Crowd coping strategies July 4-9

[jcat1122]

My partner and I are about to leave for our six day Disney vacation and we're a bit worried about crowds. I've never been there in the summer or in any peak period before (but this vacation was timed around other Florida/Orlando work and family committments, so we didn't have a lot of choice).

We've got the TouringPlans/Unofficial Guide data and plans....but I think I'll go bonkers waiting for each and every attraction. We're two adults (late 30s/early 40s) but I've got very bad foot/hip problems (standing and waiting not great - so trying to minimize it wherever I can).

Can anyone weigh in on best peak crowd strategies, including use of EMH (a.m. and p.m.) and what parks to absolutely avoid on what days? We're staying at POFQ and will have a car (to minimize standing in bus lines).

thanks!

 

[dixiedizfan]

As far as the actual holiday on the 4th, Animal Kingdom will be the only park not having fireworks, so unless you need to see them, I'd go there that day for the least crowds.

 

[jcat1122]

Thanks, Dixie! We're arriving the evening of the 4th so our concern is more about the 5-9th.

I suppose this could be like any non-summer holiday week or perhaps late August?

 

[mmmears]

Get there before everyone else, ride the rides you want to most, and leave early as everyone is pouring in for the day. Take a break, go back around/after dinnertime, and enter the parks when lots of people are leaving for the day. This really worked for us during Spring Break / Easter this year --the crowds first thing in the morning were smaller than we anticipated. Also, realize that you cant do EVERY ride at WDW during a holiday week, and just have fun!

 

[ourhappyplace]

We will also be staying at POFQ starting on Tuesday until Sunday. We just know that we have 6 days to see 4 parks and we will get done what we can as long as we are still having fun! We have made a few lists of the top rides we want to go on and made various meal reservations according to that. We know it will be really hot as well so our plan is to go to each parks' EMH in the morning and leave when it gets too hot/crowded and then head back at night or take the boat to Downtown Disney - we will spend the 4th at Epcot as I have heard that the MK is REALLY crowded on that day.

Just remember to have fun no matter what - and not let lines, crowds or heat ruin it for you! It's all about the magical environment that Disney creates!

 

[jcat1122]

Interesting - so you're recommending using a.m. EMH? Unofficial Guide says to avoid parks with EMH because they'll be overrun with other resort guests....and I wasn't sure if I bought into that strategy or not. I think evening EMH will be really good (especially with naps in the hottest midday times!) but didn't know what to do about morning EMH. Anyone else have morning EMH thoughts?

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I would personally use the morning EMH and then hop to another park. I would avoid the evening ones as these will be extra packed.

 

[denecarter]

I would personally use the morning EMH and then hop to another park. I would avoid the evening ones as these will be extra packed.

DD18 and I are night owls and live in the Central Time Zone. For us, not getting up early and the ability to stay in the parks when the sun is down made our decision. We'll brave the larger groups at Evening EMH... and hopefully, with the MK open until 2 am and D-MGM until 1 am while we're there (7/12 to 7/23), that last hour will have fewer guests.

 

[mmmears]

I would personally use the morning EMH and then hop to another park. I would avoid the evening ones as these will be extra packed.

This is what we found worked well for us during Spring Break crowds.

 

[travelitis]

Avoiding the EMH was the strategy for offsite guests I thought. If you're onsight, I thought the UOG said to take advantage of it then leave that park around 11:00 for an afternoon break, returning around 4:00 or 5:00. Something else I do (don't know if it's in the UOG since EMH have started including nights) is to look at the previous day's EMH. If Epcot has late EMH, and you don't want to do that, then head there 1st thing the day after. Folks who went for late EMH won't be there, and early EMHers will be at another park. We used this system when we were offsite and wanted to get on Soarin'. The FP's for that were all gone by 11:00 most days, but the day after late EMH they hung around longer.

Other than that, use those FP's! And for AK, remember that people start leaving that park earlier. If you do a late night and want to sleep in, that's a great park to hit at 2:00 or 3:00 when people are pouring out of there. You probably can't get it all done (depends on what you want to see, because you could hit all the biggest attractions if it's open until 6 or 7) but you get quite a bit accomplished then hop to another park.

Good Luck!!