Crowd control tips

[jdaa1]

We're going down at the end of July, and I'm very worried about crowds with FTP. How about some tips for dealing with crowds? I've read about these:

1. Go to the parks early.
2. Leave the parks by lunch time, and head back to the room for a nap or swim.
3. Avoid EE days.
4. Eat at "off times" (early or later than usual).
5. Use fast pass.

I know there must be lots of others--anyone else care to add to the list?

Happy 4th everyone!!

 

[laceemouse]

My favorite tip from the guide books is have each family member make a "must do" list. It is impossible to see/do everything at Disney in one trip, especially when it is hot and crowded. Take your time, stop and smell the roses, and remember that Disney is not going away any time soon. Whatever you miss you can see next time!!!

 

[MomE@Home]

laceemouse has the right idea ! On our last trip to WDW we did "comando" style touring and I would NEVER do it that way again ! On our next trip we will be there longer and will take our time to experience the magic that WDW has to offer-we missed out on that rushing around last time.

 

[JulieWent]

I know that many people hate going to EE mornings, but we really love EE. The best times we've had in the parks have been during EE times (even during New Year's week)! If you're able to get up and be at the park that's scheduled for EE when EE begins, you will get some glorious uncrowded time in. Seriously. We usually go to EE at MK, ride everything we want to ride before 10:00 a.m. and then beat it out of the MK before the big crowds start to build. This really worked even when we were there this past year during the week between Christmas and New Years.

Of course, I go on and on about EE without knowing if you're staying on-site. Are you staying on-site?

(We'll be there the week before you: July 20 - 23 -- Just a quick summer visit!)

Julie

 

[Kermit]

I agree that if you're staying on-site, ee is a great way to avoid crowds (if you want to ride the rides open during ee). Get to the parks early and ride everything open for ee. Then when the rest of the park opens, ride the most popular rides that weren't open. When the lines for the popular rides start to get long, start riding the less popular rides. When the whole park gets crowded, leave, take a break, and then return that afternoon to another park.

Knowing what rides typically have long lines and when lines are the shortest will help. Simply don't stand in line for something popular at the most crowded time of the day. Save those rides for FP or times when the park isn't as crowded.

 

[FloridaCat]

Having been there many times I just wish everyone would take their time. Disney is a master of detail and there is show much to look at. The landscaping, little touches here and there. In my opinion it would be the price of a ticket to just wask around the park and view it's mastery. The rushers are cheating themselves out of the complete experience.

 

[jdaa1]

We're staying on-site so we can take advantage of EE days. I had read elsewhere to avoid EE days during busy times of the year--like July! However, I guess the majority view here is to use EE days, so long as you get there when the parks open....have I got it right?

 

[JulieWent]

Yep. You may end up hating me (all of us) for this if it doesn't turn out like it usually does ! But I truly believe that EE is the best touring "tool" Disney makes available. There are just so many people who don't want to get up early. (I certainly empathize!) EE allows those people who are able and willing to use those early mornings to our advantage.

A few tips about using EE:
Try to eat a small breakfast before you leave your resort. (We usually have cereal and a small milk with us in an ice chest, but we have also eaten pop tarts or even blueberry muffins when we're staying somewhere with a nice bakery (like the BoardWalk). That way you don't have to worry about food once you get in the park. (Last time we were there, we ate cereal before we left for MK, rode everything we wanted to ride by park opening, and then got a cinnamon roll at the bakery on Main Street and sat and watched the "park opening" show.

If you're staying at a resort with bus service to the MK, get out to the bus stop early. If EE starts at 8:00 a.m., get out to the bus stop as close to 7:00 as humanly possible. (They usually run a bus about 7:05 - 7:15 and then the next one can be a little late -- too close to EE opening for my comfort.)

If you're going to do anything in Fantasy Land, go there first. We have, in the past, gone straight for Dumbo (and done it twice in a row!) and then headed over to Tomorrowland. If you have children who insist on doing Tomorrowland Speedway, do it second. (That line -- in the sun and always a nasty bottleneck! I can't wait until my DS doesn't care about that ride anymore!) Everything else comes next. (Usually Space Mountain for us and then Astro Orbiters.) If you don't want to do Fantasy Land, go straight to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain, etc.

Towards the end of EE, go back over to Fantasy Land and wait to head for Frontier Land. Then you can be early to get on Big Thunder Mountain and go on or get FastPasses for Splash Mountain.



This sounds like I'm a real commando tour-type, and that's funny because we really take relaxing trips to WDW. It's just that my whole family (DS 8, DH, and I) loves MK, but DS and DH get apoplectic (sp?) about long lines. So I've worked long and hard over the years to determine how we can best enjoy MK without getting caught in bottlenecks. The above plan seems to work really well for MK, at least. We don't find that we need to use EE for the other parks, but I imagine EE works well at those too. Good luck!

We'll be there, too!

Julie

 

[jdaa1]

Thanks Julie--that was really helpful!!

 

[Greg K.]

I've heard that EVERYBODY seems to be in on this now. It's not uncommon to find some swimming pools at some resorts barely usable in the afternoons.

(Notably: Stormalong Bay at the BC/YC).

I'll find out soon enough myself: we leave Sunday the 6th for two glorious weeks -- our first visit to BCV as DVC members

 

[ksmom]

If we stay BC conceirge their breakfast isn't until 7:00. Would this mess up EE and should we just plan on going and eating a later breakfast in the park on those days?
Also How busy is Memorial Day weekend compared with July. With my teaching schedule and taking classes during summer school I'm not sure when we will be able to go yet for next year.

 

[JulieWent]

We've never used concierge before, so I'm not quite sure how they compensate for EE mornings. Perhaps you could grab a danish or muffin on your way out the door? Or maybe ask concierge if you can pick up breakfast cereal or a muffin the night before and hoard it in your room??? It's good to have something before you go, though, because the Main Street Bakery is usually pretty crowded once it opens on EE mornings. (I don't think it opens until the rest of the park is about ready to open.)

A word of note about BC buses: We are DVC members and frequently stay at BoardWalk. BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin all share one bus route. This can be a real pain on EE mornings, so if you're able, get out to the bus stop early. (I think the bus actually picks up at the Beach Club second on its route, so that's good. By the time it gets to BoardWalk on EE mornings, there are frequently not very many seats left. Then we have to wait for the second or third bus.)

(Don't worry about this too much. It's my ONLY complaint about the Epcot area resorts. But I wanted to caution you about it.)

Julie

 

[CRCrazy]

If they are offering it when you are there - definitely - use E-nite!!

For $12, you get an extra 3 hours in the Magic Kingdom - and all the big rides are open - 3 mountains - buzz - Haunted Mansion, etc!

The sun is down - and the temperatures are comfortable - the afternoon rains are over - it is MK at its best!

We just went on July 1st - hot, crowded - we never saw less than a 75 minute wait for Splash Mt - and the line is in the heat of the sun! Fastpasses were either for 7 hours later, or already gone by 2 pm! During E-nite, it was a walk on or less than 5 minute wait - basically just the time to walk through the queue! We rode it 3 times in 1/2 hour!

 

[jdaa1]

I'm with you, ksmom--we're staying YC concierge, and I really want to eat breakfast in the lounge before we go. So even if we hurry, we wouldn't be fininshed eating and downstairs before 7:20 at the earliest. Given that, would we be better off driving rather than taking a bus on EE mornings? Does anyone have any idea what the drive time "door to door" from an Epcot resort to MK would be on an EE morning?


Another question: Like Greg K, I'm worried that too many people may have the same idea to go back to the pool for an afternoon swim. I've heard that SAB can be very crowded. Anyone have any suggestions for alternate activities if the hotel pool is to crowded to enjoy an afternoon swim? DH and I may be ready for a nap, but I don't think our 12 yr old DS and 15 yr old DD would ever agree!

 

[uktigger]

hi all
all i can say is wowwhat great tips i have copied them down on rough paper as we will be there when it's busy end june to 13th july we will definatly do ee and e-nite as magic kingdom is our fav park

eve

 

[bobcat]

jdaa1- It rarely takes more than 15 minutes to drive from place to place in WDW, unless you hit major traffic. The only problem you may have with driving to MK is that you have to park at the TTC and then take the monorail (only transportation on EE day) to the MK gates. The buses drop you off right at the gates. A better idea might be to send one person to the lounge to get breakfast for everyone while you are getting ready.

 

[Muffy]

You really should take extra items from concierge the day BEFORE EE for breakfest. That is the only way to eat breakfest before you leave for the parks on an EE morning. You have to add time if you drive to MK because you park at the TTC. This is very doable if you plan for it! Good luck and happy planning! It is half the fun!

 

[FloridaCat]

It's good there are so many opinons and plans. Keeps us spread out. If everyone was a Lark or Owl that would be a big problem.

Go with the flow and have the time of your life.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

We never go back to the room for a break. Instead we take our break while still in the parks. The afternoons are great times to see indoors shows that are dark & well airconditioned. For example) MK - Hall of Presidents, Epcot - Amer. Adventure & the movie in France. There are a few others as well.

I totally agree with the others who said to get there early & do Fantasyland first.