Are you frustrated about full resorts!

[boston-yachter]

After reading several other threads, it's been finally stated that Disney resorts are at +90% occupency and the All Stars are at full!
Well after I thanked god for this deal, and that Disney was doing better, I got to thinking, that this kinda "stinks"

- The resorts are full....what does this do for the food courts, busses, overall feeling, and pools.
1) food courts- A resort at Max. level...can you imagine the rushes at breakfast and dinner times!
2) buses- especially in places with only one bus top for the resort, can you imagine the rush its going to bring at peak park times?
3) feeling and pools- I love the feeling of each resort, but when theres no room to swim in a pool, you can't get a pool chair, the line for refils is a mile long, all the wter mice are gone, and you can't walk any where with out hearing a mother or father yell, and kid cry...its frustrating!!

I'm not trying to whine guys, but this really got me thinking. I'm not a picky person at all...I mainly use a resort for sleeping and eating, and a retreat from the busy parks. But when the reason your parks are busy is because your resort is packed, and everyone has the same feeling you do...your once retreat has turned into a "retreat" for everyone....

Especially with things like early entry, we're going the last week in August, and the majority of our crowd will be of resort guests and off site guests due to most souhteners back in school....
well the majority of the crowd will be Disney resort guests, because they offered this great special, and anyone whos going decided to book with disney....
So how does early entry work...if the parks are going to be just as crowded with the same crowd of people...how does waking up early going to go bennifit us?

Now obviously, not every single person in all of the Disney Resorts will go to every early entry, or even any...but do the offsite crowds balance out the on site crowds....I doubt with this special they do....

Like I said, I'm not whining about this...I could careless about park attendence, we've been down so many times in the past...but this is why we booked a deluxe resort, so we could relax at the resort and get away from the paks....
I feel lucky enough that I get to go to Disney, so a few extra people aren't going to ruin my trip...but sometimes I feel bad for the newbies out there going this summer....because though the crowds are a part of Disney, its rough when you can't get a FP for pooh at 11...you know what I mean??

Maybe its just me?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Didn't your Mom ever tell you "The more, the merrier?"

LOL :

Guests have great vacations at christmas/new years, march break, easter, memorial day, thanksgiving etc...etc... I'm sure we will muddle through - but honestly I would prefer it if it was quiet - and I am hoping Disney steps up the bus service.. etc...

Cross your fingers,

>>^..^<<

 

[jkovick]

I think it's great that FTP is giving so many people a chance to experience the "magic" that so many of us on these boards love. Busy or not it's still Disney.

 

[dznyntnh]

Crowded resorts don't bother me that much.

We were at POR in Nov, 2001. We were expecting a nice quiet half full resort. Then the day we arrived, they shut down POFQ and put everyone in POR. In one afternoon the occupancy of POR went from 60% to 95%.

The only time we noticed any crowds were at the food court at breakfast time. Other than that we had no problems with buses, other meals or the pools.

Even if the hotel is packed, there is so much to do at wdw that nothing is really that bad.

Besides, I survived Christmas of 1981, when the Magic Kingdom was the only park and there where HUGE crowds there, since then, it really doesn't bother me.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Isn't 90%+ fairly typical for summer trips??? Seems the deals and packages were necessary to keep people coming in a less than booming economy....

Wish I were going this summer....

 

[helenk]

It will not be that bad, our first trip onsite was in 1995, this was back before the economy was bad etc, there was no fast pass and no early entry and we went over 4th of July. The parks stayed open later then, that was even before e-nights.
We were staying at the AS Sports, it was crowded but not to the point where you could not get anything done. You have to wait in line, but you would do that at most amusement parks. We ate breakfast and lunch in the food courts, and we had no problems getting service.
In '99 we stayed at the GF, we had a hard time getting a room because there were alot of conventions, but again we had no problem at the restaurants or the food court at the hotel.
If the parks are crowded, utilize the surprise mornings, park hop to make the most of your time, stay away from the MK on Saturdays. Try and eat earlier or later than the popular time for meals, then you will miss the crowds at the restaurants and food courts.
Do not let the crowds get to you, if you plan ahead and make an itinerary you will be able to get alot done.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Look at the upside to more people at WDW -- they may extend the hours for the summer; add more E-Nights to MK; etc. It may bring in some extra $ to help bring back some of the things that have been cut.

My DW and I have gone a few times at typically crowded times -- last year we hit WDW during Jersey Week/Vets Day weekend/F&W Fest at Epcot. We didn't have any trouble except for Friday night at Epcot when it got truly packed in WS. It was nearly wall-to-wall people, but we were still able to move around. The lines were long, but manageable. We stayed at the BC and the pool was great -- a little crowded at times, but overall enjoyable.

It'll be great and you'll have a wonderful time.

 

[JESW]

I think it all depends on what you can handle. Our family (me, DH, DD4 & DS8) just returned from WDW (6/15 - 23) It was our first summer trip and we don't think we will ever do it again. I honestly don't know how people can go down there in the heat, humidity, rain & crowds! We did manage to have fun, but in part it was because we knew we would be back in Nov. when the lines, crowds, rain & heat would be less. We walked past a lot of hour-wait lines.

I really think A LOT more people are going this summer because of the good deals. My sister and our cousin (both in their 50's) and our cousins two daughters (in their 20's) are going for their first time in July. I don't know how they will survive.

I know that everyone says use EE and fast pass. Well, my kids are still young and we'd rather have them sleep late (since we were out the night before) than try to get them up early. So we don't use EE - one less family for the crowd! FP is a great idea, but not so great when you go to get them and they are HOURS away. (our fp for test track was 7 hours later) Not always easy to use. And they often sell out.

We found the pools and the restaurants the least crowded of everything - maybe because we went at odd hours. Unfortunately, stormalong bay seems that it will just get more crowded since it is shared by yc/bc and now the villas. We stayed at the AKL & BWI and neither pool was crowded.

I don't mean this as a whiney post...we did enjoy our trip and will certainly go back again. I know that there are MANY people who work around the summer issues and have a very enjoyable vacation. More power to them! I am not an extremely patient person and the heat (oppressive heat) really bothers me. Even our kids - who have both been many times and love Disney - have said they don't want to go back next summer. I'm sure it's easier when the kids are older - or if you are traveling without children.

I still think you will be able to relax at the resort. The newbies will be wanting to get their $$$ worth so they will be at the parks. Those of us who know they will go back like to take breaks to enjoy the resorts.

Jill

 

[Epscot]

I am booked for the FTP in Oct and tried to call yesterday to change my arrival date by one day (I wanted to arrive & leave one day sooner). The CM checked and said there was no availability at ASMo for the night prior to my currently scheduled arrival. Immediately, thoughts of trying to hold a stroller while standing in the aisle of a Disney bus traveling from MK to ASMo flashed into my brain. Then I asked the CM if the entire resort was sold our or if the FTP was sold out for that night. She said that the resort has rooms available, but not as part of the FTP. So maybe everything won't be completely full. Maybe there will just be a larger than usual number of people staying 3 "free" nights on the Mouse's dime.

 

[llrain]

and to add to the first poster:
Parks being more crowded are closing at the same ole time
( so far it says) .....Imagine EPCOT fully loaded and closing at
5PM!!!! ewww

Whats really gonna affect us....Is that Disney has downsized
and now that they are going to be operating a peak levels

do u really think they will hire ? dont think so....they may burn out
current CM's with overbearing hours.....But this is where we, the consumer, are going to see the most problems.

<b>This is exactly what Eisner wants though..this was their goal..
and they handsomally met that goal with plenty of time to spare:</b>

After reading several other threads, it's been finally stated that Disney resorts are at +90% occupency and the All Stars are at full!
Well after I thanked god for this deal, and that Disney was doing better, I got to thinking, that this kinda "stinks"

- The resorts are full....what does this do for the food courts, busses, overall feeling, and pools.
1) food courts- A resort at Max. level...can you imagine the rushes at breakfast and dinner times!
2) buses- especially in places with only one bus top for the resort, can you imagine the rush its going to bring at peak park times?
3) feeling and pools- I love the feeling of each resort, but when theres no room to swim in a pool, you can't get a pool chair, the line for refils is a mile long, all the wter mice are gone, and you can't walk any where with out hearing a mother or father yell, and kid cry...its frustrating!!

 

[safetymom]

If everyone goes to WDW with the attitude that I am on vacation. I will not ruin it for others everyone will have a great time. Being grateful that WDW offered a great deal and many more people will get to visit the Mouse so lets all be nice.

The last time I was at MK at the end of the evening several kids jumped the long line for the monorail. Several foul mouthed adults started screaming and swearing and before you knew it others were joining in. I was about 2 seconds away from getting out of the line because I was scared over what these people were threatening. Is that what WDW is all about?

I see many people these days with the entitlement theory that somehow their Disney experience is more important than mine.

If everyone could just remember how it was the first time they saw WDW all the newbies will have a great time.

As far as the lines they are tolerable as long as you don't see people cutting in the lines, holding up the lines, etc.

Go with the attitude to make magical moments for others and yourself while in the parks and you will have a truly memorable Christmas at WDW.

 

[Lewisc]

In the mid 90's the resorts were close to 100% booked. I remember considering moving from offsite and the only rooms available were in DTD.
The resorts were built to handle high occupancy. As long as Disney adds enough buses and employees there shouldn't be problems.

 

[harleyquinn]

I just wanted to say that the FTP package HASN'T STARTED YET!! It doesn't begin til July 4th.

Those posting who have delt with the crowds recently we're not dealing with FTP crowds, but summer-going crowds.

Now what this means could be either good or bad. For those going in the summer before school starts it MIGHT mean bigger crowds. For those going after these times it MIGHT mean bigger-than-average crowds for the time their going, but not necessarily huge crowds.

Though I think we can all agree that the resorts will be more crowded.

I love the attitude of most of you! Don't let anything ruin your vacation. You'll probably be spending time with people who 1. have never been before (like me) but can afford it now and can't wait or 2. those who love WDW enough to go even though they know it'll be busy.

I'm just excited to be going and to have found a place like this where everyone is in the Disney spirit!

Sarah

 

[boston-yachter]

I highly agree with every one of you....
I'm not going to make a fuss about crowds...I still will enjoy our vacation!

but yet agian I have found another downside....especially for those going in the summer....
I have just read that today on another forum, that one of the members tried to go to one of the Wateparks...BOTH were packed and at full capacity!!
Now you may be saying to yourselves, whats the big deal?? they're always crowded?!?!...but on a Wednesday, in the early afternoon!!!
Imagine what it will be like with the FTP, as Sara stated, the package hasn't even started yet!

more to come....
I have to finish making dinner

 

[CarolA]

I think what we are really seeing is that we have been spoiled the past two summers. This is what summer is suppose to be like in Disney. PACKED! The last two years have been way below normal, but if these stories are true then you are back to the conditions that require touring plans and organization.

 

[Cris]

first you guys complain about the hours but now they have extended because of more people. You cannot have it both ways.

 

[palmtreegirl]

first you guys complain about the hours but now they have extended because of more people. You cannot have it both ways.

My thoughts exactly!


Smile everyone....you're going to Disney!

 

[georgina]

Originally posted by boston-yachter

well the majority of the crowd will be Disney resort guests, because they offered this great special, and anyone whos going decided to book with disney....
So how does early entry work...if the parks are going to be just as crowded with the same crowd of people...how does waking up early going to go bennifit us?




It has been our experience that a lot of people don't take advantage of Early entry and it is a big benefit. As for the waterparks, during crowded times you have to go early or after 3 PM. We went last August and are going in July. I'm a little apprehensive about the crowds but very excited to be going!

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

We stayed at the GF last year and it was at almost full occupancy (big conference on- they even had their own fireworks display on the beach!) and I really didn't notice a thing.

These hotels are big and well spread out- I think it'll be fine. I agree too with what another poster said- the FTP is booked out at some resorts, but if you check availability online at disney.com for your dates at rack rate, there seems to be some rooms still empty.

I'm just happy I was able to get the FTP this year, so I can stay a whole week at disney. Even if it's more crowded, I'm going to have more time to spend there!

 

[boston-yachter]

Originally posted by Cris
first you guys complain about the hours but now they have extended because of more people. You cannot have it both ways.

thats the thing Cris...hours are not extended as we head later in August....
Yes for July, MK closes at 10 every night....I think it has in the past? not sure on that one...
But if you look into late August...starting from the 10th up...Hours range from 7-10....and for my week (23) MK closes at 7 and 8:30 the majority of the time! And MGM is showing only one show of Fantasmic/night, with a closing at 8:30....

It's great...if we were going in July...but we're not, so we're left with a full resort by 9....
what will that do for the evening life...yes, some kids will go to bed...but a lot of famlies will go to Disney Quest, PI, DTD, and the BW....what about pools....
although...I still think 10 is a little on the early side for July?!?!

I understand we can't have empty resorts and a park closing at midnight....but now disney has FULL resorts, not just one of two due to conventions....nearly every room in every resort....
And yes...some rooms are available w/o FTP....but you can bet disney will have them booked with AP rates, Military discounts, florida resident rates, etc...even if those are "code-free" rooms....

Since the package hasn't started yet...obviously Disney does not have an idea on crowds....so hours could be greatly exteneded...

Like I said guys...I'm not trying to come off as the whining kid who wants the parks to herself....I've traveled at Christmas, I know what parks are like at the max....it's just...I dunno...its somewhat of a dissapointment....because if I wanted parks at peak time...I would have went earlier in the summer....its just a let down....
Maybe I'm making it worse then it seems....

P.S. I had no idea that early entry was not that popular, I guess that will be useful then! Thank you!