How crowded is it right now??

[Carrieberry]

Just wondering if the New Years/marathon crowds had thinned out yet. Heard the end of January was a slow time, we usually go the beginning of December, when it is nice and slow- no lines over 15-20 minutes (except MK). Not really so worried about line times, but how the parks feel. If they feel crowded, hard to walk around or push a stroller through. Are the buses crowded?? Thanks!

 

[Tbella]

I'd like to know as well. Leaving tommorrow!

 

[Florida Princess]

We spent Thursday in MK and was not crowded at all. Waited no more than 10 minutes in line for anything. Was nice after the Christmas crowds a few weeks ago. Not sure of buses or other parks--we just did a 2 night stay and 1 day in MK.

Florida Princess


DVC--OKW since 1992

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Wondering this too since we are thinking of going in January next year. We keep changing our minds between Dec and January.

 

[Carrieberry]

Anyone else?

 

[Trackerbee]

Just wondering if the New Years/marathon crowds had thinned out yet. Heard the end of January was a slow time, we usually go the beginning of December, when it is nice and slow- no lines over 15-20 minutes (except MK). Not really so worried about line times, but how the parks feel. If they feel crowded, hard to walk around or push a stroller through. Are the buses crowded?? Thanks!

Just back and we found the crowds very manageable. The only long wait we saw in all the 4 parks was Monday at MK, 55 minutes for Peter Pan. Even when the times said 20 minutes, the wait was never that long. Snow White said 20 minutes and we were on and off in six. THe buses were either crowded with standing room only, or 5 times we were on the bus alone, just the two of us. It was really hard to predict. Some parts of the day, you did get that crowded feel, but all and all it was a great time to go 1/9/05-1/15/05. Hope this helps.

 

[Michelle2]

Mrs JHenry, you sound exactly like us! We have it planned for early December but after hearing about things like Pop Warner etc, keep changing our minds too! How will we decide?? Sounds like they both have their pros and cons...

 

[Chadsgirl44]

Just got back last night - we were there Wednesday 1/12 through Saturday 1/15. We had 3 days of virtually no lines or crowds at all until Saturday when it was very crowded. We walked on to TT and RRC on Thursday and Extra Magic Hours in the PM on Wednesday the lines were non-existent! Saturday was a different story as the MK had wait times of 45 minutes for most of the attractions. We will definately be back this time next year!

 

[Trackerbee]

Just make sure if you book next year you stay away from MLK weekend, because it is a very popular long weekend. We stayed 1/9/05-1/15/05 so we avoided it by one day yeah!!!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Michelle2- Yes, We would like to go in the beginning of Dec but low crowds and getting out of the snow here in Syracuse in January is a real tempter!
My DH would like January since he REALLY hates the crowds but I'm a little worried about weather and if all will go OK flying out of Syracuse. You never know with the weather here!!!

 

[Michelle2]

I really appreciate the input. I think we have made up our minds to give it a shot in January. Our weather is a little unpredicatable too, but not like Syracuse! I am going to wait a little longer until the people leaving now to WDW get back and fill us in on mid/end of Jan crowds. Carrieberry, and Tbella please let us know how your trip goes, and especially how overall crowd levels are. Great info for those of us debating for next year....

 

[lesroi]

Florida Princess,

I am not sure what time Thursday you were at MK, but we were there in the early/late afternoon and I thought it was very crowded. There were 25-30 minute waits for everthing from Peter Pan, to Buzz Lightyear, to Stitch's Great Escape.

Of course, we usually go on either Marathon weekend and the week prior, or in early December, so I have been very spoiled by never having to wait in line! I think the combo of the upcoming 3 day weekend and the Builder's Show crowds had something to do with it. There was a definite difference in the amount of people at the parks between Wednesday and Thursday.

We did have to get a fast pass for Peter Pan as I didn't want to wait 30 minutes. Sad, isn't it?!?!?


Tracy

 

[Carrieberry]

Michelle2-
I will deifintely post when i return! We usually go in early December, so i am very interested to see how this compares crowd wise. Weather looks similar to when we usually go. I will post on it and write a trip report.

 

[jennymouse]

I had to look in here to see your little avatar again.hehe

 

[Carrieberry]

You are so funny jennymouse!

 

[Michelle2]

Thanks so much Carrieberry! Since we are debating those exact times, I am VERY interested to see what you have to say and compare the two!! Have a GREAT trip!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I spent Sunday (marathon morning) at the MK. Everything I wanted was walk on.

This afternoon we were at MGM. We were surprised at how busy it was. I would assume due to MLK weekend. Everything was quite a wait. More than we are use to.
We popped into MK just long enough to buy a few pins at Expo Hall and left, prior to MGM.
The staffing of CMs was obviously down. (Too cut back.)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We're home!

We spent Wed. 1/12 thru Sat. 1/15 in the parks. Wednesday at MK was FABULOUS!! We arrived about 1:30 and everything was walk-on except Peter Pan, which we Fast Passed. EMH was not crowded at all except for the Tomorrowland Speedway (is that the name?). Space Mtn. was closed for a little while because somebody lost their hat and they had to reset the ride, but after that we walked on. It was GREAT. (We didn't go over to Tomorrowland until after Wishes, so it might have been crowded earlier in the day.)

MGM Thursday was great - again no waiting for anything. We didn't ride RnRC because after Space Mountian we thought it would be too rough for DS so don't know what the wait would have been.

Friday at AK "The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down..." That just sucked. It POURED rain all day. We all ended up buying umbrellas because we were getting soaked in the ponchos. We were drenched before we even left Pop Century. No crowds, got into our PS for Donald's breakfast early (because not many people were dumb enough to go out in the rain). No waiting for Dinosaur or the Safari.

Saturday at Epcot was OK. A few more people, still not bad. Fast Passed Test Track, which broke when we were about to go into the pre-show thing. Still didn't wait that long. Didn't even try Mission:Space because we didn't want to risk getting sick. The weather was icky - cooler, which wasn't SO bad, but with the wind AND the mist it was bad. DS and I had our gloves and hats on and we were still cold. We were miserable going around World Showcase. DS completed his passport and mask and after dinner we left. Didn't get to see Illuminations because that constant blowing mist was too much to deal with!

Overall I was very pleasantly surprised with the crowds. We would absolutely go this time of year again, but the weather is definitely unpredictable. Wednesday and Thursday were just beautiful - sunny and warm. Friday they had RECORD rainfall - 3 inches in one day which is more than they usually have for the MONTH. And anyone who says it never rains all day is WRONG. It most certainly did rain ALL day, at least all operating hours at AK!

 

[Carrieberry]

So glad to hear that report! We have mK scheduled for a Wednesday as well! We will be doing EMH there as well so it all sounds good! We always skip that Tomorrowland speedway because it is ALWAYS packed. We hope it doesn't rain, but it has rained at least one day on every tri we have taken. Since we normally go in early Dec we are used to the "chilly winter rain". Glad to hear all of this!!

 

[twocjsmom]

We'll be here all week so I'll be sure to take note of wait times, but our time at AK tonight for EMH was excellent. Very laid back , hardly any crowds at all., very relaxing way to start our trip. No waits anywhere. I posted on another thread that we got to have a one on one visit with Mickey and Minnie that lasted 5-10 minutes with no other families in sight. On the way to and from the park from SSR, we had a whole bus to ourselves! We're not planning on doing any parks tomorrow as DH has a convention to go to, and I'm not sure if I'm up to bringing the kids (1 1/2 and 4) to the parks by myself, but I'll be sure to keep you posted!


Hey jacksellington's girl, glad to hear you made it okay-your DS was sick, right?