Checked out early - Parks too crowded.

[AngiTN]

One of the sites for the 1st two rounds is in Orlando. Once they know their team is there and they can get a room in the area they may go to a park on the off days.

Nah. Some may well hit Disney but the numbers at these rounds are so small that the numbers of those guests that did go to Disney would be too small a percentage to make a bit of difference. 100 or so extra people make little impact on the park crowds.

Someone posted in one of these crowd threads that Canada's spring break happen to fall last week. I guess theirs is more universal than the breaks here in the US? Not sure honestly. But they felt it was a significant part of the crowds there this week.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

We experienced this one Christmas a few years ago. Absolutely awful. We could barely move in the magic kingdom. So sad.

 

[Eastern]

We experienced this one Christmas a few years ago. Absolutely awful. We could barely move in the magic kingdom. So sad.

That's how it is on the big holidays. We go knowing we won't get much done ride-wise but it's still a fun atmosphere. If you want to go on rides, I would avoid any holiday period or you will just aggravate yourself.

 

[anniemae]

Hopefully the fact that the water parks are back open will alleviate some of the crowds in the parks. I am very curious to see what Pandora does to crowds.

 

[WhispyPixie]

Lots of people at Disney Springs last night! Dinner at Raglan Road was awesone. Glad we had an ADR..Heard a lady walk up and ask the wait.... she was told very politely, ther would be zero non reservation seating. Sorry for her, happy for us! Going to Animal Kingdom now...

 

[bumbershoot]

It is difficult for me to accept someone saying, do a craft at a resort, swim in 45 degree weather or do something off Disney property. That is NOT what is being paid for. Sure those are options, but not my options.

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*.

 

[bumbershoot]

Waits of 60+ minutes for SSE and LwtL are seriously different. I'm not sure how you disagree unless you always travel during busy times. My usual experience is 20 minutes max for each.

We don't go at crowded times. I think my trip reports have the months in them. And we haven't hit a Disney park since January 2015 so I don't have park trips not listed.

But SSE lines for me have always been 60 and we've waited that long for Land. Just thought it was normal for them.

Which is why I was confused that those weren't normal.

Lol at being told to "do a craft" while at WDW if parks are too crowded. Ummm, no. But thanks.

I'm not telling anyone to do anything. I'm giving suggestions that are more fun than going home early.

The Dvc community centers are part of our dues and are a fun place to go. The op is at a Dvc resort. Or was there, at least. If you have it available, check it out. My extended family has a lot of fun hanging out there. Disney tickets aren't in their budget so we find the included things to do when we stay with them on our points, and it's actually quite a nice way to spend the time.

Better than going home, at least! Once home all activities are my responsibility, not Disney cms. I'll go with the Disney cms creating activities.


I don't know how anyone traveling with kids (even Floridian kids like my cousin's kids) is keeping them out of the pools as long as the pools are open.

A pool heated to 80 feels like a hot tub when the air temperature is cold. Getting out is painful, but while you're in that water, the covered parts are very warm.

 

[tarheel618]

We were there the same time and it was crazy crowded. We did rope drop at MK and stayed until 3 pm. Went back to the hotel-took a long nap-went off site for dinner and then back to Mk around 8:00 and then stayed until 1:00 using the extra magic hours. At about 11:30 the crowds got a lot better. Here is what we got done that day using this strategy. IT was way to cold to swim that day. The weather was a huge disappointment for us. We were cold.

Opening Show
Peter Pan
Mickey's Philharmonic
Haunted Mansion x2 (1 fast pass)
Space Mountain- longest wait we did 55 minutes (didn't fast past it) The time posted said 40 minutes but we timed it and it was 55
Big Thunder Railroad (fast pass-30 minute wait)
Small Word x 3
Jungle Cruise
People Mover
Buzz Lightyear x2
Walt's Carousel Of Progress (small nap on my part)

The wait for the Mine Train was over at hour at park opening- we chose to do Peter Pan instead and we have a fast pass for it in May.

This was our first trip in 6 years and we miss the old fast pass way

 

[Dismama2boys]

Nope.

You were at bay lake. Go to the community center and make a craft. Color. Talk to the staff. Rent a movie you've never seen, call housekeeping to bring and set up the DVD player, and enjoy.

I'm not telling anyone to do anything. I'm giving suggestions that are more fun than going home early.

Your wording certainly sounds like a directive.

For my family (and everyone else I know), we go to Disney for the parks. If there were no parks, we wouldn't go. There are far nicer resorts for the same price (or cheaper!) in much more beautiful areas of the world where we can spend time. We enjoy the resorts on the days we take a break, but I think it's ridiculous to suggest that someone who plans a Disney trip should be content to do a craft or watch a movie instead.

 

[ReelRedHead]

We just left from our March 10-19 trip. We are Disney vets. Stayed at POR as always--it was amazing. Yes, the parks were crowded at times but we never waited longer than 20 minutes for anything.
We do rope drop every day. Ran on so many rides, it took longer just to run from ride to ride. I made all of our FP for at night. Worked perfectly. Never waited longer than 5 minutes for bag check.
It was an awesome trip!!

 

[anniemae]

Your wording certainly sounds like a directive.

For my family (and everyone else I know), we go to Disney for the parks. If there were no parks, we wouldn't go. There are far nicer resorts for the same price (or cheaper!) in much more beautiful areas of the world where we can spend time. We enjoy the resorts on the days we take a break, but I think it's ridiculous to suggest that someone who plans a Disney trip should be content to do a craft or watch a movie instead.

I get what the folks are saying about making the best of it and checking out alternatives to the park like crafts, and movies.............But, I also feel like I can do that stuff at home and I didn't save all that money, put my family on a plane and fly all the way to FL to do crafts and watch DVD's. If I lived in FL and went to the parks all the time, sure it would be fun to check that stuff out. I feel like you pay a lot of money to go to Disney and want to enjoy the parks, but when it's wall to wall people, it makes it really hard, especially with little ones. I always tell DH that if it was just us, we could handle the crowds just fine. I do understand the whole, "make the best of it" argument though. It's just disappointing to have your plans (that you have been planning for months and months) derailed.

 

[cindyfan]

I feel your pain!!!!!!
I went last year the week before Easter with my DD and her HS marching band (she's the director) and we both swore we'd NEVER go back at spring break.... ever!!! (unless of course she has to with the band!) But if you do go at spring break you have to go with the expectation that you MAY be able to see about a THIRD of what you want to!!! the crowds were so bad ... the worst!!!

 

[ReelRedHead]

Here I am a few days ago on my birthday in MK. No other person in sight. This was around 8:10am. I get that not everyone is a morning person, but this is what what the parks look like at that time!

 

[anniemae]

Here I am a few days ago on my birthday in MK. No other person in sight. This was around 8:10am. I get that not everyone is a morning person, but this is what what the parks look like at that time!

that picture is great!!!

 

[Metalliman98]

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 think the point is that one could do crafts at home, without paying thousands of dollars and using hard-earned vacation time for the privilege. We've left vacations early before, albeit not a Disney vacation, but it's not out of the question. If the party is miserable, why continue to spend money (hotel, food, etc.) to do things you could do at home? Crafts may be fun in a vacuum, but not when you're paying thousands of dollars to make a $0.50 friendship bracelet.

OP, I totally get where you're coming from. It's your vacation, and if you are not enjoying it, why force yourself to stay? Hope the next trip turns out better for you.

 

[cindyfan]

Here now. Seasoned Disney family (20+ trips) Have come during peak times and low times. Have been here on days when MK was closed for high occupancy. Have always LOVED Disney and will continue to do so. It has been a good trip, mainly because we choose to see it that way. With that said..

• Each & every park, Disney Springs and Resort (POR) is beyond packed. Worse than on several Christmas Days that we have attended.
• Times for top tier rides all are over 200 mins. Majority of low tier rides are over 60 mins. Several if the FP lines were rught at 30 mins wait time. Likely hood of getting a top tier FP after you use your first 3 are none, low tier FP are possible but slim.
• Bag check is easily 30 to 45 mins and then another time wait through the metal detector.
• The busses have been running consistently and we have been fortunate, but they are struggling to keep up with the demands. When we needed to be a Resort dinner reservation, I just called Uber.
• The stores are impossible to shop in because they are so packed with people you can't move.
• Moving around, walking or even just standing is a challenge within its self.
• QS, and snack type meals, the lines are easily 20 to 30 people deep. We are on the dining plan, but HATE using the QS and snacks because we simply don't want to waste the huge hunk of time necessary to get a snack.
• We park hop when one park is not managable to simply arrive at another is equally unmanageable, so you are better off sticking it out at the first park aND not wasting the travel time.
• There is a HUGE hunk of time being spent getting from one place to another.
• We have opened the parks and used Magic Hours to best utilze the options. We are getting 1 premium ride in and by the time we get out, others are at 45 to 60 mins wait times.
• It is difficult for me to accept someone saying, do a craft at a resort, swim in 45 degree weather or do something off Disney property. That is NOT what is being paid for. Sure those are options, but not my options.

Now with all this said, although very frustrating we are still having a good time, because we are choosing to make lemonade out of lemons. I do understand the OP's frustration though.

This sounds like our trip last year during spring break!!! We go to WDW to enjoy WDW..... not to swim (we have a pool at home), not to shop (malls are everywhere and I can easily use the WDW shop app)! So now we have narrowed it down to going only in early May or September..... not slow like it used to be then, but at least May and Sept are still "manageable"!

 

[Nancyg56]

Your wording certainly sounds like a directive.

For my family (and everyone else I know), we go to Disney for the parks. If there were no parks, we wouldn't go. There are far nicer resorts for the same price (or cheaper!) in much more beautiful areas of the world where we can spend time. We enjoy the resorts on the days we take a break, but I think it's ridiculous to suggest that someone who plans a Disney trip should be content to do a craft or watch a movie instead.

It's true, most people want the parks., however when you choose to visit during any vacation or holiday period you travel knowing that the parks will be crowded. If they are not, well you got a bonus. There are options available if you don't enjoy the crowds, and most free options are found in resorts. All you need to do is check the calendars. Movies, crafts are just a few things guests may do if they find the parks are not fun for them.

Most of us have backup plans if we find that the parks don't work for us. If we are there in the summer and it is too hot for us in the parks, and the pools are like bathwater, we don't pack our toys and go home. We find things to do. That may not work for you, but it does not negate the suggestion.

 

[AngiTN]

I have been at Disney during freezing temps twice. I get how unpleasant it is. It is not fun to walk around for hours outside when it's freezing. Even DH, who hates hot trips, prefers a warm day over a cold one. We did alter our park times during those cold trips. But we didn't head home early. That would have still be worse.

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?

This thought has struck me several times. There were no reports of any park reaching even the first level of closure all week. That means the parks were not as crowded as they could be. So despite the reports of how busy they were, recent Christmas week trips would have been busier. I guess the difference is those guests were expecting that level of crowds and the guests last week were not. No sure, just had the thought that as bad as it sounds last week it could have been worse

 

[erc]

• Bag check is easily 30 to 45 mins and then another time wait through the metal detector.
• The busses have been running consistently and we have been fortunate, but they are struggling to keep up with the demands. When we needed to be a Resort dinner reservation, I just called Uber.
• There is a HUGE hunk of time being spent getting from one place to another.

All of this tells me that Express Transportation might be worth it when the parks are crowded.

 

[Nancyg56]

All of this tells me that Express Transportation might be worth it when the parks are crowded.

I would pay for it in a heartbeat if I hopped from park to park. I think it is worth it just to skip the bag check line.