Heat and Crowds

[sunny04]

We just got back yesterday and thought we'd let those of you going soon to be prepared. This was our least enjoyable trip. First of all, it rained the entire first day and then was terribly hot our entire last day, so that was yucky too. But the crowds...we've never seen anything like it - not last June at the same time, or at Christmas for the last 3 years. It was just ridiculous. It took over an hour to get on a bus Mon. night leaving MK and we waited about an hour or so after everyone else poured out of the park...there is no telling how long it took the others! And EVERY bus stop was just as packed as ours. The rides we usually just walk on even had lines. TTA actually had a line a couple times!! We were still able to do the things we wanted to and not wait too long, but some of it we just gave up on. It was insane. Due to the celebration, apparently they have started some new procedures too so CMs are directing people like cattle and kind of being like line nazis sometimes, which is strange. Just not what we're used to....so if you are going this summer, be prepared for crazy crowds and heat.

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks we leave tomorrow....I kind of expect it due to how difficult it was to get a hotel room at the last minute....

 

[Leota]

Could you elaborate on the CM's line nazi thing? I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary at Spring Break - just curious what I should prepare for on our summer trip.....

 

[pixie08]

Yes, i too am curious abot this Cm thing...fill us in please!

 

[sunny04]

For example, when we were in the Fastpass line at Peter Pan, the CM letting us in literally did not stop saying..."Move ALL the way up, please. Aaaalll the way up. Move all the way up folks. All the way up." It was like, we didn't have anymore space to move and she still kept saying it until we could move again. It was strange. Then they've started a new way of getting everyone out after parades, etc. They make a line halfway across main street. If you are leaving they want you on one side, and the other side is for people coming back into the parks. If you are waiting for the fireworks you have to be ON the sidewalk. Now this makes sense, but it's new, so people don't know it and the CMs are yelling across the way "Please stay to right side." And walk up and down making you get on the sidewalk, even if you are just standing right next to it. We were trying to get from the right side to the sidewalk and got stopped because we had to be on the right side, just because that's the direction we were walking. We had to tell the CM we were going to the other side. It was wild. We even saw people trying to take pictures of the castle that were told by the CMs "YOU CANNOT BLOCK THE PATH TO TAKE PICTURES. KEEP MOVING." It was very odd.

 

[ChipNDale]

For example, when we were in the Fastpass line at Peter Pan, the CM letting us in literally did not stop saying..."Move ALL the way up, please. Aaaalll the way up. Move all the way up folks. All the way up." It was like, we didn't have anymore space to move and she still kept saying it until we could move again. It was strange. Then they've started a new way of getting everyone out after parades, etc. They make a line halfway across main street. If you are leaving they want you on one side, and the other side is for people coming back into the parks. If you are waiting for the fireworks you have to be ON the sidewalk. Now this makes sense, but it's new, so people don't know it and the CMs are yelling across the way "Please stay to right side." And walk up and down making you get on the sidewalk, even if you are just standing right next to it. We were trying to get from the right side to the sidewalk and got stopped because we had to be on the right side, just because that's the direction we were walking. We had to tell the CM we were going to the other side. It was wild. We even saw people trying to take pictures of the castle that were told by the CMs "YOU CANNOT BLOCK THE PATH TO TAKE PICTURES. KEEP MOVING." It was very odd.

I would hope that the CM will not be like this all of the time when we make our first trip in July 2-9. It just dose not sound Disney. Yes rule and order are important, but this is disney where people want to see and do everything and not be yelled at for stoping to take a picture. That is why we all bring camers right not just for neckware. If you can not move up the line then why ohh why would they not be quite for a few minutes.

Ok No more rant!

This will be our first trip, anyone have any hints or tips to help with the rides and the crowds during what looks to be a very very busy summer.

TIA
-ChipNDale

 

[daisylove]

Also leaving tomorrow. Just me and 6yr old DD so I am already nervous about the large crowds.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Actually alot of that, especially the parade procedures and having to be on the sidewalk if waiting for fireworks sounds just like regular procedure at DL (and it's not bad at all, as I've never known any different and they are very efficent at moving the crowds). Maybe I'll feel right at home on my first trip to WDW.

 

[Olallamom]

In regards to the long wait for a bus, do you now wish that you had driven to the parks yourself? I ask this question because we will arrive on the 21st and are pondering renting car.

 

[kpm76]

In regards to the long wait for a bus, do you now wish that you had driven to the parks yourself? I ask this question because we will arrive on the 21st and are pondering renting car.

Rent a car! We were there the same time as the OP and we rented a car so we avaoided the long bus lines. I found the crowds fairly managable, except for 6/7 in the MK...it was insane. It was also really, really hot so my tolerance was not very high I expected higher crowds since it was the summer...we typically travel durng value season so we prepared ourselves. But the OP is right, prepare for heat and crowds this summer...make sure to take breaks and drink lots of water....have a great trip!!!!

 

[mark&sue]

We just got back on Saturday and I too found this my least favourite trip due to weather and crowds. We usually go in our uk school holiday in October, but left the booking up to a friend of ours who chose a uk school holiday in May/June instead. I have vowed never to go at this time again as I found it very busy and too hot on some days and as previously mentioned too wet as well!!! I have since noticed the rainfall shoots up in June. I am in the process of booking up for October 2006 and look forward to a much better vacation at that time.

I would add that unless you stay on site I would go for a car and even then I have stayed on site without a car and ended up renting one to go shoping (we Brits love to shop in the USA!!!)

I would add that any trip to US and Disney is better than anywhere else but I think it makes a real difference to do your homework!!


Susan

 

[missypie]

I didn't know what you were talking about with the nazi thing, but then once you elaborated, we observed all that you did. It didn't really bother me, however. We were in the parks May 27-June 5th. Perhaps the crowds were so bad bacause it rained a lot for 5 days of that time (May 31-June 4th)...maybe folks stayed inside for the rainy days and just had to finally get out.

 

[ericafny]

I'm going July 22 and everyone was telling me not to rent a car...but I originally wanted to rent a car for the reasons the OP stated! Now I think I'm back to renting a car...

Thanks for the info! Good thread!

 

[Magalex]

We just had a WDW vacation(our 4 yr old DS first trip) in April. There were spring breakers from the northeastern states but had no problem with the crowd level. But for future trips I am taking notes now because our DS will be in elementary school the next time we go. I was thinking about June right after the last day for the school season. Even tho it could be crowded I might stick with Thanksgiving vacation because of the cooler temps.

Also for our April trip the weather was cool and I don't like the heat.

Magalex

 

[jwfla422]

We were there the first week of June last year and I just remember saying over and over to myself that I'd never come back this time of year again. Too hot, too crowded, too rainy!! Unfortunately for many, this is the only time they can go (unlike some of us "spoiled" Floridian Disers who can just jump in the car and go).

But, I remember it was so busy compared to the other off peak times we go, won't be doing this route again. If you have to do summer, mid to late August is much better as far as crowds go...of course these days you never know about the hurricane thing but that's just the chance you have to take. The weather is always "iffy" then. But as far as the heat goes, June is the worst, the sun is at it's strongest (when it does shine) and the humidity is just as bad.

Sorry to hear it was so insane. My brother and family were thinking about going then, I talked them out of it, good thing.

 

[minijeanie]

oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


knew this was going to be a bad year. I am fortunate enough that our family has done many trips and if need be, we will just relax more at the resort.

Looks like I really need a tougher plan than the one I have wrote out.

 

[sunny04]

Just a side note about the car rental thing....if you are staying at an All-Star resort, I would say definitely. I made DH promise me that if we EVER stay at all-stars again that we would drive. Supposedly they get the same amount of busses as everyone else, but somehow, every other line would be completely empty and we would still have a full to the back line. We went last June and said no more in June, but the in-laws wanted to take everyone this June again. You don't really argue to a gift like that, so we did it again....luckily for us, they realized that they didn't want to do June again. I would seriously consider getting a car for this summer...it's just really really busy.

 

[sweet maxine]

I just returned from a trip on Sunday, and I have to say, this was the most crowded I've ever seen the parks! I've been at Christmas and during the busy months of summer in the past, but this time was unreal! One day Mom and I walked into Epcot, and there were crowds there, and it's usually not crowded at all! We missed seeing Arlo Guthrie because she felt she just could not endure any more crowds.


I've sworn off going at all in June anymore after this trip! I'm starting to wonder how the new offer with free dining will affect crowd levels for the early fall.

 

[crjack]

We always get a car when we go. There are so many discounts and code options through mousesavers, aaa, etc. that we find it very economical as well as convenient. This year we have to go in July, our first summer trip. I am not looking forward to the heat and crowds so for us it's a must to get into our own car at the end of the busy day.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow, I wonder when we turned into cattle! I was just there May 18-22 and saw none of the herding behavior. They were however packing us onto the busses like sardines! Not fun or safe! And I didn't like being a fish either!