Attendance at WDW

[MichaelH]

I was just wondering if anyone who has recently returned from Disney could talk about the attendance. Is it as bad as I have heard on the News. My wife and I are driving down on 20 Oct. 2001 and were just wondering if there was any truth in this or is the news just exaggerating.

 

[tinofan]

We were there 9/8-9/15, and it was empty from 9/12 to 9/15. We could walk right onto every ride but "pooh", that only had about a 15 minute wait at most. We used fastpass on Sat, sun and Mon, but Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat we didn't need them at all. Sad for the reason why, but the kids loved it. don't know how it will be in a few weeks, but I'd imagine generally lower than usual.
Hope you have a good time.

 

[C.Ann]

Only semi-crowded day the entire time was this past Friday - the 21st - and I think that's because a lot of locals came out for the preview of the new "Share The Magic" parade. Otherwise, due to the terrorist activities, Tropical Storm Gabrielle, and the LENGTHY downpours almost every day the parks were basically empty. Couldn't complain about the crowds but will never go at this time of year again as the bad weather pretty much robbed us of an entire week.. A little rain every day is one thing - drenching continuous rain is another. One good thing though - really seemed to cut down on the love bugs! By October I think most folks will be over their fear of flying and the parks will be hopping again.. Hope you have a safe and happy trip.. Enjoy the "magic"!

 

[bobaron32]

we were there for a week. 9/20/9/27. We stayed at the dolphin and when we checked in it was pretty empty and quiet. Pretty weird. All week we never waited for much of anything.
walked on to space mtn and thunder mtn. no lines for virtually anything. Towards the end of our trip there was a convention at the epcot resorts which livened things up a little. This had no effect on the lines in the parks at all. The longest line we waited in was to have our backpack searched at the front gate, and that didn't take very long either. I am pretty spoiled now. We didn't even have to wait for test track. All in all it was a very enjoyable trip. me dh and ds 4 yoa. had a great time.

 

[BostonTigger]

Give it sometime, everything will get back to normal. This is a bad time for everyone.

 

[Emy'sMom]

I know what you mean about the rains in September! We were there 09/15-09/22 last year and it was so hot, humid and RAINY!!!

This year we are going 10/13-10/17. We've been to WDW twice in October and each time the weather was lovely! Hope it is this year too!

Debbie

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Emy's mom: We're going to be down there the same time. We're from the Indy area as well. Are you flying or driving? Delta cancelled our flight down at the end of the month, so we got a refund and switched to fall break time plus we're driving now.

 

[lifer]

will bring the locals, never fear...we're driving from atlantic city 10/19 with forks in hand...we're hoping the attendance is off just enough to enhance the experience...we are also wondering if international tour groups may be cancelling for the fall based on security concerns...see you at the epcot eats-fest!

 

[Eeyore2U]

Just got back on 10/6. Parks were basically empty until Friday of the long weekend. On the E Rides usually only one side was open with minimal waits.

 

[JenEeyore]

We were just down there last month, and crowds were lean except on the weekend - I think the locals came then. They were shortening some of the park hours on the weekend and dropped one of the SpectroMagic parades. Most things didn't have much of a line except we ended up waiting in line for some of the FantasyLand rides, but walked right on Buzz etc at MK.

We had some rain, but not as much as others were saying which was good since we just had a short time there. I think fall is always a good time to go in general, so if you can get a trip planned, go for it!! We are going back the end of November for another short trip too! °o°

 

[gingajane]

I am wondering if November will be better. We are going down the week of the NJ teacher's convention and the Polynesian is completely full(the CM said at ANY rate too). I am kind of expecting the whole state of NJ to be down there! MJ

 

[swinginevilmike]

The past three days we've been beating or meeting our projected attendance levels at MGM...Fantasmic filled up tonight at 700pm

 

[TinkerbellRules]

Mike: What time do you suggest we get there on Sunday for Fantasmic? We're leaving in two days!

 

[patiruss]

I have two sons working for Disney. One son works at Jellyrolls and the younger son is working as a part-timer at Blizzard Beach. The part-timer was cut to one day a week for the past three weeks and is scheduled for five days next week. Jellyrolls has been consistantly busy for the past two weeks. They both said that all the parks are busy...or...as expected for October. The weather is great and the new shows are terrific. I envy anyone going in the near future.

 

[barnum42]

I was there for two weeks from 22nd September. First week was fairly quiet. Enough people around to create the atmosphere, but very little in way of lines. I rode Splash Mountain twice without having to get off!

At the weekend Magic Kingdom was packed. Again I suspect the locals were visiting.

In week two things seemed to be picking up with lines forming at Magic Kingdom attractions.

All in all I had a great time.

 

[pepperidge]

We are annual pass holders and go to WDW quite often. Before this trip (10/10 - 10/14), we had just been there 8/30 - 9/4/01. Anyway, it was the most crowded I had EVER seen it on Saturday, Oct 13, 2001!!! We entered the MK late - only to see the fireworks and SpectroMagic Parade; I guess we got there close to 8pm. Anyway, Main Street was roped off and everyone entering the park was detoured around the back of the restaurants, shops, etc - we saw storage areas, dumpsters, parking lots and that kind of stuff until the detour lead us into Future World. We have NEVER had to do that before. It was horrible when we got back near Main Street again. Has anyone else ever run into this before?

 

[barnum42]

Pepperidge

I came across the "backstage detour" two weeks prior to your visit when I hit the park during the first showing of Spectromagic.

Joe

 

[T+C]

We arrived at 5:45pm on 10/13 and it took us 30 minutes to make it through the ticket gate. We too have annual passes and were only going for the parade and fireworks. I've never seen that many people at the MK ever!! I've been to Disney at least 20 times, usually only in the spring. I was very surprised to see the amount of people there. Amazing! T

 

[nanns]

We just got back!!!
we were there for 10 days and did not have to wait long for any rides during the week!!!!
The busiest day was the Friday that was our last day, and we had to wait 30 mins for splash mountain, but that was the longest even~

Our hotel was full, we couldn't change to bottom level for stroller ease, so they are getting back to normal! That's good!

We were the when we started bombing Afganastan and we were at Blizzard beach and it was full but not too full, we found a bunch of chairs that no one was using. But that was on a sunday, we figured everyone would be at the parks so we planned it that way.