Just Back - Crowds, Space Mtn, Bathrooms, $$ & More

[OB1]

We just returned from a 3 day trip (Sat-Mon). Overall, an excellent trip. Since I have seen these items discussed previously, here goes

CROWDS - not bad at first, then buiding. If you arrive on time, hit the biggies, and not try to rush too much, then you can get a lot accomplished. On Monday, Toy Story was 110 minutes at 2:00, FP gone just before noon. MK at 5:00 - Space 60 min, Buzz 40 min, Monsters Inc 20 min, even the TTA had a line of about 50 people - but it moved quickly. We only went to MK yesterday for lights and decorations.

SPACE - we rode it the day it opened 11/22 - along with everyone else. The new que has a neat game to play while you are in line, similar to asteroids.

CM & BATHROOMS - All the CMs were nice that we encountered. We struck up a number of conversations. We never had to wait while they complained to each other. Bathrooms were clean except once, right after a parade. As we walked out, the clean up crew was coming in. I think all of the bathrooms complaints are timing - just depends on who was just in there before you.

DECORATIONS - everything was looking good. We stayed to watch the Osborne Lights for over an hour. We were arrived just before dusk, and it was not too bad. When we left, people were pouring in. It was not a F! night though. Not much at EPCOT beside the front entrace and the tree at the end of the walkway. Sure miss those lights.

LAST THOUGHT - we normally go at slower times. The crowd calendar called for 8s this entire trip. While the CMs were fine, the rest of the people were frantic. Everyone was rushing so much to park, get to a tram, run through the parks to get to an attraction, cut in lines to eat, etc. We really noticed the change of pace and attitude compared to last year, 2nd week of December. It was much more relaxed and fun. We don't have kids so we can travel during the slower times - just not this quickly planned trip.

SPENDING - because this was a quickly planned trip, we spent less than $200 in the parks & food for the entire trip. That means very little on souvenirs. We had to do this for this trip as this was an unplanned trip until 3 weeks ago. We already had APs, so that helped. They both expire in 2 weeks.

Any questions?? I'll keep a look out.

[arielmomma]

Thank you for the positive review. I'm glad to hear that you had a good time!

[shakespear]

I head to MK tomorrow

[Uno Mas]

Any more info you can share about Space Mountain? I believe they did not change the track in terms of altering the ride, but what were the things that they did change in addition to the games in the queue? Thanks!

[Eponine1]

I was at WDW from November 13 --21.

I was worried about 11/14 and 11/21 because it was predicted to be an "8" on the unofficial guide. 11/14 was QUIET! We slept in (due to early flight the day prior) and arrived at the AK at 11 am and still did many attractions with no waits. Then headed to EPCOT for dinner and IllumiNations.

Actually all week was very, very low crowds. Soarin' had a 5 minute wait -- yep 5 minutes. I even took a photo of the sign!

However 11/21 (we departed for the airport at 1:45pm) was busy! The longest line I waited in all week was Space Mountain (30 minutes...because it just opened). I did notice as the morning went on, it was more and more crowded.

We checked the IPhone app on Sunday and Monday to see many rides have long, long lines. I'm glad I missed the crowds.

We had an awesome time and we are ready to book for 2010!!!!

[Haley]

We went to the MK Saturday (11/21) for about 7 hours -- Space Mt was open and they were doing Fastpasses.

They did a GREAT job w/SM-- the queue looks great and also changes after the ride-- lots of lcd screens and they updated all the scenes.

The area where you used to see yourself on camera was covered up- not done yet.

The ride is smoother but the same which I am happy about. I didn't want them to change it to SM in Disneyland which is basically RnRC but less exciting.

The ride vehicles on SM were a little different they now have spaces on each side to step on when you are getting out/in of the vehicle which makes it easier.

[Planogirl]

Is Space Mountain still as dark as before? I always hoped that they would somehow lighten it up a bit, at least in some areas.

[Piglets Mommy]

Originally Posted by Planogirl

Is Space Mountain still as dark as before? I always hoped that they would somehow lighten it up a bit, at least in some areas.

I read in another thread on here that it is even darker now.

[OB1]

Originally Posted by Piglets Mommy

I read in another thread on here that it is even darker now.

Agree - if anything - it is darker, but you can still somewhat see around the track.

It appears that the real changes are before & after you ride, and the ride has stayed the same. Still slings you around, still bumps you, still lots of fun. We actually wanted to slow down in the line to play the game some. You can not see the cars go by while you are standing in line.

[Eeyore2003]

We also just got back Sunday from an 8 day trip and we thought the crowds were extremely low. We've gone at all times of the year. There were not many people walking around EPCOT and we went there often. We were actually commenting on how relaxed the families were compared to during the summer!!!

At MVMCP we rode Splash Mountain 4 times in a row without getting off, the boats were mostly empty. We went to the Osbourne lights a little early and stopped in at Toy Story and did it 3 times in a row in the stand by line in 1 1/2 hours.

It was a great week. I will only say this once as I don't want people finding out about this week, but this is the second time we've gone the week that is after Jersey week but before Thanksgiving. I think it's the least crowded week of the year and you still can take advantage of many of the Christmas decorations, the Osbourne lights, MVMCP and the Festival of the Masters which was wonderful.

Bathrooms were pretty empty and very clean too!!! We had a great time!!!

[dolphindan1]

Originally Posted by Eponine1

I was at WDW from November 13 --21.

I was worried about 11/14 and 11/21 because it was predicted to be an "8" on the unofficial guide. 11/14 was QUIET! We slept in (due to early flight the day prior) and arrived at the AK at 11 am and still did many attractions with no waits. Then headed to EPCOT for dinner and IllumiNations.

Actually all week was very, very low crowds. Soarin' had a 5 minute wait -- yep 5 minutes. I even took a photo of the sign!

However 11/21 (we departed for the airport at 1:45pm) was busy! The longest line I waited in all week was Space Mountain (30 minutes...because it just opened). I did notice as the morning went on, it was more and more crowded.

We checked the IPhone app on Sunday and Monday to see many rides have long, long lines. I'm glad I missed the crowds.

We had an awesome time and we are ready to book for 2010!!!!

We were there the 14th to 22nd....no crowds at all....Soarin was 5 minutes...TSM 20 minutes...TT stayed around 10 except when it broke down...EE was 10 minutes all day both days we went....we collected FPs all day and rarely used them...in fact we have most of them in the scrapbook box...we toured every single attraction some 3 times at MK by 4pm on tuesday the 17th...only thing we did not do was toontown and TS Isle....we even saw the new princess show, dream with Mickey show, and the parade...we just arrived at RD and started in a certain area and toured the park....no crowds...

It was a ere feeling in Epcot around noon...we walked from TT to Imagination and didnt even see one person...then on the way to France we passed more CMs than visitors...

[dalt01]

Originally Posted by OB1

Bathrooms were clean except once, right after a parade. As we walked out, the clean up crew was coming in. I think all of the bathrooms complaints are timing - just depends on who was just in there before you.

ITA................have seen many posts about this and have always thought of such things as a "snapshot" and not indicative of the actual state of things.

[Eeyore2003]

Originally Posted by dolphindan1

It was a ere feeling in Epcot around noon...we walked from TT to Imagination and didnt even see one person...then on the way to France we passed more CMs than visitors...

That's what I was thinking too at EPCOT one day last week. I'm sure there were more cast members than guests!!! We were also shocked at how much you get done when there are no crowds.

[AZMyers]

Originally Posted by Eeyore2003

We also just got back Sunday from an 8 day trip and we thought the crowds were extremely low. We've gone at all times of the year. There were not many people walking around EPCOT and we went there often. We were actually commenting on how relaxed the families were compared to during the summer!!!

At MVMCP we rode Splash Mountain 4 times in a row without getting off, the boats were mostly empty. We went to the Osbourne lights a little early and stopped in at Toy Story and did it 3 times in a row in the stand by line in 1 1/2 hours.

It was a great week. I will only say this once as I don't want people finding out about this week, but this is the second time we've gone the week that is after Jersey week but before Thanksgiving. I think it's the least crowded week of the year and you still can take advantage of many of the Christmas decorations, the Osbourne lights, MVMCP and the Festival of the Masters which was wonderful.

Bathrooms were pretty empty and very clean too!!! We had a great time!!!

We were there the same time and I agree...best week to go, hands down! No crowds and everyone is pleasent

[OB1]

Spoke with someone that did the AK EMH. They said the park was basically deserted from 6:30-8:00. They rode EE 5 times, and could pick which ever car they wanted to ride in. They chose to rode in the front, middle, and very last car. The front car was a great view when the ride stops before backing up.