how bad are the crowds?

[sasha321]

We will be there in one week and are already excited. We have never been there in the middle of summer (usually fall or May). How bad are the crowds right now? Is it horrible or just busy?

 

[ktmo]

We were there last week. I was expecting CROWDS and was pleasantly surprised. But next week is the 4th, so I am would expect it to be busier.

 

[catbertdave99]

I agree with Ktmo -- I was also there last week, and the crowds were surprisingly low. We've been that same week before, and it was always packed. I think next week will be busier, but we'll keep our fingers crossed for you!

 

[Kimmy]

Subbing...we are going this time next year.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

It will be Busy with a capital "B."

Neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night will keep people away from WDW on July 4 week. No way. No how.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but you are in for a severe reality check. You've been during very weak times of the year, traditionally, and you are going during THE peak week of the year.

Everybody else can sugar-coat it for you if they want to, but the reality is, it's going to be the busiest you have ever seen. Telling you otherwise doesn't help you at all, IMO. Just be ready for it and you'll be fine.

 

[tkodarkside321]

Our first year we went during the summer and it was packed!! The next year we went in September and it was just as packed, maybe even more so than our first year. It also seemed just as hot in September as it did in June. This year we are returning in July. We are somewhat use to the crowds and heat, so we will just grin and bear it!!

 

[rgf207]

It will be Busy with a capital "B."

Neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night will keep people away from WDW on July 4 week. No way. No how.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but you are in for a severe reality check. You've been during very weak times of the year, traditionally, and you are going during THE peak week of the year.

Everybody else can sugar-coat it for you if they want to, but the reality is, it's going to be the busiest you have ever seen. Telling you otherwise doesn't help you at all, IMO. Just be ready for it and you'll be fine.

this is the truth, unfortunately. Be ready for the biggest crowds you have ever seen at WDW. In fact, MK will close to capacity multiple times

 

[EWDonald]

Be prepared . . . you will think that every baby stroller in the world is circling in preparation to attack your feet and ankles! Here's the bad part . . . most of the operators left their brain for a deposit! Just don't let it get to you and you'll have a great time.

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

We were there the 2nd week of July last year, which isn't quite as busy as July 4th. I would lend this suggestion: Follow the advice of the crowd calendars at touringplans.com or easywdw.com. And offer this observation (which I know will not be popular with a lot of people): the Magic Kingdom was LESS crowded on the night that it was open to the public until Midnight than the night it was opened only until 10p to public and Extra Magic Hours for resort guests until 1am. We rode Big Thunder Mtn 3 times in a row with no wait at 11pm the open to public night and it had a 35 minute wait on the night of extra magic at 11pm....so we extra magic'd our way back to the resort.

As far as the crowds: following the advice of touring and easy, we were able to navigate and manage the crowds and avoid the popular days at each park. I didn't think the crowds were overbearing using this strategy.

 

[Grandmatoniko]

We were there a week ago and it was really crowded! But enjoy you will be in Disney!!!

 

[mumto2]

I am realistically optimistic. We are going next week. I only made our reservations last weekend, and had no problem getting in at either resort. When I commented to the CM that I was expecting a much harder time, she commented that for some reason this year, they still had lots of availability. I have been able to get ADRs (obviously not to Le Cellier or Ohana, but frankly I've gotten up at 5 am on the 180 day mark and not gotten them either).

Realistically, I know it will be hot. We are planning to make the most of am EMH, and we are splurging on BC so that we can enjoy SAB. We will likely not be in a park the night of the 4th (was able to get Mickey's Backyard BBQ, so we'll celebrate the 4th, but not necessarily with massive pyrotechnics). We'll go to Publix on our way into the resort and stock up on cases of bottled water so that we'll stay well hydrated. I have purchased another FrogTog cooling cloth (got one for DH two years ago and he swears by it), and am packing multiple changes of light, loose fitting clothing and SPF 20000 sunscreen and hats for all.

I also know it will be crowded, so we've got hoppers, and will plan FPs accordingly. But even so, a hot, crowded day at WDW is better than a hot day anywhere else!

 

[bakenatj]

We arrive on July 4th late but I am expecting insane crowds. My plan is get there early and be out of the park by noon at the latest and don't come back till our ADR in the evening. We will have a lot of quality time with the pool at OKW and are going to try the water parks and Disney Quest this year.

 

[rgf207]

We arrive on July 4th late but I am expecting insane crowds. My plan is get there early and be out of the park by noon at the latest and don't come back till our ADR in the evening. We will have a lot of quality time with the pool at OKW and are going to try the water parks and Disney Quest this year.

That might not work. If you are leaving MK on the 4th you may not get back in that day due to the park closing to capacity. Even if you have an ADR you could still be denied access to the park.

 

[TavieP]

It will be crowded, but you can handle it! No sweat! (Well, OK, lots of sweat, but you know.) I've been during July 4th week several times and always had a blast, even days when parks were closed for capacity.

The worst trip I ever took in terms of crowd was day after Christmas through NYE. It made July 4 week look like a walk in the park. Never again.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Just got back last night and the crowds were definitely building. Our best plan was getting to the park by rope drop. We were able to do everything we wanted and as the early afternoon crowds started streaming in, we were on our way back to the resort. TS Debby did affect the crowd levels for about 2 days. The sun was back though the day before we left and we noticed a huge difference in the number of people at the park and the wait times.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

We were there the 2nd week of July last year, which isn't quite as busy as July 4th. I would lend this suggestion: Follow the advice of the crowd calendars at touringplans.com or easywdw.com. And offer this observation (which I know will not be popular with a lot of people): the Magic Kingdom was LESS crowded on the night that it was open to the public until Midnight than the night it was opened only until 10p to public and Extra Magic Hours for resort guests until 1am. We rode Big Thunder Mtn 3 times in a row with no wait at 11pm the open to public night and it had a 35 minute wait on the night of extra magic at 11pm....so we extra magic'd our way back to the resort.

As far as the crowds: following the advice of touring and easy, we were able to navigate and manage the crowds and avoid the popular days at each park. I didn't think the crowds were overbearing using this strategy.

We are going the week after the 4th this year also, arriving on the 7th. We're doing rope drop at Easy recommended parks, staying until noon or so and then heading back to resort. I was planning on hitting the evening EMH parks at nights, but maybe will rethink this? Did you have the same experience at any other parks during evening EMH?

 

[kevw67]

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but Im going to be there July 21-28. What are the chances of parks closing due to being filled to capacity at that time?

 

[dansdad]

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but Im going to be there July 21-28. What are the chances of parks closing due to being filled to capacity at that time?

Pretty close to none.

 

[rgf207]

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but Im going to be there July 21-28. What are the chances of parks closing due to being filled to capacity at that time?

crowded but they won't close to capacity

 

[ghtx]

We will be there in one week and are already excited. We have never been there in the middle of summer (usually fall or May). How bad are the crowds right now? Is it horrible or just busy?

Your two most important acronyms will be RD and FP.