I am panicking about the crowds

[penel3]

We usually go to WDW at completely off times of year (Jan/mid May/Sept/Nov) but I have booked us to go for a quick weekend Aug 4-7. Am I going to regret this???!! I am so worried that DH will be stressed and DS won't want to wait in the lines. When we did EMH in Jan (had just started) we were almost the only family there. I really thought EMH would work for us this time but I am reading on another thread that is is so crowded (eighty minute waits) that they are doing fast pass. Someone help guide me to how and what/when parks we should do. We must do MK (DS is 5) and EPCOT. The AK is not needed, and only a few things interest us at MGM.

 

[Bob P]

No, you're not going to regret it. Yes, it will be a lot more crowded that the times you usually go, but YOU'RE GOING TO WDW!!! What is there to regret??


Have fun!

Bob

 

[bluejasmine]

Ok, first off just make sure you are prepared, plan out how you'll get thru the parks use FP for anything over 40 min wait and prepare your family for some waits but we went during Spring Break this year and it was more crowded then I have ever seen it and I have been 8 other times, we had a great time and did everything we wanted to and then some. Biggest thing is be at the parks at opening alot of people start coming in the park around 10-11 am and the parks start getting crowded.. Crowds wont ruin your vacation, just make sure your family is in the same mind set..

 

[Schmeck]

A lot of the southern schools are starting by the first week of August, so it should be a bit better than end of June or July. When we went last year, it wasn't all that crowded, but Hurricane Charlie had just come through too!

 

[Baby Girl]

Don't worry!It may be crowded but there are ride that are less popular than others try to focus on these.Hope I helped a little!

 

[sugermouse]

Only if you have a fear of people that also enjoy WDW............

 

[penel3]

Thanks for all your input! I am feeling better now. We are going for such a short time that I was just going to wing it (for once), but I think I will plan it out just to be sure
You guys are great, I am so glad I found this board!

 

[Pop Daddy]

your gonna hate it, send me the tickets

 

[penel3]

Sorry, they are AP's so I will be using 'em again before long!!!!!!

 

[DeluxePrincess]

How can you not have fun in Disney? It will be hotter and more croweded than you are used to, but you'll do just fine.

 

[WDWLVR]

We were there in June which is unusual for us - we usually go off times as well.


Just plan for the crowds and the heat. Plan out what is most important to you each day and do that first. Then enjoy some of the things that aren't as popular or that you know move fast (like Small World or Pirates).

Take time to go back to the hotel after lunch or for lunch. You'll escape the mid-day heats and crowds. Enjoy some down time at the pool or a nap. Then head back to the parks in the cool of the evening when crowds should be at least a little lighter.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Typically the start of August IS a busy time.
2) There are still a lot of Northerners in end-of-Summer vacations.
3) Expect soe wait times.

 

[JohnNJ]

Why not take a look at TourGuideMike.com for lots of great information about WDW? If you follow his advice you won't even notice the crowds. He has a money back guarantee so you have nothing to lose. Have a great trip.

Use discount code HE7KE-8HA for $4 off.

 

[Stitch Inside]

We will be there during the same time. We are going down for one last trip before DS's school starts Aug. 9th. We're going expecting crowds and that's why we're staying at the CR. I keep checking, and the resorts are still showing a lot of availability for our week.

 

[GoN2WDW]

You know, we were down in WDW over 4th of July weekend. I honestly didn't think the crowds were that bad. The major new attractions had long lines, but in general, we probably only waited 20 minutes at the most for the other rides. The heat and humidity were another thing! I've been to FL in the summer before, but I really minded it much more this trip. We must be getting old! But...DD will be in 8th grade this year so we knew pulling her out of school just wasn't an option for us this fall/winter. We've done it before in the lower grades and I don't regret it at all. I enjoyed those "off-season" trips more that the summer ones!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

your gonna hate it, send me the tickets

I laughed my butt off when I read this!

 

[missypie]

1. Get to each park 30 min. before it opens.
2. Follow a touring plan (UG or TGM). Since your family has been before, have each person list their top 2-3 "must sees." Edit the touring plan to exclude rides that aren't on the top of anyone's list.
3. Always have a Fast Pass going.
4. Eat lunch early or have an ADR.
5. Have a mental list of the "anytime" rides/attractions to experience if FP wait times get long.

If you do all of the above, you simply won't have long waits. We were at WDW May 26-June 5 (which included Mem. Day weekend). The longest we waited for any ride was 17 min. (in the middle of the afternoon for a non-FP attraction.)