Checked out early - Parks too crowded.

[Nancyg56]

You're right, we've had great fortune in being able to visit a lot since 2015, and we'll be doing it again in 2017-2018. However, until then, we lived in PA. We only got to visit every 2 or 3 years because we had to fly down. For a family of 5, that's not cheap. So I 100% understand from the perspective of someone who doesn't get to go but once every few years. Most of those trips we took when we lived in PA were during 4th of July week, as that's what worked best for our schedule, so we're veterans of only going once in a while...and on one of the busiest weeks of the year.

I understand the frustration, I really do. But I just can't sympathize with it. As I said, outside of things like Grand Central Station, it's the most visited tourist attraction in the United States. With that in mind, it's always going to be busy. If you chose not to return because of how busy it was, fine, that's up to you. Perhaps you were expecting something that was unrealistic before you walked in the door.

And what exactly would you want WDW to do about it? Yes, I'm being a Disney "apologist" here, but think about it. So what difference would more CMs and buses really make? There are only so many rides and they only have a certain capacity per hour to accommodate guests. So instead of 4 CMs standing at the queue to tell you the wait is 60 minutes, would having 8 of them make a difference? The lines won't be shorter, the rides can only go so fast. As for building more restaurants, bathrooms (of which I think they already have a lot), etc...from a business owner perspective, that probably won't make a ton of sense. Do I think they can add a few more things (I don't eat in their restaurants, so I don't really care, but I get it...we sit in QS places to eat our lunches)? Sure, a few more wouldn't hurt. But adding enough to easily accommodate Spring Break, 4th of July or Xmas week without guests having to wait would be a massive undertaking. And the other 45 weeks of the year that aren't as nuts as those busiest weeks, those places would be half empty. Probably not want WDW wants. Lower the number of guests they allow in the parks? Oh goodness, imagine the uproar if they did that!!!! It would make this debate seem miniscule. That's not an option. While I have no evidence either way, as I don't work there, I doubt that WDW just sits on their hands and does nothing about being busy. In fact, I would argue they do everything in their capacity to make it better for their guests. We have a family friend who has been a CM for 6 or 7 years, and she says they do a lot to try to accommodate guests.

Sorry, while I do completely understand it's frustrating to have the park be so crowded, I can't get mad about it, blame WDW or say I won't come back. If you want to, that's up to you.

I agree that crowds are crowds, but I have to disagree that Disney is doing all they can to alleviate the impact heavy crowds have on guests. I admit that I am somewhat of a Disney apologist, but based on my experience over a Thanksgiving Holiday, I get the OP's issue. It was the only time I came home with a case of Buyers Remorse. WE stayed at the BC while Hurricane Hannahs was down for refurbishment, and because we were staying CL that trip ( We knew about the crowds and knew we would be using the resort more so we had a bit of a backup plan) WE missed the worst of the impact, however it was clear the resort management had no idea how the CM's were burdened, perhaps because they figured folks would head to Epcot. No....a lot of us were using the resort to miss the crowds parks. This resort was UNDERSTAFFED to the point they would pretend not to see a guest who was looking for food service, at the makeshift CS areas. It was terrible, and was contagious, with stressed CM's in all areas of customer service that handled food, such as the marketplace.

Now I am not at all sure that Disney really knows how some of the cuts in place have filtered down to the guest level, but no matter how hard individual CM's work to please guests, and I know how dedicated they are, they cannot solve the underlying issue if there are not enough people. Disney can help by lengthening hours of operation of existing restaurants, but that means more staffing. They can increase the number of gate personnel, maintenance cast members, and folks managing the attractions to ensure that folks are all assisted. We know that entertainment cast members were reduced, and that has an adverse effect in the parks because folks that would be enjoying them are no in queues. The notion that removing entertainment boosts spending is just foreign to me. The shops are crowded, but how many are going over their predetermined budget because they are sick of lines? I am more likely to call it a day, head back to the resort and have a glass of my own wine.

You an I usually agree for the most part, and I agree with many of your points here, but I do think that Disney has dropped a pretty important ball in terms of customer satisfaction with regards to the staffing in the parks. They can and should be booting attendance, but they also should factor how to keep those folks entertained during these incredibly busy weeks.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I think people expected crowds, but from what I am hearing the crowds are much bigger than years past. You go in expecting say, 60-90 minute waits, and you are encountering 120-150 min waits. I think a lot has to do with the chilly weather. People are not using the pools, the water parks are closed, nobody wanted to go to the beach etc. So all those folks went to Disney. These are things the crowd calendars have no way of predicting.

You don't go to WDW during spring break, and the week that all Orlando area schools are on spring break, expecting 60-90 minute lines. If you go that week, you expect 150+ minute lines on all headliners.

 

[bumbershoot]

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

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.

Go to Universal. Go eat at Sweet Tomatoes. Pkay mini golf. Go to I Drive and have some handmade frozen custard or ride the Orlando Eye.

While I agree it does seem that reports for this week are exceeding even expected crowds. Not sure what all fell in to place to make it worse than expected but I've seen enough reports of the crowds by now to realize something is different about this week. I think even the best of laid plans are struggling. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if this week is some sort of anomaly.

Trying to figure out how it's spring break when it's still winter lol.

Doesn't it have something to do with when Easter hits this year?

BTW guys, it's been 47 degrees for the low and 55 or so for the highs most of the week. Pools were out of the question IMO.

First pool use for my family in Orlando it was in the 60. Second time it was the 50s. Easy to notice my state and explain it away, but I'm from CA. And we were with family whose kids are Floridians, and they were first in the pool.

Even Spaceship Earth was 60 minute standby!

Is this odd?

the unpredicted cold snap

There was a post in the Uni boards from last week about the expected drop in temperatures.

I've been reading all kinds of terrible crowded park and cold evening weather trip reports, so my expectations make me want to stay home and throw up at the same time, but alas... Money is spent and "have to" go... I'm thinking my expectations are that trip will be absolutely miserable (3 kids in tow, 1 pre-teen, 1 with a full arm cast and 1 cranky teething toddler). WTH was I thinking

On our way now.

Sorry OP that your trip was less than magical

The cooler weather will help the one in the cast. Better than going in august. Promise. The toddler will be distracted by Disney. Nothing can help the preteen with their preteen ways lol.

And you set your own limit at thirty minutes maximum for a ride-that's your decision.

Ayep.

I've enjoyed longer line waits than 60 minutes! The app/game "heads up" is a very fun way to talk and giggle your way through the line. (But I can't handle long waits for TSMM at wdw...the noise bounces around in there and kills me...I'm the one wanting to plug my ears with eyes closed (and I'm not exaggerating, it does something bad to me) as my family pushes me along the line.)

60 minute waits for SSE and LwtL on one day.

Seriously, this is different?

We've never hit wdw during a truly busy time but those are the times we've waited for spaceship earth and living with the land. So I'm not seeing the issue.

I always dismiss the whole "dirty bathroom" thing because posters on the same trip can have the opposite experience. Did you walk in right before a CM was sent to clean or right after?

Absolutely. It's all about timing.

There should be no need for them being cleaned constantly if people didn't behave worse than pigs in the bathrooms.

YES.

Literally almost the entire country of Canada has 1 week of holidays at the exact same time. And A LOT of Canadians go to Florida on March Break

Found the ones in the pool!

 

[Disneylover99]

We are Canadian and went this past week last year. One thing that's not discussed much is that this is the Canadian "March Break." Literally almost the entire country of Canada has 1 week of holidays at the exact same time. And A LOT of Canadians go to Florida on March Break. I haven't seen very many U.S. crowd calendars take into account the 'Canadian Factor.' It certainly lends a lot more crowds than if just a few U.S. states have their Spring Break at once.

When we went last year, they said that MK was at a '10' every single day of the Canadian March Break. We barely survived a day at MK, even with Rope Dropping, fast pass+ and following our 'Unofficial Guide' touring plan to a tee. Most of the day, we couldn't even walk from ride to ride in less than 30 minutes. It was THAT crowded. So we totally understand why you left. We spent only 3 days at the parks, and took the rest of the trip just relaxing by the pool, going to the beach, and doing things away from Disney.

If you are from the U.S. or Florida, I would recommend finding out when the Canadian March Break is, and NOT GOING THAT WEEK.
Maybe crowd predictors need to take this into account more?

Yep. I'm off this week. Lots of people head to Florida over the March break. It feels like it might be the number 1 destination for Canadians to book. I wish I was there.

 

[anniemae]

You don't go to WDW during spring break, and the week that all Orlando area schools are on spring break, expecting 60-90 minute lines. If you go that week, you expect 150+ minute lines on all headliners.

It was just an example, I was not being literal. My point was that you expect a certain crowd level, you plan for a certain level, you expect a certain number of people in the parks, when that level is surpassed, you get a little upset. If you are going in expecting 90, 100, 120, 150 minute waits and encounter double that time, you tend to get cranky.

Today, MK does not look as bad. I just checked and many rides are under 60 minutes (barnstormer, BTMRR, Buzz) Same story at the other parks, many rides under 60 mins. As of right now, the highest wait time is SDMT at 110.

 

[Rwsm2011]

You don't go to WDW during spring break, and the week that all Orlando area schools are on spring break, expecting 60-90 minute lines. If you go that week, you expect 150+ minute lines on all headliners.

I agree. My husband was in Orlando last week for a conference. We had thought about tagging along and spending a few days at Disney at the beginning of this week. As soon as I found out the entire area was off on Spring Break, I quickly decided to stay home. I knew it would be a NIGHTMARE! Maybe not as big of a nightmare as it is, but I knew there was no way I was even going to attempt it. The two crowd calendars I looked at (not TP) also was calling this to be the worst week with 9s. Probably should have been 10 by the sound of it, but even a 9 scares me away!

 

[glocon]

My son went this past week, and oh my gosh.... the pictures of the crowds are insane!
That does not even look like a vacation!
MK and UO were both extremely crowded, and I think that the "then just find something else to do" answer would just find more crowds...
Of course people find something else to do when they are miserable in crowds, only to find others in the same mind- find something else to doers- and so everywhere is crowded, even where you are doing "something else".
I feel bad for people spending thousands, but in all fairness, spring break is a no brainer going to be busy... I guess the level of your expectations for what busy means might be skewed.

 

[Ava]

I'm sure this has been discussed already but the OP was at MK on an evening EMH night. Of course waits were abnormally high at 7pm with all the people who head to MK in the evening to then stay for EMH. Every touring advice site I've ever read has said to avoid the EMH parks unless you plan to take advantage of the EMH hours. And even then, its best to hop to another park after morning EMH or visit a different park during the day then hop to the evening EMH park later at night. It sounds like the OP just made poor touring decisions. And the more crowded it is, the more strategic you need to be in your planning to avoid those super long wait times.

 

[Sweettears]

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.

Go to Universal. Go eat at Sweet Tomatoes. Pkay mini golf. Go to I Drive and have some handmade frozen custard or ride the Orlando Eye.



Trying to figure out how it's spring break when it's still winter lol.

Doesn't it have something to do with when Easter hits this year?



First pool use for my family in Orlando it was in the 60. Second time it was the 50s. Easy to notice my state and explain it away, but I'm from CA. And we were with family whose kids are Floridians, and they were first in the pool.



Is this odd?




There was a post in the Uni boards from last week about the expected drop in temperatures.



The cooler weather will help the one in the cast. Better than going in august. Promise. The toddler will be distracted by Disney. Nothing can help the preteen with their preteen ways lol.



Ayep.

I've enjoyed longer line waits than 60 minutes! The app/game "heads up" is a very fun way to talk and giggle your way through the line. (But I can't handle long waits for TSMM at wdw...the noise bounces around in there and kills me...I'm the one wanting to plug my ears with eyes closed (and I'm not exaggerating, it does something bad to me) as my family pushes me along the line.)



Seriously, this is different?

We've never hit wdw during a truly busy time but those are the times we've waited for spaceship earth and living with the land. So I'm not seeing the issue.



Absolutely. It's all about timing.



YES.



Found the ones in the pool!

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.

 

[Ava]

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.

I've definitely seen SSE & LwtL with 60 minute waits. It may not be typical except for at the most crowded times of year in the middle of the afternoon, but it's not uncommon. Especially with there being relatively few rides at Epcot, if one headliner ride goes down wait times at almost everything else will sky rocket. Because most guests are like my mother, who just wants to get in line for the closest thing and doesn't really care if she has to wait for an hour for it, because waiting in line is just what you have to do at a theme park. I've seen Soarin go down and guest after guest come out of the Soarin queue and go get in line for LwtL, because it's right there and they just want to ride something. Most people who visit WDW don't plan out their days down to the minute like many on this board do; we're the exception, not the norm.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

You're right, we've had great fortune in being able to visit a lot since 2015, and we'll be doing it again in 2017-2018. However, until then, we lived in PA. We only got to visit every 2 or 3 years because we had to fly down. For a family of 5, that's not cheap. So I 100% understand from the perspective of someone who doesn't get to go but once every few years. Most of those trips we took when we lived in PA were during 4th of July week, as that's what worked best for our schedule, so we're veterans of only going once in a while...and on one of the busiest weeks of the year.

I understand the frustration, I really do. But I just can't sympathize with it. As I said, outside of things like Grand Central Station, it's the most visited tourist attraction in the United States. With that in mind, it's always going to be busy. If you chose not to return because of how busy it was, fine, that's up to you. Perhaps you were expecting something that was unrealistic before you walked in the door.

And what exactly would you want WDW to do about it? Yes, I'm being a Disney "apologist" here, but think about it. So what difference would more CMs and buses really make? There are only so many rides and they only have a certain capacity per hour to accommodate guests. So instead of 4 CMs standing at the queue to tell you the wait is 60 minutes, would having 8 of them make a difference? The lines won't be shorter, the rides can only go so fast. As for building more restaurants, bathrooms (of which I think they already have a lot), etc...from a business owner perspective, that probably won't make a ton of sense. Do I think they can add a few more things (I don't eat in their restaurants, so I don't really care, but I get it...we sit in QS places to eat our lunches)? Sure, a few more wouldn't hurt. But adding enough to easily accommodate Spring Break, 4th of July or Xmas week without guests having to wait would be a massive undertaking. And the other 45 weeks of the year that aren't as nuts as those busiest weeks, those places would be half empty. Probably not want WDW wants. Lower the number of guests they allow in the parks? Oh goodness, imagine the uproar if they did that!!!! It would make this debate seem miniscule. That's not an option. While I have no evidence either way, as I don't work there, I doubt that WDW just sits on their hands and does nothing about being busy. In fact, I would argue they do everything in their capacity to make it better for their guests. We have a family friend who has been a CM for 6 or 7 years, and she says they do a lot to try to accommodate guests.

Sorry, while I do completely understand it's frustrating to have the park be so crowded, I can't get mad about it, blame WDW or say I won't come back. If you want to, that's up to you.

I disagree on some issues. I definitely think more staffing would help in some areas.
I have been to Epcot during F&W on a busy Saturday and have waited a long time to get the tapstiles. The problem was that less than half of them were open.
Also the bathroom issues. I remember when I went in the 70's & 80's the bathrooms were guaranteed spotless. Almost a permanent custodian per restroom. Now they don't even keep the park trash cans from over flowing.

There are many more examples.

MG

 

[mitchwebb]

We went spring break 2015 and had a great time. It was really crowded but open until 2am a couple of nights. Looks like they no longer
have the late nights, is this something new? We would go to MK at 9pm do our three FP and then hang out until 2am with no crowds.
Not sure we would like the parks closing at 11pm. We are west coast and love the late hours.

 

[Terpsichore]

Is it possible that the NCAA tournament games in Orlando had an impact on park attendance? The pairings were announced last Sunday and included U of FL, FSU, UNC Wilmington, UMD, UVA among others. Fans of those teams who chose to travel may have decided to go to WDW during their down time since the weather was cold.
Just a thought.

 

[Sweettears]

Is it possible that the NCAA tournament games in Orlando had an impact on park attendance? The pairings were announced last Sunday and included U of FL, FSU, UNC Wilmington, UMD, UVA among others. Fans of those teams who chose to travel may have decided to go to WDW during their down time since the weather was cold.
Just a thought.

Not in my opinion. The folks that truly care about March Madness aren't going to plan a trip to WDW.

 

[Sweettears]

I've definitely seen SSE & LwtL with 60 minute waits. It may not be typical except for at the most crowded times of year in the middle of the afternoon, but it's not uncommon. Especially with there being relatively few rides at Epcot, if one headliner ride goes down wait times at almost everything else will sky rocket. Because most guests are like my mother, who just wants to get in line for the closest thing and doesn't really care if she has to wait for an hour for it, because waiting in line is just what you have to do at a theme park. I've seen Soarin go down and guest after guest come out of the Soarin queue and go get in line for LwtL, because it's right there and they just want to ride something. Most people who visit WDW don't plan out their days down to the minute like many on this board do; we're the exception, not the norm.

That was my point. I didn't say that you never see this kind of wait. I merely pointed out that it was occurring at a time when no one was expecting it. I.e. Prior to spring break

 

[Dismama2boys]

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

 

[angrysnail]

I think Disney World would really benefit from a 5th gate - now that crowds have bounced back post 9/11 it is time to expand and spread them out into another park. I wish they had announced star wars land as it's own theme park! I think Pandora and Star Wars land will attract *new* visitors, not necessarily spread out crowds.

I visited DW in September 2015 after a 15 year hiatus and was shocked by the crowds during "slow" season!

 

[justafigment27]

I am sorry you had a miserable trip, OP. We came home from our summer vacation (not Disney) a day early this year because we were all just very tired and wanted to be home. Sometimes, you just know you are done and it's better to call it a day. I know, for us, having that extra day at home to unwind & relax before the obligations began on Monday certainly benefited our family more than one more day of that particular vacation.

 

[Farro]

I don't think I could justify the cost of changing plane tickets for just one day early unless it was an emergency. I guess if you drive it's not a big deal.

 

[NDFamily]

I have to agree with you. I was there 3/5-3/9. I made a schedule that was so packed that a lot of people called me crazy. I was able to get everything done on my schedule. I got on all of my favorite rides with little to no wait. The longest stand-by line I waited in was 45 minutes, and that was FEA during EMH. To me, WDW that week was like smaller Disneyland crowds.

We were 3/4-3/12 and I agree. We got a lot done and we were able to pick up a lot of extra fastpasses. There was one day when we were at Epcot where World Showcase was absolutely packed but that was around lunch time. We just left and did stuff outside the showcase. The Seas with Nemo had a consistent wait time of 10 minutes, at MK we were able to walk onto Haunted Mansion a few times and got Splash Mountain fastpasses several times.