anyone there now? just back?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Hi,
Just back. Crowds are down, weather was GREAT, it rained very hard Sat. AM, but, it cleared about 9 ish. No big deal. Love bugs are heavy this year, but, they don't bite, so, again, no big deal.

 

[Gary M]

Gail, it is interesting that the crowds are down at WDW. Some people were disappointed that room only rates were not offered for the month of Sept.. It was assumed by some, that the FTP was so successful that room only offers were not needed. I know its difficult to know if the resorts were full and the locals and those staying off site just weren't showing up. Do you have any idea why the crowds were down? Tough question, but curious about your observations. Thank you.

 

[joyjoy]

Hi, Gail! Loved the Illuminations Cruise and visiting with ya'll at OKW

I, too, was thinking that the FTP, which we used, was going to cause larger than normal crowds during a typically very slow week. (8/30 - 9/6). The crowds were typical at Magic Kingdom Labor Day Weekend, but after that we walked on to everything. FastPass was not even in use at most places after Sunday. Even attractions with a posted 5 minute wait (Space Mountain, Rock n Roller Coaster) were walk ons. Oh, wait. We did have to wait in a 10 minute standby line for Mission: Space.

As for the resorts - I don't know about the others, but we received a very nice upgrade at AKL (no, I didn't ask for it), which leads me to believe they weren't that busy. I'll continue to choose this particular week to visit WDW - love bugs or no love bugs! In fact, this year was better than last because of the cooler temperatures.

 

[spr0m]

Just back stayed 9/4 - 9/8 at the Dolphin.got a great rate and AP's in hand so we took the kids for a suprise bday trip. Was scared when we saw the weather reports but only had some rain on 9/6 early am rest ot the time was fine small lines 5 min or no lines. Only problem was Buzz on 9/6 the fast pass was down and the wait was 30mins. Was able to get last min PS at AK character bfast and 1900 PF 1 hour before each. the places were maybe 40% capacity the only one full was CRT and even that seemed less crowded than normal. I hope when we go again in early december the crowds are the same or smaller. With cooler temps we are looking forward to it

 

[Ted and Holly]

We went to MK this past Saturday and Epcot on Sunday. There is literally no wait for anything. We walked on to Mission:SPACE, which was bad because Holly didn't get to see the queue area. We walked on to Test Track. It said 15 mnute wait, but that is because of the pre-show in the queue area.

Saturday, at MK, the only thing we waited for was Buzz Lightyear. The queue was fairly long... About 5 minutes from outer door until loading into our ship. We did it twice in a row. We got competetive.

This is the lighter season. I am not sure how it compares with last year or historically. It should be fairly light until Thanksgiving, with occassionally busier days in between.

It is a good time to go. We used to only go during school vacations.

Ted

 

[crazymomof4]

Reading these posts, my hopes are soaring for our 9/28-10/10 trip!

 

[nancyL]

I cant believe its almost here- keep Isabelle away from me!!!
NancyL

 

[crazymomof4]

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

 

[wdwrich]

Hi! We arrived at the World yesterday. We visited AK for about half the day. Crowds were light, weather was hot, but bearable- no rain. Our hotel (CR) seemed busy, but I think it's because there's a large convention going on. We had dinner at Artist Point, and WL seemed fairly quiet. After dinner we did the monrail loop. The Polynesian appeared to be about the same as WL, and the GF was almost deserted.

 

[Shugardrawers]

We were there 9/2 thru 9/8. During the week every ride at every park was either a walk on or a less than 10 minute wait. The weekend was a different story. Waits of 20 to 30 min for the more popular attractions. Still, beats the peak season waits of 60 to 90 min for some. Most fastpass machines were closed because of the minimal wait times except on the weekend. Made PS for most of our meals but were told frequently it wasn't necessary. We even made a PS for Cinderella's with only 2 days notice with NO problem. It sprinkled or misted several times while we were there but never really rained much. It was however, overcast and threatening to rain frequently. So much so that we didn't manage to get a tan. Do keep in mind though, that because RnR is closed, ToT is MUCH busier being the only other thrill ride in MGM. Expect waits no matter what the day on that.

Shug

 

[discraz]

I wanted to let all know that I talked to a CM the other day and he told me make sure all my plans were in order, ie ps, because Oct. was booked or at least when I plan on being there, 10/10-10/14.

 

[wdwrich]

Yesterday was our second day here in the World. I attended a conference for most of the day, but DW visited the Disney/MGM studios. The only attraction that wasn't a walk-on all day was the Great Movie Ride which had a 20 minute wait in the early afternoon. When I met her in the park later, I walked on TOT twice in a row. Weather was again hot and humid, but no rain.

 

[maci]

When I said I didnt think we would be as lucky in Oct., I meant b/c the crowds would be heavier...looks like discraz has confirmed that...bummer!!!!

 

[nancyL]

Ok, we just returned from a 9/11 to 9/23 stay at the beach club. The weekends were packed (meaning they actually had to open the fast pass machines- lol) and the sat. night parades were a nightmare of mass humanity. Other than that, we had the parks to ourselves during the week- ps were not needed anywhere (even chef mickeys) we tried and we had AWESOME service everywhere. Did not notice any cut backs etc, just walk ons and no crowds. It was GREAT. Next time I will do Downtown Disney and have a hotel day on the weekends. Seriously- we only had one rainstorm that lasted about 15 minutes late one afternoon and WONDERFUL sunny and hot weather the rest of the time- a bit humid but it felt good!
NancyL

 

[crazymomof4]

Great! sounds like the only crowds you had were on the weekends. We have only one park on our itinerary for a weekend day--AK on a Saturday. Were you at AK on the weekend? Just wondering if I should switch that.

 

[nancyL]

As long as you go when the park opens and have a plan, you should be ok at AK on the weekend. Of all the parks, I think it will be the least crowded. But definately go w/ a plan in mind with some must see's and optionals. And go early!!!
Here's a tip we always do- after we do Animal Kingdom, we always go to the AKL (usually Boma's) for dinner. We just take the bus right over there. We get there an hour or two before our ps time and just wander around the resort, let the kids watch tv in the air conditioned lobby and shop a bit at the store. Its a nice relaxing end to the day.

 

[audflash]

I'm wondering if the food & wine festival attracts largers crowds. Maybe that is why October is more heavily booked than September?

 

[Blueberry]

We are just back too, got home on Sept 23rd and the fact that weekends are more crowded is very true. Weekdays are wonderful, everything was a walk on and we never used Fast Pass at all till this weekend at Mk and then Epcot on sunday.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by nancyL
As long as you go when the park opens and have a plan, you should be ok at AK on the weekend. .

I won't consider myself a true DIS'er if I didn't have a plan!
It's printed and ready to go! I've alerted my family that I will be banging on pots to wake everyone up in time to be at each park at least half hour before scheduled opening.
Thanks for the reply and the tip. Gotta go now, lots of stuff to do today.
I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited!!!

 

[nancyL]

We went during the food and wine festival last year (and also did MNSSHP) and found the only place that was crowded was Epcot and only then on the first day and in the evenings. It was still a ton of fun- it wasnt too hot so standing in the few lines there were was actually pleasant. It wasnt as empty as the past two weeks were but still most rides in all the parks we visited were minimal waits with alot of walk-ons. The fast pass machines were on and off but we really didnt need them.
MNSSHP was a highlight- do that if you can!
NancyL