HEA Crowds

[tink2]

We were at Disney World last June and are returning again in May.
Last June- the crowds for Happily Ever After at MK were insane. It went from a normal ho hum crowd day (actually pretty low crowds) to BAM- looked like Christmas week (and yes, I’ve been Christmas week a few times- and I am not exaggerating). Every. single. night. We had to stake out a spot about 2 hours before the show in front of Casey’s corner- not even close to the castle and Main Street was literally body to body all the way to the train station by the time the show started. Every night.
I know it was new last year- but I’m wondering- have the crowds lessened any for this? I know a lot of locals were coming to see the show last summer- we talked to several during our wait.

Just curious what others have experienced lately

 

[Moliphino]

Not in early December. It was horrendous.

 

[pitpat]

Wasn't too bad on March 4. Got a spot in the fenced in area in front of Casey's about 20 minutes before.

 

[Elle :)]

I'm curious about this too. We're heading back in May for a family trip and I have no idea what to expect for the show.

I was actually there on HEA opening night last year and it was freaking nuts! I couldn't even get near the front of the castle an hour before showtime so we just went on some rides instead. Personal bonus: we rode BTMR during the fireworks and it was awesome. Best experience of the entire trip.

 

[sharonabe]

Wasn't too bad on March 4. Got a spot in the fenced in area in front of Casey's about 20 minutes before.

Beware this area is now being used for the Club Level paid FP, nighttime viewing event. They don't necessarily take the whole area, but there is the possibility they could.

 

[Elle :)]

Man, what's going to be left for the rest of us? The reserved / paid party sections are starting to take up a lot of space.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We were at Disney World last June and are returning again in May.
Last June- the crowds for Happily Ever After at MK were inane. It went from a normal ho hum crowd day (actually pretty low crowds) to BAM- looked like Christmas week (and yes, I’ve been Christmas week a few times- and I am not exaggerating). Every. single. night. We had to stake out a spot about 2 hours before the show in front of Casey’s corner- not even close to the castle and Main Street was literally body to body all the way to the train station by the time the show started. Every night.
I know it was new last year- but I’m wondering- have the crowds lessened any for this? I know a lot of locals were coming to see the show last summer- we talked to several during our wait.

Just curious what others have experienced lately

It's still like this with the exception that you can find a spot an hour before but not the best spots. I've reached the point that I won't watch these fireworks unless I can get a dessert party with the plaza garden view. Without the dessert party, I'll be back in Frontierland riding BTMRR and then Splash if I want to get wet or HM.

 

[CAS239]

The hub and main street are slammed nightly.