Crowd pics

[JanaDee]

Crazy busy time at the world - this was on FB yesterday...OY!!!

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1972296_760651460614169_1358976998_n.jpg

That looks awful.

 

[mousekatool]

Maybe they should raise prices again... (only kidding!)

My DH, the Econ guy, says that this is precisely what they should do. Of course, Disney is after as much of everyone's money as possible, not just those of us who are über-planners, lol.

 

[pktbMouse]

wow..we are heading down last week of May....Im scared now...very very scared..

 

[bella2117]

whats it like to be there for a phase 4 closure? (if your lucky enough to get in that is)

just looking at some past pictures of it and my goodness its crazy!!

 

[ferd]

Oh wow doesnt sound good. If all the 4 lines are all near each other which line is for LM fastpass+ ? Do they not have signs ?

They do have signs, but not super huge ones, and when the area is just full of people in a mass herd that's not moving, and there are 1,000 parked strollers and then a DVC stand and a drink stand all right there as well, it makes for a very confusing place to manuever through. The CMs try to tell people where to go, but you have to remember some of the 'average' guests in the parks still don't know what FP+ is, and then some guests do not speak English as their first language, so it can all be rather confusing.

I know the area very well, and know exactly where to go and what to do, however I can go right to where I need to be and at the right time for my FP+ but I simply am at the mercy of the 50 people in front of me who don't know where to go or what to do and I can't push them out of the way to go scan my MB and rush through to the FP+ line. That's the problem. You just have to stand in a line and wait for those people to be told by the CM where to go and what FP+ is, etc, before you can even get to the Mickey scan point.

 

[maryj11]

wow..we are heading down last week of May....Im scared now...very very scared..

Me too We will be there the last week of May also. Now I'm scared it will be a waste of money

 

[2Tiggies]

whats it like to be there for a phase 4 closure? (if your lucky enough to get in that is)

just looking at some past pictures of it and my goodness its crazy!!

I don't think we've been at a phase 4 before but we've experienced some phase 3's. It was really crowded but as it was our first two trips and busy times were all we knew it didn't feel as bad as what it looks when I look at it now. That was in 2008 and 2009 though - I'm sure after 4 years of September and October trips we will notice it in July this year I think the first point of the day where we realized how insane it was was right after wishes. We were trying to head to Tomorrowland and ended up being swept in the throng towards the exit. I took my belt off and threaded it through a loop in my then 6 year old's shorts so we were literally tied together while I clasped her hand. If I had picked her up I knew that should I need to put her down when she got too heavy, I'd be hard pressed to find an inch of ground to set her feet on. We learned some big lessons the first year, lol and I did a LOT of research before we went!

What is worrying about these crowd pics is that this isn't even the peak of it. I'm hoping once offsite guests can book online it will keep traffic moving and remove some of the crowding caused by the kiosks as there will be less demand for them.

 

[maryj11]

They do have signs, but not super huge ones, and when the area is just full of people in a mass herd that's not moving, and there are 1,000 parked strollers and then a DVC stand and a drink stand all right there as well, it makes for a very confusing place to manuever through. The CMs try to tell people where to go, but you have to remember some of the 'average' guests in the parks still don't know what FP+ is, and then some guests do not speak English as their first language, so it can all be rather confusing.

I know the area very well, and know exactly where to go and what to do, however I can go right to where I need to be and at the right time for my FP+ but I simply am at the mercy of the 50 people in front of me who don't know where to go or what to do and I can't push them out of the way to go scan my MB and rush through to the FP+ line. That's the problem. You just have to stand in a line and wait for those people to be told by the CM where to go and what FP+ is, etc, before you can even get to the Mickey scan point.

I have never been on this ride before can you tell us what line we need to try to get in so we are not lost in the crowd lol ?

 

[ferd]

I'm an AP and this past year and I have been to Disney many times (with a 2 year old) including on 4th of July, Christmas Eve, December 30th, and this past Tuesday (Spring Break) and I can tell you the two worst days I've had as far as crowds and a feeling of "OMG GET ME OUT OF HERE!" was December 30th, and this past Tuesday (both at MK.)

On 4th of July we got there at rope drop (8am) and left around 1pm. I was able to make reservations for The Plaza a few days before. We were able to do several rides and meet several characters (including Mickey, and Princesses). We had a very pleasurable morning and a sit down lunch (even feeling at first like 'where is everybody?") After lunch we decided to go home, and when we left is when we saw the people parked on the grass and found out the park had been closed to capacity. But it never felt insane. (Granted, I didn't stay for fireworks, but we still had a great day in the park.)

Christmas Eve was magical. It was crowded, but not insane. We saw ETWB, Mickey, all Princesses in PFTH, rode Small World and Carrousel and then ate lunch and saw the Christmas Parade. Again, crowded, but not insane or smothering. A very happy day at MK. Left around 4pm.

This past Tuesday we got to MK around 1 and left at 5 and I wanted to shoot myself for ever entering the gates. We had three FP+ (Rapunzel, Little Mermaid Ride and POTC.) Well I posted pics of the POTC return line (we didn't use our FP+ and left the park.) The mermaid area was a clustered zoo, only Rapunzel did we get in and out of quickly, but the meet and greet felt a bit like a 'kiss and kick you out of the door.' (which we NEVER feel like we get when meeting them- but they no doubt knew about the zoo outside waiting to see them.) Small World had a wait of an hour, and I just had to tell my daughter no. The lines for drinks looked to be 3 miles long and you could not manuever from point A to point B without feeling like livestock. (and this is what the week between Christmas and New Year's is like as well.) UGH!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!

 

[Momoftwins+1]

Me too We will be there the last week of May also. Now I'm scared it will be a waste of money

We'll be there at the same time, and we went two years ago a few weeks into June and while it was busy, it wasn't horrendous. However, this being said, I remember growing up going on family vacations to Disneyland and waiting hours for one ride and that was normal. There was a line everywhere, you just waited your turn so maybe these lines which I don't perceive to be "that long" in comparison don't bother me as much lol

You certainly did not waste your money. Just plan well. Start early, use late hours if you are staying on property, use early morning hours and use your FP+ if you have it in a strategic way and know that just being there is the best part of the vacation. You'll have a blast. Times just back at the resort pool etc are important too. Go in with a positive outlook and enjoy

 

[ferd]

I have never been on this ride before can you tell us what line we need to try to get in so we are not lost in the crowd lol ?

Sure. These are not my pics, but hopefully it's okay to use them to help you out a little. (Just to give you an idea, this attraction is to the back of the park, in New Fantasyland, behind the new Mine Train Ride, and to the right of Be Our Guest restaurant. It's kind of a narrow walkway (that may become even more narrow after the Mine Train opens up...

This is the front of the Under the Sea Little Mermaid Ride. (This is the Standby Entrance):



On the other side of the ship (where you see Ariel on the bow), there's a clock and this is the FP+ return line (it is to the right of the standby line)



And right next door to the ride (and part of the same main structure) is the Ariel Meet and Greet. The Standby entrance is on the left, the FP+ return is on the right (where the clock is)

 

[fishhunter]

We're heading down during the Christmas holidays and I promise we will not wait more than 30 minutes for ANY ride! Stay 10 or more days, morning EMH rope drop, fast pass after lunch for rides with lower wait times. We have never waited for more than 30 mintues for any ride during the Christmas season. Plan EVERYTHING, even bathroom breaks. Some will think thats crazy but when I'm spending 7,000 for a vacation I'm going to get my moneys worth!

 

[JanaDee]

We're heading down during the Christmas holidays and I promise we will not wait more than 30 minutes for ANY ride! Stay 10 or more days, morning EMH rope drop, fast pass after lunch for rides with lower wait times. We have never waited for more than 30 mintues for any ride during the Christmas season. Plan EVERYTHING, even bathroom breaks. Some will think thats crazy but when I'm spending 7,000 for a vacation I'm going to get my moneys worth!

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

 

[redsbe]

Even during the busiest park days, including holidays, you can get through plenty of rides with EMH plus RD, even without using FP+. Not uncommon to get through the top 3-4 attractions, sometimes more then once in the first 2 hrs of park opening, especially at MK. Plus hit the rides late at night including during EMHs.

 

[thornton0511]

I'm not saying it's going to be a walk in the park by any means, but we decided to bail on WDW and try out DLR for this year's trip and we are going in July. Sure it will be busy and crowded and hot but not chaotic as things seems to be for WDW right now and that is a bit comforting. Hopefully they can get the system all worked out for everyone soon and we will return as soon as they do. Until then we will be California bound!

 

[pktbMouse]

Well we are going with a backup plan...our tickets luckily enough are non expiring so we are going to try a day in the Magic Kingdom and see how really bad it is...if its too much for us we are going to buy Universal tickets with express pass and just keep the rest of the Disney days for a later ( more quieter) date. We will also hit Legoland too. The kids understand this and are happy with it..we are mostly leaving it up to them..if they feel the wait times are too long then Universal it is. Makes no diff to them they love both parks. Also we will cut Orlando short and drive back but stop off in Panama City Beach for a few days. So sad it has come to this really..hope they fix it soon. We are in the group of people that "enjoying the park" is just simply not enough for us..we go to ride the rides and not much else, just the way we roll.

 

[pigletgirl]

Crazy busy time at the world - this was on FB yesterday...OY!!!

https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1972296_760651460614169_1358976998_n.jpg

That is insane. I'm hoping September will be better!

Imagine being a small kid being drug through those crowds. The only thing you remember about Disney is staring at other people's butts.

that and the BO! Hope folks remember to wear deodorant!

 

[Love Tink]

Even during the busiest park days, including holidays, you can get through plenty of rides with EMH plus RD, even without using FP+. Not uncommon to get through the top 3-4 attractions, sometimes more then once in the first 2 hrs of park opening, especially at MK. Plus hit the rides late at night including during EMHs.

Except that Disney has cut back on both the number of and length of EMH.

And except that FP return times now start when the park opens (rather than 40 minutes later), so stand by lines at the headliners grow significantly longer significantly faster in the morning.

I like your optimism, though!

 

[5forDis]

I'm not saying it's going to be a walk in the park by any means, but we decided to bail on WDW and try out DLR for this year's trip and we are going in July. Sure it will be busy and crowded and hot but not chaotic as things seems to be for WDW right now and that is a bit comforting. Hopefully they can get the system all worked out for everyone soon and we will return as soon as they do. Until then we will be California bound!

We were to DLR in February & loved the change from WDW. It was so easy to Park Hop! Carsland is the best Disney has done in a long time. Have fun!!!!

 

[thornton0511]

We were to DLR in February & loved the change from WDW. It was so easy to Park Hop! Carsland is the best Disney has done in a long time. Have fun!!!!

Thank you we are a bit sad to not be returning to our beloved WDW but at the same time we are super excited for a new experience and still have a Disney vacation. We have played with the idea of DLR for a while but I think this is the perfect year to go through with it.