Do you think 2017 will be empty?

[bethwc101]

A lot of people on do a DLR trip ever few years. I feel like most these people did their trip this last year during the 60th anniversary. I'm thinking 2017 will be a lot emptier than this year. What do you guys think?

 

[hlbtimes2]

I think attendance will continue to hold where it has been. I don't really think the special anniversary years bring in that many extra people.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

A lot of people on do a DLR trip ever few years. I feel like most these people did their trip this last year during the 60th anniversary. I'm thinking 2017 will be a lot emptier than this year. What do you guys think?

Nope.

Not even a little.

I think "empty" is a thing of the past.

 

[jammyjam25]

Instinctively I want to agree with you and say yes it will be emptier. Not necessarily EMPTY but maybe *slightly* less crowded than this year. The 60th will be over, Star Wars land is still a couple of years off and I think you're right that the people who only go every few years may hold off in 2017 and maybe even early 2018 and wait for SWL to be open until they go back.

That being said, I think the only thing that would massively impact crowds in a noticeable way anytime soon would be another recession...people have the means to go to DL right now and so I think they will continue to do so!

 

[Cal-Pie]

HaHa! I wish! But I think not. I bet the vast majority of visitors this year and last didn't even know anything about the anniversary before they planned their trips.

 

[figment_jii]

As the PPs have said, I don't really think we're ever going to go back to the crowd levels that were seen in the past. There might be a slight drop in overall attendance in the early part of 2017, like there normally/historically was after the holidays ended, but before Spring Break season gets into full swing. However, it wouldn't surprise me if DLR didn't have some events/activities planned to keep crowds up during the normally/historically less busy times of the year (e.g., F&W Festival, AP Days, etc.). Once the Rivers of America, TSI, train, and F! come back, I think there might be another spike in attendance and then we're probably into the summer season. I am hopefully that the crowds might stabilize somewhat in 2017 so that it will be easier to estimate when the parks might be super busy compared to just busy. If Star Wars land was going to open in 2018, I could see where some folks might opt to wait a year for that, but with the current guessing that the new land won't be open for several years, I don't think that many folks will put off their trip.

 

[sheetz]

I really don't think there's a chance. I've heard rumors of an upgraded Fantasmic! next year, so that would drive attendance. And even if there isn't anything new they will offer resident discounts to pack the parks like they did this spring.

 

[GatorChris]

You just never know. We all sorta hope for that. With no train, steamboat, Island, F!, or even the Ranch, some people might be waiting for some of that to open again before they return. That said, everyone is thinking the same way, so now they'll all plan trips for early 2017 to "avoid the rush".

Like someone said before, the only thing that slows down park attendance is a recession. And there's a good chance of that happening with this fragile economy, but that's not exactly something I want to hope for.

 

[AZMermaid]

I agree there might be a *slight* dip and "off season" hopefully won't feel slam packed like this year, but with the vast majority of attendees being locals, no, I don't think it will dramatically decrease crowds. But I went in Feb 2015- before the 60th and like 12 rides were down. It was still packed. 45 minutes for Jungle Cruise on a Tuesday at 11 AM.

 

[disneychrista]

There might be a slight decrease but nothing significant. I know I won't be going to the parks, unless my Friend who has been trying to go for the past 8 years final does. Then I will go with her but other than that, I don't see a visit for 2 - 3 years or when Star Wars Land opens.

 

[tarheelalum]

It's going be packed as usual. The only thing that would put a dent in attendance is if Disney eliminates the monthly payment plan on annual passes or the economy goes in the toilet.

 

[BayouQueen]

I guess I'm odd man out here. I do think there will be a drop as AP holders take a break to wait for SWL to open. It has been a crowded year because of all the closures, and so I think many will want to take a breather. But there could for sure be special events offered or really great ticket prices to offset this. We shall see!

 

[agamble]

I think less busy than this year, but not back to how things were five years ago. I like to believe people would put off their trips for Star Wars Land, but nothing has been announced yet. Until they actually say it's opening late 2018 people will assume it's not opening for many years and figure they can make a trip in 2017 and one again when Star Wars opens a couple years later.

 

[sheetz]

I guess I'm odd man out here. I do think there will be a drop as AP holders take a break to wait for SWL to open. It has been a crowded year because of all the closures, and so I think many will want to take a breather.

But Disney has been clever so that lower level AP holders must continue renewing their APs in order to eligible for parking passes. Nobody wants to lose that privilege if they think they will be buying APs in the future.

 

[SMD]

Disney will continue to add events like a month long food and wine and a month long AP appreciation event to both take up space and bring in crowds. They've also increased the number of Disney Arts performances and grad nights. I'm sure they have more ways to increase attendance that they're willing to try as soon as they need to.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I think as soon as someone predicts light crowds on the internet, people will book those days so they get the light crowds, and parks will continue to be busy. Whenever I've read that 'x' day will be light that day has proven to be very busy - Superbowl Sunday, rainy days, etc.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I agree with most others....it will be just as crowded as usual. We went in 2015 when tons of things were closed and it was still super crowded. Maybe felt even moreso because there were less attractions to absorb people.

Now if you want to compare 2017 with whatever year Star Wars land opens? Then yes, it will be less crowded than that.

 

[kathy884]

I think attendance is only going to go up and even invested in Disney stock. I am hoping my mid January trip has low crowds, but I fear that tiered pricing might bring more people out for slow times. I would rather pay the same and hopefully have fewer people. We'll see. // Economy improvements and a place that doesn't have to be that expensive depending how you do it like Disney are a perfect storm for more people -- just my opinion.

 

[brich330]

I really think DLR is getting a lot more WDW vets traveling there to. Who probably have become frustrated with what there doing in Orlando right now. They may not be a massive demographic, but them + 60th anniversary visitors + the locals adds up. I really think people more and more are considering it a destination instead of just another thing to do in California. Now attendance will spike when Star Wars gets here however. I intend to take a few years off Disney and do Universal when that madness happens though.

 

[disneychrista]

I really think DLR is getting a lot more WDW vets traveling there to.

Honestly, I have a seen a spike (here) since the 50th. And then another spike with the FP+ & then the 60th.