Checked out early - Parks too crowded.

[Mrs. Ciz]

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.



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.

You are not wrong about that! I got curious so I checked the touring plans crowd tracker. Monday through Thursday last week the parks were all 9s and 10s. That is Christmas/New Years crowded!

 

[jkh36619]

I go to Disney a few weeks a year, one being Christmas week. Nothing is too crowded for me. Reason being we go so much, it becomes less about the "rides" and more about everything else. We do our 3 FP's for rides and that's it. One of our favorite things is pin trading at all the resorts. Also SOTMK and agent p at Epcot. So much to do that doesn't require lines.

 

[GPC0321]

I'd rather stand in line for Space Mountain for three hours than pack up and go home!

 

[rcraw45425]

We were there from the afternoon of 3/17 to the morning of 3/20, staying at WL, AP holders. Checked in around 2:30. Did very little at MK on Friday evening, used two of our fast passes, had our BOG dinner and raced to the Wishes Dessert Party. Left after fireworks as it got very chilly. Utilized the express buses heavily along with our fast passes on Saturday and Sunday. Didn't expect to do much but found that Express Transportation made things a lot easier. Crowds were heavy, but we just did what we wanted and managed to have a pleasant trip. We did forego our usual trip back to the resort midday as we were not finding standby lines to be that short. Were able to book additional fast passes at EPCOT on Sunday after we used our MK ones early. If we had not purchased Express Transportation it would have been a much less productive visit.

 

[kimfirstdisneytrip]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, that stinks!

If you're a Florida resident (depending on how far you live from WDW), couldn't you just take the kids out of school for 1 or 2 days at a low volume time of year? We took my school aged child out for 5 days and went the first week of November and it was a perfect, very low crowd time of year to go. We didn't wait in line for anything more than 10-15 minutes all week! We got so much done! It was also a meticulously planned trip oriented towards young princesses vs. some of the more popular older kids rides. Since we were there a week, I noticed a huge difference in crowds during the week vs. weekends. It was totally worth taking her out of school!! I'd do it again.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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.

Lack of capacity to do so, and still have anything available for day guests.

 

[Westcoastwild]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, that stinks!

If you're a Florida resident (depending on how far you live from WDW), couldn't you just take the kids out of school for 1 or 2 days at a low volume time of year? We took my school aged child out for 5 days and went the first week of November and it was a perfect, very low crowd time of year to go. We didn't wait in line for anything more than 10-15 minutes all week! We got so much done! It was also a meticulously planned trip oriented towards young princesses vs. some of the more popular older kids rides. Since we were there a week, I noticed a huge difference in crowds during the week vs. weekends. It was totally worth taking her out of school!! I'd do it again.

I suspect that option involves possible sarcasm from Florida teachers. But it would be an awesome option if one homeschools, I suppose.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I have read the whole thread skipping a few things here or there. I did see the ops reasonings but I would never leave early id just find other stuff to do. My family likes to look over things. We plan to go by some hotels. We are going to chose the ones we want to see. We also will be fast paced first few days. Then we will slow down and get some family time in. We will have the FP's close to over by 12 or so. Then we will use express transportation and hop where we want and we may still go back to the room for a few rests. I wanted to comment on the craft thing. We are planning to check the art classes out at art of animation. We may or may not sit down and draw. But to each their own. We are planning free time things and I am planning on making a few FP+ for a few different days for some of the busiest rides. We are of course hoping for low crowds but we are planning an preparing for higher crowds.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have read the whole thread skipping a few things here or there. I did see the ops reasonings but I would never leave early id just find other stuff to do. My family likes to look over things. We plan to go by some hotels. We are going to chose the ones we want to see. We also will be fast paced first few days. Then we will slow down and get some family time in. We will have the FP's close to over by 12 or so. Then we will use express transportation and hop where we want and we may still go back to the room for a few rests. I wanted to comment on the craft thing. We are planning to check the art classes out at art of animation. We may or may not sit down and draw. But to each their own. We are planning free time things and I am planning on making a few FP+ for a few different days for some of the busiest rides. We are of course hoping for low crowds but we are planning an preparing for higher crowds.

I want to comment on the "craft thing" as well. I think that it is possible to look at that like making pot holders during the summer at the park, but is it? I remember when my DGD was younger we spent time with her in the pool area while she joined other children and a CM making things. She had a blast! FOr my family, giving her the time to relax and enjoy time with other kids was just as important than the time we were in the parks.

I think that the suggestion was made to allow for alternate ways to enjoy a vacation in order to avoid packing up and leaving, and should not have recieved the derogatory comments that followed. I know we all spend a lot of money on DIsney trips, but if the parks are just too hot, too crowded, isn't it nice that there are other activities that a family can enjoy?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lack of capacity to do so, and still have anything available for day guests.

There wasn't much available for "day guests" this past week.

 

[housetomouse]

Lack of capacity to do so, and still have anything available for day guests.

I think anyone who pays the admission price to the parks should get the same level of experience. I guess Disney offered more to resort guests to incentivize them to stay on property. I wish they offered resort incentives in a different way though, either with resort price or amenities at the resorts. Anyway- my second point was that they need more at the parks for guests to do, to spread the crowds around. Maybe that would create more capacity.

 

[WhispyPixie]

Then the other option is just to go home? Makes no sense.

And given that I have done the things you put down, they are fun, viable options that are far more enjoyable than sulking and hating every moment.

Or is it that really the option you want is for everyone else to go home so you can have your vacation the way you want it?

No one has said that the parks have closed to capacity. So it's not as crowded as it could be. If the parks did close to capacity would that make people happier?

But then we would be back to *doing something else*.

I never said or commented that "the other option is to go home" I shared what are current experiences where. We don't sulk or hate any moment that we are at WDW, with that said, it doesn't change the facts that things were amazingly crowded and the wait times for the rides were higher than usual. I would NEVER want anyone to leave their vacation, nor would that create a "vacation the way I want it". My post was intended to give a glimpse of what we were experiencing and to go in with eyes wide open. Personally we can handle the issues and find activities (not crafts) lol Our vacation was wonderful and we would do it all over in a heartbeat!

 

[Nancyg56]

I think anyone who pays the admission price to the parks should get the same level of experience. I guess Disney offered more to resort guests to incentivize them to stay on property. I wish they offered resort incentives in a different way though, either with resort price or amenities at the resorts. Anyway- my second point was that they need more at the parks for guests to do, to spread the crowds around. Maybe that would create more capacity.

I think the return of some entertainment that was cut would make a difference. If Disney can't find ways disperse crowds they bay Lise more money than they save with these cuts. I know that there is nothing in a gift shop I want so badly that I would wade through a crowd to purchase it. If the lines at attractions or the restaurants are too long we will head back to the resort. I spend less, not more under those circumstances.

 

[Angel Ariel]

There wasn't much available for "day guests" this past week.

I'm sure...think about how much worse it would be if they allowed 5 or 6 FP+ to be booked ahead of time.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think anyone who pays the admission price to the parks should get the same level of experience. I guess Disney offered more to resort guests to incentivize them to stay on property. I wish they offered resort incentives in a different way though, either with resort price or amenities at the resorts. Anyway- my second point was that they need more at the parks for guests to do, to spread the crowds around. Maybe that would create more capacity.

Resort guests aren't offered *more* FP+ to book ahead...just a longer booking window. 3 FP+ to book ahead, just like everyone, resort guests just get to book at 60 days instead of the 30 for everyone else.

I agree with you on the bolded...one of the main reasons I've never been a fan of booking FP+ before you're on property. There are those who disagree, but I'm not one of them I also totally agree with you that they need more ride capacity.

 

[uccats97]

Does anyone else find it interesting that OP hasn't responded to a single post on this thread?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Does anyone else find it interesting that OP hasn't responded to a single post on this thread?

No. When you aren't happy, responding to others is not usually a good idea anyway...and if you are sick of Disney at the moment, it's probably even less a good time to respond on a Disney board.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Part of the problem is that it is called the Walt Disney World Resort. Resort implies a place of leisure. Doing fun things! When you don't get to do enough fun things or spend a lot of time waiting on line for food or the bathroom, it doesn't feel like a resort.

Perhaps they should call it the Walt Disney World Very-Hard-Place!

 

[Nancyg56]

Does anyone else find it interesting that OP hasn't responded to a single post on this thread?

No. The OP was venting and probably is not in the mood to argue. It's okay with me.

 

[uccats97]

No. When you aren't happy, responding to others is not usually a good idea anyway...and if you are sick of Disney at the moment, it's probably even less a good time to respond on a Disney board.

I guess. But why post a question sparking a discussion you have no intention of participating in?