Is WDW as crowded as DL?

[GatorChris]

We are debating a trip to WDW in mid-November or Early/Mid-December of this year.... vs. a trip to DLR. We've done DL the last three years (the last year with an AP) and we've really enjoyed it, though it's become increasingly crazy-busy. With increased crowds and major construction bringing attractions down (including F!), I'm tempted to spend the flight money and go back to my first love, WDW.

My last trip to WDW was pre-FP+ so I'll basically have to relearn everything. But if the crowds at WDW have remained steady over the past few years, I'd love to go back and experience what an off-season feels like. I know, I know, off-seasons aren't like they used to be 10 years ago. But are they still really good compared to a summer trip? This last trip to DL during Vet's Week was as busy as a summer week. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Thanks!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

We've been evaluating the very same thing.

For me, it comes down to the length of trip we can take. If we can schedule so we can be in the parks Tues, Wed and Thurs, DLR is better. If we need a shorter trip I would go with WDW. We're all about the MK, and the Christmas party gives us a chance to visit on less crowded days (by closing early for parties).

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm curious, what days were you there for your Veteran's Day week trip?

 

[SureAsLiz]

After spending a weekend at DLR last October, I vowed to never complain about WDW crowds again. It can get busy, but I have never encountered a situation where I was physically unable to move due to the crowds, which is what happened the weekend I was in CA

 

[lvstitch]

There may be times when WDW is just as busy at DL (absolutely insane how crowded it's gotten) but there are a lot more places you can go to avoid the crowds in WDW. We actually prefer flying across the country to go to WDW then to deal with DL crowds.

 

[lvstitch]

After spending a weekend at DLR last October, I vowed to never complain about WDW crowds again. It can get busy, but I have never encountered a situation where I was physically unable to move due to the crowds, which is what happened the weekend I was in CA

I tried to watch Paint the Night three times last year and just gave up because it was scary crowded. I'm hoping WDW gets it for their 50th.

 

[SureAsLiz]

I tried to watch Paint the Night three times last year and just gave up because it was scary crowded. I'm hoping WDW gets it for their 50th.

The only reason I was able to easily watch PtN was because I went to a Halloween party and Main Street was empty.

And forget using my regular timeline for the fireworks. I can grab a spot 30 minutes before Wishes starts out here. My family tried to join us an hour before Disneyland Forever started and couldn't get there.

What was strange for me is that I had been to DLR several times before, and never had issues getting spots for the shows. I remember just happening on a perfect spot for the fireworks a few years ago without realizing what was going on. No way that would happen today

 

[HM2012Butler]

Before Thanksgiving and The couple weeks before Christmas are really good times to come down. Can't speak for the DL crowds but I think the time before Christmas is one of the best around here.

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

Well my experience is vastly different. For us, DL in July was less crowded than WDW in Late May, week before Thanksgiving, and week after Christmas. It was more crowded than our January WDW trip. Of course the only one of those times I have vowed never to set foot in WDW is the week after Christmas. The other times we just have a good plan and a good time! We loved DL too though.

 

[PrncessA]

Personally I thought that the crowds at DL, especially in the evening and at night, were much worse than at WDW. And we went to WDW at Thanksgivng!!

Disneyland is so much smaller and the walkways are narrow, so the crowds just feel so much more dense in my opinion.

 

[automaticsoap]

I definitely think the crowds are better at WDW (as long as you follow a crowd calendar like easyWDW). With FP+, I rarely wait in long lines -- but I always end up waiting in line at DLR! Mid-November is an excellent time to go.

 

[BrianL]

DL just has less overall space so it feels more crowded. WDW spreads the people out, not just over 4 parks, but over generally more space within them. Wait times though can be just as bad at both, though it's interesting how certain things are much more popular at one than at the other.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Reading this thread made me rethink my dream to try DL.

OP, I have never experienced shoulder to shoulder crowds at WDW. We usually go between late October and before Thanksgiving time frame.

 

[kerplop]

Grew up going to DL and I've been to WDW a bunch now. There's nothing like a DL crowd. The problem is that that park in particular was not built for huge crowds and the walkways are far more narrow and there aren't a lot of places to escape the packs. They also have a huge number of locals that show up as soon as work/school are done for the day. So what is mostly a ghost town from 9am-3pm, is suddenly packed full even on a "slow" day. Forget Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons/evenings. WDW is ready for the high capacity. They have open space for people to fill up and they have the locations to feed and entertain people. For example, Fantasmic! at DL is sitting on the ground in what, during the day, amounts to a big walkway. No benches, no amphitheater, no real crowd management after the show. All the rides are super close and queues tend to be outdoors, so people spill out into already crowded walkways.

I love DL! It's my "home" park and I enjoy rides there more. That said, when it's crowded I am out of there and give me back WDW for sure.

 

[GatorChris]

I'm curious, what days were you there for your Veteran's Day week trip?

The whole week. Monday through Saturday. Crowds were double what they were the two years before.

 

[BrianL]

Reading this thread made me rethink my dream to try DL.

OP, I have never experienced shoulder to shoulder crowds at WDW. We usually go between late October and before Thanksgiving time frame.

Don't skip DL. There is a lot to like about it and crowds aren't always unmanageable. Rope Drop is still your friend and it still has the old school fast pass, so with a plan you can still have a great time. DL has a lot of great things that WDW doesn't have (and vice-versa of course). Just go for it!

 

[Blue32]

Well my experience is vastly different. For us, DL in July was less crowded than WDW in Late May, week before Thanksgiving, and week after Christmas. It was more crowded than our January WDW trip. Of course the only one of those times I have vowed never to set foot in WDW is the week after Christmas. The other times we just have a good plan and a good time! We loved DL too though.

We really like DL in the summer. And it sounds like after the AP's are blocked out is the best time to go anymore. I think for off season I would pick WDW.

 

[mom2rtk]

The whole week. Monday through Saturday. Crowds were double what they were the two years before.

We were there the last week of October and experienced a remarkable difference in crowds Tues through Friday. Maybe having Veteran's Day in your week made a big difference? Was that the same week the holiday stuff debuted or was that the next week?

 

[GatorChris]

We were there the last week of October and experienced a remarkable difference in crowds Tues through Friday. Maybe having Veteran's Day in your week made a big difference? Was that the same week the holiday stuff debuted or was that the next week?

It debuted on Friday. So there was a lot of stuff going on. But the same week in 2013 was empty. We went a non-Vet's Week in 2014 and it was decent. But we also went in Feb, March, May, and June for short trips during the week and it was busy each time we went.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Don't skip DL. There is a lot to like about it and crowds aren't always unmanageable. Rope Drop is still your friend and it still has the old school fast pass, so with a plan you can still have a great time. DL has a lot of great things that WDW doesn't have (and vice-versa of course). Just go for it!

This! Please don't let the crowd talk scare you and discount DL. It is a wonderful park and can be enjoyed if you pick a good time to go, get their early, and use FPs. I love my home park!