Educate me about low crowd days

[BubblyTrip]

The last three years, we've either visited on either 6-7 or 8-9 crowd days. We're in line well before RD and go pretty commando the first half of the day.

This February we're going for our first 2-3 crowd days (and also first time with no stroller back up). Will definitely still be in line pre-RD, but I just can't picture the rest of the day.

Are lines going to look significantly better, or will afternoons still have that crowded vibe? I know I've read mixed things here before.

Any tips for maximizing this situation? Do you stop and smell the roses more or keep your faster pace touring style and ride more rides?

 

[Mikie]

When I can catch a lower crowd day, I do stop and smell the roses a bit more, especially taking photos of the park or my family because I can get a few without lots of other people in every shot. Also, we tend to keep up the pace but take no afternoon breaks because park hours are often shorter at those types of times, so we're not resting up for a late night in the park.

Definitely I think you'll find lines better, but I doubt you'll find the parks feeling "empty" as you might imagine a 2-3 crowd to be.

 

[rwdavis2]

Keep in mind with lower crowds they may not run some rides at full capacity. For example in November 2012 we rode Space Mtn. but they were only running 1 of the 2 tracks. You still need FP+ for some rides.

 

[BrianL]

Also, as crowds get higher, the ratings shift a bit. A 5 this year, might be a 6 or 7 from a couple of years ago. Generally though, low times will see overall lower wait times for attractions, though the most popular ones still get high (over an hour). The lower tier attractions will be much easier to ride quickly though so you save time overall.

 

[DSLRuser]

low crowd days generally mean less operating hours. the park may be open 9am to 10pm instead of 8am to 12.

the thing i notice more about slow time of year is you can be much more spontaneous. Character interaction is more frequent and less time consuming.

 

[W.E.D.]

Our last trip was post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas and we absolutely loved it! We have sworn to only go back during low-crowd times. I remarked to my wife that I could walk down Main Street USA with my arms outstretched and not touch another human being. We never pulled a FP because everything was either walk-on or maybe a 10-min. wait. You can certainly relax a bit more. I wouldn't worry about reduced hours. We had PLENTY of time to hit everything.

 

[Oswin]

It will still potentially "feel" as busy as a 6-9 trip because things won't be running at a high capacity. Park hours will be shorter, cast members will be more sparse, rides won't be running as many vehicles as normal, transportation won't have as many buses running. This will lead to congested bus stops, lines that are still long at attractions and in stores, and things feeling just as busy as they are in the busier times. Realistically, the crowds are lower, Disney just isn't being as efficient with their operating hours as they are during busier times. So FP+ is still needed for the headliners to avoid waits of 60+ minutes. The good thing is, ADR times are more plentiful and same day FP+ selection can be more plentiful as well.

 

[AngiTN]

The last three years, we've either visited on either 6-7 or 8-9 crowd days. We're in line well before RD and go pretty commando the first half of the day.

This February we're going for our first 2-3 crowd days (and also first time with no stroller back up). Will definitely still be in line pre-RD, but I just can't picture the rest of the day.

Are lines going to look significantly better, or will afternoons still have that crowded vibe? I know I've read mixed things here before.

Any tips for maximizing this situation? Do you stop and smell the roses more or keep your faster pace touring style and ride more rides?

Yes, it will still have a crowded vibe.
Personally I haven't noticed drastic differences between off season and summer.
You'll still want FP. You may find crowds build more slowly during the day but at the high point of the day it will feel crowded