Are All Weekends Crowded In Mk

[Momof3greatkids]

Do the weekends have long lines and significant wait times in MK, all year long? Is there ever anytime MK is not crowded on a weekend? Thanks

 

[3for Me]

We just got back at the end of Feb. and although the crowds had been heavier than we had ever experienced at this time of year in MK throughout the week - we decided to give it a try on Saturday morning, since we had 1/2 a day until our flight.

If you get there right at opening, which we did - I think you will be O. K. - then just park hop at or after lunch.

Granted - it was not the absolute busiest it is going to get at WDW, but we rode Astro Orbiter twice, Buzz Lightyear twice, did the speedway and Winnie the Pooh once - Snow White's Scary Adventures, the Carosel, Peter Pan, Big Thunder Mountain RR and then took the train back to the entrance, and I am telling you, we did not wait more than 5 minutes for anything!!

I was shocked - given what the crowds had been during the week. We were back on the boat to the WL by 11:30, as we had lunch reservations at 12:00.

It CAN be done!!

 

[Blueberry]

Saturdays are generally very crowded in the MK, as many local groups such as school, scout and church groups visit along with the regular saturday crowds. Sundays we have found is an excellent time for touring, especially Epcot..

 

[gshoemate]

January and Febuary are usually the slower times...but MK is so popular that there are always going to be some sort of crowds....especially on Saturday. If we only have time to go on the weekend, we go on Sunday. We planned to go to MK a few weeks ago and when we got to the Ticket Center, the line for the Monorail was unbelievable......it was all the way to the bottom and then snaked around ropes that WDW had put up to keep everyone in line, DH asked a CM is something special was going on that day at MK and he said there wasn't, they have just been busier then normal. Which is good for WDW, but bad for us. We decided to spend the day at Epcot....we noticed it was pretty crowded there also.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We went the first week in March. It was certainly more crowded on Saturday, but even so, we never waited more than 15 minutes (did have to use a couple FP). The only real problem was getting to the resort afterwards. We're simply not used to being there on a weekend, and the lines for the buses were tremendous. I'm sure it can be a lot worse!!! This also may have been the beginning of some spring breaks. It was just a big difference from the rest of the week.

In the future, I think we'll plan to leave on a Saturday to avoid those crowds.

 

[Mike]

Actually, the ever-helpful lentesta from the staff of the Unofficial Guide lists Saturday as one of the better days to visit the MK. This is contrary to what I always read on these boards so I PM'd Len to question why he thought Saturday was a good day. Here is the response that he sent me (I hope you don't mind me posting this Len)

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Hi Mike,

Thanks for writing! Lots of folks seem to think that Saturday is a bad day to visit the MK. But the data we've collected don't seem to support this. Our suggestions are based on the data we've collected in the parks over the past few years. I'm not sure what other folks use to make their recommendation, but my guess is that it's something more subjective.

As to why Saturday may be less busy at the Magic Kingdom, there are two popular explanations. One is that Saturday is an EMH day at the Studios, so many Disney resort guests will go there. A corollary to this may be that Disney resort guests may be waiting until Sunday to head to the MK.

A second reason for this may be that Saturday is a travel day for many folks, especially those who drive. Last time I checked, more visitors to WDW drive than fly. That's just a guess.

Hope this helps. We're constantly re-evalutaing the our recommended days to visit each park. If you'd like to e-mail me before your trip, I'll be happy to share our latest research with you. Thanks again for writing!

Len

 

[Momof3greatkids]

Thanks to all who have responded. MK used to be doable, when you went at value season, but it seems that all times of year CAN be problamatic. Hopefully we will do the best we can, and have a great time no matter what.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

My coworker (who works full time at Animal Kingdom in scheduling) says that MONDAYS are actually some of the busiest times in the parks.