Crowd pics

[mom2rtk]

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

I read that as being Disney's app..... My Disney Experience. It's what the entire system operates from.

 

[estherhead]

We just finished our week. I've posted a lot on here this week about the insanity. Now we are driving home and traffic has been HORRIBLE for the entire 9 hours I've already travelled. I have never seen so many campers and jam packed cars and traffic jams in totally random places.

So I can blame some of the horrors this week on FP+. But I have a feeling the terrible winter caused everyone and their brother to head to Florida this week.

 

[tlady]

@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.

I've stayed at AKL at least 3 times in the past 4 years and never has it been as empty as you have stated. In fact, most of the rooms were booked during our stays, but not all. It is, by far, my favorite resort. Nothing else in WDW compares to it.

As to isolation?? It has a dedicated bus system that you never have to share with other resorts, which is a huge plus. We have never had a problem getting to the parks on time while staying at AKL. It also has probably my favorite restaurant in all of WDW - Boma. We'd be staying there again this Spring Break, if Disney hadn't gotten so greedy and raised the room rates to ridiculous levels.

I honestly have to say that I've never felt like I was the only one on my floor. Not even remotely close to that. Lots of people all over and kids too, due to the animals. And there is nothing to compare to a room on the Arusha savannah, where you can sit out on your balcony and feel as if you're in another world entirely.

 

[EAWildman]

I was at the World for four days during spring break (March 23rd thorugh March 26th). I went to all four parks and they all had big crowds. I usually go in the offseason, so these were big crowds to me. I only saw two FP+ ques that had big lines. One was for Star Tours. There were many people in line that either did not have Fast Pass for that ride or they were showing up far too early. Like 2 to 6 hours early! When these people go to scan their Magic Bands, they get an error and now the cast member has to explain to them what went wrong. In the meantime they are just standing their in the way of letting others into the FP+ que. So, the long lines often are a result of "user error." The other big FP+ line was at EE. This one seemed to be a technology error. My band wouldn't scan correctly and the cast member waved me in anyway.

Otherwise, the FP+ que lines were normal. The app worked great for me every day. Had no real issues at all with the bands. Overall, it was a great trip despite the crowds.

 

[chapie1968]

Well this week is one of the busiest of the year......

never mind, got it

 

[tink'smom2B]

I just have to say something I've been to WDW 18 times and 11 of them were always the last week in March ( the other 7 were at Easter). Illinois schools always have the last week in March off for their spring break. I can tell you that the pictures you see here are ALWAYS like that this week. We always had to wait in long lines wherever we went. One year my daughters were little and waited in line to visit the Disney Fairies for over 60 minutes without moving an inch. When I asked the CM they just shrugged and we left. The next year it happened again only this time we waited it out. Sure enough when we finally got inside, we could see them taking people in line through a back door. It wasn't a fast pass, these people had paid extra to get in with a guide. Last year we saw that Test Track had stopped and the lines were empty. As soon as it started up, we got in the standby lines only to find out they were taking 50 fastpass people and 10 standby in order to make up for the down time. We stood in that line for 3 hours!!! I guess my point is, if you don't like it, don't go. We still had fun. It didn't ruin our trip. You can't blame these long lines on the Fastpass+. People love WDW and they go there. It's been a terrible winter up here (it was snowing again yesterday), so everybody went south. This year we are taking our kids out of school and going in May for a Grand Gathering. Otherwise, I'd be going when it's supercrowded, standing in hour long lines, and never regretting one minute of it

 

[kmzoe]

We were there this past week and went to all 4 parks. We typically go in November, and all 4 parks were much more crowded than usual for us. MK was by far the worst in terms of crowds. The lines were pretty long right from the start of the day. However, the rides we had FP+ for it worked really well. There were lines built up at the beginning like in these pictures, but they moved quickly. Almost all the problems were due to people showing up at the wrong time, not having their cards/bands ready to scan or people just clogging up the entrance. Once you are through, the FP+ lines moved rapidly. We were worried about how crowded it would be this week, but overall, it wasn't too bad. The wait times were long, and it was hard to walk around, but, the longest line we waited in was about 50 minutes (Dumbo), and we only skipped one ride we wanted to do due to long lines (Peter Pan). We didn't do many character greetings because we had several character meals and didn't want to wait in the long lines.

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

I just have to say something I've been to WDW 18 times and 11 of them were always the last week in March ( the other 7 were at Easter). Illinois schools always have the last week in March off for their spring break. I can tell you that the pictures you see here are ALWAYS like that this week. We always had to wait in long lines wherever we went. One year my daughters were little and waited in line to visit the Disney Fairies for over 60 minutes without moving an inch. When I asked the CM they just shrugged and we left. The next year it happened again only this time we waited it out. Sure enough when we finally got inside, we could see them taking people in line through a back door. It wasn't a fast pass, these people had paid extra to get in with a guide. Last year we saw that Test Track had stopped and the lines were empty. As soon as it started up, we got in the standby lines only to find out they were taking 50 fastpass people and 10 standby in order to make up for the down time. We stood in that line for 3 hours!!! I guess my point is, if you don't like it, don't go. We still had fun. It didn't ruin our trip. You can't blame these long lines on the Fastpass+. People love WDW and they go there. It's been a terrible winter up here (it was snowing again yesterday), so everybody went south. This year we are taking our kids out of school and going in May for a Grand Gathering. Otherwise, I'd be going when it's supercrowded, standing in hour long lines, and never regretting one minute of it

5 FP to 1 SB would actually be an extraordinary improvement over the ratios I have been hearing about for FP+.

 

[wendybeth75]

This is in line with what has already been said, but easy WDW crowd calendar has this week as a 9. I am hoping that next week when we go it will be lighter crowds.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I've stayed at AKL at least 3 times in the past 4 years and never has it been as empty as you have stated. In fact, most of the rooms were booked during our stays, but not all. It is, by far, my favorite resort. Nothing else in WDW compares to it.

As to isolation?? It has a dedicated bus system that you never have to share with other resorts, which is a huge plus. We have never had a problem getting to the parks on time while staying at AKL. It also has probably my favorite restaurant in all of WDW - Boma. We'd be staying there again this Spring Break, if Disney hadn't gotten so greedy and raised the room rates to ridiculous levels.

I honestly have to say that I've never felt like I was the only one on my floor. Not even remotely close to that. Lots of people all over and kids too, due to the animals. And there is nothing to compare to a room on the Arusha savannah, where you can sit out on your balcony and feel as if you're in another world entirely.

Thank you tlady. Please understand I am only passing on what I have heard from a variety of people. I hope it does good business and I hope to stay there one day. I, too, noticed that they raised the rates this year to be more in line with the other Deluxe Resorts. As late as last year we noticed that a standard room was just a bit more than one at a Moderate resort...and then suddenly this year...boom!

 

[tlady]

Thank you tlady. Please understand I am only passing on what I have heard from a variety of people. I hope it does good business and I hope to stay there one day. I, too, noticed that they raised the rates this year to be more in line with the other Deluxe Resorts. As late as last year we noticed that a standard room was just a bit more than one at a Moderate resort...and then suddenly this year...boom!

No problem. I understand you were just quoting others. But, honestly, we've never felt isolated while staying there. It's usually pretty bustling. One good thing is that people seem to settle in quietly into their rooms at night, thank goodness. And it's quite peaceful on the balconies, especially at night as the animals settle down.

It is my fav resort, but the current prices are just out of sight and we couldn't justify staying there over our Spring Break.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

No problem. I understand you were just quoting others. But, honestly, we've never felt isolated while staying there. It's usually pretty bustling. One good thing is that people seem to settle in quietly into their rooms at night, thank goodness. And it's quite peaceful on the balconies, especially at night as the animals settle down.

It is my fav resort, but the current prices are just out of sight and we couldn't justify staying there over our Spring Break.

Thanks for the info, especially your positive review of the bus service to the resort. From what I hear the Feature Pool is one of the best on property.

 

[tlady]

Thanks for the info, especially your positive review of the bus service to the resort. From what I hear the Feature Pool is one of the best on property.

Their pool is wonderful.

I've stayed at 2 other deluxe resorts but this remains my favorite. The staff is wonderful too. Many are very knowledgeable about the animals in the savannahs and are very happy to talk to you about them.

Bus service at AKL has always been good for us. And then there's - Boma!!!!

 

[estherhead]

I just have to say something I've been to WDW 18 times and 11 of them were always the last week in March ( the other 7 were at Easter). Illinois schools always have the last week in March off for their spring break. I can tell you that the pictures you see here are ALWAYS like that this week. We always had to wait in long lines wherever we went. One year my daughters were little and waited in line to visit the Disney Fairies for over 60 minutes without moving an inch. When I asked the CM they just shrugged and we left. The next year it happened again only this time we waited it out. Sure enough when we finally got inside, we could see them taking people in line through a back door. It wasn't a fast pass, these people had paid extra to get in with a guide. Last year we saw that Test Track had stopped and the lines were empty. As soon as it started up, we got in the standby lines only to find out they were taking 50 fastpass people and 10 standby in order to make up for the down time. We stood in that line for 3 hours!!! I guess my point is, if you don't like it, don't go. We still had fun. It didn't ruin our trip. You can't blame these long lines on the Fastpass+. People love WDW and they go there. It's been a terrible winter up here (it was snowing again yesterday), so everybody went south. This year we are taking our kids out of school and going in May for a Grand Gathering. Otherwise, I'd be going when it's supercrowded, standing in hour long lines, and never regretting one minute of it

My issue with FP+ & the crowds was the FP+ return lines & FP+ kiosk lines were out into the streets. I didn't actually stand in any long lines. It's just that the way they have everything arranged the walkways are actually dangerous. I'm hopeful that bringing offsite people into the ap will help some. But I also think they need to rearrange the return lines. Perhaps letting one person scan for your party at the front of the line and then everybody scan at the end of the line.

I personally don't think I'll go this week again. We've been twice during spring break but we mainly go the beginning of December or midAugust. I think for our family those are more manageable times.

 

[kbelle8995]

Actually it could be worse, I've two hours, three hours and up for Christmas and NYE.

You have to utitlize techniques to survive. I try to be out of MK by 1:00 and I usually hit most of the rides I want to hit with minimum fuss. Not minimum lines always (Not during the weeks of Christmas though that is a different beast entirely)

Now I don't know how this works with FP+.

 

[maryj11]

We will be there during memorial day week. Hoping the mine train will be open but know it will probably be congested in that area. I'm trying to decide if with should make fastpass selections for around 11:00 or after 3:00 ? Anyone have an advice on what time to make fastpasses for the mine train if it becomes available ? The crowd level is suppose to be around a 7 according to easywdw on the day we will be at MK.

 

[mom2rtk]

We will be there during memorial day week. Hoping the mine train will be open but know it will probably be congested in that area. I'm trying to decide if with should make fastpass selections for around 11:00 or after 3:00 ? Anyone have an advice on what time to make fastpasses for the mine train if it becomes available ? The crowd level is suppose to be around a 7 according to easywdw on the day we will be at MK.

Not sure if it was on this thread or another one, but someone made what I thought was a great point. New rides are notorious for going down a lot. I would schedule as early in the day as possible. I know when we were there shortly after the rest of New Fantasyland opened, the Ariel ride was down a LOT. And the lines were very backed up.

 

[2Tiggies]

I guess my point is, if you don't like it, don't go.

No, not if we don't like it, don't go. Disney needs to get its act together and sort out what is clearly a problem. Long lines when it is busy are expected. Ridiculously long FP lines since FP+ are the rule more than the exception, whereas before it was often attributed to a ride breakdown or something unforeseen. If the brochures had an information section warning people that they could stand in a long line or get a FP to stand in a different long line, I'm not so sure that is going to go down too well. It sure doesn't with me.

 

[maryj11]

Not sure if it was on this thread or another one, but someone made what I thought was a great point. New rides are notorious for going down a lot. I would schedule as early in the day as possible. I know when we were there shortly after the rest of New Fantasyland opened, the Ariel ride was down a LOT. And the lines were very backed up.

Good point Thanks!