Just back and it was more crowded than usual!

[ter-moo]

I just got back from a girlfriends trip to DL and DCA. We got there Sunday afternoon (Nov. 30th) which we expected would be crowded, and left on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd.

Monday (the 1st), we did CA and it wasn't too crowded at all, plus the weather was GREAT--80 and sunny! The only big line was for TSMM.

Tuesday the 2nd, (which was COLD and the sun never came out) we figured would be even less crowded. We went in to DL for early entry and Fantasyland was PACKED. Usually, when I've gone in for early entry (even in the summer), there are NO lines. The whole morning was pretty crowded for early December. Strangely enough (and contrary to usual patterns), the crowds thinned out over the course of the day.

Anyone else experience this strange phenomenon???

We had a GREAT time anyway, AND we got dreamed with Dream Fastpasses at CA!!!!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Oh no, not what I want to hear at all! We will be starting our trip on Sunday and I was hoping it wouldn't be super crowded.

 

[Sherry E]

I had been hearing reports that the overall crowd level seems to be down this season - and, in fact, on the AP calendar, there was/is lots of availability for THIS MONTH at all three hotels at the AP8 rates, as of just yesterday. Also, someone in DLR Dining told me that the PS slots for the character meals this season are "strangely open and available." So if the crowds are not down in the parks (that you notice), this makes me think that everyone is just staying offsite and eating cheaper meals!

 

[DangerMouse]

I think that even with the tanked economy, many many locals who have lower-level AP's are using DLR during the holidays as "cheap entertainment" (excuse the term, Mr. Disney). As long as they aren't blocked out, they will fill the parks. And then once they are blocked out, the non-AP vacationing hoards will show up.

The entire month of December (much like October) is becoming a very, very busy time at DLR, thanks to creative marketing to S. California locals and keeping the two lowest AP's so very affordable. So even though the hotels are not sold-out and dining is open, you can't use that as an indicator as to crowd sizes.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm at PPH right now, checked in yesterday. The last 2 days have not been bad. Space Mt was about a 10 min wait this afternoon. I looked at the tip board when I got there around 10:30, everything looked light. There were alot of people at the parade tonight.

 

[Sherry E]

I think that even with the tanked economy, many many locals who have lower-level AP's are using DLR during the holidays as "cheap entertainment" (excuse the term, Mr. Disney). As long as they aren't blocked out, they will fill the parks. And then once they are blocked out, the non-AP vacationing hoards will show up.

The entire month of December (much like October) is becoming a very, very busy time at DLR, thanks to creative marketing to S. California locals and keeping the two lowest AP's so very affordable. So even though the hotels are not sold-out and dining is open, you can't use that as an indicator as to crowd sizes.

I still have a strong hunch that if we actually saw figures and numbers, we would see a pattern of lower crowds this December from the massive crowds of previous Decembers (or even October, which was a madhouse!), but you're right - the surprising hotel availability and "strangely open" character dining PS times don't necessarily mean that people are not crowding into the parks. As I said in my earlier post, it could very well just mean that everyone is staying offsite or even going home, and eating at cheaper places in or out of the resort.

I do think a lot of people who would ordinarily be going out of state or out of country for the holidays are 'going the cheap route' (chuckle!) at doing DLR instead. By the same token, I would bet that some people whose normal holiday plan would be to go to DLR are having to cancel it all together in favor of cheaper entertainment!

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

We were there Tues-Thurs this week (12/2-12/5) and I agree that it was crowded. We have gone the week after Thanksgiving for the past 4 years, but this is the first year that our trip has fallen in December. We always go mid-week (T-Th). This was by far the most crowded trip. There were lines for things that we usually never have to wait for. We were wondering if some people who were planning on going Thanksgiving week put off their trip until this week because of potentially bad weather. We still had a great trip though.....and the weather was lovely!!!

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

We were just there December 2 and 3rd. I thought that it was fairly crowded for a weekday(work day and kids in school) I thought that since we just had a thanksgiving holiday that a lot of people wouldnt get off until closer to christmas break. At night it was pretty crowded for the parade and the fireworks on Tuesday. A lot of people finding seats for the parade a hour or so early. I was just really surprised myself about the crowds....I thought it was a weekend..lol

 

[nick916]

So what was the average wait for rides like Space Mountain and Indy? How about the Fantasyland rides? Just wondering what to expect for Monday.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

So what was the average wait for rides like Space Mountain and Indy? How about the Fantasyland rides? Just wondering what to expect for Monday.

I'd love to know this too

 

[ter-moo]

The big rides (with the exception of the submarines and Autopia) didn't have bad lines at all. What surprised me was how crowded it was for early entry on a Tuesday! That's usually a time you pretty much have the park to yourself.

My theory was that people came AFTER Thanksgiving (like on Friday) and stayed for a long weekend and then left. That would explain why Tuesday afternoon got LESS crowded.

For those of you worried about crowds, it's not THAT bad--I was just struck at how many people were there at a time that's generally very quiet. It's still nothing like summertime or weekends!

Our hotel (GCH) was pretty booked up, too, according to the cast member at the front desk. When we checked in, they hadn't put us in a room with a daybed, which we needed, and she had a little trouble finding us an available room that had one. Of course, it could have been that is was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and all, but it did seem like there were lots of people around.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

Regarding the wait times we experienced earlier this week......they were not bad. Indy was probably 10 or 15 min at the most. The Fast Pass machine was open, and in previous trips it has been closed. But using your FP didn't really get you through any faster. My son just loved using them.

The ride lines weren't really that bad......but the crowds were thick just walking through the park, trying to shop and pay, stuff like that. And the line for Santa was long.....

 

[Jennifer in WA]

We were there this past Thursday and Friday.

Thursday morning at DL was fine. Then we went over to DCA when it opened. EMPTY. Walked on just about every ride. Toy Story was the longest line....about 20 minutes. The rest were 10 or less.

When DCA closed, we went over to DL for the last couple of hours. MOB SCENE for the parade and fireworks. It was packed. The rides weren't too bad though.

Friday morning, we were in DL at 8:00. Nemo was 20 minutes then. The rest of the rides during the day were not too bad. 20 or less for lines. Then the evening got crowded again for Fantasmic and the fireworks. CRAZY mob around the castle and IASW. 60-90 minutes for rides, but we had fast passes for some so it was fine. Stayed until midnight.

Overall, the crowds weren't bad, but I have never seen it that crowded on a weekday in early December.

Hanging out by the pool in GCH on Saturday was glorious. Hardly anyone there. THAT was great! Downtown Disney was busy, though. We left the resort at about 4pm that day, just before the CP.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Really?? I thought the crowds were THIN. Sunday was PERFECT. We walked on everything (this is the 30th) and on Mon we went to DCA and it was also perfect. Rode rides twice in a row cuz no one got in line..etc.

The whole week was GREAT until Fri and Sat.

 

[DebbieB]

Friday was more crowded than Wednesday or Thursday. Huge line outside Pizza Planet after the evening parade. Space Mt was a 65 min wait around 7:30.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I thought the crowds were thin. There seemed to be a lot of people, but the lines weren't long for anything. Wednesday morning we walked on all the Fantasyland rides. HMH and Pirates were walk on majority of the week. The longest line I saw was 45 minutes for Indy, but that was at night. The weeknights seemed busy to me.

 

[Gisele]

Welcome back!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I thought the crowds were thin. There seemed to be a lot of people, but the lines weren't long for anything. Wednesday morning we walked on all the Fantasyland rides. HMH and Pirates were walk on majority of the week. The longest line I saw was 45 minutes for Indy, but that was at night. The weeknights seemed busy to me.

Oh good! That sounds like it will be alright. I am expecting it to be busy at night or pickup in the evening but I would love a lighter crowd during the day! Thanks for the update...I have been enjoying your TR!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Really?? I thought the crowds were THIN. Sunday was PERFECT. We walked on everything (this is the 30th) and on Mon we went to DCA and it was also perfect. Rode rides twice in a row cuz no one got in line..etc.

The whole week was GREAT until Fri and Sat.

I am happy to hear this! Hopefully it stays this way until the 18th!