I'm seeing a much busier fall season this year. Sigh.

[Hoku]

I think Carsland/BVS was supposed to open in February, so it DID open late, right? Either way, I don't think summer crowds were down and I'm sure fall will be just great.

 

[smithfamilyof7]

I don't know, I think your premise may be wrong. It isn't that crowds haven't been descending on the DLR, they have been! Disney is very, very happy with the numbers they are getting. It is more that the resort is way, way more balanced in how it receives and handles crowds.

This makes sense and gives me hope. I am one of those who booked a trip in the fall, hoping it wouldn't be as crazy busy as summer. (Or as the week after Christmas, which is when we originally thought about going.) I'm realistic and know there will be crowds but I'm still hoping it's not horrible.

 

[Babybears]

I really think everyone who is worried will end up being pleasantly surprised. All Spring long we've were hearing how "Super crazy Busy" the parks were going to be this Summer. Then it really never panned out, and was quite managable WITH record numbers of people coming to the parks. My understanding is that the attendance numbers are up, overall parkwide, this Summer, so more folks, but the parks still seemed managable.

I really would not worry everyone. I truly feel the parks can handle much larger crowds now and while the Carsland area will probably still be a bit of a mad house, I believe you will find the rest of the areas pleasantly easy to navigate.

 

[ArchOwl]

That would be really nice if the new flow is noticeable to us. And it would be great if DL was not so crowded too. I LOVE BVS from the photos and info. I've seen online. When we went in May it was more crowded than we expected and the walls up in DCA made it really inconvenient to get around. Maybe even with higher than average visitors in November it will still "feel" manageable for us. I am going to do my best to get a good strategy for CL as it gets closer to our trip. I'm anxious to hear how things may or may not change from summer to fall season for CL. I'll try to look at it from your perspective.

Yes, DCA has been difficult to navigate these past few years with all the walls up. You will love how easy it is to get around now!

Since you won't be going until November, you will have lots of time to read reports here on the boards and see how the crowds are shaping up. I was there over summer and am going again in late September. I will be glad to compare and contrast the summer crowds vs. fall crowds. I have a feeling that the only place that will still be crowded is Carsland. But probably less so than summer time.

This makes sense and gives me hope. I am one of those who booked a trip in the fall, hoping it wouldn't be as crazy busy as summer. (Or as the week after Christmas, which is when we originally thought about going.) I'm realistic and know there will be crowds but I'm still hoping it's not horrible.

I just don't think the summer numbers are sustainable through fall. Especially when kids go back to school, etc. It may not be as big of a drop in attendance as normal and we may see different patterns as more APers drop by in the evening to see Carsland, etc.

 

[Rhonna]

I was there over summer and am going again in late September. I will be glad to compare and contrast the summer crowds vs. fall crowds.

I hope you do write a comparison post after your Sept. trip! I'll be looking for it.

(I just realized that the first week of Nov. is Jersey Week. Of course that never affected DL before but it made me wonder if some are trading WDW for DL during that week this year.)

 

[alvernon90]

Yes, DCA has been difficult to navigate these past few years with all the walls up. You will love how easy it is to get around now!

Since you won't be going until November, you will have lots of time to read reports here on the boards and see how the crowds are shaping up. I was there over summer and am going again in late September. I will be glad to compare and contrast the summer crowds vs. fall crowds. I have a feeling that the only place that will still be crowded is Carsland. But probably less so than summer time.

I just don't think the summer numbers are sustainable through fall. Especially when kids go back to school, etc. It may not be as big of a drop in attendance as normal and we may see different patterns as more APers drop by in the evening to see Carsland, etc.

The problem, as I have learned at Christmastime, is that less people in the parks can actually feel more crowded, when the hours are shorter and early entry is later (thus drawing more people). Take a major attraction like Indy offline and you dump hundreds of people out of the queue and into the walkways. Carts and restaurants are closed or understaffed, so lines for food and drinks can get lengthy.

The lines for attractions might not seem so bad this fall, but I expect that the parks will still feel very crowded.

 

[fctiger]

I don't know, I think your premise may be wrong. It isn't that crowds haven't been descending on the DLR, they have been! Disney is very, very happy with the numbers they are getting. It is more that the resort is way, way more balanced in how it receives and handles crowds.

In the past, the resort was wayyyyy too lopsided. Everyone was going to DL and DCA was much less popular. Now, DCA is finally pulling its own weight. That means that the crowds everywhere are actually better. I was there in late July/early August and you could actually navigate through Tomorrowland and Adventureland. It was very nice. Carsland was tight, but it is new, so I expect that. And it wasn't unbearable. There were places to sit down and relax. BVS and Carsland have made a huge difference in how DCA feels and in the crowd patterns.

I think this fall may see a trend upwards in attendance, but I think you may be pleasantly surprised in how the resort feels. In my mind, the crowds can't get any worse than summer, right? Kids are in school, people go back to work, etc. It will be less crowded. I don't know how much crowds will go down, but they will.

Yep, you said it! This is what I been saying ALL summer lol. I been to the resort about 18 times now, is staying here now for the last 3 days and they been great! I dont think people really get the idea that you CAN have more people but at the same time it feels less busy because you now have two full day parks that has balanced out the crowds like never before. The best thing this resort ever did was add CL and BVS! Seriously, these areas, and just a more energetic DCA has soaked up the crowds so well DL hasnt been this managable in years! I mean people have been saying it all summer, including me of course because I am frankly shocked how great its been. Out of the 18 times I been, the only two crazy days I had was June 15th, DCA grand reopening, and I didnt go to DL that day which I heard was dead and July 17th, DL birthday. But basically all the other days, including just the past 3 days, have been amazing! I took a month break from mid July until now and havent kept up with the news during that time, but being back was just like it was in June!

As for the fall, yeah it MIGHT be a bit more busy, but again nothing too radical. As someone said already, it HAS been getting busier already since DLR has been pushing the Halloween event the last few years. Same thing happened in Tokyo as well. In October, that use to be the deadest month to visit, but since TDR pushed Halloween back in 2000, its now one of the craziest times to visit that resort. DLR is becoming busier every season as well. That must be obvious since they keep raising the prices of the Halloween party every year lol. So yeah, I mean CL or NOT, come mid September was going to pick up regardless because they are hard core about promoting Halloween now. I think that is just as much to blame as anything else.

And I have to say this and I hope this doesnt offend people on these boards, but I am surprised about how obsessed and paranoid people are about crowds at DL here. I have not been on these boards that long, although I lurked for a few years, but every week, even NOW there is this constant worry about crowds at DL. Of course I understand to a point, but its DL, its GOING to be busy lol. Thats the nature of the business. Its how people react and plan around it that really makes the difference. And on top of that, people, including me, has been saying its not THAT bad considering the gloom and doom we been hereing before the summer. Now the summer is now almost over with it being one of the most managable and easiest summers to visit the resort oddly thanks to CL and a newly expanded DCA and people are STILL freaking out about the crowds. Seriously guys, yeah its going to be busy, but nothing to panic about and NOTHING that is out of the ordinary anyway!

But I do think its funny that the panic NOW is fall will be more busy because people paniced the summer would be super busy and all decided to wait. Cant catch a break lol.

Seriously, you have nothing to really worry about. Be prepared, go a little early, have a plan and you will do 90% of what you want to do. And frankly I dont see it becoming all that busy than a year ago, so I think most people will be fine if they plan just a little bit.

And if anyone is planning a DL trip by basing it around WDW patterns, thats like planning a Tokyo Disneyland trip basing it around Hong Kong Disneyland patterns. I.E. they are seperate resorts with different demographics, geography, goals and population density. If people are doing that, no offense, but that's their fault for assuming they are all the same if they dont do a bit of research and just show up. I'm saying this from someone who has been to every Disney theme park worldwide and plan accordingly for every one of them.

 

[Feej]

Meh - I'm heading over and celebrating my 50th year on earth @ DL on the 24th Oct and really couldn't care much about crowds. I'll be making the most of things regardless.

 

[nunzia]

We are also going in early November hoping to avoid the Halloween/Christmas crowds. Staying onsite so will make good use of EE, and am hopeful it will at least be cooler to make any crowds more manageable.

 

[T0rrent]

Honestly while I do expect the fall to be a bit more crowded, I highly doubt you will see peak summer crowds outside of maybe weekends/halloween party nights. It's also difficult to find out how the weather will play out. I remember 2 octobers ago it poured the night we got into Anaheim, and sprinkled in the morning and that kept all the locals out. It rained once while on potc and that was it, mid sixties and overcast the rest of the day and our longest wait I think was 20 minutes for space mountain. Just go in and have fun, the crowds are what you make of it.

 

[BayGirl22]

I hear you, OP, about trying to adjust expectations. I booked the week after Labor Day expecting that would be the lowest crowd week of the year. Right now I'm not sure it will be. I'm not stressing about it, but I am getting mentally prepared that the parks, especially Carsland, will probably be more crowded than I imagined 6-8 months ago. If I get there and it feels empty, great.

As for caring about crowds, I get what you are saying fctiger, but how people perceive and feel in crowded places is highly personal. I am one who actually loves crowd when I'm there as an individual. I will walk around in at a packed street on NY's Eve just to feel the energy of the crowd. I expect popular places like DLR to be crowded and as an individual I don't mind.
But as a parent of 2 tiny kids my ability to safely and enjoyably deal in crowds is significantly different. It adds an entirely new dimension to the situation. I'd rather go at a less crowded time with them and compromise other things. If I go into DL and the crowds are suffocating to our family my instinct will be to retreat back to the hotel, and that's a huge waste. The alternative is to just not go to DLR at all until they are much older. So I'm trying to plan a trip that minimizes the crowd issue as much as possible while still getting in some Disney Magic.

Either way I'll go and have fun, but for me it helps immensely to be mentally prepared for what to expect.

 

[Rhonna]

I hear you, OP, about trying to adjust expectations. I booked the week after Labor Day expecting that would be the lowest crowd week of the year. Right now I'm not sure it will be. I'm not stressing about it, but I am getting mentally prepared that the parks, especially Carsland, will probably be more crowded than I imagined 6-8 months ago. If I get there and it feels empty, great.

As for caring about crowds, I get what you are saying fctiger, but how people perceive and feel in crowded places is highly personal. I am one who actually loves crowd when I'm there as an individual. I will walk around in at a packed street on NY's Eve just to feel the energy of the crowd. I expect popular places like DLR to be crowded and as an individual I don't mind.
But as a parent of 2 tiny kids my ability to safely and enjoyably deal in crowds is significantly different. It adds an entirely new dimension to the situation. I'd rather go at a less crowded time with them and compromise other things. If I go into DL and the crowds are suffocating to our family my instinct will be to retreat back to the hotel, and that's a huge waste. The alternative is to just not go to DLR at all until they are much older. So I'm trying to plan a trip that minimizes the crowd issue as much as possible while still getting in some Disney Magic.

Either way I'll go and have fun, but for me it helps immensely to be mentally prepared for what to expect.

Thank you for your input.

For those who bring up Halloween, I wish I had worded it to exclude the October/Halloween parties since we all know that brings in the crowds. I have read reports that some are finding hotels full during parts of SEPT. or NOV. that normally are not busy at all. I expected some kind of AP or public discount for November but there is nothing at all. Disney puts out the discounts when it is slower but we aren't seeing any for Nov. yet. And my understanding is that usually they would be out by now.

I am not suggesting summer crowd levels, not sure why anyone would jump to that conclusion. But the really off season IN BETWEEN holidays this fall seems to be filling up more than I anticipated, even with Carsland.

Also, I was mentioning specifically those who are newbies who have read those time frames are very slow and are planning their trip based on prior years crowd levels. Those who can go often will not be bothered the same as someone who is a first timer and believes they will miss the whole crowd situation entirely.

 

[DisneyMommy403]

Well, because I'm going in early November... allow me to just say... I really hope you're not correct! I mean, I'm not a newbie to the parks and crowds, but my DH and DMIL & DSIL & my 3 munchkins are! Crowds are something I anticipate, but overwhelming crowds in early November... NOPE. I did book the trip for Thurs-Sun to get the entertainment though, that's important...

I appreciate this post though, I think others who are just getting into the planning stages might too.

 

[Rhonna]

Well, because I'm going in early November... allow me to just say... I really hope you're not correct! I mean, I'm not a newbie to the parks and crowds, but my DH and DMIL & DSIL & my 3 munchkins are! Crowds are something I anticipate, but overwhelming crowds in early November... NOPE. I did book the trip for Thurs-Sun to get the entertainment though, that's important...

I appreciate this post though, I think others who are just getting into the planning stages might too.

I certainly don't want anyone to think I am suggesting overwhelming crowds. Not at all. But my point was more that people who think it will be super easy then should be prepared. I appreciate your last sentence because that was my purpose, that those thinking of these time frames should go into it with realistic expectations not dreams of an "easy peasy, I'm missing all the summer crowds" outlook.

 

[fctiger]

I hear you, OP, about trying to adjust expectations. I booked the week after Labor Day expecting that would be the lowest crowd week of the year. Right now I'm not sure it will be. I'm not stressing about it, but I am getting mentally prepared that the parks, especially Carsland, will probably be more crowded than I imagined 6-8 months ago. If I get there and it feels empty, great.

As for caring about crowds, I get what you are saying fctiger, but how people perceive and feel in crowded places is highly personal. I am one who actually loves crowd when I'm there as an individual. I will walk around in at a packed street on NY's Eve just to feel the energy of the crowd. I expect popular places like DLR to be crowded and as an individual I don't mind.
But as a parent of 2 tiny kids my ability to safely and enjoyably deal in crowds is significantly different. It adds an entirely new dimension to the situation. I'd rather go at a less crowded time with them and compromise other things. If I go into DL and the crowds are suffocating to our family my instinct will be to retreat back to the hotel, and that's a huge waste. The alternative is to just not go to DLR at all until they are much older. So I'm trying to plan a trip that minimizes the crowd issue as much as possible while still getting in some Disney Magic.

Either way I'll go and have fun, but for me it helps immensely to be mentally prepared for what to expect.

No dont get me wrong, I hear you! I HATE crowds like everyone else lol. My only point is you are going to a place that is generally crowded, so you have to deal with it to some point. And I assume if you are on web sites like this, you are a Disney vetern to some extent and you know the place will be busy. But yes, that said, its not AS busy as people seem to suggest all the time. I think there is a lot of hysteria over the lines at the place when pretty much most people who have been going the last few months have said its been generally lighter than they predicted...and that includes myself. But yet, there is this constant worry and I dont get why? Sure its going to have its crazy moments but GENERALLY its pretty managable if you have a plan and go early enough, because of the second point below.

And I think the other thing that seems to get missed over and over again is even though it may be busier because of CL, the ADDITION of CL has now balanced the crowds out like never before. So yes, more people are going, but it doesnt actually feel any busier because DCA has really spread everything out now. I'm not talking just CL, which is clearly the busiest, but BVS, the new shows, having a parade run twice a day, more restaurants to soak people up, etc. Its really working wonders. Again, all the people who has BEEN these past few months have said this, so even 'busier' doesnt neccessarily means bad or suffocating, thats all.

But yeah agreed, how 'crowded' it feels is all subjective.

Thank you for your input.

For those who bring up Halloween, I wish I had worded it to exclude the October/Halloween parties since we all know that brings in the crowds. I have read reports that some are finding hotels full during parts of SEPT. or NOV. that normally are not busy at all. I expected some kind of AP or public discount for November but there is nothing at all. Disney puts out the discounts when it is slower but we aren't seeing any for Nov. yet. And my understanding is that usually they would be out by now.

I am not suggesting summer crowd levels, not sure why anyone would jump to that conclusion. But the really off season IN BETWEEN holidays this fall seems to be filling up more than I anticipated, even with Carsland.

Also, I was mentioning specifically those who are newbies who have read those time frames are very slow and are planning their trip based on prior years crowd levels. Those who can go often will not be bothered the same as someone who is a first timer and believes they will miss the whole crowd situation entirely.

Sure I think everyone gets that. But again, what people seem to be missing is the fact Disney has spent $1.5 BILLION on their new addition and has basically been promoting it for the last 5 years now! I mean its going to be a bit busier because of that alone. You have to remember, CL/BVS has been open for a whopping 2 months and 1 week so far, so again, its going to be busier. Add to the fact that DIsney is advertising it not just in SoCal or even America, but WORLDWIDE! There are advertisements for the South Pacific, from Japan to New Zealand! They are pushing their very expensive addition to several continents and it will last for quite awhile. So OF COURSE its going to be a bit busier in terms of hotel spaces filling up. Again, CL/BVS is brand spanking new and the the biggest addition of DLR since DCA itself 11 years ago. This is a big deal and Disney is trying to attract as many people as possible for as long as possible.

Just because some peoples vacations ends this month doesnt mean it will for everyone and with the amount of advertising and promotion DIsney is throwing these additions on a global scale, people will clearly still be coming, that shouldnt be a surprise. But all that said, it will still be lighter than the summer months regardless, but sure, its not going to be a typical fall season, but for DLR this is not a typical year either!

Eitherway, you and everyone will have a good time!

 

[Babybears]

I totally agree fctiger!! We will be there this coming Mon - Thurs and I will report back!! Can't wait!!!!!