How do you judge crowds?

[katebeth]

I know that there is a lot of discussion on this boards about crowds and different times of the year. I am curious how different people perceive crowds

We usually go the week after Labor Day, so most other times of the year seem really crowded to us.

If you usually go in the middle of the summer and then one year you go in Oct., you might really think that it is not crowded at all (compared to summer) where as we would think that it is really crowded because we would compare it to the week after Labor Day. Does this make since. I think that crowd levels kinda depend on what each individual person has it to compare too

Just curious what you think

 

[oogieboogie]

What I consider crowded is when you go to a park and by noon the lines for the major rides are over 60 mins.

Crowded is when the line for POTC is out of the building - and that's a fast loading ride too.

Crowded is when there's a line snaking around the outside of Spaceship Earth - there's shouldn't even be a need to stay in a line for SE.

Crowded is when you can't walk 5 feet pushing a stroller without having to stop because someone is in the way and they're stopped too.

Crowded is when there's a line for Hall of Presidents.

Crowded is when the fastpasses are all gone by mid afternoon and the park doesn't close until 10pm or later.

Not crowded is when you can go on Buzz Lightyear more than 6 times in a row without waiting, or riding Peter Pan's Flight over and over again.

Not crowded is a walk-on to Splash Mtn followed by BTMRR.

Not crowded is when you don't have to wait 30 minutes to get to the cash register to order your food at Rosie's All American Cafe.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've never gone during a peak time (summer, breaks or holidays) so MY idea of crowded is when lines for non-major attractions (like the TeaCups,) are over 30 minutes or when you have to wait for more than 2 buses to get back to your resort or when no matter which way you turn on Main Street, there is someone right in front of you, beside you and behind you.

I can't even IMAGINE going during the height of summer or during spring breaks or Christmas week!

 

[jann1033]

my idea of "crowded" is longer waits than 15 mins afternoons for tot or rnr. m y idea of "really crowded" is having lines past any of the attraction entrances. my idea of "it's too crowded and i'm going somewhere else" is having to stop and wait for people to move to just walk forward.

this is a good question as i notice some think it's not busy for 30min waits which would be reallly pretty busy to me!

we have gone the last few times in jan and it is not crowded

 

[jaysue]

It is indeed all relative to what you are used to and to me more importantly what your expectations, party composition and approach to touring the parks is

When you are by yourself and willing to chat with people in line and have some fun, crowded can seem really easy. If you have a group not used to WDW or if they walk around in a state of confusion, or if they roll out of bed later and get to the parks at let's say 11:30am and they suffer from indecision then not crowded can be really tough

We have been when Space Mountain is a walk on (2nd/3rd week of May) and been in the MK when Winnie The Pooh and Peter Pan have 80+ minute waits (yikes)

We adjust our park visitation and order of attraction attendence based on how crowded things are and wait times etc.

Busy times is when staying on site for EMH and getting going early in the morning help a lot!

cheers
jaysue

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We have always went in Sept after labor day, first year on 9/11 anniversary and second time during the crazy hurricaine season last year, so crowded to me is a very skewed perspective. Anytime I have to wait for 10+ min I think it is crowded. I am used to walking right onto most rides and never actually having to use a fastpass, and rarley is the FP kiosk even turned on!

I am trying to mentally prepare myself for this year as in december I know it is going to be really different. maybe I should start practicing standing in long lines, now, so i'll have the patience for it. oh wait, i already stand in long lines every time i go to wal-mart, so i should be fine.

 

[Laurajean1014]

When I can't get a PS for my favorite restaurant.

 

[cruiserkaren]

I know that there is a lot of discussion on this boards about crowds and different times of the year. I am curious how different people perceive crowds

We usually go the week after Labor Day, so most other times of the year seem really crowded to us.

If you usually go in the middle of the summer and then one year you go in Oct., you might really think that it is not crowded at all (compared to summer) where as we would think that it is really crowded because we would compare it to the week after Labor Day. Does this make since. I think that crowd levels kinda depend on what each individual person has it to compare too

Just curious what you think

We took our first trip this year the week after Labor Day. We are talking about going back next year (vs. a Disney cruise) and are concerned about when to go. We didn't want to go back the week after Labor Day b/c it's so hot. Our DD is 2 and we just thought it was too much heat for her. Is there ANY time of year that is still decent to go besides then?
BTW, we waited for NOTHING (so we are spoiled and don't want 60 minute + waits) but the heat while carrying a tired 2 year old was brutal.

 

[Disney Ella]

Crowded is when it takes five - ten minutes instead of seconds to walk from IASW to Peter Pan because of all the people. When you feel like one of the herd of cattle being forced into the chute at closing time. When you don't get your 18" of personal space anywhere you walk because there are so many people. When fastpass times are for six hours later and it's still morning.

I guess you can tell that I'm not one of those people who say "I love the crowds! I love the energy in the parks when it's crowded." My perfect day at a park would be me and maybe 2,000 other people at most.