Anyone else concerned about the crowd increase?

[Sydnerella]

Yes @3kidz4dis this is an expensive trip, not a day trip, for many of us and less than once per year so battling crowds due to limited open attraction/restaurants and waiting in hour plus lines amidst COVID concerns is not desirable. We dont know about current capacity or planned crowd increases within this current environment or any planned restaurant operational changes yet. Many of us on these forums plan our trips in great detail and know how to hop and use FP+ to avoid waits that are more than 20-30 minutes and reserve ADRs 180 days out with reasonably well understood expectations for what our Disney trip money will get us in terms of experience. So it’s not realistic to dismiss the operational realities as part of the calculus to determine if the cost benefit is worth it.

And there are plenty of reports of mask non-compliance here in this thread and in the “just back thread“ as well as from Craig Williams on the Dis Unplugged show this week. So while some say compliance is good, others are not seeing that, thus all I can assume is that it’s not consistently adhered to or enforced through all the parks.

Without knowing any more coming mitigation steps from Disney, doubling and tripling wait times from ones typical experience with increased potential exposure to the virus as compared to staying home seem like heavily weighted reasons on the side of the equation not to spend the money to fly to Florida and pay for a week at WDW.

 

[BK2014]

Whatever the crowd size is currently, people need to remember that it can't or won't change. At DHS on Friday I overheard a guest complaining that they specifically booked their trip because the crowds were so low when WDW first re-opened. It evidently did not occur to them that the crowds might increase or that others would have the same idea. That is why it is hard booking trip based on current or historical crowd sizes, especially these days.

 

[yulilin3]

I think for everyone coming soon there are so many yt channels and fb pages that live stream from the parks that it would be very helpful to see it live and make up your own mind from what you see. Much better than just taking anyone's word. On livestream you can see people wearing masks or not, the crowds while walking and in ride queues
I was just there today and i am completely honest with what I see when i stream, Ipoint out problem spots and places where things are working well, DHS was very crowded in terms of queues for attractions and stores but ive also lived streamed rope drop or later in the day when it's been very doable and even whole sections empty
So take advantage of all the tools you have right now to make the best educated decision to come or not

 

[ten6mom]

I've never been to WDW, but I've been to DL at some pretty crowded times. And yes, I'm a bit concerned about the growing crowds for our mid November trip... BUT I'm grateful to be able to go so we will make the best of it.

I honestly wasn't thrilled about the whole FP+ thing so this actually might be better for us.

 

[cruisin5]

We've got two park days planned for Thanksgiving week, including HS on Thanksgiving day (no other option due to online classes). If it's too crowded we'll leave and enjoy the resort. Spent way too much money at Disney over the years to worry about losing out on a park day.

In no way concerned about walking past masked people - it's unmasked indoors less than 6' away for over 10 minutes that is my concern.

Is Disney removing people who don't wear a mask when asked or removing masks on a ride?

 

[LizzyDragon]

Is Disney removing people who don't wear a mask when asked or removing masks on a ride?

If people are unmasked, a CM will remind them to put them back on (happened to a friend of mine who forgot to put it on after eating a meal). If after being reminded/asked, someone continues to refuse to wear one, then I assume it gets escalate to security. There's been a couple videos of people loudly refusing to wear a mask and then getting booted from the park (and in at least one case, getting a long or lifetime ban).

 

[auntlynne]

Reading this thread makes me sad. We were thinking of going Thanksgiving week but if Disney is not keeping a good handle on safety (crowds) we may not pull the trigger. Do you think Disney is concerned with the crowds and concerned about the negative publicity?

Yes, I do think Disney is concerned about any negative publicity. ALWAYS! Not just since COVID. I think everything they do is about good publicity. And because of that, they have good safety, security, cleanliness...

And, again, each person has a perception of what is safe - and acceptable to them. I am a rather stickler for rules, and I felt safe last week. The lines were more spaced than the old days of standing right behind the people in front if you in line. I was more impressed that so many were observant of the floor lines and would apologize if they got too close when a moving line stopped. Yes, noses were uncovered at times, but those were truly exceptions.

This is my thought and why our family has booked for November. Without FP+ the lines hopefully will consistently move and the lines though long will not take nearly as much time. As my wife says it will be old school Disney, where you aren’t crisscrossing across a park multiple times a day to make FP+ times and ADR’s. Hopefully this will reduce a little structure and allow a little more spontaneity especially for my twin 11 year olds. Now we can eat when ready and hungry ride a ride when we pass it instead of walking past rides on our way to a reservation.

I am hoping the less structure will be a little less stressful where we are not always watching the time. So we are hoping the fastpass stays away until after our trip. (The other reason for going besides being more of an old school experience is for us to do our very little part of trying to help keep people employed and a little family time away after cabin fever all summer). Also hoping it will be a little cooler for wearing a mask.

Last week was cooler than the previous week, making everything about the park visit seem better. Nothing else had changed, but I was willing to stand in the same length line at 7 Dwarves that I wouldn’t consider during the hotter week. And I wouldn’t have gotten in a line with a posted 50 minute wait back when FP was an option. The spacing in the line meant more moving, whereas the old days, you just jammed in and waited, standing with slow inching. A long moving line was easier on my hips and feet. And, yes, it took nearly 50 minutes.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

No I’m not concerned, at all.

 

[CanucksRock]

Thanksgiving Week is certainly going to be busy. (Unless you all cancel) I went the middle of September for a week. Mid week was pretty good, weekends “busy” ...but still nothing comparable to “normal”. I knew going in the park crowds were increasing. We still enjoyed the week, and are going again in November (partial overlap with Thanksgiving week) AP expires Nov 25 and we will likely not renew due to current conditions - so going for one last hurrah. ...we will return eventually.

 

[OfCourseTheresAlwaysMyWay]

A friend and I were booked for this week. We agonized in August about whether we should go before finally deciding against it. The airplane didn’t bother us (we both have to travel for work), it was the idea of people being people in large numbers. I personally only just ate inside at a restaurant for the first time last week. Disney World would’ve been too much.

After seeing what the past week was like on social media, I’m so glad we made our decision. Every group should make their own choice, but for us I can feel confident that we wouldn‘t have enjoyed ourselves in these growing crowds. It’s absolute insanity to be rolling the dice with wishful thinking at this point.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Are we really complaining about long lines, short hours, and the lack of fast passes? With the year we're enduring? I get to bring my daughter maybe once every few years. You know what I don't remember from years past? I don't remember how much time I spent waiting in line, what time we got to the park, how much value I got by promptly hitting the gates at opening and marathoning the day, or what rides we used fast passes for. I do, however, remember watching my daughter ride Dumbo for the thousandth time. I remember the best picture out of hundreds of memory maker photopass photos and my phone, was a free selfie I took of my daughter and I in front of Cinderella's castle one morning (Sorry photographers). I remember her face when the ToT window opened.. she still won't forgive me haha. I understand the concern of crowds for safety reasons; It should be a concern of everyone's, and we'll be doing our part in trying to slow the spread of this. I guess my point is, it's not Disney's job to provide me with my own happiness. In a couple weeks, my daughter and I are going to hop in the car, drive a thousand miles south, and I'm going to try to give, what I am sure is the smallest drop in the bucket imaginable, back to Disney in hopes it helps support current, furloughed, and laid off cast members for every amazing memory they've been there for for us.

Yes, I am complaining about the lack of FP and long lines even with the year I'm enduring. Life is best when we all let each other be concerned about what concerns them and not judge others' behavior or patterns unless it directly affects you.

Do you feel better admonishing me? Do you feel better than me? Like you've achieved something and are more mature than me for "prioritizing" correctly?

Because that's what you're doing. Your looking down on others and judging their lives and priorities.

I never said it was Disney's job to provide my happiness. NO ONE can do that for me. That is definitely a life lesson I learned many years ago. Since a lack of FP makes me UNhappy, I'm simply choosing not to go right now.

If you want to spend money to support Disney right now, kudos to you! You've made a conscious decision to spend money somewhere that is unreachable for most people. There are many who would call you selfish for doing that during this year we're enduring. Not the Dis cuz we get it. But when you live in a glass house, don't throw stones.

 

[Eastern]

I personally only just ate inside at a restaurant for the first time last week. Disney World would’ve been too much.

Most people have been isolated for so long that I think this is an important point. When considering your trip, keep in mind if you have been going out anywhere and how you felt about it. Have you not been inside a restaurant since lockdown? I would reconsider a trip to Disneyworld.

You really have to get out in public and see your actual discomfort level being among others, some of whom are not as aware in regards to social distancing.

 

[Avery&Todd]

I believe we will see park hopping return before fp. Also word is that Indiana Jones cast will begin rehearsals soon, so with the reopening of shows that will help spread out the crowds

I would LOVE to see the ability to park hop - I do wonder how they'll handle that if it's a same day park hop reservation - like could I book dining in MK for dinner if I've been in HS all morning but I can't book my park reservation for MK until after I've already dinged in at HS - and then what if I was able to book a dinner dining ADR for MK but by the time I ding in at HS, the MK park reservations are booked up...so now I can eat in the park but I can't get into the park...hhhmmm.....

it will be tricky but I'm ready for it!

We're arriving in 6 days and I'm a little nervous for the crows at HS - we plan on being there on a Wednesday, before 9am and we'll see what happens and when they let us in...but my DH is not going to be a fan of waiting in a line for an hour for Slinky Dog more than once in the day!

We haven't been since Star Wars land opened so that part is all new to us!

 

[yulilin3]

I would LOVE to see the ability to park hop - I do wonder how they'll handle that if it's a same day park hop reservation - like could I book dining in MK for dinner if I've been in HS all morning but I can't book my park reservation for MK until after I've already dinged in at HS - and then what if I was able to book a dinner dining ADR for MK but by the time I ding in at HS, the MK park reservations are booked up...so now I can eat in the park but I can't get into the park...hhhmmm.....

it will be tricky but I'm ready for it!

We're arriving in 6 days and I'm a little nervous for the crows at HS - we plan on being there on a Wednesday, before 9am and we'll see what happens and when they let us in...but my DH is not going to be a fan of waiting in a line for an hour for Slinky Dog more than once in the day!

We haven't been since Star Wars land opened so that part is all new to us!

pick the top 3 attractions you want to do. If one of them is SDD or MMRR then rope drop one of those. Leave SWGE for the end of the day

 

[yulilin3]

I believe we all can keep these boards civil, everyone can share their opinions without someone else coming along and name calling or bashing or being condescending
Please lets not resort to childish arguments that only diminish the discussion
If someone says you're a baby cause you are afraid to come you can always ignore the comment and also if said poster continues to irk you the option to ignore the poster is there, click ignore and you won't see any more of their posts

 

[RedFive]

Yes, I am complaining about the lack of FP and long lines even with the year I'm enduring. Life is best when we all let each other be concerned about what concerns them and not judge others' behavior or patterns unless it directly affects you.

Do you feel better admonishing me? Do you feel better than me? Like you've achieved something and are more mature than me for "prioritizing" correctly?

Because that's what you're doing. Your looking down on others and judging their lives and priorities.

I never said it was Disney's job to provide my happiness. NO ONE can do that for me. That is definitely a life lesson I learned many years ago. Since a lack of FP makes me UNhappy, I'm simply choosing not to go right now.

If you want to spend money to support Disney right now, kudos to you! You've made a conscious decision to spend money somewhere that is unreachable for most people. There are many who would call you selfish for doing that during this year we're enduring. Not the Dis cuz we get it. But when you live in a glass house, don't throw stones.

I admonished no one. I didn't quote your post, point out your opinion, and there are plenty of people on these boards that feel the same way you do about the lines, FP, etc. I didn't even know my post was even in response to you, until I read this. I'm sorry I jumped on my soapbox, and made you, and others I'm sure, feel the way you apparently do, but I'm exhausted of all the complaining about things as trivial as fast passes, and that being the reason you've decided not to go.

Why would they call me selfish? For spending my money in a local tourist and market economy that needs it? Was that supposed to make me feel guilty?

My opinion of your thoughts wasn't personal. I'm sorry if my opinion is offensive; I understand how it could come across as such.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

We're arriving in 6 days and I'm a little nervous for the crows at HS

They make me nervous too!

 

[gharter]

I think everyone knew that Disney was going to increase the crowd size. It can't stay open at the small crowd levels it opened with long term. I just hope that as the crowd size goes up, they continue to follow steps to keep the guests as safe as possible.

 

[Farro]

They make me nervous too!

View attachment 530303

 

[keishashadow]

To: Avery&Todd said:
“We're arriving in 6 days and I'm a little nervous for the crows at HS”

Honestly, thot the crowds at MK were far worse than Epcot due to reduced space in some areas from the lines (fantasyland)

As usual during F&W, Epcot in the evening was very busy but we were able to skip the large groups congregating here & there.

You have to be smart. If you do feel comfortable visiting but then find yourself in a situation where you are not comfortable @ WDW, remove yourself from it, period! No amount of $$$$ spent is worth taking risks you would never accept at home.

You really have to get out in public and see your actual discomfort level being among others, some of whom are not as aware in regards to social distancing.

One thing I did notice is many people seemed to look exhausted last week in the parks.

Talked to friends who were there the same time. Many commented this was the first time they had really walked more than a few miles a day since the pandemic and were struggling. Combo of being out of shape and issues wearing a mask for an extended period of time.

All should consider ‘training’ thusly for upcoming trips IMO