Annual Attendance patterns-have they changed?

[Simba's Mom]

This morning I was reading an UOG that was from 1994. The bar graph/chart of annual attendance patterns was the same one (or at least looked it) as in the 2004 edition. Do people really think the attendance patterns are the same? I was just wondering because I had a conversation with a CM in May who said that late April to mid-May is now a time of much lower attendance that January and February. She said that in the winter, the "snowbirds" have been increasing attendance the last several years. Yet, the UOG shows the 2 times to have roughly equal levels of attendance. According to the chart, the slowest time is early December, but I think the secret's getting out about the beautiful Christmas decorations and the beautiful weather, so it may not be the slowest time any more (and bus drivers in December said that too). Although I often wonder if there is a slow time at WDW any more, do other people think attendance patterns may have changed over the past 10 years?

 

[drogerstn]

I read a post recently about an area (I think Buffalo, NY) where more of the schools were getting a full week off in February. Also, more school systems have started to add Fall Breaks or have gone to year-round schooling with breaks scattered throughout the year. I would think that the attendance pattern has changed some since 1994
However, I get the impression that the UOG staff continually monitors its data and performs sampling studies so that the updates should be accurate....

 

[Karista]

I just read somewhere that this will be the last year November is considered Value Season. Attendance has to be steadily increasing during that time or else I doubt that they would do this.

 

[lentesta]

Hi Simba's Mom,

Thanks for reading the Unofficial Guide!

I've passed your question on to Bob Sehlinger, and I'll let you know what his response is. In the meantime, let me know if there's anything else we can help with for your trip.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[Lady Cluck]

Some of the crew from the UOG are members of the DIS. Their website is at
The Website of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

I would not considering going to see the Mouse without first going to see the man at the local bookstore, and buying the most recent Unofficial Guide.

Gotta luv those illustrations.

 

[TammyC]

Originally posted by Karista
I just read somewhere that this will be the last year November is considered Value Season. Attendance has to be steadily increasing during that time or else I doubt that they would do this.

The 2005 season calendar does show November as regular season. But I sometimes wonder when I look at the seasons and rates, why this year (and in years past I think) Thanksgiving is in value season knowing that is a time of heavy attendance??

 

[lentesta]

Hi Simba's Mom,

Bob said that with the exception of late January/early February being occasionally being more like late April/early May, the attendence patterns have not varied significantly from the chart shown in the Guide.

If there's anything else we can help with, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it.

 

[jcemom]

Jan/Feb already appears the same as late Apr/May on the chart in my UG. Since Disney doesn't officially release attendance numbers, I'm curious about where Bob gets the information if you happen to know, Len.

I was there the first week of February this year and the parks were VERY uncrowded. Many accounts I've read of crowd conditions in October and November make it sound a good deal more crowded than when I went, yet the UG shows that (Sept-Nov) as a less crowded time of year. November has been changed from value season to regular season next year by Disney. Additionally, mgmstudios.org keeps track of wait times at the Studios and their charts reflect practically NO waits in late January and early February (0-20 minutes), yet wait times in October range from 15-75 minutes. To me all indications are that October/November attendance has surpassed that of late January/early February.

 

[lentesta]

Hey Tracey,

I'll ask Bob. I believe he gets the numbers from somewhere at Disney, but I could be wrong. I'm travelling this week, so give me a couple of days to find out.

Thanks!

Len

 

[jcemom]

Thank you!!!

 

[Baloo]

jcemom...I have to agree with you when it comes to Oct/Nov crowds just from expreicnce.I've been going to WDW anytime from mid Oct to the first week of Nov for the past 10 years and I most DEFINITELY see an increase every year with crowds.The first few years it was absolute heaven being at WDW in Oct because the weather was so great and no crowds at all.It's still better than sometimes of the year but the "secret" is out about Fall in WDW!!!

I also have been the first week of Dec. several times and found an increase in crowds then too.The first time I went in 1992 in Dec. the place was empty.Not so anymore!!!

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by TammyC
The 2005 season calendar does show November as regular season. But I sometimes wonder when I look at the seasons and rates, why this year (and in years past I think) Thanksgiving is in value season knowing that is a time of heavy attendance??

Where can I find the 2005 calendar?

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by lfontaine
Where can I find the 2005 calendar?

Mousesavers has it Here.