Crowd Levels Down?

[Girlstar30]

This always grinds my gears, but Universal itself pretends it has four parks because it has been calling Volcano Bay a "theme park" since the day it opened

View attachment 984794

Ive never been to volcano bay but it looks legit

 

[zavandor]

Ive never been to volcano bay but it looks legit

I think it's the best water park in Orlando, by a fair margin. But calling it the 3rd/4th theme park is quite a stretch.

 

[Girlstar30]

I think it's the best water park in Orlando, by a fair margin. But calling it the 3rd/4th theme park is quite a stretch.

I agree i dont consider a water park a theme park, I love theme parks but not a big fan of water parks although id check this out just to see the big volcano!

 

[AstroBlasters]

No one in their right mind wants to be in C. Florida in the summer and foreign travel to the US is down.

 

[sethschroeder]

I already took two trips to Epic. Lines were long because the attractions kept closing/delaying due to technical and weather issues. They were handing out recovery EP to everyone who was ushered from an attraction, and this added more people to the EP lines. It was common to wait 45 minutes in some express lines. I can't imagine what the wait times for the standby lines were.

Despite all that, I still wouldn't discourage anyone from going to Epic. It's a beautiful park and we are returning next month. I just don't think it's an answer for the folks who are currently upset with Disney's pricing. If they can't afford Disney, they won't be able to afford Epic either.

Epic is being put in to the normal bucket of parks later this year for Europe tickets at least from what I saw. Getting stand alone I can't see it making sense but once its dropped in to their normal multi-day ticket it might not be so bad?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

No one in their right mind wants to be in C. Florida in the summer and foreign travel to the US is down.

Wish there was a way to like and dislike something, respectively.

 

[Mouseforward]

No one in their right mind wants to be in C. Florida in the summer and foreign travel to the US is down.

Looking forward to my end of aug trip. Oh you said in their right mind ... carry on.

 

[bdrex28]

In my opinion, they have of course the Harry Potter lands which are as immersive as anything you’ll find anywhere and a few rides at islands of adventure, but everything else is far below even the worst of Disney World.

Nothing is worse than It's a Small World.

 

[bdrex28]

A lot of people would disagree with that. The 9 and 14 year old were going with do not think Disney is thrilling enough and my wife who didnt grow up with Disney thinks that many of the rides are boring and outdated and I can see why.

I was so excited when main st electrical parade came back to Disneyland, but she thought it was lame. I think Disney banks more on people's nostalgia and I think some of the classic rides could use an update, but people would go nuts if that happened

I would agree with much of this. We love WDW, it's a very fun place that we thoroughly enjoy. However, there are definitely some changes I wish they'd make. Really just more of a modernization. My wish list:

Space Mountain- definitely could use an update
Spaceship Earth- for such an iconic location it feels like it needs a bit more than the current ride offers. Although it's great for those hot August days. (So is the Three Caballeros ride in the Mexican Pavilion)
Soarin' - One of my favorite rides but would be nice if they had more than the one show/video. They used to play the California one and the smell of the oranges was pretty cool. I still love the ride, just would be cool if they rotated 2 or 3 "scenes)
Tomorrow Land Speedway- update the cars and track, it's pretty beat up
Peter Pan- update with Tokyo version
Star Tours- Seems to be a great opportunity here to not just update like they did a while back but really make it pretty dang good.

I also think that not as many young children grow up Disney like they did in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and even into the 90s.

 

[Girlstar30]

I would agree with much of this. We love WDW, it's a very fun place that we thoroughly enjoy. However, there are definitely some changes I wish they'd make. Really just more of a modernization. My wish list:

Space Mountain- definitely could use an update
Spaceship Earth- for such an iconic location it feels like it needs a bit more than the current ride offers. Although it's great for those hot August days. (So is the Three Caballeros ride in the Mexican Pavilion)
Soarin' - One of my favorite rides but would be nice if they had more than the one show/video. They used to play the California one and the smell of the oranges was pretty cool. I still love the ride, just would be cool if they rotated 2 or 3 "scenes)
Tomorrow Land Speedway- update the cars and track, it's pretty beat up
Peter Pan- update with Tokyo version
Star Tours- Seems to be a great opportunity here to not just update like they did a while back but really make it pretty dang good.

I also think that not as many young children grow up Disney like they did in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and even into the 90s.

Yes i am one of Disney's biggest fans, but I can definitely see where they lack too. I wish Animal Kingdom had more to do as well and im looking forward to the new things coming

 

[bdrex28]

Yes i am one of Disney's biggest fans, but I can definitely see where they lack too. I wish Animal Kingdom had more to do as well and im looking forward to the new things coming

I am definitely looking forward to all the new stuff, it's too bad the spaceship earth renovation got cancelled during COVID. I think the new additions to AK will be very cool as it's really a great park. Villains land and Cars will also be cool to see.

Now, for my own personal wishes I'd love to see a Robin Hood ride. Loved loved loved that cartoon as a kid in the 70s. Easily my favorite Disney, that and Sword and the Stone.

As for rides my biggest nostalgia ride is Pirates of the Caribbean.

My mother is from California and my grandmother lived in Anaheim when I was a kid. So around 1976 we went to Disney Land and I was obsessed with it. Rode it over and over and over. Then we went to WDW in roughly 1979/1980 and did it all over again but in MK. They were building Epcot at the time, but it wasn't open yet.

 

[Girlstar30]

I am definitely looking forward to all the new stuff, it's too bad the spaceship earth renovation got cancelled during COVID. I think the new additions to AK will be very cool as it's really a great park. Villains land and Cars will also be cool to see.

Now, for my own personal wishes I'd love to see a Robin Hood ride. Loved loved loved that cartoon as a kid in the 70s. Easily my favorite Disney, that and Sword and the Stone.

As for rides my biggest nostalgia ride is Pirates of the Caribbean.

My mother is from California and my grandmother lived in Anaheim when I was a kid. So around 1976 we went to Disney Land and I was obsessed with it. Rode it over and over and over. Then we went to WDW in roughly 1979/1980 and did it all over again but in MK. They were building Epcot at the time, but it wasn't open yet.

Yes it makes me laugh when people are crying about the section that's being changed for cars like hardly anyone goes there

I am from Cali and the first time i went to Disneyland I was 7 years old and I loved the Matterhorn and rode it over and over.
I didn't really get obsessed with Disney until I worked there during the 50th anniversary. I noticed that happens a lot to CMs, I think they brainwash us or maybe because we're there so much

Anyways it was pretty magical to be placed in Fantasyland attractions during that time and operate all of the classic attractions Peter Pan, Snow White, Mr Toad, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Casey Jr. And Alice in Wonderland. I remember being scared the first time I had to walk through Snow White at night and how fascinated I was to see what Peter Pan looked like with all the lights off Working there you dont get paid much, but you make lifelong friends and memories. The most fun job ive ever had.

My wife grew up in Mexico and Donald and Daisy were huge there so she is about that. I am a Minnie fan. Im happy she enjoys going and is nostalgic about the cartoons, but the rides didnt do it for her and I understood why. She is still a trooper and loves the whole experience thank God, I think that would be a deal breaker

 

[bdrex28]

Kind of reviving this as we're planning for our trip in early February, this time taking my In-laws (both in their mid 70s).
I was looking at the touring plans calendar for crowds and I especially like looking at the "past" days to get a feel for recent actual crowd levels and not just "predicted".


Interestingly, according to them, the actual crowd levels have been super low. Even over Thanksgiving.

the week of Thanksgiving the "observed" crowds were

starting with monday and going through saturday:

6 , 4, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2

that's crazy low. I have been there in thanksgiving week and frankly it was miserable and we swore we'd never do it again.

Even more interesting to me

In August only one day was a 4, mostly they were 2's
In September only one day was a 5, mostly it was a mixture of 1s and 2s.

Both August and September can be low with heat and school and such, but past years when I have been there: 4s, 5s and 6s up to 7s and 8s (we went for many years between Sept 14th - 25th).

October was a bit higher with the 12th through the 18th being 7, 5, 4, 6, 3, 4, 6
but then back down to 1s and 2s, even Halloween was a 2.

November again pretty dang low and much lower than I'd expect.

I wonder what we would attribute this to? Economy? Everything at WDW getting more and more costly?


I fully understand that sometimes it can be an observed 2 and still feel crowded , especially during Food and Wine if you're back in the World Showcase.

 

[J-Dog]

We go about 1 weekend every month, and I haven't noticed any difference myself. Of course, weekends tend to be busier, but they don't seem any less busy than in the past, IMO.

We were at Epcot on Novemeber 15th, and maybe it had to do with it being the second-to-last Saturday of Food and Wine (and there was John Stamos at Eat to the Beat) - it might have been the busiest day I've ever seen there.

 

[bdrex28]

We go about 1 weekend every month, and I haven't noticed any difference myself. Of course, weekends tend to be busier, but they don't seem any less busy than in the past, IMO.

We were at Epcot on Novemeber 15th, and maybe it had to do with it being the second-to-last Saturday of Food and Wine (and there was John Stamos at Eat to the Beat) - it might have been the busiest day I've ever seen there.

To me when it comes to Food and Wine or any of the festivities/concerts around World Showcase you can throw the crowd calendars out the window. Especially the college students with APs that come for the food drinks and like you said the concerts, etc.

The front of Epcot could be a ghost town but world showcase will be shoulder to shoulder.

Edit, just looked on "observed crowds" and Nov 15th was listed as a 5. Now of course that primarily based on ride wait times.

 

[jcolvin5]

We travel mid-Oct and first 2 weeks of Feb, 14 days each trip. I feel like it’s always crowded, minus the MNSSHP days at MK. One reason we love our APs.

Feb crowds can be very hit or miss with the dance/cheerleading competitions. It can also affect the resorts. A very large dance group stayed at Jambo last Feb. It was PACKED!!

Universal is just easier. We have APs and always spring for the EP. I feel like the crowd calendars are almost always correct at each of the 3 parks. Granted, we’ve only been at Epic once so far.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Kind of reviving this as we're planning for our trip in early February, this time taking my In-laws (both in their mid 70s).
I was looking at the touring plans calendar for crowds and I especially like looking at the "past" days to get a feel for recent actual crowd levels and not just "predicted".


Interestingly, according to them, the actual crowd levels have been super low. Even over Thanksgiving.

the week of Thanksgiving the "observed" crowds were

starting with monday and going through saturday:

6 , 4, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2

We were at WDW on the Friday(4)/Sat(3)/Sun(2) after Thanksgiving, if the numbers on your days are correct. Let me tell you, it didn’t FEEL like a 4 on Fri or a 3 on Sat. Lightening lanes were extremely slim pickings by mid-afternoon and crowds felt long everywhere. Sunday seemed better for rides but was still very crowded in terms of feel. Now Monday, that was like a whole different world. Much easier to get LLs, standby waits less brutal!

 

[eandt]

We were at WDW on the Friday(4)/Sat(3)/Sun(2) after Thanksgiving, if the numbers on your days are correct. Let me tell you, it didn’t FEEL like a 4 on Fri or a 3 on Sat. Lightening lanes were extremely slim pickings by mid-afternoon and crowds felt long everywhere. Sunday seemed better for rides but was still very crowded in terms of feel. Now Monday, that was like a whole different world. Much easier to get LLs, standby waits less brutal!

Agree, we were there the week before Thanksgiving and TP was calling 4’s 3’s 2’s even a couple of 1’s midweek to the end of the week and there is no way they hit the mark Not even close. So disappointed in their ‘lines’ app as well that we are probably not going to renew this year Admittedly did not use LL save for a single individual LL but based on TP we didn’t feel we would need it. Even the MM even at AK was way more crowded than other events we have attended in the past. Long lines at Pandora and food locations throughout the event

 

[zackiedawg]

Here now, since Friday, and so far, crowd levels are VERY high. Maybe the highest I've seen for the first week of December (I come every year at this time). Far higher than my Feb, June, or Sep trips this year. DHS on Friday was packed enough that entering the park at 3pm there were lines at the scanners about 40 people deep at every spot. Wait times for standbys were mostly 45 min to over an hour. All quick serve spots were packed. AK on Saturday was absolutely mobbed - only Kali had 5 minute standby line, I think because people didn't want to get wet on a somewhat cool day. The safari ride standby exceeded an hour pretty much the whole day - it dropped once to 50 min, but the line was extended out past the main entrance tunnel, so I suspect it was still over an hour based on past experience. Even just getting on Nomad lounge's walk-up list was 65 min. I only wanted drinks so I hovered around the bar and scored a seat after 10 minutes. It's one of the rare times I went to AK and didn't go on any ride - took the train to Conservation, did the two wildlife walks, walked around the various lands and animals, then left around 5pm as I had dinner reservations at Disney Springs at 7.

Today, I'll be hitting Epcot - late start probably around noon...we'll see how the crowds are there. Tomorrow I'll do MK. But so far, I'd say there are the highest crowd levels for the first two weeks of December in at least 7 years.

 

[CraigInPA]

I've been here since December 3.

Thursday 12/4 was the least crowded I've ever seen MK. The only rides with more than a 10-15 minute standby wait were Jingle Cruise and 7DMT.

Friday 12/5 at Epcot was similarly uncrowded until about 5pm and then it was the worst crowding I've ever seen, worse than weekends during Food and Wine.

During the week starting 12/8, we hit all the parks.

MK on Tuesday and Thursday were light crowds. We did a lightening lane multi-pass on Thursday and got through Pirates, HM, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Ariel, and Jingle Cruise in 4 hours. Like the previous Thursday, both Tuesday and Thursday had mostly short standby lines at MK, with the exception of 7DMT, HM, and Jingle Cruise, which were about an hour on Thursday.

Epcot on Monday wasn't crowded until 5pm, but Friday was packed solid all day (GoG was a 110 minute standby wait!).

DHS on Wednesday wasn't crowded at all (IJ stunt show they only used the middle set of bleachers, and ToT was a standby walk on!).

Saturday at AK was more crowded than I ever remember, and am very glad we bought the LL for FoP and the LL multi-pass for the other rides we wanted to go on. We left at 5, and it was a burden to get through the huge crowd to get to the exit!