Crowds NOW

[Golf4food]

We just got back yesterday from 4 days at MGM, Epcot, and MK. The longest waits we saw were around an hour for the standby lines for Test Track, Mission Space, and Soarin'. The longest we waited ourselves for any ride was just over half an hour for POTC on Friday 12-8. We don't ride the big coasters though, so I didn't pay attention to Space Mtn, Big Thunder, or Splash Mtn. We didn't ride Test Track or Mission Space either, but I saw their times our our way out.

 

[makinorlando]

MK today was CROWDED. At one point (12:45ish) POTC was 50 minutes and BTMRR was 70 min around 2pm.

You can tell the HOLIDAYS are here! We got a great spot for the parade this afternoon though in front of City Hall, we were on our way out of the park just as it was coming and found a spot between folks sitting down that we could easily stand behind them - right on the last curve.

Busy but FUN FUN FUN day!

 

[christianweecare]

As a family that has been going to WDW for years in Dec. I can tell you that the secret is out! Years ago when our kids were in school we would hit the road as soon as their school holiday began and stay until Christmas Day. Never crowded and fast pass wasn't even thought of back then. DH & I have been alternating weeks (last week of Nov./first week of Dec.) since our youngest left for college in 2001. For the next several years after 9/11 it was dead. Now people are back to traveling again. DH & I just got back from a week-long trip on Thurs., Dec. 7. While we didn't wait long for anything using fast pass, I can tell you that the crowds are definately growing at this time of year. We were also at the Dec. 5 MVMCP. We don't try to do any rides, etc. during the party--just enjoy the Christmas festivities. We thought it was crowded and we did notice people without wristbands. I don't feel this is right. This is a hard ticketed event and should be exclusive to those that have paid for a ticket. Just my 2 cents!

 

[makinorlando]

When we were there on the 28th we saw several people checking for wristbands up and down mainstreet. Maybe they were being lazy on the 5th?

On 12/1 we were asked to show our wrist bands several times -

 

[deanainnc]

We were at the party on the 5th also and it was really crowded. We were only asked to show our wristbands twice but it was right around 7 pm when the park had just closed one was a Stitch and the other time was right after stitch we were leaving Tomorrow Land and a CM asked to see our bands before letting us through. This was our 2nd party and more than likely our last. There was lots of people still in the park with out bands and it was very crowed and the shows we saw during the party was on the regular schedule when we went back to the park on Sat. Everything but the christmas party. My husband said right then we could just forget the party from now on it wasnt worth the extra $150 or so just to see the christmas party when we can watch it for free on Christmas morning. We were really disappointed with our whole time at Disney. We also did IOA, Uniniversal, Sea World and BGT. These parks were dead. and we really enjoyed our days there, but disney was a different story. It might be a while before we return. The magic just wasnt there this time.

 

[scubamouse]

We were there last week and were there last year for the week after Pop Warner. I'd say that it was definitely more crowded this year than last. That said, we used TGM and didn't really wait more than 15 minutes for anything (often less than that). Our longest wait was nearly 30 minutes with FP in the FP line for Soarin

The weekends were definitely more crowded than during the week and I agree it didn't seem as 'christmas-y' as last year.

 

[princesspwrhr]

I have to agree that the secret's out. Or that so many pop warner people realized teh parks were dead when they had their superbowl that they decided to make it a family vacation also! lol

We never waited long for attraction, but we also utilized fast pass and chose nott o stand in long lines, knowing we could come back to them later when we could get another fast pass or when crowds had shifted. But with that being said, the volume of people was much much more than we have been used to at this time of year. Test track was 60+ min each and every time we were at Epcot, shortest we saw the line for Soarin was 40min, Expedition Everest also has long wait times. The mountains at MK were usually around 45 min, seating and counter service lines at peak meal times were outragous and during most of the rest of the day they were barely tolerable. Snack carts generally had no lines. Mostly it was a volume thing. There were just simply more people there.

We were at MVMCP on the 7th. A CM was standing w/ a rope at the Tomorrowland entrance near the Plaza retaurant and was checking wristbands for anyone wanting to go in Tomorrowland, we also had our wristbands checked for AStro Orbiter and TTA, not Buzz Lightyear, Space was down, wristbands were checked at character greeting for Belle & Beast, the toontown hall of fame, a couple of times for the holiday photo ops and when I was purchasing the special pin for the night's event (at midnight! lol) We arrived at the party around 630 and Main Street was a mob scene. There were people staking out spots for the first parade, a massive crowd of people trying to get out of MK down the center of Main St, and a large flux of people coming into the party going up Main Street by way of both sidewalks. Once past Main St, it was just crowded, but not unbearably so and we walked onto any ride we wanted. The longest lines were for the princesses since they all had their princes with them.

 

[jmclester]

I was at DW last year from 12/5-12 and there were no waits for anything.

This year it seemed everyone was concerned that there were no rooms for this week and that crowds would be huge.

So how is (was) it this year? I want to make sure the "secret" isn't out before I book for next year.

Try to book around the cheerleading competition and Pop Warner unless you like being in a perpetual pep rally (?? - 12/9 this year)

 

[luke_duke00]

hey everyone, i just found this website while looking for information on disney

man it seems i hit the jackpot of info on this place

ive got a disney trip this upcoming weekend dec 15 - 18, anyone know how the crowds we be during this time period?

thanks

 

[C.Ann]

I noticed the same things as the other poster during the MVMCP on the 5th. I had a sweatshirt on covering my writstband and I wasn't asked to see it once. We waited in line to see the 8pm show of Twas the Night before Christmas and talked to the security guard a lot and he commented that since "we're Disney" we can't tell people outright to leave if they don't have a ticket - we can suggest but that was about it. I had never been to one, but it really was crowded - so much so that I doubt I'll ever go again.

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We were there at MVMCP on the 5th - my DD, her DH, my DGD & I - and every time we attempted to do anything, go on a ride, get cocoa and cookies, etc., we were politely asked to show our wrist band..

 

[SuperTink]

Why don't they clear the parks anymore?

Too impratical?

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