I think the magic has fizzled....We were disappointed.

[wackywexler]

cmputerdazed - I am sorry that you had large crowds. If it makes you feel any better we have been planning for 18 months for our first visiti to Walt Disney World. It just so happens that we scheduled it during "Jersey Week" School is out in the state of Jersey that week and most of them seem to come to WDW. Our perfect time Nov. 4-9 will be pretty crowded. I will be following the guidebook advice for sure and hoping there will be no further hurricanes!

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

cmputerdazed - I am sorry that you had large crowds. If it makes you feel any better we have been planning for 18 months for our first visiti to Walt Disney World. It just so happens that we scheduled it during "Jersey Week" School is out in the state of Jersey that week and most of them seem to come to WDW. Our perfect time Nov. 4-9 will be pretty crowded. I will be following the guidebook advice for sure and hoping there will be no further hurricanes!

wackywexler, if you're dreading "Jersey Week" crowds, I'm betting you'll be pleasantly surprised. Our last two visits to WDW have been during Jersey Week and both times we've gotten ourselves all worked up about the crowds, but haven't waited in line more than 10 or 15 minutes on either trip.

If you follow all the great touring advice on the DIS and use FP wisely, you'll be fine! I would recommend trying to avoid Epcot on weekends because, with the F&W Festival going on, it can get a little crowded around World Showcase.

 

[Eeyorecln]

wackywexler We used the unofficial Guide to WDW when we went a couple years back. It has several touring plans for the parks that work well. It also lists suggested times for riding to avoid long lines, which we used to modify the touring plans some. Have a great WDW trip. One of my favorite things is to ride the ferry over to the Magic Kingdom on the first day there.

 

[wackywexler]

Thank you both so much for the excellent advice, you have eased my mind!

P.S. I am secretly hoping the Jersey folks might come and enjoy my Disneyland for the 50th while I go and enjoy their WDW , heh heh heh,

 

[da disney fans]

I didn't realize it was so common for people to have their entire vacations ruined by a crowded theme park! I'm sorry, but we all know how popular Disneyland and WDW are, and it's not too surprising that they're extra popular duing the 50th anniversary celebration year.

Personally, NOTHING can take away the magic of the Disney parks for me. I've been in the middle of some seriously insane crowds at both parks (try Christmas Day at WDW -- 60,000 stuffed in the Magic Kingdom by 11am! it was literally like being in a can of sardines), but somehow the wonder and excitement of just being there overtakes my mood every time!

 

[CA Disney Fans]

cmputerdazed, sorry to hear about your experience at Disneyland.

We live in Alameda, CA (a small town next to Oakland) and the only day my DS has off in October is Halloween. The school district (which goes by a traditional calendar) classifies it as a staff development day. And in November their Fall Recess is three school days long (Nov 23 - 25).

 

[wackywexler]

wdwhoneymooner - I think it is all relative. If someone doesn't get to go to the parks very often and was really hoping to get to do more than they did sure the crowds are going to be disappointing. You also have to consider who the group is traveling with. If it is just me I can always find the magic but my husband hates crowds and gets grumpy in them and my children get impatient, but I must say that they are getting better as they get older. Some people are energized by crowds and some are drained. Disneyland looks great and I am really happy about all of the 50th hoopla but yes the crowds have been a bit tough to manage especially on those days when Disney wasn't expecting it either!

 

[Tamickey]

Yep, in our area of northern cal a lot of schools have a fall break. I think it's the middle of Oct. And guess where a lot of people want to go.....