Crowds - Why so much bigger this year?

[DavidNYC]

Well, just back from Oct. 12-16 trip and all I can say is WOW! What happened to October? I've made this trip at this time for two years now and this had to have been at least 2-3 times as crowded. Anyone know why this is? Yes, I know October is getting more popular but this was a tremendous difference. Was it like this in early October as well?

Anyone have any ideas if there was something special about this week or this year?

I love this time of year but may switch back to the post-t'giving trip if this keeps up.

 

[maciec]

Maybe it was because Columbus day was on the 11th and more people chose that week people of the holiday?

I am hoping that the crowds will be lighter when we get there on the 23rd!

 

[sbp59]

many trips/vacations/even short getaways were canceled in August and September because of all the hurricanes/bad weather issues that we Floridians had to cope with. It's easy to forget that September was so bad and there was so much property damage when you live up north (just like I have forgotten about snow and I've only lived here for 15 months!). I hope that the extra October crowds are not a thing of the future; however, there are just more people and maybe in this case, the bad weather caused so many to postpone that your week was when they chose to go!

 

[LibertyBelle]

A lot of people rescheduled their trips for this week because it was Columbus Day weekend. The crowds picked up on the 8th and are still pretty heavy. It was the easiest week for people to get off from work and/or not miss too much school when they postponed their vacation due to Hurricance Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.

 

[oogieboogie]

I also read on another board that there were a lot of british visitors since it's break week for them for their schools so that could account for the additional crowd.

Add that to Food & Wine Festival, weekends in general, and people rescheduling their trips due to the hurricanes, you'll have a good pickup of crowds.

It could also be due in part to growing confidence in people regarding travelling security, airlines safety, etc.

 

[DavidNYC]

It was definitely a British week - I can't tell you how many I met. We spoke to a number and they all were saying there were taking advantage of their school holiday. I had also thought that perhaps the horrible weather in over the last month caused a surge when there was finally a nice weekend (and the weather was gorgeous while we were there other than a 15 minute deluge while we were on the Safari in AK - which wasn't so bad cause some of the animals were really playing in it).

For those going - don't worry too much - it's definitely busier but manageable - I've seen a lot worse but I'm curious to see if the crowds are lighter in early November.

Anyone have a report from really early October as to what they thought the crowds were like (I think the hurricanes had stopped by then.)

 

[ttichenor]

Our group was there October 9-16 and the crowd on Friday the 15th at the Magic Kingdom was unbelievable. Boy was the money worth it to go to MNSSHP on the 12th!

We also noticed a lot of British accents and I thought I had read it was holiday for them.

 

[Rhonna]

However, the British come every year in October.

On our past trips in October we also have noticed many british visitors but still had very low crowds. There have to be other factors that are causing the increase.

I'm sure the rescheduling due to hurricanes has some effect.

Also, people in general are discovering the lower crowds and nicer weather of the fall and hence, the growing popularity.

Disney has been marketing to this growing interest in the fall months by expanding MNNSHP dates, expanding F&W Festival from 30 days to 45 this year, etc. Then there is Super Soap Weekend, Festival of the Masters, golf tournaments and other conventions in Orlando that bring people into town.

And there is definitely a growing interest in trying "exotic" foods. Look at all the food programs and networks that have sprung up. People actually schedule their trips to coincide with the F&W Festival - I'll bet that wasn't the case with most people several years ago.

Even November is becoming popular - disney is changing resort pricing next year so that November is no longer "value" season but priced as "regular" season. Unfortunately, that gives us an idea of what is to come. (I'm not talking about Thanksgiving week which is always priced high but early November.)

The internet has greatly increased information to the masses and most likely helped alot of people to see the "perks" of going off season. It can't be stopped...lol

Someday we may not have any time of year that is still considered an "undiscovered gem".

 

[bunnyfoo]

I was there Sept 27-Oct 8th. For the first week, the parks were practically empty and I found that most of the lines were a walk-on. I noticed that the crowds really picked up on Oct 5th ... long lines for everything! I thought that maybe I was just spoiled because of the low crowds the previous weeks but I guess it really was a lot more busy. I figured the crowds were due to the long weekend and people rescheduling from the hurricane.

 

[Lora]

We arrived on Oct. 3 and left on Oct. 16. We were in the parks every day except the Sat. and Sun. of Columbus Day weekend. The first week was relatively crowded, but the 2nd week was even more so. I couldn't believe how hard it was to get around. The 65 minute waits for Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh (around noon) were crazy. I guess we're just spoiled. I know this is probably nothing like the real heavy crowds, but it was bad enough.

I saw crowds of people where I've never seen them before...like the Swiss Family Treehouse. Epcot WS was a zoo with the Food and Wine Festival - especially the nights the Beach Boys were there. I was at the Amer. Adventure watching Voices of Liberty with practically a full house that evening. I've never seen that before (the crowd, that is - not the group).

We still had a great time. I am SO glad we had a plan and weren't counting on low crowds. If I could go back and change anything, I think I would have done a couple more early entries - or at least one morning in Epcot because the Test Track line was impossible in the afternoon/evening.

We got to the parks at opening almost every morning. That was the only thing that allowed us to do as much as we did. We also tried to have a fast pass in hand whenever we could.

 

[KCMiller]

All I know is, the only other time I was at WDW was last year, the week between Christmas and New Years. Crowds? I laugh at crowds !

I'm sure I'll know better when I get there, but right now, it's like when people in my city (Columbus) talk about 'traffic jams' that hold them up for 10 minutes. I used to commute into NYC for school and my first job, and although I could SEE the college from my home, it still took over an hour to get there!

Crowds? Try Epcot on NYE - now THAT was a crowd. Anything less than that is going to be a cakewalk for me !


KC

 

[ChairborneRangr]

More schools around the country are shifting their schedules and adding a fall break. My oldest daughter is just finishing a 2-week fall break. I think the crowds may be here to stay.

We were there in Oct-2000. Crowds were low EXCEPT for MK on Saturday. I will never do THAT again...

 

[disneygeek]

Do you think the October fall breaks are over or at least drawing to a close now. We thought school would be in session the week of Halloween for school activites that might relate to halloween

We are praying for a light crowd Oct23-28

Someone give us good news

 

[leanne2255]

Originally posted by disneygeek

We are praying for a light crowd Oct23-28

Someone give us good news

Ditto! We are not planning on going to the FW Festival until Monday, in hopes of avoiding the week-end crowds. We're going to spend the week-end away from the parks enjoying BCV, swimming, shopping, etc.

 

[Dznypal]

on the 19th and I have to agree about the crowds being big!!!

with alittle planning we managed to see our "must see list" plus a few of the old time faves

but the trip would have been a little more pleasant is the crowds
would have been alittle smaller

but the best part of all is.....

since we had 5 day passes and we only used 4 days I got my DH to commit to a 3 nite cruise and a few days at the "World" in 2 years!!! (2 years may seem long but I promised him we could go to Vagas next years) but now I had lots of time to plan I love to plan!!!

does anyone know when would be a good time to go as far as fewer crowds in the parks go and still have good weather?

thanks

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Dznpal, If you are thinking of a Disney cruise in 2006 they are already booking and you will get a better price if you book early. Also you will have more cabin choices.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

I have heard that after easter breaks but before FLorida Summer Break begins (~May 22nd I believe) is good. Sep, Jan and Feb are also good from what I have heard.

 

[MelodyMack]

I know a lot of people had to reschedule their September WDW plans because of all the hurricanes, and unfortunately with fall breaks etc., October became a popular month.