. I am trying to lock down some dates in may and there are a few days that will have pretty heavy crowds. Or at least they predict some.

Thanks

Just curious...which days are supposed to be crowded? We have ressies for 5/18-6/2 and I'm just curious. We always go at the end of July/beginning of August and it is always crowded. We were hoping that it would be less crowded in May.

[Skyw]

I believe may and the first of june are less crowded then the summer months. Check out Touringplans.com. They have a crowd calender. You may have to buy into the web site but it is worth it. It is from the authors of "unofficial guide to Disney". I live by that book. Especially since we have a young one that doesn't really understand standing in line for a ride. If you don't want to join the site just PM me and I will send you some info that I have.

[dtum]

We've always gone in May in the past (love that time of year - perfect weather) and there has never been a crowd. We never waited in line for a ride and didn't need to use fast passes. We always went mid-May and left on Memorial Day. Great time to go. However, this trip GS is in school so we have to wait until June...talking about crowds!

[btcrane]

I live by that book. Especially since we have a young one that doesn't really understand standing in line for a ride.

My family, from my "old" DH to our youngest kid, doesn't understand standing in line for a ride, either! :lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

Great advice, I LOVE the Unofficial Guide--buy a new one for every trip! We went the first week of June one year, used the guides, and had a wonderful time, was able to ride everything we wanted, and repeated our favorites no problem. The only long wait we had was for ToT but that was due to "technical difficulties." We realized how useful the unofficial guide was after standing in line for this one ride.

[Skyw]

My family, from my "old" DH to our youngest kid, doesn't understand standing in line for a ride, either! :lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

Great advice, I LOVE the Unofficial Guide--buy a new one for every trip!.

So do I. I give the old one away to a first timer. And then they get addicted to planning. I feel like a dealer!!!!! HAHA

[auntie]

We've always gone in May in the past (love that time of year - perfect weather) and there has never been a crowd. We never waited in line for a ride and didn't need to use fast passes. We always went mid-May and left on Memorial Day. Great time to go. However, this trip GS is in school so we have to wait until June...talking about crowds!

Our favorite time of year as well. Love the weather..the crowds are light. Waits have been minimal. We also left Memorial Day weekend.

[ntsammy5]

We've never been in May before - this will be the first time. I'm looking forward to the flowers and the weed! :rotfl2:

You know, the parks may be slower but so am I so I'll never notice the difference. :lmao:

[auntie]

We've never been in May before - this will be the first time. I'm looking forward to the flowers and the weed! :rotfl2:

You know, the parks may be slower but so am I so I'll never notice the difference. :lmao:

Okay...can't comment about the "weed".:rolleyes1 ..but if you're referring to the Flower and Garden Festival :flower3: ..., I love visiting during that time. :lovestruc The topiaries in Epcot are beautiful and the floating flower displays in the water areas are where you'll take some spectacular photos. Monorail in the background...they are post card picture perfect!

[Cindy F]

My suggestions would be to go as early as possible (to avoid the heat) while avoiding peak visit times if possible and avoid the parks on their individual heavy days (like Magic Kingdom on Saturdays:scared1: ). I would also check out the events calendar in Orlando to make sure you don't plan for when a big group will be there.

Have a great trip!

[team bradfield]

Okay...can't comment about the "weed".:rolleyes1 ..but if you're referring to the Flower and Garden Festival :flower3: ..., I love visiting during that time. :lovestruc The topiaries in Epcot are beautiful and the floating flower displays in the water areas are where you'll take some spectacular photos. Monorail in the background...they are post card picture perfect!

http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/teambradfield/disney%20trips/epcot07-1.jpg

Hey Auntie! You mean like this?

We like the last week of May, 1st week of June.

Less crowds during gay week

[ftwildernessguy]

A while back, Disney cut the Fantasmic show back to only a couple shows a week.
My feelings on this is that Bobby I. figures they could save a few $$ and maybe even try'n to slow the attendance (but I can't imagine why).:confused3

Bobby's getting a little annoyed at being dumped on by the camping board. Last time he got mad he took the hash off the breakfast menu. He's starting to eye the Mickey waffles now. Better lay low.

[ftwildernessguy]

http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/teambradfield/disney%20trips/epcot07-1.jpg

Hey Auntie! You mean like this?

We like the last week of May, 1st week of June.

Less crowds during gay week

Too bad those darn vandals sprayed graffiti all over the front car of the monorail.

[auntie]

I wish I were going in May..:sad:

Wait... :idea: I am going to Florida in May...maybe Bob and I can ditch the kids for a day and drive over to Epcot. After all, I do have that annual pass, and it's a shame to let a trip to Florida go by without a trip to a Disney Park. ::yes:: Gotta get my monies worth from that thing! Time to stop and smell the roses! :woohoo: Epcot roses of course! :flower3:
Okay...now how to talk the hubby into this.:scratchin

[auntie]

I've got it :idea: ..I'll just break out these photos..and tell him there's a bottle of wine calling his name at Epcot..that ought to do it! (okay...maybe two bottles!:rolleyes1 )...:laughing:

These are a few from our May trip almost two years ago.
If this doesn't make you want to go in May..I don't know what will!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos016.jpg

Rabbit in England

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos001.jpg

Three Cabelleros in Mexico

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos021.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos018.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos020.jpg

Bob and I in Canada (only he's 40 lbs lighter now..and I'm ....never mind :sad2:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos012.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s74/auntie57/momsphotos023.jpg

[Tigger1966]

We will be there the last week of May. Hope it looks like that.

[ntsammy5]

Isn't that the topiary they have at MK during the Pirates and Princess party - well that's been canceled anyhow.....

[auntie]

Couldn't say Al...never been to the Pirates and Princess.
Hopefully you'll be seeing it in Epcot this May though! :thumbsup2

[ntsammy5]

Part of it is


http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x95/*******Disney%20Marathon/IMG_0325.jpg

[auntie]

Looks the same to me!

[btcrane]

GREAT PICS!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!:lovestruc