How busy are the parks on Mother's Day?

[Blondie]

We don't have any specific plans for that day. For those of you who have been at WDW on Mother's Day in the past, what can I expect in terms of crowds?

Mother's Day also coincides with the big 50th Celebration weekend.

 

[TXTink]

I have never been there on Mother's Day, but I have "heard" that the park that is mostly affected is the MK. That may even be more true with the 50th celebration getting started.

Hopefully someone else can be better help!

 

[3kdsmom]

The very first time we went to WDW we went over Mother's Day weekend for 6 days and it was WONDERFUL!!!!! The Flower and Garden Show in Epcot was in full swing and I thought it was a fabulous time. This was about 9 years ago, but the crowds were not bad at all and the weather was beautiful. Enjoy!!

 

[laurabelle]

I don't think Mother's Day is a big travel time, though since it's during the kick off celebration, you can guarantee MK will be mobbed (when isn't it crowded anymore!?!) I was there for only one day, Mother's Day, after a trip with friends at Daytona Beach. My sister and I only went to Epcot. It was the first EMH evening testing, so it's hard to say how the crowds are on a normal Mother's Day. But Epcot always seems to handle crowds well. My sister pooped out on me, so we only stayed until about 10:30, instead of midnight. Flower & Garden made the park extra special, and the Flower Power concert was fun! Oh, and on the way into the park the CMs were handing out flowers to all the moms...almost made me feel guilty for going without my kids.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks!

Anyone else?

 

[DebbieB]

We were there for Mother's Day in 2000, 2001 & 2003. We went to Epcot in the morning/early afternoon to get the free picture (pictures are like MVMCP) and then to MK in the late afternoon for dinner at Cinderellas. Neither park was overcrowded. MK cleared out later in the day (this was before fireworks were everynight).

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were at AK Mother's day last year.
Actually a few Saturdays ago was the busiest I had ever seen AK. This year the parks have been busier than I experienced last year. I would anticipate a busier Mother's Day this year than last.
VERY noticeable (and expected) on Mother's Day were alllllllll the strollers. AK was Stroller Kingdom. I think almost all groups had at least one. Needless to say so many strollers make the walkways more conjested.

 

[Blondie]

We were there for Mother's Day in 2000, 2001 & 2003. We went to Epcot in the morning/early afternoon to get the free picture (pictures are like MVMCP) and then to MK in the late afternoon for dinner at Cinderellas. Neither park was overcrowded. MK cleared out later in the day (this was before fireworks were everynight).

Can anyone tell me more about the free photo? I didn't know they even did that!

 

[n2mm]

Been to WDW for mother's day 11 years in a row and have to say, there is no significant difference. They usually give moms a flower when going through the turnstile. I've also seen folks lining up at EPCOT for the free photo--not sure what that's all about. I've always thought EPCOT was the most affected park on mom's day. Mostly because it's during flower and garden, most mom's like that stuff, and pretty much the draw of the restraurants in WSC. Keep in mind that on this day there are NO CM dining discounts accepted and there are no DDE dining discounts accepted for sit down restraurants. As always Disney does a booming discounts with folks taking mom to a favorite meal. With that in mind, PS go very quickly on that day, so if you want to eat anyplace in particular, you NEED A PS and will not find a walkin. There is also a mother's day brunch at EPCOT. Even though I'm a mom (and grandmom) this is my vacation time, so I'm not a mom when I'm in WDW, because the kids are never with us. They catch up with me when I return to reality.

 

[DebbieB]

Can anyone tell me more about the free photo? I didn't know they even did that!

They have a few locations setup. We got ours done in front of China with the lake behind us one year and another time in front of the gardens in Canada. I think they had a Future World location setup too. They also give you a flower to hold, one year it was a large daisy. It works just like MVMCP, you fill out a form and they mail the picture to you.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks DebbieB! Sounds great!

 

[OKSTATE99]

Thanks for bringing this up blondie. We didnt even know when Mother's Day was until after we made reservations. We will be arriving that day so I am sure it will be up to my wife where we eat and such. We will be getting about noon or 1pm to WL.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I don't have any recent information, but thanks for the memories. We spent Mother's Day in Epcot when my oldest daughter was just a year old. I received a flower as we came in the turnstile, and it was a perfect weather day. That was a LONG time ago (she's 20 this year!)

Have a great trip!

 

[HANDYMOM]

I was there for Mothers Day last year (2004) and it wasn't bad at all. As a matter of fact I can't imagine a better way to spend Mothers Day than to be at the Magic Kingdom with two first timers, DS's 4 and 2. Pure Magic!

PS The crowds were a little heavier but surprisingly there was little effect on the ride waits and restaurant lines. Using fast pass and priority seating pretty much takes care of those issues anyways.