How long is too long?

[vicki_c]

Except for a character greeting or 2, and something like Candlelight Processional, we don't wait more than 15-20 minutes. Most often we won't even get in a line if it's marked 20 minutes unless there's no FP option and we have to do it because we're leaving the park, etc.

On average, we probably wait less than 10 minutes 95% of the time. We're impatient.

Waiting is not a requirement at WDW if you plan in advance.

 

[dbenlee]

We almost always go within the first 2 weeks of June when the touring plans crowd calendar predicts 8's with a few 9's most years. We don't get in lines with posted wait times of over 30 minutes (might get in line at TSM up to 45 minutes). We use FP judiciously and have a basic plan of attack (being flexible as needed). We ride and experience everything we want (in some cases multiple times) and never feel really rushed or like we have missed anything.

Only once or twice in 7 trips have we waited more than 30 minutes and that was because of ride malfunctions.

 

[RescueRanger]

Except for a character greeting or 2, and something like Candlelight Processional, we don't wait more than 15-20 minutes. Most often we won't even get in a line if it's marked 20 minutes unless there's no FP option and we have to do it because we're leaving the park, etc.

On average, we probably wait less than 10 minutes 95% of the time. We're impatient.

Waiting is not a requirement at WDW if you plan in advance.

What she said.

 

[Andrea73]

From a 1st timer who's kids hate lines, I don't plan on getting in any line with a wait over 30 minutes. Not worth the mental punishment.

 

[wildeflowers]

Add me to the 20 minute list. I don't get why anyone would wait longer. Isn't that what FP is for? Even on the super crowded days when we went, we were able to FP everything popular and get on the lines to everything else when they were shorter, with the exception of the Fairies. That was our only exception, and we were able to ride a lot of popular rides multiple times. I agree that flexibility and smart use of the FP system are key.

 

[christinec68]

I don't wait more than 30-45 minutes for anything, ever (and something has to be *really* good to merit 45 minutes).

But my definition of an unmanageable crowd is when I am completely unable to go from point A to point B without needing to go around someone or multiple someones. I don't mind going and not doing rides; it's when I can't walk around and just look, or shop, that I freak.

I am the same way. We went in mid-June....once. The stand-by times for the big rides at the MK were in excess of 90 minutes and the walkways were just a sea of people. I think we got half way through Tomorrowland before we turned around and went back to the resort.

 

[RMulieri]

Anything over 30 mins is too long..We only go in off season and use Fastpass.

 

[d1gitman]

45 min is my limit. we use the FP to the fullest extent and avoid lines like the plague.

 

[PSUGuy]

First, for the MOST PART, I find the times posted for waits to be too pessimistic. If I see 20 mins. for Dinosaur, I know it will practically be a walk-on, there have been exceptions, but this is my rule.

Second, our park strategy, for years, has been to hit a park other than Epcot for ropedrop, avoiding the early EMH park. We'll tour, using FP, until standby lines exceed 25 - 30 mins, at which point we hop to WS. So I guess our limit is 30 mins.

Third, I get off from the day before Christmas Eve until the day after New Year's Day and under no circumstances will we go to WDW then. Aside from the highest resort and travel costs we just won't put up with the crowds and waits, anyone have any good ideas for a Fl beach vacation this Dec?

Bill From PA

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Our rule of thumb is we never wait over 30 minutes for any ride. We utilize the Fastpass system by collect FPs during the early part of the day when the crowds are low and saving them for the afternoon and evening when the crowds are much higher. A lot of people don't know that Fastpasses don't expire until the end of the park day - that's the best touring tip I have every received here on the DIS.

 

[nhl66pens]

I am in the 30 to 40 minute camp. And at that it better be TSM, Soarin or Test Track. Most of the time, I consider 20 minutes the maximum time I'll wait. I think using FP's and planning must rides for RD's allow you to avoid most of the long waits. I suppose Splash during high temps will always be crowded and if I went during the summer I'd have to really plan to ride it.

 

[palavra]

On our last trip during the week of Thanksgiving, with judicious use of fast passes, we never waited more than 40 minutes for anything except for the fairy character greeting. My daughter really wanted to wait, so we stood in line for a little over an hour. Since fast passes are available for the most popular rides, it really isn't that hard to avoid long lines, even during a busy holiday time.

 

[LaurieN]

I am in the 30 to 40 minute camp. And at that it better be TSM, Soarin or Test Track. Most of the time, I consider 20 minutes the maximum time I'll wait. I think using FP's and planning must rides for RD's allow you to avoid most of the long waits. I suppose Splash during high temps will always be crowded and if I went during the summer I'd have to really plan to ride it.

I agree 110%!!! Nevermind my kids, I can't wait more than 40min before I start to get a little nutty
Oh, and i will never go in the summer months, can't take the heat and neither can my boys.
Laurie

 

[MouseloverJD]

Not much of a rides person so I think anything that will take more than 30 mins to get on is too much. Never rode Soarin or TSM when they first opened b/c the wait time was too long and there were no longer any fastpasses. However, I will stand and wait for a show - have doen 60 mins for Fantasmic or Festival of the Lion King.

 

[nmmom95]

The first time I went to WDW (in 1996), DH & I waited 90 minutes for Splash Mountain and over an hour for Space Mountain. Now, we go in November, before Thanksgiving, so 20 minutes is my max. I will FP or come back if it is more than that.