crowds expected this summer???

[disneydebi]

is there any news or info out there regarding advanced hotel bookings for this summer (July), that might indicate how crowded things might be this summer? We have a big family trip scheduled for July, and I'm just trying to prepare myself. We were down their 2 years ago in June (just before 9/11), and found a lot of the parks not to be as busy as I would have expected. With all the "turmoil" these day's I'm trying to get a feel for whether to expect bigger or smaller crowds than we hit back then. With the heat as bad as it is that time of year, I'm hoping to get lucky with slightly lesser crowds? Anyone know of any sources on this?

 

[nativetxn]

I hope you get lucky with smaller crowds this year. Just bumping this back to page one for you, so some of our July veterans can offer advice.

 

[Ratpack]

Last July was not as crowded as I thought it should be. I hope this year is the same way or even less.

 

[buzz2400]

My mother heard this one the news: A lot of people are booking cruises to Alaska and going to WDW this summer. I think it is going to be crowded.

 

[DoeWDW]

Buzz240, I sure hope you're wrong....looks like you'll be there around the same time we will - we arrive 72 days from today. I know 4th of July time is busy but I was hoping it would be manageable......

 

[CarolA]

I think that people are getting over their fear from 9/11 and the war is over. Those factors SHOULD increase travel. However, the economy is still an issue. People are worried about losing their jobs (or have already lost them!) So who knows.

My personal feeling based on what I have been reading about room rates, availability etc. is that it will be up over last year, but not where Disney needs it to be from a profitablity point which will mean things like the shortened hours will stay in place.