Dapper Day crowds

[dberger820]

Just got back from a wonderful week at the World. I booked my vacation and planned my days BEFORE seeing that Dapper Day(s) was going on my first two days there. Saturday was in the Magic Kingdom and Sunday was at EPCOT. The many crowd calendars I looked at said that Dapper Days will not affect touring crowds. I found that to be very inaccurate, but in a strange sort of way. I will agree they do not affect crowds on the more intense rides. This means rides such as Big Thunder, Splash, Seven Dwarves, Test Track etc. have normal lines for the time of year. The Dappers are all dressed fancy and don't want to mess up their hair and outfits. What happens though is the attractions you can normally walk on in the afternoons were very busy. For example, Country Bears had a line well out the door and filled to capacity each show, Living with the Land had a 50 minute wait, even Carousel of Progress was at capacity. These attractions also fit in with the vintage Dapper theme which attracts the people participating. The other thing to be aware of is that your walking time will be increased due to the amount of large dapper groups standing around taking pictures and people watching.

Dapper Day is definitely a fun and unique atmosphere to be in and it is great seeing everyone's personal touches on their outfits, but for planning purposes please be aware it DOES indeed affect crowd levels in the parks and how you would normally tour them!

 

[Accident]

that saturday crowd with the school groups was insane and they weren't there for dapper day.... It's been equally as crowded every saturday since for the same reason. ESPN has them packing in the place really tight this year.

I was waiting for a bus photo at the front of the park and I counted 5 different school groups that had to be 50-70 people each walk into the park.. Normally you see everyone enjoying dapper day just roaming around with the classic or fitting the style attractions with some other guests sprinkled in. It's actually a great day for rides usually, unless you want a classic one.. This year the school groups just filled the place up on top of dapper day.. Also the heat had peopel wanting long attractions with A/C. I would say this was not a typical dapper day crowd

Dapper day was wonderful though, although I wish the weather wasn't 15F above normal.. Loved having the hub roped off to just picnic, all the extra photopass photographers everywhere.. the main street vehicles out for photos... The extra discounts and things you could do at springs the night before. Sunday I just roamed around with the camera but didnt' dress. Epcot, myself and really hot temps never do well together..

 

[dberger820]

I was very curious about the school and dance groups. This was my first time going in May, and I definitely noticed a LOT of groups. I usually go in the fall/early winter and don't seem to see as many. The park that really surprised me was Animal Kingdom. Lots of groups that looked like they were there for an end of the year field trip with their grade. Makes sense being in that park, but being from Ohio that is not something we do as Cedar Point and Kings Island are just opening around Memorial Day.

I did feel bad for the Dappers with the heat! Of course by this past weekend the weather was perfect and would have been a lot more comfortable for them!

 

[Lesley Wake]

The many crowd calendars I looked at said that Dapper Days will not affect touring crowds. I found that to be very inaccurate, but in a strange sort of way. I will agree they do not affect crowds on the more intense rides. This means rides such as Big Thunder, Splash, Seven Dwarves, Test Track etc. have normal lines for the time of year. The Dappers are all dressed fancy and don't want to mess up their hair and outfits. What happens though is the attractions you can normally walk on in the afternoons were very busy. For example, Country Bears had a line well out the door and filled to capacity each show, Living with the Land had a 50 minute wait, even Carousel of Progress was at capacity. These attractions also fit in with the vintage Dapper theme which attracts the people participating. The other thing to be aware of is that your walking time will be increased due to the amount of large dapper groups standing around taking pictures and people watching.

I think that is a very good observation (PSA-I've only done Dapper Day at Disneyland, which I know has super crazy crowds-more so than WDW)!

I have noticed more ride breakdowns though. partially from the higher crowds, but also from hats/accessories flying off and messing up the ride (e.g. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is super sensitive to items on the track)

 

[Accident]

I was very curious about the school and dance groups. This was my first time going in May, and I definitely noticed a LOT of groups. I usually go in the fall/early winter and don't seem to see as many.

april/may is end of school year finals for cheer, band, etc.. they all compete at ESPN. March is a lot of educational groups where they aren't competing but they come in to perform at disney so you'll get less at the same time and they tend to perform around springs, the different convention space but some younger marching bands will march the MK parade route...

you can look at the espn wide world of sports calendar to get an idea what groups have been when.

The park that really surprised me was Animal Kingdom. Lots of groups that looked like they were there for an end of the year field trip with their grade. Makes sense being in that park, but being from Ohio that is not something we do as Cedar Point and Kings Island are just opening around Memorial Day.

The theme parks are a very big part of the community with volunteers, school involvement, etc.. They all have youth group opportunities which stretch past the locals but at end of year, they are very generous with local communities for school trips or special evenings.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Dapper Day was the most crowded I've ever seen it in the Magic Kingdom (I haven't been in Summer of Christmas) however it was PACKED OUT.

 

[dberger820]

Dapper Day was the most crowded I've ever seen it in the Magic Kingdom (I haven't been in Summer of Christmas) however it was PACKED OUT.

It was pretty intense. I had experienced my first Dapper Day in 2015 by accident at Hollywood Studios and it was nowhere near this level. That park fit the theme perfectly back then and it was great seeing everyone. Would have been a mad house had the organizers picked that park this year with half of it shut down. Wonder how they will go forward with it becoming so popular.