Checked out early - Parks too crowded.

[Westcoastwild]

Oh good lord. If you've been following, then you would have seen where I said that we enjoy our resort on our days that we take a break. I travel with 2 - soon to be 3 - very young children. We have lots of down time, and we plan it that way. What I didn't appreciate was being told that "making a craft" (or anything else one can do at home for pennies) was an acceptable replacement for park time when taking a several thousand dollar vacation. Some backup plans are acceptable and make reasonable sense. As I've said several times, there are plenty of backup things to do that are more fitting, that are not things one can do at home. Say you had a reservation at California Grill and it got cancelled. Would you be fine with someone telling you to go to McDonalds and be happy with it? Really? No, I assume you would try to find somewhere else unique to WDW and comparable in quality to eat instead. If you think McDonald's is an acceptable substitute, great. I (and MANY others) disagree. I'm truly baffled that there are a few who don't understand this, even if they don't agree.

Back up plans are your choice though. If a craft is more fun to some people than pool time it would make sense. Has a dining reservation been cancelled on you before? Because that has never happened to me. Anywhere. I've been to both parks (CA and FL) in high crowds, so I do get what people are complaining about, but there's never been a day when the WHOLE day is intolerable. So I wouldn't leave my vacation early anyway, which is what the actual argument is about- not the craft thing.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Good grief why is the craft thing causing such a problem? So odd to focus on that.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Crafts aren't that bad

I think the point is that when people say that the crowds were too high, they are told they should have just swam or ate or did a craft. And people respond that they can do that anywhere, and often much closer to home and for less money.

More to the point, I think the question is what level of experience does a person deserve in exchange for a ticket (and hours of your life that you had to work to buy that ticket)

 

[Dismama2boys]

Back up plans are your choice though. If a craft is more fun to some people than pool time it would make sense. Has a dining reservation been cancelled on you before? Because that has never happened to me. Anywhere. I've been to both parks (CA and FL) in high crowds, so I do get what people are complaining about, but there's never been a day when the WHOLE day is intolerable. So I wouldn't leave my vacation early anyway, which is what the actual argument is about- not the craft thing.

Then by all means, go do a craft!!!!!!! I've said several times that that's fine if you choose that option. I simply said that I (and apparently many others) find it to be a ridiculous suggestion. That's my opinion, and I stand by it. Feel absolutely free to disagree, but for the love, stop trying to change my mind. And I agree, this topic is a rather absurd tangent.

 

[Rikariko12]

Yesterday we checked out of Bay Lake Towers and left Walt Disney World a day early. The hotel was great but my family of four could no longer take the crowds in the Parks.

I get that it is Spring Break, we have Florida Resident Annual Passes, but having school-age kids means we can only visit during vacations and weekends (we only take our kids out of school for Emergencies). We do plan hotel, dinner and FastPass reservations months in advance; so please do not judge.

On Wednesday evening March 15, Space Mountain had a Stand By time of 215 Minutes before it broke down just after the 9PM Fireworks. Sorry, but 30 minutes is my limit for any ride; I wanted to come back in Fall to try Pandora but now we are not going to bother and let our Passes lapse in November.

Can anybody comment on having a similar experience wanting to check out early?

I probably would have just tours the different resorts. We are planning on doing that when we go in May.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Crafts aren't that bad

I think the point is that when people say that the crowds were too high, they are told they should have just swam or ate or did a craft. And people respond that they can do that anywhere, and often much closer to home and for less money.

More to the point, I think the question is what level of experience does a person deserve in exchange for a ticket (and hours of your life that you had to work to buy that ticket)

Bingo! What should be the expected experience for a 1 day experience in MK at $125/day? How many rides/attractions should that include and at what waits? We know the guarantee is 3 with short waits, so how many more should be included to make the day "worth it" to the patron. Should it be $10/attraction or 12.5 attractions total? Should it be 3 top tier attractions at $20/attraction and 13 lower tier attractions at $5 attraction for 16 total attractions for your $125? Should it be 1/2 the park or about 20 attractions? Should it be all the attractions? And whatever the answer to the 1st questions posed, is it possible for the patron to fit in those number of attractions when you include the waits for non-FP attractions, the waits for bathrooms/food/security/etc, and the full hours of the park?

 

[housetomouse]

I think more than 3 guaranteed short-wait attractions should be provided by Disney for the ticket price. I wonder why they settled on just 3 FP+ per guest. Why not 5 or 6?
I'd be a happy camper if I knew I'd get 5-6 preferred rides in at a park, even if ride times were very spread out.

Also, for a long time, I've thought that Epcot is underutilized. They seem to have a lot of space where they could add attractions. I think that would help take the crowds off of the other parks somewhat. I struggle to find 3 attractions at Epcot to use my FP+ on (would be easy if not for the tiering). That park needs more, particularly in Future World. Disney seems to be spending on expansions in HS and AK lately, neither of which handle the crowds very well (IMO).

Disney knows there's no real low-crowd season there any more. I know they need to make money, but they also need to grow to accommodate the new normal of high crowds. FP+ was a good start, I guess, and so are the expansions, but I think they need to do more.

 

[DOOM1001]

Even though Orlando public schools are out this week the crowds have dropped off a good amount from last week.There must have been a serious number of people in town for all the events that were going on through this past weekend.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Bingo! What should be the expected experience for a 1 day experience in MK at $125/day? How many rides/attractions should that include and at what waits? We know the guarantee is 3 with short waits, so how many more should be included to make the day "worth it" to the patron. Should it be $10/attraction or 12.5 attractions total? Should it be 3 top tier attractions at $20/attraction and 13 lower tier attractions at $5 attraction for 16 total attractions for your $125? Should it be 1/2 the park or about 20 attractions? Should it be all the attractions? And whatever the answer to the 1st questions posed, is it possible for the patron to fit in those number of attractions when you include the waits for non-FP attractions, the waits for bathrooms/food/security/etc, and the full hours of the park?

That's a miserable way to look at it. If I was constantly thinking how much I spent per hour I would have a terrible time.

 

[TwoMisfits]

That's a miserable way to look at it. If I was constantly thinking how much I spent per hour I would have a terrible time.

But if you are a 1st-timer or a "rare"-timer, and you only ride 3 attractions and you spend the rest of your hours searching for short lines in vain and standing in large lines for bathrooms/food...how would you feel then?

As customers, we should demand that our ticket price should provide a certain value...that makes us good customers...businesses' profit motives must be balanced by their customers demands of them.

Like when I paid $16/person for Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas in 2016, I knew I was going to get more limited ride attractions, more ambiance and show attractions, higher crowds/lines, and colder weather. Those were all trade offs/bonuses I was willing to accept for the really low cost of my tickets for my 1st time going at Christmas (and only 2nd time going to the parks). So, what do Disney guests "know" they are getting for their $125 now? Just 3 attractions and then misery? That's not a sales pitch for spring break travelers...

 

[zebrastreyepz]

But if you are a 1st-timer or a "rare"-timer, and you only ride 3 attractions and you spend the rest of your hours searching for short lines in vain and standing in large lines for bathrooms/food...how would you feel then?

As customers, we should demand that our ticket price should provide a certain value...that makes us good customers...businesses' profit motives must be balanced by their customers demands of them.

Like when I paid $16/person for Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmas in 2016, I knew I was going to get more limited ride attractions, more ambiance and show attractions, higher crowds/lines, and colder weather. Those were all trade offs/bonuses I was willing to accept for the really low cost of my tickets for my 1st time going at Christmas (and only 2nd time going to the parks). So, what do Disney guests "know" they are getting for their $125 now? Just 3 attractions and then misery? That's not a sales pitch for spring break travelers...

We were there, though, and that wasn't our experience.

On one MK day we rode with FP+ 7DMT, Space Mountain and blew off our last FP for Peter Pan because we were tired. But that day we also did Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear, People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Raceway, Tea Cups, Barnstormer, Dumbo, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and met Cinderella, Tiana, and Rapunzel. We had counter service at Pinocchio's Village Haus and waited on our allergy friendly meal. Happily waited! We were just thankful for the allergy options. We went to Art of Animation for dinner that night and came back.

The other MK day we rode with FP+ 7DMT, Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, and Peter Pan. We had a last one for Jungle Cruise but I was tired and cancelled it. We also rode Splash Mountain, Pirates 2x, Magic Carpets, Tiki Room, Country Bears, rode the train from Frontierland to Main Street had a sit down meal at Liberty Tree Tavern, counter service at Columbia Harbor House, took a good half hour to enjoy Dole Floats, and met Tinker Bell and later Chip and Dale. This was entering the parks at 1130AM.

Maybe it's all in the expectations? We were pleased with our days.

 

[TwoMisfits]

We were there, though, and that wasn't our experience.

On one MK day we rode with FP+ 7DMT, Space Mountain and blew off our last FP for Peter Pan because we were tired. But that day we also did Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear, People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Raceway, Tea Cups, Barnstormer, Dumbo, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and met Cinderella, Tiana, and Rapunzel. We had counter service at Pinocchio's Village Haus and waited on our allergy friendly meal. Happily waited! We were just thankful for the allergy options. We went to Art of Animation for dinner that night and came back.

The other MK day we rode with FP+ 7DMT, Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, and Peter Pan. We had a last one for Jungle Cruise but I was tired and cancelled it. We also rode Splash Mountain, Pirates 2x, Magic Carpets, Tiki Room, Country Bears, rode the train from Frontierland to Main Street had a sit down meal at Liberty Tree Tavern, counter service at Columbia Harbor House, took a good half hour to enjoy Dole Floats, and met Tinker Bell and later Chip and Dale. This was entering the parks at 1130AM.

Maybe it's all in the expectations? We were pleased with our days.

So, 18 attractions on a full day and 12 attractions on a shortened day made you happy...so, we have a starting point for what Disney should provide for the $125...

 

[zebrastreyepz]

So, 18 attractions on a full day and 12 attractions on a shortened day made you happy...so, we have a starting point for what Disney should provide for the $125...

Yeah, we were happy. It was SPRING BREAK and crowds were to be expected. We enjoyed the entire experience. Watching people, enjoying the food and treats and interactions.

It was OUR experience. YMMV, of course.

Snark on your part not necessary, though. Unless I'm misreading it in which case I apologize.

 

[maxiesmom]

Bingo! What should be the expected experience for a 1 day experience in MK at $125/day? How many rides/attractions should that include and at what waits? We know the guarantee is 3 with short waits, so how many more should be included to make the day "worth it" to the patron. Should it be $10/attraction or 12.5 attractions total? Should it be 3 top tier attractions at $20/attraction and 13 lower tier attractions at $5 attraction for 16 total attractions for your $125? Should it be 1/2 the park or about 20 attractions? Should it be all the attractions? And whatever the answer to the 1st questions posed, is it possible for the patron to fit in those number of attractions when you include the waits for non-FP attractions, the waits for bathrooms/food/security/etc, and the full hours of the park?

You also have to ask, what are you expecting from the guest? You have to factor in too when they get to the parks. If someone sleeps till noon they are for sure not going to get as much done as someone who is there at rope drop. And what makes a day worth it can vary a lot. I know when I go to the parks with my dad my day is very different than when I go with my nephew. One is much more ride driven than the other. But I don't feel short changed by the one that is less ride intense.

Also factor in meals. They may be very important to one guest and not at all important to another. They take time away from touring. There are so many variables there really is no way to set a mark that 18 rides per day is acceptable but 10 is not.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Yeah, we were happy. It was SPRING BREAK and crowds were to be expected. We enjoyed the entire experience. Watching people, enjoying the food and treats and interactions.

It was OUR experience. YMMV, of course.

Snark on your part not necessary, though. Unless I'm misreading it in which case I apologize.

It's not snark - it's an observation. I doubt the Op who started this post either got his preferred level of attractions or close to the level you hit. If he had, he probably would not have left. Should he have planned better or accepted lower attractions (like Country Bears and Tiki Birds and Railroads instead of the big mountains and new Fantasyland?)...maybe. But I submit, Disney should not be able to place the burden on the customer alone for finding the value in their ticket...

 

[Dentam]

I haven't read the entire thread but sympathize with the OP completely. My question is how are these crowds even safe or to fire codes? We were in DL last April and there was a point where the crowds were nearly crushing trying to get out and the CM's near us were overwhelmed and trying to figure out what to do. Disney needs to get on top of this and limit crowd levels more than they are currently doing.

 

[Westcoastwild]

We were there, though, and that wasn't our experience.

On one MK day we rode with FP+ 7DMT, Space Mountain and blew off our last FP for Peter Pan because we were tired. But that day we also did Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear, People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Raceway, Tea Cups, Barnstormer, Dumbo, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion and met Cinderella, Tiana, and Rapunzel. We had counter service at Pinocchio's Village Haus and waited on our allergy friendly meal. Happily waited! We were just thankful for the allergy options. We went to Art of Animation for dinner that night and came back.

The other MK day we rode with FP+ 7DMT, Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road, and Peter Pan. We had a last one for Jungle Cruise but I was tired and cancelled it. We also rode Splash Mountain, Pirates 2x, Magic Carpets, Tiki Room, Country Bears, rode the train from Frontierland to Main Street had a sit down meal at Liberty Tree Tavern, counter service at Columbia Harbor House, took a good half hour to enjoy Dole Floats, and met Tinker Bell and later Chip and Dale. This was entering the parks at 1130AM.

Maybe it's all in the expectations? We were pleased with our days.

This was my experience too. I mean, I went in the summer, crowds were a 9 most days, and anything I didn't hit was because I was too tired to hit it. I'm sympathetic about it being cold, but when I was there it was too darn hot to spend much time swimming.

True, I also had extra days built in because of the heat. But everyone had told me how large the property and after having seen it, I think any first timer just has be realistic about what they can squeeze in, crowds or no crowds.

And seriously, who goes to theme parks during school breaks and DOESN'T expect massive crowds? That's probably what really blows my mind the most about these threads. So it was more crowded than people were expecting due to the weather, but the lines for stand by on only a fairly crowded day are still too long for me. I think during the summer the more popular ones were regularly at 2 hours in the afternoon, and I passed on riding even my favorites a second time then.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We were there last week and yes it was way more crowded than I was expecting but we still did quite a bit and were very pleased.

But I used Touring Plans app like crazy to see what was going on where and was constantly optimizing my plans and shifting things around.

Whoa.... each to their own, but you used your phone so much while at WDW that you drained your battery + in just one day at the parks??
That just seems wrong somehow.

MG

 

[twodogs]

I probably would have just tours the different resorts. We are planning on doing that when we go in May.

I agree with this completely, but I was there and it was taking 1+ hour to get a bus to any resort or park hop. It made me even more frustrated to be standing and waiting for a bus than waiting in a too-long ride line. It was just too crazy for me. Lesson learned. I won't go again anywhere near a school break, and I may not go again for a while, period. I just feel,like with pre-booked FP+, ADRs and other experiences prebooked such as dining/fantasmic packages, Disney has a pretty good idea of how many people will be at which park and when. And they didn't seem equipped to handle it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I didn't take it as "complaining" as much as sharing observations and discussing. That's what we're here for, right? Maybe it will help someone.

Yesterday we checked out of Bay Lake Towers and left Walt Disney World a day early. The hotel was great but my family of four could no longer take the crowds in the Parks.

I get that it is Spring Break, we have Florida Resident Annual Passes, but having school-age kids means we can only visit during vacations and weekends (we only take our kids out of school for Emergencies). We do plan hotel, dinner and FastPass reservations months in advance; so please do not judge.

On Wednesday evening March 15, Space Mountain had a Stand By time of 215 Minutes before it broke down just after the 9PM Fireworks. Sorry, but 30 minutes is my limit for any ride; I wanted to come back in Fall to try Pandora but now we are not going to bother and let our Passes lapse in November.

Can anybody comment on having a similar experience wanting to check out early?

The OP said he "gets" that it's spring break and he was expecting crowds. He says he also plans months in advance.

Having been there the same time as OP, I get what he's saying. Last week was more than spring break crowded. (It sounds like this week is spring break crowded.)

BTW I'd rather stick knitting needles in my eyes than go back to my resort and do crafts and color although I do love resort time myself.

At any rate, I think TwoMisfits summed it up for me.

Yesterday I was talking to a friend who's frantically been planning her family's first trip next month. I told her to make sure they got there at Rope Drop to maximize their ride time. She said, no, they did not want to wake up too early on vacation and planned to get to the parks around 11. I am really hoping that crowds when they go aren't as bad as they were last week.