Crowd level 2

[skiingwife]

Hi, The first few days of my WDW trip are rated crowd level 2 by the UG. And then they move up to 3, and then up from there. If you've been to MK on a crowd 2 or 3 day, can you tell me how long your waits were for Space Mtn. and Splash Mtn.? On our first day, we won't get to MK until around 11, but with crowd level 2, I'm hoping that it won't be too crowded and lines won't be too long.

 

[LadyLuc361]

With a crowd level of 2, you should be fine. We went last year when there was a crowd level of 3 and didn't wait for more than 20 minutes for anything. I guess we probably avoided anything with longer waits, but were able to do everything we wanted to. I think we only used fastpass once or twice. Hope this helps a little.

Rachel

 

[Bob P]

Hi Skiingwife,

I'm as big a fan of the Unofficial Guide as anyone...I've been reading it since the first year it was published. But I think over-analyzing day-by-day attendance is not a good idea. All it takes is a couple of school field trips or conventions to turn a "3" into a "7," or some rain to turn a "7" into a "3."

My advice is: just go and enjoy!

Bob

 

[rt2dz]

A 3 is absolutely nothing. I won't even blink at a 3--I don't start getting worried until a 5-6, and have true concern until a 7. And even then, I don't look at any individual days, but several days at a time to get a good idea.

 

[lentesta]

I wouldn't panic until 7. A 3 is a walk in the park. (Ha! I made a funny!)

Len

 

[back2disney]

A 3 is a walk in the park

Len,
So I assume it isn't necessary to wake up a 2 1/2 year old at 6am just to make it there in time for the MK opening and then find a place to hide during midday even though the park closes at 7pm. We are normally on Central Daylight Time.

 

[harleyquinn]

I've been there when its an 8. It put a dampor on things, but we utilized fast passes and got to do everything we wanted, including those super busy Fantasyland rides.

We never waited more than 25 minutes for anything.

I grew up waiting 3 hours to ride stuff at Cedar Point. I thought WDW was awesome after that!

 

[CaipiraBob]

Len,
So I assume it isn't necessary to wake up a 2 1/2 year old at 6am just to make it there in time for the MK opening and then find a place to hide during midday even though the park closes at 7pm. We are normally on Central Daylight Time.

The general rule of thumb is that the best times are the first opening hours of the park. If you get in on opening, you can sometimes hit 5 or 6 rides in the Fantasy land/Mickey's Village area in the first hour. After the first 2 hours the crowds build to the point where you'll start seeing higher wait times. Off season isn't as bad, but assuming it's in between hi/lo, arriving early still makes a big difference.

I recommend as early as possible. Hit the high volume rides asap. After the crowds begin to build do things like the shows, Tom Sawyer's Island and other like attractions. You can approach parade time the same way.

Anyway, that's what we do. I need to add we've been so many times we don't bother staying in the parks all day. A few short jaunts for our favorites is enough to carry us through an entire vacation. The rest of the time we are resort/lounge lizards...

 

[back2disney]

Off season isn't as bad

That's my dilema, I'm going in the offseason, so the park hours are shorter, but the lines are too. The last time I went was in the late 80s during the summer/spring break so it was crowded but probably not like it is now. I remember being at the park early noticing it was getting crowded, leaving and then coming back. By good timing I'm able to go in the offseason this time, and have heard about the shorter times, but am wondering if its still going to be crowded relative to the late 80's. I'd rather sleep in, but will wake up early if necessary but I need to adjust my ps's if thats the case.
Thanks

 

[back2disney]

sorry for the previous rambling..
I guess my questions are:
Is it necessary to come at open, leave the park midday, and come back before closing during offseason?
Or will I be wasting a day if I arrive around midday(11a->12n) and stay till close?

 

[sarahj]

Is there someplace to get a listing of crowd levels? I have never seen that. Will be there June 10-15th and am wondering how the crowds will be.

 

[back2disney]

Is there someplace to get a listing of crowd levels? I have never seen that. Will be there June 10-15th and am wondering how the crowds will be.

http://touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[Rozzie]

I recommend as early as possible. Hit the high volume rides asap. After the crowds begin to build do things like the shows, Tom Sawyer's Island and other like attractions. You can approach parade time the same way.

this is our exact philosophy. We always are there for rope drop, early entry. We do all our favorites 2 or 3 times then run away to Tom Sawyer Island and stare in amazement at all the ants running back and forth....we love it when we can get one of the rocking chairs...

 

[k_k_100]

Len,
So I assume it isn't necessary to wake up a 2 1/2 year old at 6am just to make it there in time for the MK opening and then find a place to hide during midday even though the park closes at 7pm. We are normally on Central Daylight Time.

I've been early Dec. for quite a few years. I'm not sure what the official levels were but I think they were around a 2 or 3. By mid-day Fantasyland was a madhouse! We were able to walk onto Stitch & the lines for Space Mtn. were very low... but, heaven help you if you want to get onto Peter Pan! The line was about 1 hr. From some of the reading I'm beginning to believe that Fantasyland might be the exception to the crowd rule.

I might be wrong, but I don't think that many of the rides a 2 1/2 yr. old wants to ride on are considered "headliners"? Does the UG take Peter Pan & Dumbo into consideration for their crowd levels?

I'd highly recommend going to the MK early at least one day & doing Fantasyland - Other then that, relax & enjoy!

 

[Hollymom1229]

I've got to say, the only place to be scared of is Fantasyland. That place is packed no matter when you go. DH and I typically go in September due to the non-existent crowds. Typically a 1 or 2 on the UG scale. There are still 30 minute lines for most rides in Fantasyland, and I won't even go near Dumbo.

 

[back2disney]

I'd highly recommend going to the MK early at least one day & doing Fantasyland - Other then that, relax & enjoy!

I've got to say, the only place to be scared of is Fantasyland.

Thanks for the last 2 posts, very helpful for my disney plan.
We will get up early at least once to let the little one go commando in fantasyland
Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[molly213]

I've been there when its an 8. It put a dampor on things, but we utilized fast passes and got to do everything we wanted, including those super busy Fantasyland rides.

We never waited more than 25 minutes for anything.

I grew up waiting 3 hours to ride stuff at Cedar Point. I thought WDW was awesome after that!

Hello fellow cedar pointer! Believe it or not my kids were somewhat disappointed after their first Disney trip because they expected more of the rides like Cedar Point has. Now Disney is the favorite but my son started working at Cedar Point this weeks so you can tell it hasn't worn off yet. Anyone visiting Ohio this summer - stop by the Point!