Help me with my logic. Epcot or not May 7?

[kellyandkids]

We will be arriving really late on Fri. 5/6. When we planned our trip I had no idea about the 50th celebration. I am getting very scared of the possible crowds at that time, but maybe all the predictions are wrong. With that in mind, do you think we should do Epcot (as I have planned) on that Sat. 5/7 or wait a few days? I know Soarin will be a big draw there - even I can't wait to ride it! My original logic in doing it on that date was that I felt a Sat. was better at Epcot due to so many school groups visiting it on weekdays,(perhaps a wrong conclusion) and I thought Mother's Day Sun. would also be very crowded. I have also heard that Sunday mornings at Animal Kingdom are really good times to be there. What do you think???

 

[*Susan*]

We are planning Epcot on the 7th too! My logic was the same as yours (that a weekend day might be better).

We are also going to go to Epcot on the 5th in the morning and see as much as we can. If it is too crazy we will just leave and do something else.

As an aside: we were there during Walt's 100th birthday celebration (on his actual b-day) back in Dec 2001. There was a lot of talk on these boards and elsewhere about how crazy it was going to be with all of the press, etc and it was empty (granted early Dec is usually uncrowded and this was just a few months after 9/11) but I am hoping all of the May 5th hype is just that.

have a fun trip It's not too far away

 

[Briarprincess]

not to burst the bubbles, but don't forget about AP holders and FL residents who work all week and might end up in the parks that Saturday... We had this happen a few times, especially as school ends down South. I could be WAY off though, so don't count on this. But that being said, I'm so very jealous of you both for being able to be there for the celebration. We're going in just 6 days, but most likely won't make it back for the 50th. Have fun!

 

[Lives4Disney]

My husband and I are arriving May 5th in the evening. This is our only adult trip ever and I totally wasn't thinking of this celebration when I planned to go. I tried to make reservations at Epcot that evening for dinner and was told I couldn't. CM didn't even know why not!! I read on these boards lately that Epcot closes at 3 pm that day. Why?? Who will be there??? When I requested Yachtsman steak house it was available. (Yay!)

I just have no idea how this celebration will effect attendance. Like others have posted it isn't just one day or even a week - it is over a year's time!! I am just crossing my fingers for us all that it isn't overwhelmingly crowded!! I have just within this past week make PSs and I have been able to get everything I wanted either at the time reqested or very close to it. I am just taking that as a good sign. Also, we are staying at the Swan, but I keep checking the Poly and GF and they still have availabity - another good sign - I am just hoping for AP rates. I really haven't seen any advertisement on TV about the 5th specifically (or am I wrong??) I have seen the comercials with the dogs and for the MYW packages........

As for Epcot on a Saturday, that is my choice also because Epcot is so large that the crowds seem very dispersed. If Epcot is a zoo, we will go over to MGM, if that is a bust - there is always the pool. I would rather be at WDW than at home!!! Hope for good weather and we will all make the best of it!

Have great trips

Lives4Disney

 

[*Susan*]

Lives4disney: I read that Epcot closes early for a 'press event' to kick off the celebration that day.

I can't see it really effecting WDW crowds that much - it's DL's b-day after all. And like you said, it isn't one day or anything like that (it goes for 18 months! At least DL's celebration does).

Here's wishing for good crowds and codes next week

 

[bratus913]

We too are arriving late on May 6th and have our first full day May 7th. We are planning Animal Kingdom on the 7th and saving Epcot for the 8th. Wish I could tell you why I went with this plan, but I did my research and for some reason came up with that!!

By the way, when we scheduled our trip the 50th b-day celebration was not yet announced. Yes, it will be fun, but we were banking on the low, early-May crowds!!! Go figure

 

[Nik's Mom]

We're going to Epcot on the 7th. We originally were going to another park, but when they announced the new boys character meal for the 7th and 8th, we had to change our plans!

 

[NJDisneymom]

I think the Epcot Mother's Day brunch is being held on the 7th and 8th so that may up the attendance at Epcot those days. We are arriving late at night on the 5th and I'm concerned with crowds too, hoping it won't be too bad. We are doing MGM on the 7th and MK on the 8th (have CRT for breakfast, I don't care how crowded it is, we will be there!!!).

 

[kellyandkids]

Thanks everyone for all your input! Maybe we will all be lucky with a slim early May crowd. I had forgotten about the size of Epcot being able to better handle large crowds. If it does "get crazy" I guess we will just hop to another park.