Are you frustrated about full resorts!

[smfnj]

Originally posted by Sammie
I would say that Steve is the man in the know, as he is right, you will never get an "official" numbers remark from any Disney upper management

Sammie,

I don't think I'm in the know, unless we're talking SONET backbone systems or microwave radio. But I do agree with you, Disney is very tight lipped when it comes to any kind of numbers, unless those numbers are price increases, lol.

steve

 

[DeeP]

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.

Very good points and very true! Another thing to keep in mind is there is no other place that can handle large groups as efficiently or as hassle free as it can possibly get, as WDW.
WDW is crowded in the summer and the FL weather in the summer is especially hot and humid, this is just the way it is.
If you plan to go to the parks early and then by 12 or 1 leave and go back to your resort for lunch, pool time, a rest and then head back to the parks for the evening, WDW can be very enjoyable at this time of the year. You just have to play with the hand you are dealt and when you go in the summer crowds, heat, humidty and rain showers are a part of the hand you are dealt.
The parks have always closed the end of August much earlier than the beginning of Aug, however Disney is also very good at adjusting their park hours to meet the needs of park attendance. The only exception I find to this is the way they schedule SpectoMagic, one or twice a week is not enough and really creates major crowding at MK.
You are going to the land of Mickey! Just take time to relax and go with the flow and if something is too crowded and you are not having fun, go do something else. Mickey is an excellent host and he provides many things to do and enjoy in his land!

 

[copper0426]

Originally posted by Minnie1156
I have been there when it is crowded and hot and you just have to make the best of it. The crowds do not bother me. I am just happy to be in DisneyWorld. "The Happiest Place On Earth"

I couldn't agree with you more. I've read quite a few of your different post.

Everyone should be happy to be able to go. No one twists anyones arm and tells them what time of year to go.

Some might get mad and say hey, I have kids I can only go in the summer. Guess what I have a son too, he is 6, I homeschool him, so the choice is completely mine when we go.

I lost my father last July to cancer, we were celebrating my sons 6th birthday there. I got the call at Disney. SO THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS BE HAPPY TO BE THERE. He will never get to go with his grandson and see how excited he is when he sees his favorite character or ride his favorite ride.

My father never got to walk me down the aisle at my wedding and my husband and I were going to renew our vows on our 15th anniv. at the wedding chapel, my father was excited about going to be able to do that, but he is now unable to do that. My husband and I haven't even talked about renewing our vows since my dad has passed.

So be happy you are going and enjoy the time with your family and or friends, hey make new ones.

Just my opinion and thoughts.

DIANE

 

[boston-yachter]

I agree that 99.9% does seem a little on the high side....but ya never know...some of you even said that when a resort is full you can never tell....
although you guys are right.... unless its released...its not official....

Diane....I'm so sorry for your loss...I too have lost my father...and will find myself walking down the alter solo style .... I can't remember my last Disney trip with my father....as I was only 4...and I always wondered what a trip to the world would be like with just myself and dad...
I'm sorry to hear this has put a damper on your renewing of vows...but the one thing I can say is that he will always be with you....and instead...maybe it would be nice to have your son walk you down the isle...you might just see your father in him...

I guess I'm gunna have to suck it up...so to speak...I don't mind crowds...but like was said before I too have been spoiled with low attendence.....
I've made it through Christmas....I'll make it through August

I do feel bad for those going in summer...I don't know why...I just have nightmares of moms fighting for lawn chairs...kids fighting for a spot in the pool...and dads fighting over lines at the bus and food court....
I may have lucked out with my last week in August....but for those of you with reservations in the heat of the summer....god bless ya....

 

[*Fantasia*]

anyone wanna hear my story.... my husband died in WDW at ASMovies in our room last Dec 9, 2001. He was only 32. Sad... sometimes we just take things for granted. We went during Easter week. It was crazy busy and crowded...but you know what...I am happy that I had the courage to go again with my children to WDW and the courage to do it alone w/ the kids during the busy time. It was hard...but I am just so happy and glad that we did go. We are just lucky that we can go and we did it again this past 2 weeks!

I know lots of folks who has never been to Disney, they don't have the money or even the time to make it. Some have never even left their own state!

I agree with however said that it is your choice when to go, but however, sometimes some of us don't have that choice, so we just have to deal with what there is to deal. At least whatever we are dealing with we are dealing it at WDW.

 

[copper0426]

boston-yachter, thanks for your reply. I never thought about having my son walk me down the aisle he will be 10 by then. That may just work. We will also be going the last week of August we are going to stay at POR well that is what we have Ressies for now. Still trying to get hubby to upgrade to WL even though son wants to stay at POR again. Hey he doesn't even know we are going yet so he will be none the wiser. Just kidding we weren't even going to go on vacation this year. And we've already, just hubby and I, gone on the Wonder Cruise in April for ANniv. Now hubby made plans for August, he's the one who makes the money he should get to spend it once in a while and he spends it on me and our son. Gotta love that man.

Anyway getting back to the post, we don't do early entry so those day we do a totally different park and we make sure that it is not the park that had early entry the day before either.

As I've said before we are from FL so the sun and humidity is something we are use to. We just keep hydrated and do the attractions with inside lines.

Well have a Disney Day


Diane

 

[copper0426]

*Fantasia* I am so sorry for your loss. My husband and I are just sitting here with our mouths down to the ground. I have tears in my eyes and a knot in my throat. I am however so happy for you that you have gone back and taken your children. I pray that you will be blessed so much for your courage.

Some of us have bigger worries than lines at disney some don't seem so big compared to those like yours and others. We should be happy with what we have and the love we have for each other.

God Bless you and your children..

Diane

 

[FloridaCat]

I posted before, Disney promotions went over very well. A big reason is the State of Florida has had an ongoing advertising program encourging Floridians to vacation here at home. The Theme Parks have had very enticing programs for Floridians and we have taken advantage of several of them. Our staying on site this year is a good example. We decided to play "Tourist" this year even though we live only a few miles away.

Not everyone can pick the time to come down as is the case with my DD. She is a Manager with a large Florida Produce company and she can not get off until the growng and shipping season is over. We normly go down once in the Fall and at Christmas time.

Those that do have the option of comng down at a time of their choosing, should plan to do MK & MGM during the Christmas Season. It is above Magice, it's awesome and I never ger tired of doingg it. My favaoite time to be a little 70 year old kid again.

 

[Mouseteacher]

boston-yachter~ Good choice on going late August. I usually go at that time - last year we were there August 23-28. It was quiet and crowds were low. MK was crowded the night they had Spectro and fireworks. You didn't need the parks to stay open late b/c you could do everything. One morning we had Epcot practically to ourselves. I believe this will continue to be the case this summer even with FTP. I agree with an earlier poster who wrote that most parents don't want their children to miss the opening of school. We Bostonians have the luxury of school opening after Labor Day.

One point ~ The crowds do pick up for the Labor Day weekend but we were gone by then.

We are going this year (7/24-7/28) b/c of a great deal at the Swan that ends on 7/31. We manage the crowds and the heat. We recognize that crowds are a reality in Disney. But, we are just happy and lucky to be going. Summer is the only option for us.

 

[Minnie1156]

I just found out the week I am down there the resorts are almost totally booked. The only rooms available are in the Floridian!!
I am going July 8th

 

[CarolA]

While Disney may be full the other resorts and hotels in town are not. For July 4th weekend you can get the Hilton in DTD for $89, the Wyndam for $100 and the Swan for $144 on Expedia. Those are well below the rates they normally charge so things are not back to normal yet.

 

[FloridaCat]

I have not heard on local TV news or newspapers where on site or off site Hotels are claiming any high numbers.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Diane. And I am also sorry about your father. May God bless you too.

 

[ozziewags]

I also heard that Disney was booked 'full' and I have a trip coming up next week. I had put off making PS's and called yesterday to book, thinking I would have to be very flexible. I was amazed to find out that each one was virtually 'open' to whatever time I wanted. (and they were spread out over the week) So, with all these people at disney, are they all eating counter service? What's up with that?

 

[PamNC]

But then again, it's a good thing that attendance is up and resorts are full. And, like a previous poster said, it's good for the families who couldn't afford to go before FTM came on the scene. Catch 22 I guess.

But I agree - we don't commando tour the parks so who cares if they are crowded. We stay at deluxe to relax and enjoy! I like to have room to move in the pool and a "moderate" crowd myself. Don't like it empty because it lacks the energy. I

We stayed at WL in late May and on Memorial Weekend they told us they were at 90%. Let me tell you...you couldn't move in the pool. We usually stay at YC/BC and unlike others' experience from these boards, we've never really had a crowd problem at Stormalong Bay. But, then again, if the resorts get to 100% we just might.

buses - doesn't matter to us because we usually drive. If we fly we rent a car because I just can't take the buses. Makes me nuts.

Restaurants/food courts - yep - that could be a problem. I guess what you could do is go to eat at off times. Like for lunch say 11:00 or either late..say 2:00. Same for dinner. Just don't go during prime times.

Oh well - we'll see what happens. I'm just bummed about the lack of room only discounts.

PamNC

 

[FloridaCat]

I am checking into WL on 7/7. I called Sat for PS and got what we wanted except for CRT and we have a work around to get that one. Requested a special room number and was told I was all set.

 

[boston-yachter]

Fantasia....I'm soo extremely sorry....I couldn't even imagine the look on your your childrens face....you and your family are troopers...I don't think i could ever go back to Disney after that....it just wouldn't feel the same....
As Diane said....God Bless you and your family....

I haven't even considered PS yet....although I am confused on why resorts are booked....but the restaurants still have availability....I guess a lot of people are just "wingin' " it.....I'm looking into doing maybe one of two dinner shows....i.e. hoopty-doo-review....and maybe...MAYBE....a character meal....they are a lot of money....I still don't know how large families do it.....god bless you guys...

For all of you leaving next week....be sure to come back with a detailed crowd report....I'd love to see if the speculations are true...

Diane...I hope you guys upgrade...and try to keep it from your son the whole summer....I bet he would be exstatic if he found out a week or too before the trip....although a secret that big is hard to keep....

 

[jwfla422]

How do you know the resorts are at 90% occupancy?? I don't believe this is true at all, maybe during holidays, peak time, etc, but I highly doubt the end of August. As some posters stated it also depends on the packages or special rates you're requesting. There are a specific number of rooms set aside for these codes.

We're going in the middle of August, a time that would probably be more crowded than the end of August, since the later in the month the more schools that will be in session. I just went on the official Disney site out of curiosity to check availability during the time we're going. Every resort I requested was available with all of the various room views. That's leads me to believe that there is plenty of availability and vacancies.

So, I really wouldn't be so concerned about the parks being so packed then. And, keep in mind, there are so many different things to do in WDW and also keep in mind there are many conventions that go on at many of the WDW resorts. Most of those guests won't be visiting the parks either. It's all relative.

 

[FloridaCat]

I have posted this on other threads and PM. If you are not aware you can go ot Disney.go.com Search MAPS and print a map of all the parks. PDF version is better.
Study it until becomes second nature. You can save a hundered steps if you know where everything is. When you are there keep your ears open as you are going to hear many times, "I think it's this way".

 

[boston-yachter]

jwfla422...the 90% room occupency is speculation..and is in current effect...not for the end of August...
Though I mentioned that I was traveling at the end of August....my post was not just directed for those traveling that week...as you said...you'll be traveling in mid August....where the resorts will also be at high level due to The FTP...though it may be hard to believe....its could quite possibly be true!

I've been down so many times before...I'll surely manage as I said before....so now my heart goes out to those going in the "real" summer weeks....