Here Now And Boy Is It Crowded!!!

[billwendy]

Hi

We just got home yesterday - had been there for a week - It was more crowded than I had expected as well,,,,but Toy story mania was just that MANIA!!!!! We were there for opening on thursday -and as soon as they said go everyone ran to TSM!!!!! The line was immedidiately 40 minutes long with lines for fast passes!!! CRAZY!!!! It is a fun ride though!! and the line is mostly inside where it is cool!!! On friday night the lines to get into the MK for the halloween party were insane - worse than new years eve!!!!! hopefully that was just the crowd getting through though -

For us at the POP, the busses were great - we did stand a few times, but standing on the bus was better than standing and waiting at the bus stop...

Wendy

 

[goofygal71]

We are coming in Friday morning, I'm hoping the Columbus Day crowds are gone...

 

[TifffanyD]

I was there too! MK was pretty packed yesterday. We got there around 4pm and waits that we saw were 45 minutes at haunted mansion (true), 40 minutes at Pirates (not true - it took longer. I think the ride may have been breaking down), 50 minutes at jungle cruise. We didn't see splash til much later in the night and even then it was like 50 minutes. The weather was nice and we've done them all before so we just did the few we wanted and enjoyed the atmosphere. TTA even had a wait for a little bit.

Today at AK was packed. The safari was at like 90 minutes around 1. Everest broke down so everyone was getting Fast passes and they eventually ran out pretty early. I've gotten spoiled by the offseason! Hope it dies down some soon... we are headed back on halloween for a long weekend.

 

[inloveindisney]

Ooh, I'm going in 10 days (yeah, we're gearing up for the single digit dance tomorrow). I like the sounds of things slowing down! Can't wait!! On that note I might go do some more packing!

 

[Ephany]

We just got back a few hours ago and it was much busier these last few days than our last trip in early May. We actually left Epcot before the fireworks last night; it was just too crowded for DH. This morning at MK was nice, but there was a noticeable increase in crowd level by 2pm when we headed out. The CMs we talked with all agreed the last few days had been pretty busy. I'm sure it'll die down after Columbus Day.

 

[jaurban]

This is kind of bumming me out. I was hoping to make our reservation for next year this weekend, and hoping it would be cooler and less crowded than in late August. We could go in August for more days as DD will not miss school then (start the week before Labor Day, which is late next year) - but we were there this year Aug. 18 - 25 and suffered through most of the days of Fay and it was hot to boot (and would have been hotter without Fay) - so were hoping for better weather (and MNSSHP). But, I don't want DD to miss more than three days of school (she will only get Columbus Day off) - it is only First Grade, so it should not be a big deal, and three days is what is listed in the school guidelines as the "max" if you will. Perhaps the combination of the Jewish Holidays and Columbus Day made it more crowded surrounding the Monday off? Next year they are a few weeks apart. We will also have a baby with us next year (7 more weeks to that....) so thinking the slightly cooler weather and hopefully lower crowds would be better. So, I guess the question is, is it really cooler and less crowded now than in late August?

 

[hmcfall711]

We will be arriving at MK on Wednesday. I would love to see this thread continue on for the next few days to see if the crowds start going down after Columbus Day.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Jaurban:

We have very hot, humid weather here where I live so we are very used to it. But my friend who just got back today from Disney said the heat and humidity were just unbearable last week. That combined with the huge crowds really put a damper on their trip. Plus she said it rained all week. I looked on the weather channel at the yearly averages in temps for Florida. January is the coolest month with average temps around 73. I don't think people always factor in humidity and the increased heat that radiates from all the asphalt in the parks. All last week, the temps were around 85 at Disney. But it doesn't feel anything like 85 with the humidity and asphalt steam (more like 100). So if you want cooler weather and less crowds, maybe January would be a good time.

 

[ajcolorado]

I've heard that you want to avoid Epcot on the weekends during the Food & Wine festival as weekends draw a lot of locals and annual passholders.

 

[jennilynn510]

WE ARRIVED YESTERDAY TO THE BCV AND I AM SO SUPRISED AT HOW CROWDED MK WAS LAST NIGHT. IT WAS LIKE SUMMER CROWDED WHERE YOU SLOWLY WALK THRU THE CROWDS TO GET TO ONE OF THE LANDS. VERY SUPRISING!!!! DO YOU EXPERTS THINK IT WILL STAY THIS CROWDED. PEOPLE ARE STANDING ON THE BUSES CROWDED. VERY SUPRISED. I KNOW IT IS A HOLIDAY BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT IT FOR THE WHOLE WEEK. WILL IT GET ANY BETTER? JUST WONDERING!!!!

isnt it still "free dining" ??? that will draw a BIG crowd

 

[irish dancer]

We just got back tonight from a week in WDW. There was a definite increase in crowds beginning Friday. Saturday I'm sure was crowded in MK because it had closed early Thu and Fri for MNSSHPs and was the first night for Spectro and Wishes since Wed. Also, Epcot is usually VERY crowded on the weekends during F&W.

One thing we noticed all week was that the posted wait times were not necessarily accurate. For example, Thursday afternoon around 4p posted wait time for ToT at DHS was 50min. We used our FPs and walked right into the pre-show and there was NO ONE in the stand-by line. We found this to be true in all parks so posted wait times can be deciving.

I will completely agree with everyone else that has been there lately, it was HOT HOT HOT and the humidity was insane. Luckily we managed to miss most of the rain problems, we always ended up being in a restaurant or at our resort during the rains.

 

[bonnieleigh]

Well, it was on a Saturday night. Maybe that's why? Who knows. Hopefully, it'll be less crowded when I leave on the 22nd

 

[Goofy Guy]

Wow. I didn't realize a 'simple' holiday like Columbus day would have that kind of impact at WDW. Yikes. We'll be there during the 'Veteran's Day' holiday. Do you think the crowds will be similar during that weekend?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow. I didn't realize a 'simple' holiday like Columbus day would have that kind of impact at WDW. Yikes. We'll be there during the 'Veteran's Day' holiday. Do you think the crowds will be similar during that weekend?

I'd like to know the answer to this also since that is the week we will be there. I think it will be crowded then too. Last week was free dining and that week in November is free dining also. I was excited to get the free dining, but now I'm wondering if it will be worth the crowds!

 

[momof3+twins]

My in laws just got back and said it was 15 to 20 mins for everything. I think once Columbus week is over, it should be okay.

 

[rick_ivnik]

I am going veterans day also and I doubt that it will be that crowded. F&W will be over and veterans day is on a Tuesday and very few people actually get it off.

Also remember Free Dining is only for Visa Card holders

 

[puffkin]

We too just got back, we were there 10/4-10/11.

We were in the MK on the 4th and it was dead. Same for Epcot on the 5th. By Monday the 6th it was getting busier and crowds continued to build through the rest of the week. Saturday 10/11 in the MK was INSANE. We waited 35 minutes for It's a Small World (because my son insisted he had to do it one last time).

The weather was also HORRIBLE. A LOT of rain and very sticky and hot. Definitely no better than when we usually go in the summer. Plus the parks aren't operating at full capacity AND the hours are shorter than summer. I know the weather was a bit unusual for October this year, but I just wanted to mention it.

I still think it is a great time of year to go, but it is frustrating to hear so many say it is a dead time. It is REGULAR season, so there will be plenty of crowds although it is manageable. We were there the week after Columbus Day last year and thought that was busy too and the weather was hot last year too although we didn't get as much rain.

 

[stlouisdisneyguy]

When I lived in Orlando we always went on Columbus Day weekend and it was always busy for the most part. I fthink whenever you have a 3 day or 4 day weekend it will be busier, and it seems more and more schools are getting these fall breaks. Just enjoy the crowds and have fun, it cant be anywhere near as bad as the summer.

 

[MNDisney2268]

We leave here in 2 days. Our first park day will be Friday....I hope the crowds die down by then....If someone is there today and tomorrow please keep us up to date on the crowd levels!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!

 

[tink6137130]

I'm also hoping for crowd updates...we are arriving Thursday