Crowd calendar STRESS

[alrightythen]

I really need to stay off of the crowd calendar site. We had to postpone our trip next week and are trying to figure out when is another good time to go. Every time I think I have a good week and check the crowd calendar, I start to freak out with the 6, 7, & 8's. I want a week of 4 & 5's in like March or April. I guess we just need to book it and hope for the best, huh?

 

[bas71873]

Those are spring break months, hence the crowd levels (I presume). How about going in May. I've read on the boards several times that early May is a slower time? You miss the spring breakers and schools aren't out yet?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

The crowd calendar is great and I buy into it 100%, but the #'s only go for MK, so I would definately not use it as a guide of when to book a trip. Thier best park/worst park advise is spot on for us and they will tell you that using that as well as a great touring plan and arriving at RD, using FP wisely can even make a '10' day feel like a much lower number. Go ahead and book and then plan your days using thier other advice but try to quit looking at the number.

 

[BLAMBKY]

The crowd calendar is great and I buy into it 100%, but the #'s only go for MK, so I would definately not use it as a guide of when to book a trip. Thier best park/worst park advise is spot on for us and they will tell you that using that as well as a great touring plan and arriving at RD, using FP wisely can even make a '10' day feel like a much lower number. Go ahead and book and then plan your days using thier other advice but try to quit looking at the number.

Hugh? The #s only go for MK? I know that TPlans give you the Best and Worst parks for any given day?

 

[figmentgirl]

Hugh? The #s only go for MK? I know that TPlans give you the Best and Worst parks for any given day?

Yup. They refer to the wait times for the 3 mountains at MK. (Splash, Space and Big Thunder). I also rreccomend the UG touring plan as well as going to the reccomended parks for each day.

 

[Praying Colonel]

The UG crowd calendar numbers apply to peak wait times at the 3 MK Mountains (Space, Splash and Big Thunder) on a particular day. How they apply to other parks is an appoximation, at best.

The UG folks always say having a plan is about 5 times more important than the day you're there. Just relax and have fun.

 

[BLAMBKY]

Yup. They refer to the wait times for the 3 mountains at MK. (Splash, Space and Big Thunder). I also rreccomend the UG touring plan as well as going to the reccomended parks for each day.

Well Good Grief, I really do learn something new every time I come on these boards! I wish it wasn't so, I need to get off this computer and get my laundry done.

 

[kathy884]

If you have the chance to go off peak, go for it for sure. This though is an email from someone who usually goes with crowd calendars between 7 and 10. You can tell I have a school aged kid. Anyway, I just love the unofficial guide to Walt Disney touring plans and don't go to any Disney park without them. They salvage theme park days with heavy crowds, actually make it fun. You can of course subscribe to these on touringplans.com for just $10, and you have a subscription for a year. If you're willing to get up early and follow a plan, I think going with crowds of 7 or 8 is not a problem at all. We always follow the plans to the T. Now with Christmas week (which I've done many times -- 9s and 10s), the touring plans work great too, but they can't help you avoid road traffic, resturant crowds, etc. and I only recommend that week for huge theme park die hards with a lot of patience (not my husband, for example).

20 trips to the Orlando/Buena Vista area and number 21 coming up in March!

 

[JAL2525]

we've gone down all times of year and I've got to say that September and October were the best. Very low crowds and warm not hot weather.

 

[tricialp]

I just want to say, I cannot believe how much everyone seems to know on these boards. I personally am overwhelmed and feel like I will never know enough! Guess I will just keep reading and learning ( :

Tricia

 

[Sunshine1987]

Hi! I just want to chime in that I know how you feel. Last year up until 1 or 2 weeks before our trip, the crowd calendars said 6's. Then all of a sudden they changed to 7, 8, and even one 9!!! I was panicked. But I used my touring plans and honestly did not feel stressed about crowds at all! Other than TSM (which even with FP is a 10-20 min wait) we never had to wait more than a few minutes for rides unless we deviated from our plan! So arrive to the parks early, have a plan, and enjoy your trip!!!

I also have to say, that I went to DL & California Adventure in July 2008. It was soooooo crowded!! We went with my brother, teenage neices and nephews. Since they live in Calif. they just go and never think about what they want to do. They all initially "laughed" at my plans but I think they were secretly impressed!!! I told them it was important to me to experience certain rides since we live in the midwest AND it was all of our first trip to Cal Adventure (this was my first time seeing Turtle Talk with Crush, and riding ToT and Soarin). They went along with it and I think they were thankful we weren't all wondering around aimlessly!!

Anyway, all that to say, you can have lots fun on an 8 & 9 day with a plan!

 

[Micca]

I just want to say, I cannot believe how much everyone seems to know on these boards. I personally am overwhelmed and feel like I will never know enough! Guess I will just keep reading and learning ( :

Tricia

Some people scale mountains for a feeling of accomplishment, others get a CRT breakfast on the first try and wait no longer than 10 minutes waiting for Soarin'.

 

[khertz]

Do you have anything that would hinder you from taking a vacation at any time throughout the year (kids in school, job, etc)? If you have freedom of when to go, I'd say your best bet would be in the fall when school is back in session. DH and I went for our honeymoon the first week in October and it was fantastic! We had minimal to no waits for most rides, hardly ever had to use FPs (I saved a bunch for the scrapbook, at least the ones I absolutely couldn't give away!), and the weather was nice. Not too hot, but a few short rain showers throughout the day. Plus you have MNSSHP and F&W.

 

[sewer]

Don't worry about the crowds just go and have fun! I think the secret is to take your time while you're there, that way you won't stress out.

 

[stelly02mom]

I just want to say, I cannot believe how much everyone seems to know on these boards. I personally am overwhelmed and feel like I will never know enough! Guess I will just keep reading and learning ( :

Tricia

I totally understand. I just signed up a couple of days ago and I didn't realize how much I didn't know after going 7 times. Good Luck!!!