Crowd pics

[Tink-n-Belle]

We were there in Feb. for Presidents week and the FP lines were crazy long. They set up ropes outside of Big Thunder because the FP return line stretched back past Splash mountain. The FP line for SM stretched back toAstro Orbiter. I don't know why. I wondered if maybe they weren't staggering the return times enough. The lines did move, but it still seemed crazy to have FP return lines that long. I know it was a busy week, but I would think it gets a lot busier than President's week.

They still have it set up that way, but once you scanned the FP I was on the ride without any wait inside. It was maybe 5 minutes. And I was there Wednesday when the MK closed to capacity...

The hold up with FP is now you have to scan them with the MB twice as before you just handed over you tickets...the scanning take 5 times as long and even though there a 2scanners they are too close together and everyone is using same one. So that's why everyone is seeing huge lines at FP entrances. They need to fix that.

 

[staceyrhood]

Wow...Animal Kingdom was empty even during Spring Break? Disney has got to be regretting ever building that park as it is the most expensive to operate.

Personally, I don't know why so many stay away from the AK. I love it, and can't wait for it to become a night-time park.

I'm surprised that you found Epcot and DHS crowded. It seems like everyone in this thread only gave stories about the MK.

You must have gone on a good day we were at AK Tuesday and left about 1:00, could not even walk into Africa...it was shoulder to shoulder people. I have never seen it so busy.

 

[delmar411]

By the way, it only takes a few minutes for you to get thru those FP+ lines. It isn't at all annoying to be standing in them. They are only annoying because they clog main traffic flow.

This is very opinion based. I find it beyond annoying to stand in line to get into the FP lane. And on Friday we waited 15mins to get to the first tap point at Buzz and another 15mins to get on the ride past that point.

 

[mom2rtk]

This is very opinion based. I find it beyond annoying to stand in line to get into the FP lane. And on Friday we waited 15mins to get to the first tap point at Buzz and another 15mins to get on the ride past that point.

Yuck.

 

[Sparkly]

They need some sort of crowd control around the FP lines. Clearly signposted that it's not the standby, CMs informing guests who's FP+ reservations haven't come up yet to stand aside and let people who have current times through?

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

This is very opinion based. I find it beyond annoying to stand in line to get into the FP lane. And on Friday we waited 15mins to get to the first tap point at Buzz and another 15mins to get on the ride past that point.

Ahhhh...but you were at the Magic Kingdom which is the popular park. I'm sure at the same time you were there that people were breezing through the FP+ lines at the other three parks.

The obvious solution is to make the non-MK parks more appealing to guests.

Lots and lots of land and property at WDW. It's outrageous that Disney creates a situation where people only feel the need to go to ONE PARK.

Heck...it's like the Eisner era was all for naught. It's like it's 1979 and the Magic Kingdom is the only park on a property that spans 45 square miles.

Iknow, I know...Epcot was pre-Eisner...but still...it's the Magic kingdom that everyone is cramming into.

 

[fishhunter]

So you'll be doing your 3 FP+ rides and leaving the park?

No, Will use FP+ after we hit scheduled rides at rope drop.

 

[siskaren]

And that beautiful Deluxe Resort Animal Kingdom Lodge which I'm told remains nearly empty year-round...even during the holidays I'm told there are plenty of vacant rooms.

Where have you heard that? I find that very hard to believe.

 

[estherhead]

They need some sort of crowd control around the FP lines. Clearly signposted that it's not the standby, CMs informing guests who's FP+ reservations haven't come up yet to stand aside and let people who have current times through?

They have CMs doing this. But it's not enough when it's really crowded. Wednesday I thought the CMs were all gonna have heart attacks. Then today was very quiet at MK and they had a zillion CMs not doing anything. I think with a plan this new it's really hard to predict appropriate staffing needs.

But Wed at MK there aren't enough CMs in the whole place to control those crowds.

 

[estherhead]

This is very opinion based. I find it beyond annoying to stand in line to get into the FP lane. And on Friday we waited 15mins to get to the first tap point at Buzz and another 15mins to get on the ride past that point.

That is very surprising. I actually timed with a timer my lines this time. And I sincerely think it doesn't get more crowded than Wed at MK. We never stood in a FP+ line longer than 5-10 min. And that included the part into the walkways.

 

[cgattis]

Ahhhh...but you were at the Magic Kingdom which is the popular park. I'm sure at the same time you were there that people were breezing through the FP+ lines at the other three parks. The obvious solution is to make the non-MK parks more appealing to guests. Lots and lots of land and property at WDW. It's outrageous that Disney creates a situation where people only feel the need to go to ONE PARK. Heck...it's like the Eisner era was all for naught. It's like it's 1979 and the Magic Kingdom is the only park on a property that spans 45 square miles. Iknow, I know...Epcot was pre-Eisner...but still...it's the Magic kingdom that everyone is cramming into.

Perhaps they should've spent the gazillion dollars spent on FP+ adding attractions to the other 3 parks. Either that, or the whole point really is to drive people out of the new long lines and into shops. Wonder how many of those folks said "to heck with this line for (insert one of their 3 FP+ choices here), I'm going to spend MORE money!!"??! I know that isn't what I was thinking as I was lining up for the TTA near the Buzz entrance on March 10th!!

 

[kandb]

All this fun for ONLY almost $100/day.

 

[chicagodisfan]

We were at AK on Tuesday also and it was packed! Way more crowded than I've ever seen it. Touring plans rated it an 8 going in and then I checked their historical figures after we got back and they said it was a 10 - which would explain it. That being said, we still had a great time and had minimal waits using our FP+. Case in point, we had a FP+ for the Safari from 10-11, got to the line at 10:30 and standby was 70 min! (8am opening) They were only having one person from each party scan their band so they were trying to move the line and the person at the line was dressed like a manager so I think they know there was an issue. I bet we were still on the ride within 10 minutes. The biggest problem was just walking around the park. I felt like we were walking in slow motion with all the people around.

Also, we were at Animal Kingdom Lodge for part of our stay and it felt plenty busy to me. My understanding was that at least the villas were near capacity.

I think there are a couple things in addition to spring break that are adding to the mess. One, I think a lot of people plan a Florida spring break trip with one day trip to Disney and all of them are going to go to MK. I know of people planning to do that. Second, the weather took a temperature dip early in the week. When we got there the week before it was sunny and in the 80s then Monday and Tuesday it was overcast and in the 70s and Wednesday it was in the 60s. So, less people at the water parks and pools and more people in the parks.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Where have you heard that? I find that very hard to believe.

@siskaren

Concerning how empty AKL remains pretty vacant almost year-round:

I've heard it from former cast members(one is a prolific poster on these boards), current CMs, my travel agent, friends and family that either stayed at the resort or briefly visited. It's not uncommon for guests to stay there even during peak summer periods and say that it seemed like they were the only room with people in it on their respective floor.

Personally, I'd love to stay there. I love the Deluxe Resorts, but my family doesn't like the location and how isolated it is.

 

[kapoof]

@siskaren

Concerning how empty AKL remains pretty vacant almost year-round:

I've heard it from former cast members(one is a prolific poster on these boards), current CMs, my travel agent, friends and family that either stayed at the resort or briefly visited. It's not uncommon for guests to stay there even during peak summer periods and say that it seemed like they were the only room with people in it on their respective floor.

Personally, I'd love to stay there. I love the Deluxe Resorts, but my family doesn't like the location and how isolated it is.

That is sad to hear, I had the feeling akl was a very popular resort. But as you said we stayed there once and heard not a peep at night from any other rooms...we wondered if we were the only ones in that area.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

That is sad to hear, I had the feeling akl was a very popular resort. But as you said we stayed there once and heard not a peep at night from any other rooms...we wondered if we were the only ones in that area.

It is sad because it's a beautiful, one-of-a-kind resort. It's very expensive to operate, though, so you wonder what the future holds for it with so few guests. Hopefully Avatarland and Animal Kingdom becoming a night-time park will help.

 

[Andtototoo]

We were there on Sunday and Monday and the parks were super crowded. The FP+ worked well for what we had them for. The problem was not being allowed to get FP for more than one park per day which meant that your non FP+ park = very long waits for rides.

The other problem was simply the crowds which meant long waits if you didn't have a FP. Two hour waits for many rides were the norm. What we learned was that park hopping may not be worth it with the FP+ system and that we will never go back during spring break. (We'd been before during spring break but it was NOTHING like this.)

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We were there on Sunday and Monday and the parks were super crowded. The FP+ worked well for what we had them for. The problem was not being allowed to get FP for more than one park per day which meant that your non FP+ park = very long waits for rides. The other problem was due to the crowding. Two hour waits for many rides were the norm. What we learned was that park hopping may not be worth it with the FP+ system and that we will never go back during spring break. (We'd been before during spring break but it was NOTHING like this.)

Andtototoo...you went to all four parks?

 

[Andtototoo]

Andtototoo...you went to all four parks?

Yes. We went to HS and MK on day 1 and AK and Epcot on day 2. On day 2, we got to AK shortly after rope drop. We had FP+ for Epcot and therefore none for AK. The wait for EE was about 30 minutes and by the time we got done with that and walked over to the Safari (within less than an hour of the park opening), the wait was 2 hours (yes, we walked over because the app did not work).

I will also note that the app only worked for a short period of time on day 1 at HS. Aside from that, it kept trying to load forever and although we doggedly kept trying, it never worked on any of our phones. So the app was useless.

 

[jrmcvay]

Yes. We went to HS and MK on day 1 and AK and Epcot on day 2. On day 2, we got to AK shortly after rope drop. We had FP+ for Epcot and therefore none for AK. The wait for EE was about 30 minutes and by the time we got done with that and walked over to the Safari (within less than an hour of the park opening), the wait was 2 hours (yes, we walked over because the app did not work).

I will also note that the app only worked for a short period of time on day 1 at HS. Aside from that, it kept trying to load forever and although we doggedly kept trying, it never worked on any of our phones. So the app was useless.

Which app are you referring to? I depend on undercover tourist and touring plans.