Another August crowd question:

[Williamsfamily7]

I feel like I've asked this question a couple of times before, and I guess I'm just still confused about what I hear back. (Maybe I'm just a confused person?!?)

August 13 - 20: Crowded or not so bad?

Here's my newest theory: The people who are saying it is very crowded aren't using any of the "tools" out there - UG, TourGuide Mike, Passporter, etc. The ones who are saying it's not too bad are using the "tools" and/or are Disney Veterans who just know the tricks.

I've read as much as humanly possible and I'm hoping I'm well prepared. I have to admit I'm not too psyched to spend an hour or so waiting for any ride. According to the UG, the waits at the "headliners" during peak times would be about an hour or so during that particular week. I'm hoping that by following a plan and using Fastpass and taking advantage of EMH (evening mostly), I can avoid this. I guess what I'm hoping for are 15-20 minute waits? Reasonable or un-reasonable?

Anyone want to take a minute to post and re-assure me that it will be "all good?" I feel so needy!

 

[mrsltg]

It'll be fine (she says to reassure herself about her trip August 14-21).

 

[mfwit]

July 30 - August 4 would be the same way?

 

[plutolovr]

I think August 13 to the end of the month will be pretty busy due to the start of free dining and some schools not yet back in session, especially here in the Northeast.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

OK Erin -

Are you needy as well? I'm confident some real "veterans" are going to come on here and reassure both of us about how wonderful our trips are going to be!!!!

At any rate - thanks for the support!! Hope we both have great and (relatively speaking) "crowd-free" trips!

 

[dvcgirl]

You'll have a great time for sure, however, the big attractions will have those 60 minute + waits during peak times of the day. Get to the parks very early and ride the big attractions early...that will certainly help. Also utilize fast pass whenever you can....

 

[dolewhips]

I'm also wondering the same thing-- for the non-'big ticket' or non-fastpass rides, what can we expect for wait times in the 2nd and 3rd weeks in august? 20 minutes? 40 minutes? i'm curious as to what all the veteran-dis'ers mean by "not too bad" crowds...

 

[Trini]

We'll be there about the same time. Im hoping the crowds are not horrible, but we are planning on having to wait just in case.

I also have tried to plan the busiest part of teh day at the hotel.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I feel like I've asked this question a couple of times before, and I guess I'm just still confused about what I hear back. (Maybe I'm just a confused person?!?)

August 13 - 20: Crowded or not so bad?

Here's my newest theory: The people who are saying it is very crowded aren't using any of the "tools" out there - UG, TourGuide Mike, Passporter, etc. The ones who are saying it's not too bad are using the "tools" and/or are Disney Veterans who just know the tricks.

I've read as much as humanly possible and I'm hoping I'm well prepared. I have to admit I'm not too psyched to spend an hour or so waiting for any ride. According to the UG, the waits at the "headliners" during peak times would be about an hour or so during that particular week. I'm hoping that by following a plan and using Fastpass and taking advantage of EMH (evening mostly), I can avoid this. I guess what I'm hoping for are 15-20 minute waits? Reasonable or un-reasonable?

Anyone want to take a minute to post and re-assure me that it will be "all good?" I feel so needy!

I was there at that time last year and it wasn't bad..I'll be there again this year..During mid day it's a little crowded,but I never thought it was too bad... I try to do the main attractions early in the morning or at night at never waited more than 15 minutes for anything

 

[iHEARTflorida]

i go on the 13th too, dont worry about the queues just FP them

 

[goofyinohio]

I can tell you that the majority of the Value and Moderate Hotels are either sold out or close to a sell out at least a few days during the time you will be there. I expect the crowds will be decent, but maybe not crazy like it can get in July, Presidents Week, Thanksgiving and the week after Christmas. If you would like to skip the lines get there when the parks open. When you can, grab a fastpass to avoid the lines. They can really pay off. Try and ride during normal lunch and dinner hours (11-1 and 5-7) while most people are eating.

 

[Catira]

We will be there August 12-19. We went in August two years ago, and can't really remember how bad the crowds were. Guess we all have to be patient.

We try to get there when the parks open and do as much as possible, and of course use fastpass whenever we get a chance.

Hope everyone has a great time!

 

[jjohnson]

We were there last year 13-20 the parks were empty & we didn't use FP all week. Of course, this was a week before the free DP started. What is your park plan? Do you use EMH or avoid it?

 

[briarberry]

Don't worry just follow the suggestions in the UG and these boards. We have been the last two years in mid August and are going again this year. It's very, very hot but pace yourselves and get their early, early, early! We did most of the major attractions in MK in one morning before it got crowded. Anything we wanted to do again we fastpassed for later.
Like you I read how free dining was going to make the parks super crowded. It just didn't seem that bad to me but we were always there early and left for a long break in the p.m. The only really crazy time was after Fantasmic at MGM one night but we found a bench and sat on it until the crowd died down then went and got right on a bus.
We don't do commando style touring but I do follow all the great ideas I have found on this board. Don't stress, just be prepared and it sounds like you already are! Have a great time. We'll be staying offsite for the first time from Aug. 5-21. I'm not sure about offsite but we do get to stay longer this time! See ya at the World!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Crowd levels in the guide books can not be taken as fact, they are a reasonable estimate, they could be better or worse.

That being said, I normallly tour at peak times, when the parks are PACKED. Armed with good information and a sound touring strategy we normally wait no more than 20 min to experience attractions. Take advantage of EMH and be at the parks before opening, leave EMH parks after morn. EMH and park hop to a less crowded park and you should be fine.

Remember also that crowd levels are subject to interpretation. What is really crowded to one person is not crowded at all to another person.

For example: a friend of mine came back from his first trip to the world, and complained about the terrible crowds and long lines. So I asked him to explain further, and he said that the line to Space Mountian was 45 min and the line for Test Track was 20 min and most other rides were at least a 10 to 15 min wait.

For anyone who has visited during peak times and has vistited MK and didn't realize that Main Street USA had sidewalks, knows that a 45 min peak wait time for Space Mountain is not bad at all. I've seen 120 min waits for SM, heck I've seen 75 min waits for Peter Pan.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Happy Touring!

 

[grumpydad]

we are going this year 08/12-08/26 , we went last year almost at the exact same time and as far as i'm cocerned it was not busy at all.

one day we went to MK and went on almost all the rides, never happened before, i beleive that the schools from PA-OH south are already back.

now because of the free dining this year more people from the North might be going, but i think we'll be okay

 

[MagneticxBoy]

I'm ready for it... Most of the times I have been were during peak season.. 4th of July week, christmas week... I can take the crowds and heat! BRING IT ON! LOL

btw I will be in the world the same days as you.. August 13th -20th

I'm avoiding all EMH days, being at the park 30 mins before open, and taking mid day breaks.

 

[MrsJackSparrow]

If the lines are long, just COME BACK! Example: July 2004 (not during the 4th - more around 18-25) - Magical Gatherings trip DBIL, DSIL, DN, DN, DMIL, DFIL, DH, DD, DS, and me. DSIL says let's do pirates. Okay. It is in the 10 a.m. hour. The wait outside says 45 minutes. In fact, the line is winding through the queues outside! DH and I freak. We usually walk right onto this ride or wait no more than 10 minutes from the inside. Haven't seen the queues used in ages. DSIL says, "This is what it's like in the summer. You have to wait." Whatever. So we completely waste tons of time and ride the ride and it's fun and all but we were a little ticked about all that standing around. Later THAT SAME DAY maybe in the 4-6pm range, we had split from the group. DH, DD, DS and I WALKED RIGHT ON. Then proceeded to do the same on Haunted Mansion. On our way out of the park we ran into DMIL & DFIL and they asked where we had been. We told them and they were shocked - and sick of standing in ridiculous lines with DSIL all day long.
Morale: If the lines are not to your liking, come back later. You do not have to go through the park in a certain order in order to enjoy it.
Have a great trip!