Do you think there is less atmosphere in the parks when they are less busy?

[Ted and Holly]

Up until now, we have gone to WDW ONLY during the busiest times. Holly worked in a school district and her only time off was when EVERYONE else was going to WDW. Now that we live close, we can check it out when there are not wall-to-wall people. And I like it a LOT better.

I will, however, agree that you need SOME other people there.

It is nice to see a "0" sometimes in a Standy-by entrance.

Ted

 

[Gary M]

The off-season with low crowds and cool temps is my favorite time at WDW. You can enjoy the atmosphere of WDW without worrying about strollers banging into your shins and the ordeal of getting through the pedestrian traffic. Waiting in long lines is not my idea of a good time either.

My first trip to WDW was early Dec., 1992, I fell in love with the place. The temps were cool and crowds very low. If it had been hot and during the busy season, I really doubt if I would have enjoyed myself enough to return to WDW. We have our 29th. staying on site trip planned for early Dec. of this year.

 

[megrod74]

I think that it can be TOO quiet. We went Dec. 2001 and the pictures we have of Frontierland look like a ghost town. As others have stated, while it was nice to walk onto everything, I found that to be a little creepy. Although, OTOH, I wouldn't want to go at the height of summer, I can see how the Magic could get lost then.

 

[indyanna]

Never having been to Disney yet, I can't speak for which way I like it. I hope that the crowds aren't too bad in October when I go. Having said that, though, I understand what people are saying about moderate crowds adding to the atmosphere. Have you ever noticed movies seem funnier in the theater with fifty people laughing with you than when you're watching the same movie on vide on from your couch? I guess that's my interpretation.

 

[goofyernmost]

As I said, it is during the time of the moderate crowds that I enjoy the most. Large enough so that everything is open and "jumping" but small enough so you can walk without bumping into people. Late February is the best for that, as far as I am concerned.

I had the bad fortune of being there once on "Florida Day" when every resident of Florida could enter at a discounted rate. My feeling is that the rest of Florida must have been empty because everyone was at MK. There was no such thing as stopping in front of someone because you would be carried along on the wave of humanity surging through the park. I wouldn't do that again if my life depended on it.

 

[jann1033]

only went once in peak season and vowed never again. but I hate crowds. I love it nice an' peaceful. While I do think it would be nice to see everything stay open since the tickets are the same price, I don't care that the hours are not as long since it is dark earlier. we have plenty of time to do stuff but the fireworks would be nice. I think disney is making enough to do that.

 

[megrod74]

Goofyernmost - When is Florida Day? I need to mark my calendar (as a day NOT to be at WDW)

 

[julieannbabe]

Got some great responses - thanks guys!

 

[nicknamy1996]

Great question!

We have been lucky enough to go the last two Februaries and will be going back next Feb. as well. We love it! And recommend it to all of our friends. Less crowds, better temps. and cheaper.

But the title of your thread got me thinking that it IS different and perhaps lacking something.

Two years ago we had a near perfect vacation, and last years as even better(I could write a book about last years vacation and it would be a fairy tale!...but that's another post) And now YOU have to go and post this question and get me thinking. Thinking about a void that was there and I didn't realize it. Some of the previous posts seemed to hit it right. You can do and small even the off the wall ones) on your "must do everything with little or no wait, have one on one interaction with characters with little or no rush at all, you can stop and smell the roses and catch all the little things. And do all the things big " list. You can really soak up
the "atmosphere"

And yet there IS something missing! And I now for me I think I know what it is. It's the Disney that everyone talks about. It's the WDW that we try to avoid. And I guess some of us miss it
because we are trained to expect it. It's the hustle and bustle of the huge crowds, it's the long lines that "never" move, it the sun beating down on you, the masses of people trying to exit the
parks at closing, it's missing your favorite show because it is all filled up. It's not having good photo ops. It's waiting for an hour and a half (instead of 3 mins.) to see the Mouse and then having your kid kicking and screaming at the last second that he does not want to see him. And all the people complaining to anyone or anything about anything they can find to complain about in their hot and exhausted state. The booked up restaurants and lack of tables at counter service, and the.... OK! So I'm over that. And now yes I truly do think it is lacking THAT "atmosphere" but now I see that I don't mind that it is missing.

 

[Synonymous]

If you know what you're doing, Nick, you don't experience that even at the busy times. You experience that stuff if you wander into the park at 11:00 am or noon, head straight for the E-tickets, go standby, and decide to eat dinner at 5:00 or 6:00. You then decide to watch the fireworks from in front of the Castle and leave the park as soon as they're over.

In other words, if you follow the crowds, you'll experience the crowds. If you work around the crowds, you won't.

 

[nicknamy1996]

And that could be that happy median that some people are looking for. You still have the atmosphere of a busy park, but get to do everything you wish.

Don't read my post the wrong way. I was not complaining about those things. In fact, for the most part, I've never really experienced any of them at WDW. What I was saying is those are some of the things that some people have been trained to expect. And if it is not there then a certain element to WDW may be missing.

Also another thought. People watching and interacting with new friends (total strangers anywhere other than WDW) are two of my favorite things to do at WDW. I guess if it were more crowded we would have more chances for both of these.

The more I think about this thread the more I like it. Another thing about me is that I love to go to a carnival or town fair. And I love to see the happy families, I love the smell of the popcorn and cotton candy. Again the hustle and bustle is fun. But by the end of the day I am usually drained. So I guess if I was able to go for 1 day and it was cheaper and closer and I had no "must do" things... I just had a free day to go walk around the park (and it wasn't a once a year or once in a lifetime type of thing) I would very much enjoy going on a busy day and just strolling through the crowd for hours occasionally going on a ride or grabbing a bite to eat while soaking up the atmosphere.

 

[disneysteve]

I definitely vote for more atmosphere when the park is less crowded. Also, when the weather is milder. I hate being in the parks when its 90 degrees, 100% humidity and crammed full of people. That's just not an enjoyable setting to me.

I'd much rather be there when the crowds are light and I can wander through the parks, have time and space to appreciate everything going on around me without pushing through a crowd or dying of heat stroke.

Steve

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Synonymous
If you know what you're doing, Nick, you don't experience that even at the busy times. You experience that stuff if you wander into the park at 11:00 am or noon, head straight for the E-tickets, go standby, and decide to eat dinner at 5:00 or 6:00. You then decide to watch the fireworks from in front of the Castle and leave the park as soon as they're over.

In other words, if you follow the crowds, you'll experience the crowds. If you work around the crowds, you won't.

We go during low season so we don't have to go early to the parks or go to e-night. I much prefer the low crowds any day to mobs of people. It isn't a vacation if I have to get up at the crack of dawn just to enjoy myself. We do know what we are doing and much prefer the laid back Disney vacation as opposed to commando style. Give me empty parks anyday. And this coming from a stock holder!

 

[Lesley]

We used to not mind the crowds so much....we do know how to work around them. But with small kids its much harder to do because they can get lost so easily in the crowds, they don't wait for things (like food) as patiently, etc....

Its really best for my kids when they can walk with us without holding hands.....when there aren't so many people around that its dangerous to do so. Also, to be able to stop as needed without being pushed along by the crowd, etc....is absolutely necessary. Plus, as I mentioned before, my little one doesn't do mornings.

July of 2002 really wasn't too bad....but July 2003 wasn't very fun. Not sure how much of that was crowds and how much was other circumstances.....

 

[nicknamy1996]

Just remember, the question was not "Do you prefer busy or slow times?" If you read the posts a lot of people seem to be answering that question.

The original question was "Do you think there is less atmosphere in the parks when they are less busy?"

 

[babslittleones]

I would much rather go when the crowds are very low. I don't feel as rushed so I tend to take in more things. I am in a better mood when the crowds are low. I love short lines. The only time I put up with the crowds is when I don't have a choice as to when to plan the trip such as going over a holiday.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I was at WDW the week after 9/11/01, and it was spooky. I like low crowds, but you need some crowd to make it fun too.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Bump

 

[arminnie]

I really do not like summer at WDW - but I think it's the weather part of the atmosphere that bothers me not the crowds.

I LOVE to go to New York at Christmas time - I love the excitement of the crowds in the stores - oh but then I NEVER actually try to buy anything - I just enjoy the general frenzy of the season.

I'd probably hate it if I was trying to accomplish something. And at Disney I don't think I'd ever be totally happy just watching. Too much really good stuff to do.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by nicknamy1996
Just remember, the question was not "Do you prefer busy or slow times?" If you read the posts a lot of people seem to be answering that question.

The original question was "Do you think there is less atmosphere in the parks when they are less busy?"

then the answer is no no no no no no no no no . in my opinion the atmosphere is built in to the parks(check out the" secrets" thread) BUT how can you stop and "smell the roses" when you are being born along by a crush of people?also, of course only my opinion ,when the parks are busiest you can change your touring schedue all you want, unless you spend all day every day at your hotel you are always going to have a ton of people in the park with you ,blocking your view of a lot of the little details. hence that is why I enjoy the less crowded times better( sorry just had to get that" do you prefer busy vs non busy" comment in)