How Bad are the Crowds, Really?

[skuttle]

We just returned from a quick trip (feb 21-26) and I found it much more crowded than when we went in early June last year. Weather was nicer, but crowds were crazy! I wasn’t expecting it to be THAT crowded since we were there after presidents week.

 

[Brett Wyman]

We just returned from a quick trip (feb 21-26) and I found it much more crowded than when we went in early June last year. Weather was nicer, but crowds were crazy! I wasn’t expecting it to be THAT crowded since we were there after presidents week.

We were there 18-24th it was abnormally crowded even for a 3-day weekend week.

 

[MarkS2112]

This year is bad. Summer has shifted to less crowded also. However this year what was last year does not apply this year as every month has been crowded. Some time like peak. So.......who can be sure now.

 

[Remy is Up]

Probably time to think about building another park. I'm pretty sure they own enough land for it. Really, a whole Marvel themed park would be cool. But with enough traditional Disney to keep non-Marvel fans happy.

They arent doing a 5th gate. They have plenty of expansion pads for the parks they have. They also cant do a marvel park due to contracts.

 

[FeaturePresentation]

HS was awful yesterday. Was hoping it was a fluke and our MK day would be better today.

I waited 45 minutes for Peoplemover.

 

[Lady Hiss]

We’re here now and have been pretty disappointed for the past 4 days - extremely crowded at every park, very limited success with decent 4th FPs, long lines for all quick service restaurants including Starbucks, just lines, lines, and more lines. At one point my DH said it brought back memories of going to Great America where we were lucky to get on 3 rides in one day. There isn’t much ‘magic’ here lately.

Please don’t tell me to stop and appreciate the theming and little details - Disney took away a lot of the benches where we might like to sit and do so!

Sorry to rant, but this WDW is not what it used to be and while some of the new rides & experiences are awesome, the long lines and crowds at all times of the year ( not to mention the expense) detract from the experience of ‘happiest place on earth’.

 

[CastAStone]

Probably time to think about building another park. I'm pretty sure they own enough land for it. Really, a whole Marvel themed park would be cool. But with enough traditional Disney to keep non-Marvel fans happy.

They don’t need a fifth WDW park. They need a third US Castle park, somewhere in like Iowa or Ohio or whatever.

 

[Dizzy-Wizard]

They don’t need a fifth WDW park. They need a third US Castle park, somewhere in like Iowa or Ohio or whatever.

That's actually an idea I hadn't considered.
They'd never do it because it would cost way too much money (they could afford it because they're disney obviously) but they'd never do it.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I've been going to WDW since my teen years in the 70's. Got married there and a DVC Member. I can remember vacationing during the "off season" and going on just about any ride with little or no wait and not needing an ADR. Times sure have changed. There doesn't seem to be an off season anymore. We decided to rent out our DVC points this year and take a break, I'm glad we did. Going forward, of course we'll still go, but we'll cut down on park days and have more resort days. For us, WDW isn't a relaxing vacation, and sometimes not as fun vacation, as it used to be. When it's over, we come home and we're exhausted. I'm looking to change that.

 

[ClapYourHands]

They don’t need a fifth WDW park. They need a third US Castle park, somewhere in like Iowa or Ohio or whatever.

That's a great idea, but maybe put it someplace with slightly less potential for a blizzard.

 

[xuxa777]

If things with the virus keep trending like it is I don't think crowds will be an issue next month, they will be closing the parks at some point. They closed Disney in Japan with just less than 200 cases. The US will probably hit that in the next two weeks if not sooner. In the past day or so, my work and multiple friends' work have just prohibited non-essential work travel already.

 

[DisneyKCKC]

we just got back and it was insane. everyone from Louisianan was at Disney and strollers caused so many issues. Disney really needs to ban strollers.

 

[ClapYourHands]

If things with the virus keep trending like it is I don't think crowds will be an issue next month, they will be closing the parks at some point. They closed Disney in Japan with just less than 200 cases. The US will probably hit that in the next two weeks if not sooner. In the past day or so, my work and multiple friends' work have just prohibited non-essential work travel already.

I don't know about closures. The early closures were an attempt to keep the virus contained. Once it's widespread in the US, it will be considered a pandemic, with containment failed. If it's around, it's around. If I'm at risk just going to work or the grocery store, I see no reason to curtail my trip to WDW.

 

[ClapYourHands]

we just got back and it was insane. everyone from Louisianan was at Disney and strollers caused so many issues. Disney really needs to ban strollers.

Let me guess - you don't have stroller-aged children. Anyone who has tried to do long days in the park with a toddler knows how important strollers are. I'm traveling solo with a four-year-old this spring - there's no way she'll be able to keep up with me, and no way I'll be able to carry her myself. A stroller ban would effectively ban most families with small children.

 

[DisneyKCKC]

no kids but you have parents who run into people walking and they take up so much sidewalks. disney should have a number of strollers to rent a day and once they're gone they're gone.

 

[xuxa777]

I don't know about closures. The early closures were an attempt to keep the virus contained. Once it's widespread in the US, it will be considered a pandemic, with containment failed. If it's around, it's around. If I'm at risk just going to work or the grocery store, I see no reason to curtail my trip to WDW.

True once containments fails, but they first will close it for a while trying to contain in the US. Closing WDW is a starred item on CDC contingency plan. CDC has already suggested if we get enough cases schools should convert to tele/internet schooling and large gatherings should be suspended.

Imagine if a guest in one of the resorts has the virus, are thy going to quarantine the entire resort for 14 days as other resorts have done in that situation? I don't think Disney would want to do that, CLosing the parks would be better.

 

[yulilin3]

no kids but you have parents who run into people walking and they take up so much sidewalks. disney should have a number of strollers to rent a day and once they're gone they're gone.

lets maybe try and keep this realistic. Disney can run out of strollers and people can still bring their own in. Banning or limiting strollers, wheelchairs, ecvs is not gonna happen

 

[Heather07438]

Do you think they want it to be packed so full like it is? From a business stand point obviously it makes sense to pack the park as full as you can. But at some point you'd have to think that the bubble would burst, that the prices and the crowds, and the lack of staff on some attractions would cause people to stop going right? Another thing that really bothers me is we all know Disney can afford to hire more staff. So, while yeah the parks will only ever be able to accommodate a certain amount of people comfortably, there's no reason to be short staffed or offer anything less than perfect customer service. (Note that I in no way blame ANY CM for bad experience unless they like, really do a bad job. In my opinion that definitely falls on Disney.)

Right now I think WDW doesn't mind their crowds.

Plenty of people are still going and for everybody who decides not to visit, there is another who decides it's so crowded that buying upgrade tickets sounds like a good idea. Dessert tickets, Extra Morning Magic, Disney After Dark... these all sell better when it feels crowded. I think WDW likes to let it feel crowded so they're in no hurry to add more park hours or CMs. It's getting miserable now, they should care.

 

[Donna M]

We're heading to WDW next Tuesday for a week, but there is only one park day, MK. With the price of tickets and the crowds we head out of NH for the sun and warmth of Florida. Disney World has so much to do without the parks. And having DVC makes Disney a nice destination. Even when the grandkids get older I don't see us going into the parks for more than 2 days. I don't know how families can afford it or have the energy for week of park days.

 

[CastAStone]

That's a great idea, but maybe put it someplace with slightly less potential for a blizzard.

To me, moving out of Climate Change Central is the entire point. Tokyo and Paris have seasons too.