Crowded parks today

[safetymom]

Kevin just sent this picture from Epcot. They have managers standing by the ramp leading up to monorail platform. They are asking people to show AP's and why they need to get to MK. Someone told Kevin they waited in line 40 mins to get through bag check at MK. They have the entrances to the parking lots closed at Epcot. Putting cars in cast parking. Magic Kingdom is at a phase 3 closure.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/safetymom52/magickingdomatfull.jpg

I was at DHS and it was crazy crowded also. Almost the entire lot was full when I left.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n229/safetymom52/DSCN9548.jpg

[ADP]

Thank you for posting this Kathy and Kevin for the pictures. It's always nice to see how the parks are doing on a particular day.

I must say I'm so glad to see the parks filling up. It's great for the local economy, and an even better sign for the overall economy.

[WaltD4Me]

Wow. I just can't get over the crowd reports. Putting people in cast parking lots?! :scared1: Level 4 closing yesterday, already at 3 today. Scary.

How is the weather today...seems like lots of folks have sweatshirts on. Is it still that cold?

[BoardWalkBelle]

Its chilly today, around 70.

[The Grumpus]

Its chilly today, around 70.

Those two sentence fragments don't belong together. I just looked outside my window and saw snowflakes. :scared:

Thanks for the pictures Kathy. I must admit, I'm just about to book a free dining package (with DUT of course!), but now I'm nervous about the crowds given people taking advantage of the free promotion...:confused3

-TGr :mad:

[safetymom]

It is a beautiful day but a little chilly. Tomorrow it will be back in the 80's.

[BoardWalkBelle]

i lied, temp in Orllando is 64 degrees. :0 Sweatshirt weather (which is what i am wearing.) And boy, those parks are too crowded. What happened to the recession?

[safetymom]

You will still have a great time even if it is crowded. :) Just need to pack a little patience.

[zulemara]

I have to work at MK tonight driving the boats. This is a call to anyone traveling and who might have access to the boards. PLEASE be patient with the transportation tonight!

[dpuck1998]

Yikes, the worst I've been in was level 1 closings, but we spent the day there anyway and had fun. Moving down mainstreet stinks and around the bottle neck in fantasyland/Haunted Mansion.

[Mouse Skywalker]

Wow, that is amazing for a Wednesday in April. Just amazing.

[safetymom]

I am glad we can report the parks are busy. Imagine if we were saying the parks were empty!!!

[georgemoe]

Wow. I just can't get over the crowd reports. Putting people in cast parking lots?! :scared1: Level 4 closing yesterday, already at 3 today. Scary.

How is the weather today...seems like lots of folks have sweatshirts on. Is it still that cold?

Its chilly today, around 70.

Just got off the phone with a co-worker in Miami who said it was chilly in the 50's this morning.

[*NikkiBell*]

I am SO glad that I went last week instead! The only time I've been there when it had a capacity issue was NYE and I expected it then, not spring break time!

[DavidandLeahZ]

i lied, temp in Orllando is 64 degrees. :0 Sweatshirt weather (which is what i am wearing.)
It was 46 in Illinois this morning and I wore a light sweatshirt and thought it was summer! We've gotten so used to the freezing weather- this was wonderful! It's funny how a slight change can make such a difference!:rotfl:

[goofybeagle]

Yikes, the worst I've been in was level 1 closings, but we spent the day there anyway and had fun. Moving down mainstreet stinks and around the bottle neck in fantasyland/Haunted Mansion.

What do the different levels of closing mean? :confused3

[Jennygt]

i am glad that the parks are full, very glad that I am not there. I have not traveled during peak season since around 1994, I was much younger back then,I have much less patience these days. lol I hope everyone still has a great time who is there now!:goodvibes

[klam_chowder]

:eek: Thx a mint for the info, Kathy & Kevin! :thumbsup2

Do you think the parks are this busy because of Easter, so the crowds will likely taper off by mid-May? :rolleyes1

cheers,
:flower3:

[DISNEYNV]

That is crazy crowded! Glad we didn't pick this week to go.

[dpuck1998]

What do the different levels of closing mean? :confused3

My understanding of the levels

Level 1 they close the parking lots
Level 2 they close the ticket centers
Level 3 they only allow AP and On-site Guests
Level 4 they don't allow anyone in the park

[WaltD4Me]

What do the different levels of closing mean? :confused3


Level 1: They close the parking lot. So you can only get in on Disney Transportation.

Level 2: They close the ticket windows. You can only get in if you already have a ticket.

Level 3: Only Annual Pass Holders or Resort guests with ID are allowed in.

Level 4: Nobody is allowed in.

I've never been there for any closing level. I can't imagine any of them, especially a level 4! :scared:

[disneygrlkat]

I am SO glad that I went last week instead!

I was thinking that too! Actually it was two weeks ago and that was the busiest I remember it being. I had assumed closings really only happened during Christmas/New Year's and in the summer!

[dpuck1998]

I was thinking that too! Actually it was two weeks ago and that was the busiest I remember it being. I had assumed closings really only happened during Christmas/New Year's and in the summer!

I've never heard reports of closing in the summer, but it may happen. I've heard reports as long as I've been on the DIS about closings during easter week. From the reports I think July 4, Xmas might be the only times that are as busy.

[newmouse2008]

Animal Kingdom was crazy busy yesterday. A mass of people everywhere. Walter tried to get us an ice cream snack in the Camp Mickey area and they were sold out. lines, lines, everywhere you looked!

[kafitty]

and it's not even April vacation week yet. :scared1: (although, did 4/3 count for that week? Probably not, right?)

and it's 50ish degrees in MA right now and finally sunny after a week or so of rain; i can't wait to go outside!!

[dpuck1998]

Got a report from my Mom in Florida that Busch Gardens was the same way. She waited over an hour to buy tickets. They couldn't get an ice cream because they had sold out. The park was packed. Some employee told her 250,000 people, but I have a hard time believing that they have that large of a capacity at Busch Gardens.

[sherabby]

Its chilly today, around 70.

Chilly at 70! I'd probably be in shorts! Yesterday when this was posted our ground was covered with 2 inches of snow! Please June get here faster!:worship:

[WaltD4Me]

Well, I'm hoping everyone is there now and will all clear out on May 2nd.

I arrive May 3rd. :teeth:

I feel bad for first timers that are there now. Two of my sister's friends from work are there now and both are total newbies. I gave them some tips and advice, but I didn't prepare them for park closings and the kinds of crowds that are being reported. Her one friend was SO excited to be taking her daughters who are 5 and 6 and big time Tinkerbell fans, I hope they were able to get into a Tink meet. I told her about Toontown rope drop so hopefully they got there.

[sherabby]

Well, I'm hoping everyone is there now and will all clear out on May 2nd.

I arrive May 3rd. :teeth:

I feel bad for first timers that are there now. Two of my sister's friends from work are there now and both are total newbies. I gave them some tips and advice, but I didn't prepare them for park closings and the kinds of crowds that are being reported. Her one friend was SO excited to be taking her daughters who are 5 and 6 and big time Tinkerbell fans, I hope they were able to get into a Tink meet. I told her about Toontown rope drop so hopefully they got there.

I'll be thinking of you....May 3rd is my birthday and I wish I could join you!

[gchockeymom]

We were there March 30th-April 1st and it wasn't bad. 20-30 minute wait times.
We've been several times between the holidays though and you can't plan on getting on many rides during that time, it is literally wall to wall people. It sounds like that's the case today. I've been there when they've closed the parks on New Year's Eve, if you weren't in a park by noon, you weren't getting in one and if you left to park hop, forget it.
I love NYE at WDW but I know to not expect alot. We usually sit back and laugh at all of the chaos around us with a frozen raspberry lemonade in our hands. :rotfl:

[tiggerbell]

None of the people in those pictures looks like they're in the Happiest Place on Earth... :sad2:

[goofybeagle]

My understanding of the levels

Level 1 they close the parking lots
Level 2 they close the ticket centers
Level 3 they only allow AP and On-site Guests
Level 4 they don't allow anyone in the park

Ahh, Thank you much, now I get it!:goodvibes

[DisneyKevin]

2 hour and 40 minute standby line for Soarin at 12:45pm on Thurday,

[jcb]

I am still jealous.

[dpuck1998]

None of the people in those pictures looks like they're in the Happiest Place on Earth... :sad2:

Well they aren't ;) They are at the most magical place on earth silly :thumbsup2