how are the crowds?

[buzzlightlily]

I went middle of October and crowds were much heavier than I expected. How is it now? Have things slowed down at all?

 

[kilee]

The middle of October seems to be more and more popular each year. Last year many people reported heightened crowds then too. We went this year this first week of Oct and it was great. Last year, we were there now-- through 11/8 and the crowds were great. Looks like it's best to try and go the very start or end of the month.

 

[danny1649]

I've seen the crowds are up this year,makes me happy Don't get me wrong I don't like touring with huge crowds but touring in empty park isn't fun to me.We've been going early December since 1992 and the crowds have increased a little each year it seems to me.The crowds are becoming what I would consider average to moderate compared to light when we started December visits.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

We just got back yesterday (we were there 10/22-10/29) and I have to say this is the most crowded I have ever seen WDW. We've been many times in October and this year was the busiest.

We thought WS was terribly crowded - - crowded enough for DH to say he'd prefer not to go back to WDW during the F&WF! It was odd, however, that this past Friday WS was pretty quiet ..... even at 5pm.

But, AK & DS didn't seem crowded. The wait for ToT was 20 minutes or less. We don't spend much time in these parks so we don't know if that wait is long, short, or normal. But it seemed pretty good to me.

Debbie

 

[buzzlightlily]

Also, I would think this weekend would be especially crowded with Halloween and the party? Anyone there now who could report?

If you're going soon (beg. of Nov.) I can't wait to hear from you, too, about the crowds. I know its not much fun for most people to be in an "empty park" but I don't really know that MK is ever "Empty."

With 2 children, 5 & 2, it just works better when the lines aren't real long and you can get in the PS you want fairly easily.

Thanks!

 

[westcoastsix4disney]

We were at the World in mid-October as well and were astounded at the heavy crowds each day. This was a far cry from visits during September or October in past years (1998 and 2000). Although we were disappointed at the number of people in the parks, we re-oriented our expectations and at the very least found that working the crowds in pleasant Fall weather was much more tolerable than trying to deal with crowds and summertime heat (June 2003).

I would pose a question to anyone with more experience or inside information than us: is there a reason that off season crowds were so much heavier this year? Is it possible that Disney has built so many new resort hotels and several new Vacation Club properties and yet haven't kept up with the demand for activities/parks/fun for all these hotel guests and Vacation Club members?

We found ourselves wondering if the ultimate goal of the Vacation Club (of which we are members since 1998) was to draw people to Disneyworld during the off season with less points per night required at the resort properties, and that it is now paying off with summertime crowds year round.

Any commentary?

 

[danny1649]

Westcoast,I think a big factor in crowds is due in part to all guide books telling everyone the slower times to visit and many folks are using these guides to plan and vacation.Much is true in your thoughts on crowd levels also.Plus the Dis has over 70,000 members and they are getting inside info when to visit.We are also DVC bought OKW in 1992.

 

[floridagirrl2]

We just came back from WDW today (stayed at Pop Century Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights) and we didn't think the crowds at Epcot were bad at all! Yes, the weekends are more crowded than weekdays, but the lines weren't bad and we were able to see, eat, and drink everything we were interested in.

The Magic Kingdom is always amazingly crowded on weekends, even during the slower seasons. The MK closed at 6 PM on Thurs and Friday for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, but closed at 10 PM on Saturday. We took the monorail over from Epcot Saturday night to see Wishes at 9 PM (left Epcot at 7:45 to give ourselves plenty of time).

The MK was quite crowded on Saturday night (we could not even guesstimate how many thousands of people were there to see Wishes), but you have to have a relaxed attitude if you are going to the MK on a weekend. You do not have to sit for an hour or two to reserve the "perfect" spot to wait for Wishes--any place on Main Street where the view is not blocked by trees will be just wonderful!

We stopped in a bakery on Main Street about 20 minutes prior to Wishes, and while the lines were a bit long, we were able to buy sandwiches and snacks in plenty of time to go out and watch Wishes. We found a fine spot 3 minutes before Wishes began.

We did not attempt to leave immediately after Wishes--instead, we walked on to a couple of rides while most of the crowd lined up for the 10 PM Spectromagic Parade.

We were lucky and only had to wait about 5 minutes for a bus back to Pop Century (mainly because we left during the parade instead of after). However, we have left the MK at closing time in the past and still have not had to wait all that long for transportation.

I know it's hard to have tired kids AND to be patient at the MK --but if you are a party of adults, you shouldn't have any problem with the crowds during Regular and Value seasons from October through February (you couldn't make me go during the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays though!).

 

[floridagirrl2]

P.S., I think the Food and Wine Festival attracts a lot of people to ALL of the parks now. Disney expanded the festival from 4 to 6 weeks this year, so it must be quite profitable.

 

[Peter Pirate]

The biggest reason for the increase is the fact that Florida was hit with 4 hurricanes and WDW was hit by two. Many, many people cancelled their travel plans and rescheduled...