Crowd Predictor?

[Doug S]

Been away from the world for awhile... Can you explain scaling ride capacity?

Because of FastPass+, Disney now has a better idea of crowds in advance. When they think they'll have lower crowds for the day, they'll staff less. The reduced staff thus causes ride capacity to go down because less cars/trains can run.

 

[Shoshana]

What about the calendars that recommended specific parks over other parks? I cannot seem to find a current one. Are those recommendations totally useless as well? I do know that the EMH parks are not recommended on those days.

 

[Robo]

What about the calendars that recommended specific parks over other parks? I cannot seem to find a current one. Are those recommendations totally useless as well? I do know that the EMH parks are not recommended on those days.

That's really what the entire thread is discussing.
The major point of "crowd predicting" is to send guests to the "best park" on any given day.

One principle of that is telling guests not to attend the parks with EMH.

(BTW, I do not follow that advice, and never have. And, I know my way around WDW pretty well.)

 

[rwdavis2]

"Been away from the world for awhile... Can you explain scaling ride capacity?"

I'll take a stab. They determine if a ride will run at full capacity based on resort crowd levels. For example, in November 2012, we rode Space Mountain, but only one side was running.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Can you explain scaling ride capacity?

A good example is Soarin' where they might only run two of the three theaters during "slow" days. Obviously doesn't apply to all rides.

I am not going to fault Disney on this. It is a valid business optimization. But I will still long for those quiet, walk on, weeks of the past.

 

[rwdavis2]

What about the calendars that recommended specific parks over other parks? I cannot seem to find a current one. Are those recommendations totally useless as well? I do know that the EMH parks are not recommended on those days.

Easywdw has stopped using them because Disney does not release capacity info the way they used to and Josh says he really can't make an accurate prediction anymore. I'm also doubtful of Touring Plans as well. Our last trip I got several messages indicating a change in recommended days or crowd levels. I've gotten one in the last 8 months for next month's trip. I think they're in the dark as well.

 

[mymommom]

I used to go strictly by these Crowd Calendars, and tour commando style, but what I've found while planning our current trip is that I go by what works best for our family! Example: we arrive late Monday night and we want to swim and enjoy the Resort before heading to the Park on Tuesday so we just set up 2 FP+ at Epcot and schedule dinner. Not the best touring plan, but it works for our family...gives us a relaxing start to the vacation (and you know swimming is half the fun for the kids!). I love that Josh @ easywdw always explains WHY he recommends... or doesn't recommend... a park on a particular day. So after reading those recommendations for a while, you get to know what works best. Good luck, and Relax, it's Vacation!

 

[xipotec]

With all the changes, its hard to figure out anything in WDW. But here are my golden rules. They have served will in the past, and I will update if they served well in 30 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

1. Avoid Park with EMH. Especially night time. Morning EMH can be useful if you plan to park hop by 2:00pm.
2. Avoid MK on Weekends, Especially Saturday.
3. ALWAYS check for special events. F&W, Marathons, Cheer competitions....They will affect everything from Hotels to parks.
4. No Holidays...no exceptions...
5. No school break weeks. (take you kids out of school....its worth the memories. ( don't spam the thread if you disagree, it just my opinions here)
6. Go early, stay late.
7. Avoid MK on Wishes days....(unless you want to see Wishes!!!)
8. Tour Epcot at least 2 days
9. Do headliners as early as possible, 1-4pm lines are the longest, or save headliners for last hour.
10. Ride kid centric rides late...Frozen , VOTLM, Nemo, kiddies are already gone or on the way out....
Capacity is the worst thing to happen to WDW in a long time. Its just a way of saving labor, which is the new way the bean counters show "profit". Its not real profit, its saving money on service...which in a service business like a theme park, its possibly the laziest way to pump up a stock ever. Having 40 minute waits on SPM with only one side running is complaint worthy in my book......

 

[Robo]

7. Avoid MK on Wishes days....(unless you want to see Wishes!!!)

Surely, you didn't mean to say "Wishes."