A little concerned

[jzmom]

I just checked touring plans.com to see what the crowd level would be and which parks are best which day. When I bought my unofficial guide last year it said Feb.5-11 would be about 4. When I just checked today it said it is a six and seven. Did they change the way they rate things? I am not expecting to have the park to myself but I am hoping it is not crazy. I have been to Disneyland more times than I can count and I always had to wait in long lines. I was a kid than so I didn't mind as much. I am sure we'll have a magical time, but I kinda need to know if I should have firmer plans.
Thanks for everyones help. You all have been very helpful.

 

[LukenDC]

The Unofficial Guide is an estimate and it is not always correct. You will have to wait until you get to WDW in order to see what the crowds are really like. If you are really concerned, you can follow some of the Unofficial Guide's strategies for beating the crowds, such as arriving at opening time.

 

[Goofy4]

Yes They changed the way they rate things early this year. The rating system is now:

1 = Peak wait times of 14 minutes or less
2 = Peak waits of 15 - 24 minutes
3 = Peak waits of 35 - 34 minutes
4 = Peak waits of 35 - 44 minutes
5 = Peak waits of 45 - 54 minutes
6 = Peak waits of 55 - 64 minutes
7 = Peak waits of 65 - 74 minutes
8 = Peak waits of 75 - 84 minutes
9 = Peak waits of 85 - 94 minutes
10 = Peak waits of 95 minutes or more

I believe it used to be a 1-10 "relative" scale, not tied to wait time intervals. The explanation of the change used to be on the site, not sure if still is. One affect was to force most of the very low "1's and 2's" up to "3's and 4's" -- even though "nothing changed".

 

[lentesta]

Hi jzmom,

Goofy4 is correct - we changed the scale in early '05 to make more specific recommendations. One effect of this change was to "bump up" some of the crowd ratings.

For 2005 year-to-date, the average day at the Magic Kingdom rates about a 6.5 on our scale, so your dates are typical - not terribly busy, not super slow. I'd use LukenDC's strategy of getting there early and having a touring plan. You'll be fine.

Thanks for visiting the site, too.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[sunny04]

Another thing that I think factors in is the celebration. Crowds are bigger this year than in the past from our observations.

 

[TiggerStac]

We were there the same week last year and it was busier than we had expected. But when we were there...it was superbowl sunday in jacksonville and the daytona 500 was on the other end of the trip. There were a lot and I mean a lot of people there decked out in patriots gear Including us!!

 

[BlueFairy]

Where do I go on that site to get the crowd levels for my dates? Is that a free service?

 

[mmiller]

Can anyone check for me what the "expected" level will be for Jan 21-28th? thanks...i do not know how to find this site you are all talking about

 

[KPtoys]

Its a free site and the crowds in Jan 21-28 are a 6

 

[thekimber]

Where do I go on that site to get the crowd levels for my dates? Is that a free service?

Here you go: http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[ajwolfe]

Is it just me or does January being a 6 seem a little off. From everything I have read and been told, I've never heard of their being wait times of an hour during January.

 

[DizWacko]

AJwolfe, I couldnt agree with your more. "Peak wait times" seems like a generally useless statistic to show crowd levels. For example, in Mid January its conceivable that you would wait 60 minutes to see Soarin, but will Epcot generally be crowded, I doubt it...

Im not exactly sure what anyone would use these stats for.

 

[ajwolfe]

Thanks DizWacko...Glad to know someone else agrees with me. I like the stats that say if the park is going to be overall busy that day or not. But I can't imagine Jan being that busy....

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks for the link. Looks like crowds will be heavier than I'm used to.