Epcot vs HS - Overwhelmed with Crowd Levels and Scheduling

[Frozen2014]

Last trip was in 2014 and now planning a short trip for late August where we have one day for Epcot and one day for HS.

On our HS day, we would arrive 30 minutes before the park opens to try for a boarding pass (assuming it sill works like this in August)
On our Epcot day, we will probably book breakfast ADR (e.g. Boma or other) and so won't arrive at the park until say 9:30am or 10am.

Maybe I'm analyzing too much, but if

• the Friday has Epcot at crowd 1 and HS at crowd 3
• the Saturday has Epcot at crowd 3 and HS at crowd 4

Even though Epcot is at crowd level 1, I'm thinking that on the Friday we should tackle HS?.....since a Saturday may bring more locals for a weekend crowd (and thus, maybe why HS is a 4 on Sat vs 3 on Fri) At HS, not interested in Tower or Terror or the Rock N Roller coaster, but do want to visit the other Tier 1 rides and the new Star Wars attractions.

Or should we take advantage of a crowd level of 1 for Epcot and go there in Friday?

 

[lorenae]

There will never be a crowd level of 1, never.

August will not be as busy as Christmas of course, but it will be crowded by comparison to any date in 2014. I went exactly 4 years apart on December 3rd and 4th, fairly low crowds typically. OMG. Maybe “low crowds” for December 2019, but definitely so crowded at times that I could barely move. Other times, it was just lots and lots and lots of people, but not actually touching me.

In August, it will be hot and schools will be in session for some school districts so it won’t be as bad as July- but don’t plan a crowd level 1, or 3, or anything like that at all. Go where you want, when you want, but have a plan with fast-passes and dining reservations.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks....the numbers are from Touring Plans, but get what you are saying. And they do say WDW is busy all the time now.
Ok...prob just stick with HS on Friday then and Epcot on Sat and book ADR and FP accordingly.

 

[lorenae]

Yes, that’s what I’d do. Epcot can get busy on Saturday evenings with locals, but it’s not that bad during the day on a Saturday, especially in the summer.

 

[MomOTwins]

There will never be a crowd level of 1, never.

August will not be as busy as Christmas of course, but it will be crowded by comparison to any date in 2014. I went exactly 4 years apart on December 3rd and 4th, fairly low crowds typically. OMG. Maybe “low crowds” for December 2019, but definitely so crowded at times that I could barely move. Other times, it was just lots and lots and lots of people, but not actually touching me.

In August, it will be hot and schools will be in session for some school districts so it won’t be as bad as July- but don’t plan a crowd level 1, or 3, or anything like that at all. Go where you want, when you want, but have a plan with fast-passes and dining reservations.

Well, I've been in late August in recent years and crowds were minimal, so I do think there is some truth to it. People don't like pulling their kids out of school right after the school year begins, and hurricanes in late August are a real risk. Besides, you can't really plan for FPs for Hollywood Studios anymore given the number of rides in Tier 1.

Regardless, I agree Friday is the better the choice.

 

[sethschroeder]

Question is how bad will local crowds be for Star Wars at that point still? I would pick HS on a Friday likely for that reason. We always have hoppers though so I would rope drop HS both days (Star Wars Friday and Toy Story Saturday) and hit Epcot afterwards each day.

 

[Frozen2014]

Yes, that’s what I’d do. Epcot can get busy on Saturday evenings with locals, but it’s not that bad during the day on a Saturday, especially in the summer.

Thanks. Good to know that the day should be ok, and just to expect more crowds during the evening. Guessing there will be some night time show (and hoping so).

Well, I've been in late August in recent years and crowds were minimal, so I do think there is some truth to it. People don't like pulling their kids out of school right after the school year begins, and hurricanes in late August are a real risk. Besides, you can't really plan for FPs for Hollywood Studios anymore given the number of rides in Tier 1.

Regardless, I agree Friday is the better the choice.

Yeah...we're from Canada so our kids don't return until after Labor day, but hoping some school have returned. (We're looking at Thurs Aug 27 - Sun Aug 30...but Thurs is the day we arrive so we'll only get a few hours at a park). Unfortunately we miss free dining by two days, but guess they add FD when crowds are lower.
I know...that's the problem with FP for HS as all the good ones are Tier 1....or have no FP such as Star Wars.

 

[_19disnA]

Honestly, no 3rd party website has any idea how busy the various Disney parks will be at some future date. Disney certainly doesn't share advance booking data with them and even Disney has no idea how many locals with AP's will suddenly decide to show up some day. I would just plan your trip based on what you enjoy and the FastPasses you can get. If 1 means it is projected to be 'less' crowded then a 2 or 3, it is a useless measure since everyone defines 'crowded' differently.

 

[Frozen2014]

Honestly, no 3rd party website has any idea how busy the various Disney parks will be at some future date. Disney certainly doesn't share advance booking data with them and even Disney has no idea how many locals with AP's will suddenly decide to show up some day. I would just plan your trip based on what you enjoy and the FastPasses you can get. If 1 means it is projected to be 'less' crowded then a 2 or 3, it is a useless measure since everyone defines 'crowded' differently.

Good point. Plus it's just all predictions.
Since both Epcot and Hollywood Studios work on the tier system and its a short trip, fast pass selection probably won't make much difference (won't get SDD for either).
Thanks.

 

[lorenae]

As much as I hate Florida in August, I’m thinking of mid-August myself this year (but earlier than you). It’s hot and humid, rains every afternoon, and then again it’s hot. But it’s when my grandkids can make it work with their school vacation. I’m going to expect the same crowds I see next week (another “low crowd” period) and be prepared for it.
I will say that I was there on December 3 and 4, and the 3rd at MK was MOBBED. Epcot was very busy. I had to leave to go to another park (DHS) and it was not bad when it got late, right before closing. AK was ok very early on the 4th (EMH at 7 AM) but got very busy before noon. I didn’t check Touring Plans, but usually that is a “slow” period. I’d be curious what they said those days were, because I usually go in January and did not anticipate the large crowds (elbow to elbow at times). So if I plan for it to be busy, and find it less so, then I’ll be pleasantly surprised instead of the reverse, if that make sense.

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

I don't think you'll see crowds levels of 1 or even 3, but I do agree with doing HS on Friday and epcot on Saturday. If Food&Wine Fest starts up in late August again, then epcot will be crowded in World Showcase both nights.

 

[Frozen2014]

As much as I hate Florida in August, I’m thinking of mid-August myself this year (but earlier than you). It’s hot and humid, rains every afternoon, and then again it’s hot. But it’s when my grandkids can make it work with their school vacation. I’m going to expect the same crowds I see next week (another “low crowd” period) and be prepared for it.
I will say that I was there on December 3 and 4, and the 3rd at MK was MOBBED. Epcot was very busy. I had to leave to go to another park (DHS) and it was not bad when it got late, right before closing. AK was ok very early on the 4th (EMH at 7 AM) but got very busy before noon. I didn’t check Touring Plans, but usually that is a “slow” period. I’d be curious what they said those days were, because I usually go in January and did not anticipate the large crowds (elbow to elbow at times). So if I plan for it to be busy, and find it less so, then I’ll be pleasantly surprised instead of the reverse, if that make sense.

Yeah, have heard it's stupid hot with daily rain. But it just works pre-cruise without taking our kids our of school. So we'll just make it work.

Wow...crazy that early Dec was so busy.

I don't think you'll see crowds levels of 1 or even 3, but I do agree with doing HS on Friday and epcot on Saturday. If Food&Wine Fest starts up in late August again, then epcot will be crowded in World Showcase both nights.

Thanks! Didn't realize that Food & Wine is in August (thought it was a Spring thing)....so evenings will be busy. Sounds best to keep HS on Friday and Epcot on Sat....so will stick with the first plan.

 

[CastAStone]

Remember that touring plans crowd calendar is actually a wait time calendar. It has nothing to do with crowds. This is important during Food and Wine at Epcot: the parks will by BUSY on Friday night and Saturday but wait times won’t be that bad. With all the construction walls though you will feel like it’s mobbed - then wait just 20 minutes for Soarin at 7:30 PM.

 

[rpb718]

Until Touring Plans changes the name, it's a "crowd" calendar. Calling it a crowd calendar when it has nothing to do with crowds is misleading and confusing to anyone that used crowd calendars in the past or compares to other sites that advertise crowd calendars - not that any of them are worth anywhere close to what they were worth years ago.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for clarifying about Touring Plans. We're more concerned with wait times for rides, so guess that works for us. Bit I see what you mean as there is a difference.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks. Good to know that the day should be ok, and just to expect more crowds during the evening. Guessing there will be some night time show (and hoping so).

HarmoniUS is supposed to start in the Spring, so it should be running in August.

 

[yulilin3]

HarmoniUS is supposed to start in the Spring, so it should be running in August.

And Ratarouille should be open as well

 

[Dug720]

And Ratarouille should be open as well

Yes, I am hoping it is open by my July 18-23 visit. We all know “Summer” could mean anything from June through September with Disney.

 

[holden]

Ignore crowd level numbers. They are worthless. It’s all relative anyway. What feels crowded to you might not feel crowded to someone else.
There are only two crowd levels - crowded and more crowded. You are going at a crowded time.
Plan whatever you want and enjoy your trip!

 

[Frozen2014]

Great to hear there is a night time show. Hopefully Ratatouille will be opened by then (although it will be another one with very long waits).