Is it just me?

[Anna06804]

We just returned from our first trip to WDW and I can honestly say that we will NEVER do it again. I can't understand how some families actually subject themselves to this insanity every year.

The parks were horribly crowded (75-90 min wait times for rides) that we felt like we didn't get to see or do anything. We were so drained after spending the day fighting the crowds at the parks that we were all in bed by 9 pm. DH and I were so sorry that we purchased our Park Hopper passes in advance because after day #3 we didn't even want to go anymore. We were much happier hanging out with DD at the hotel pool. If this is the low-season, I'd hate to go when it's "crowded". Thursday night we went to Downtown Disney -- it was BIL's 40th birthday. We couldn't get into any restaurant in under 2 hours and couldn't move in any of the stores that we wound up leaving at eating at McD's on 192.

For those of you who do this all the time -- more power to ya! For those going for the first time -- prepare yourself! I've never seen anything like it -- grown men PUSHING children so their "little princess" can be first in line to take a picture of some guy in a Captain Hook suit.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by Anna06804
We just returned from our first trip to WDW and I can honestly say that we will NEVER do it again. I can't understand how some families actually subject themselves to this insanity every year.

The parks were horribly crowded (75-90 min wait times for rides) that we felt like we didn't get to see or do anything. We were so drained after spending the day fighting the crowds at the parks that we were all in bed by 9 pm. DH and I were so sorry that we purchased our Park Hopper passes in advance because after day #3 we didn't even want to go anymore. We were much happier hanging out with DD at the hotel pool. If this is the low-season, I'd hate to go when it's "crowded". Thursday night we went to Downtown Disney -- it was BIL's 40th birthday. We couldn't get into any restaurant in under 2 hours and couldn't move in any of the stores that we wound up leaving at eating at McD's on 192.

For those of you who do this all the time -- more power to ya! For those going for the first time -- prepare yourself! I've never seen anything like it -- grown men PUSHING children so their "little princess" can be first in line to take a picture of some guy in a Captain Hook suit.

Sorry you had such a horrible time. I believe I read somewhere that Jersey Week was going on last week in Disney and that has a lot to do with crowds. Thought I read something about Mousefest too, but I believe that may be this or next week.
Did you prepare yourself before going? Did you read guide books, threads here on the DIS, did you take advantage of fastpass? Fastpass would have nipped those wait times right in the bud. A PS or two would have also helped with restaurant waits. I know that Wolfgang Puck's accepts them for dinner as do quite a few of the DD restaurants.
I go in May and NEVER experience what you did. So sorry you felt let down, but for the reasons you stated is why I prepare WAY in advance for all my Disney trips.

 

[chipnwendy]

Just a couple of questions for you...Did you take advantage of the Fastpass system? Were you at the parks bright & early each day? And did you take advantage of making Priority Seating arrangements for your meals?

The reason I ask is that we have been three times this year in the "low season", and have yet to encounter any substantial lines for anything except the occasional parade, monorail, and restroom.

 

[Anna06804]

I did make a PS for dinner w/ Cinderella & Friends at 1900 Park Fare. I have to say that it was very good and DD had a wonderful time. The GF looked beautiful -- they were decorating it for the holidays.

As far as planning -- we made these plans about 6 mos. in advance. I bought my Unofficial Guide and read and re-read it. We were at the parks when they officially opened but by the time we got ourselves situated with maps and schedules for that day's festivities the lines were building. I'm wondering if the parks were filled with people who canceled their trips due to the hurricaines over the summer. That was my only explanation for the crowds.

Fastpass worked on occasion -- sometimes it would spit out return times that were 2-3 hours away.

All in all, I wouldn't say the entire trip was a bust. I mean there were times when I really felt like I was in a land of make believe (especially during the parades) but I still wouldn't do it again.

We went with a bunch of family members that skipped the whole Disney thing and did Universal and Sea World instead. They had a great time and said they didn't have to wait more than 10-15 mins for anything. We went to Universal CityWalk one night and had a fabulous time there.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by Anna06804

All in all, I wouldn't say the entire trip was a bust. I mean there were times when I really felt like I was in a land of make believe (especially during the parades) but I still wouldn't do it again.

We went to Universal CityWalk one night and had a fabulous time there.

Know what...sadly, Disney just isn't for everyone. You enjoyed Universal, I can do without.

You mentioned the hurricanes here in FL during the months of August and September, that had A LOT to do with some of the crowd you encountered on your trip. So sorry you won't visit again. Hey, that's a loss though. Not trying to be ugly, just figured if you tried a different time of year, it could be the trip of a lifetime.

Blessings,

Denise

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Anna06804,
I'm sorry your trip was a bust. Over the past few years, we have been to WDW in September, October, November, January, & Easter week and have never encountered lines like you described. Give WDW another try (maybe for a day or two) while in Florida in the future.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am sorry to hear that you did not have as good a time as you had hoped at WDW. I would agree that it is very easy to become disenchanted with WDW if you are faced with huge crowds and long waits. Fortunately, my family has not encountered a situation like that yet -although I think we are going to see crowds like we have never seen before when we are there next week. I think we will have to use all our accumulated Disney acumen to get through with minimal waiting times etc.

I hope you will be willing to give WDW another try sometime. I know it's not for everyone, but for me and my family it is the most magical place on earth.

 

[Brian Noble]

It's not just you. I know many folks---even folks who enjoy "traditional" amusement parks---who don't enjoy the Disney thing. I also know several families who think that any park, no matter what style, is just Not Their Thing.

If you see a guy in a Captain Hook suit, then it's probably Not Your Thing. If you see Captian Hook, then maybe it is. Nothing wrong with either vision---it is what it is. However, no matter who you see, pushing your princess is Just Rude. Royalty does not behave in such a manner!

 

[Scoootch]

Unfortuneatly, this is no longer the "slow" time of year. There are so many things going on at this time of year now -- Jersey week, Super soap weekend at MGM,Food and Wine fest at Epcot and then you add in that even though it's traditionally "slow season" for regular resorts at WDW, it's actually "highly visited" time for DVC due to our low point season -- add in everyone who rescheduled their vacations due to the 4 hurricanes this year and it's not surprising that the crowds were right up there with Summer and Easter/spring break or Christmas week.

So sorry that you had such awful crowds but if you ever are up to trying it again, Feb (avoiding Presidents day week) and May are some of the best times of year for the crowds and good weather

 

[Bugsmom73]

I am soo sorry you had such problems. I have been Over new years, not too terribly bad amazingly. July twice(never again), January twice(great time to go) August, not bad a little hot but okay, and end of May. That is when we are planning our next trip with our friend. I have rarely encountered huge lines except in July.

 

[BevS97]

we were just there the last week of October and 1st week of November, and the 1st week of November was the busiest we have ever seen the parks - we've been May, June and December in the past.

we still had a great time, but we didn't do so much park stuff in our 2nd week, we just popped in for a morning or an evening - to be honest, only Magic Kingdom was really a problem - Epcot is huge and can cope well with crowds. At MGM we mainly do shows that take large capacity crowds so again it's not a problem, and we did Animal Kingdom the first week and it was quite quiet.

There were a couple of days we were in Magic Kingdom and it was horrendous though, I have to agree - we didn't wait in any 45 minute lines though - I simply refuse - we get a fast pass and do something else - there are always somethings you can get onto with little or no wait, or you can eat, or shop, visit the characters (that "is" Captain Hook - let's make that clear, if there is any question then you are in the wrong park)

If we want to eat sit-down then we make a PS - you can make them as little as an hour before - I have done it many times- pop into City Hall (or Guest Services) and make the PS and you won't have to wait.

we were there for 14 nights and I cried all the way to the airport, I would have happily stayed another 14 nights - to me it wasn't insanity it was magic - guess it's just a question of perspective

Bev

 

[laceemouse]

I'm sorry that you had a bad time. We have been many times, usually when school is out, and we have had some waits, but never as bad as you described. For one thing, we don't do the thrill rides and those usually have the longest waits. Second, I am not a clock watcher. When I'm standing in line, I usually don't time it. We just talk and enjoy each others company. Use fastpass when you can. Always get PSs. Our last trip to DTD it was PACKED. We saw Cirque, which was great, then had a PS at Pucks. It was not the best, but we were glad to have the PS, lines were long. Another thing, when you go to WDW again and again you do not feel the need to see and do everything on every trip. We have a few "must sees" every time, but anything over and above that is just gravy. We love Sea World, been there before and will go again. US and IOA are not for us, too many scary and thrill things. Oh, also, we never stand in line to see characters, do a character meal and visit them more leasurely. Sorry about the rude and pushy people, unfortunately they are always around. I just try to not let it bug me too much. How old is your child? I don't think there are too many slow times at WDW anymore, but I hope you will try it again in a few years...Lacee

 

[djm99]

Originally posted by Anna06804
Is it just me

YEAH IT IS!!!!!

 

[Suzanne033]

While you are right, Disney isn't for everyone. What were you thinking was going to happen when you went during Jersey Week and the SuperSoaps Weekend.

I'm not trying to be rude. I just think that a little (and I mean a VERY little) research would have shown you that even though this is considered the 'Value' season does not necessarily mean that it is the 'Low Attendence' season.

The best time of year we have ever encountered was after Thanksgiving and before Christmas.

 

[Brian Noble]

That seems a bit unfair. The OP read the UOG more than once, which is significantly more planning than many people do. And, given the number of very experienced DISers in other threads posting about how surprised *they* are to find the parks crowded these last few weeks, well, I wouldn't be so quick to lay the blame on poor planning.

 

[Cinderellagrl]

You can't blame it on poor planning. I was down there from Nov. 6-13 and did A LOT of planning...PS, had all our days planned, etc. It was full! My personal opinion is that the whole problem is that the parks closed too early. When the parks are that full, they should have extended the hours or had E-Ride nights. We also feel that we didn't get to see half of what was there. When it's that crowded and the parks close that early, it's impossible. I can definitely understand why some people are disappointed. When you spend that much money on a vacation and feel like you haven't accomplished much, it can be very frustrating. For the most part, we had a wonderful trip, however I never encountered so many rude people in my life.

 

[MELSMICE]

Actually, I think "Jersey Week" was the end of October - first week of November time span. (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Food & Wine Festival ended on November 14 & Super Soaps was November 13 & 14, so you may have run into some of those crowds.

It sounds like we were there the same week you were (Nov. 5 - 13) & we didn't experience what you did. We had an awesome time - didn't wait any longer than 25 or 30 minutes for attractions (of course we always decide what our limit is going to be before we go to the parks).

Getting a FASTPASS doesn't mean you will get on the attraction right at that point, so having a time 2-3 hours later in the day doesn't surprise me at all - that's what it's meant for. Did you get another FASTPASS as soon as you were able to? You don't have to wait to use a FASTPASS before getting another one - it's printed on the bottom of the ticket when you can acquire another one.

Having a plan mapped out BEFORE you arrive at the parks is always a good idea. If you're staying on-site you can get information right at the front desk.

Of course, being your first visit, I am sure you wanted to see & do as much as you could. I hope you realized that there was no way possible that you could see & do it all - we've been there over 20 times & we still find something new to do each time we go.

Anyway, sorry you had a less than perfect time. I think any vacation is what you make of it, it's unfortunate yours didn't turn out the way you imagined it.

 

[LisaZoe]

My DD and I visited WDW for the first time in September. Other than the heat and the concern about another hurricane forming, it was great. There were few lines of more than 30 minutes and we used FastPass on those. Several days they closed the FastPass system down on many rides because it wasn't needed. At AK and Epcot, we pretty much walked on to most of the rides and shows.

One thing I learned from these boards is to pace ourselves. We had a seven day PHP pass and used them all (except the Pluses). We didn't, though, spend all day from opening to closing at the parks. Even if my DD didn't need an afternoon rest, I did! I also didn't worry about "getting my money's worth" out of the pass. One day I think we spent only 3 or 4 hours at MK and the rest just relaxing at the WL.

I made sure to have 1 PS for each day because I wanted to try some of the harder to get into places but we didn't even use 2 of them. As for the others, I think we could have gotten seated pretty quickly if I'd called before we left our room.

All that said, I'll admit I prefer DLR CA while DD is so young. Everything is so much closer - of course there are only 2 parks. We went in September 2003 and stayed offsite at a motel that was only a 10 minute walk to the entrance of either park (with DD in a stroller and a busy street to cross). I hope to do WDW again in several years when DD will really be ready to enjoy the wider variety of activities.

 

[DizneyKaren]

To the OP. I hope you don't completely rule out the possibility of a future visit to WDW. Perhaps next time plan on only 2-3 days there with more time doing the things you enjoyed this trip.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

I am so sorry you had such a bad time!!!
I grew up going to Disney about twice a year always during school vacations since my parents were teachers, and can honestly say I don't remember ever having a negative experience even during the busy times.... the trips are my fondest memories...
Now that I have a husband and child of my own, I want to pass this happiness on to my son.. however, I will never go during the peak season, it is just too much for me and my son tends to get very crabby with big crowds and long lines. We always take trips during the end of Jan/early Feb. Maybe if you tried this time of year it would be better? The crowds are next to nothing and the weather isn't too hot. IMO this is the best time to go.
However, some people just don't care for Disney. My husband could do without it, but he goes because I love it so much. I personally don't understand how anyone can not love Disney!! I always ask him why he doesn't love it as much as I do!
But to each their own!! It is ok if Disney is not for you!

Jen