Just Back - CROWDED!!!!!

[teacher2001]

Had a nice week at WDW, but MY GOD was it crowded. I have been there in both summertime and Christmas, and this was as bad as I've ever seen it. I know alot of people say "get there early, use fastpass, and get out by noon" which is what we did, but the crowds were still oppressive. After 12:00, just about everything had 60+ minute waits and fastpass returns were 4 hours later.

I do not recommend going around the Easter holiday. You get maybe 3 hours in the morning where things are somewhat manageable, and then the day is over. For me, it's not worth spending all that money on passes when you hardly have any time in the parks before the crush.

So, if you don't mind flying to Disney to spend a 2-3 hours each day in the parks, go for it. I'm sticking with January and February from now on!

 

[MagicalMom]

I'm sorry it was so crowded. Were all of the parks that way? When one got crowded did you try to hop to another? Did you go to or avoid the EMH parks? Were they still packed during the evening EMH hours? Sorry for so many questions, just curious.

 

[berkshire mike]

looks like this schedule is pretty good; sorry about your trip.

http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[Nebsky]

We were there too.
Yes it was very crowded. I didnt mind getting there early and leaving at noon. It works out well, that way we can rest/recharge for returning at 6pm. Easter Sunday we did 20 attractions at MK by noon and boogied out.

I wouldnt say it would be my prime week to go again, but I wouldnt be opposed to it. No way in the world would I go during Christmas/New Years.

We totally skipped AK. We just don't like it. We did EMH only at MK. We got to Epcot and MGM during the normal opening times and didnt have any problems. I think the whole week, the longest we waited in line was 20 mins.


Jeff

 

[teacher2001]

We generally avoided EMH days at the parks (you could see the people leaving the resort in droves to get there early). We really couldn't get back in the evenings, as DD5 was usually zonked out by 7 PM.

AK was the only park that wasn't too bad, but even then it was more crowded than I had ever seen it. Problem is, AK is our least favorite park.

I am amazed when I read posts by some people that last week wasn't too bad; I guess "crowded" is a relative term. But there were times at MK when there was total gridlock and you couldn't move. I spent Christmas '03 in WDW and this was worse, IMO.

 

[shatzjsl]

We were there too.


Jeff

Welcome home! See you in June!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Guess I'm swimming against the tide here -- see my other thread about being at WDW 3/22-3/28, riding most everything we wanted, and never waiting much at all! There were so many posting scaring me about the crowds and I wanted to thank everyone for their recommendations and also to help those going during other crowded times that with proper planning, early rising, and FP it was a fabulous vacation!!!!!

As I said in that thread, the people were POURING into the Parks just as we were leaving at noon or so (not just MK, we saw this at AK too, and MGM was very crowded the one afternoon-evening we were there, but we had Fantasmic dinner pkg so that helped a lot). I did feel badly for them and I'm sure they weren't all happy. However, each morning, we got a good 4-5 hours in at that day's park and were ready to rest -- we would have rested back at our hotel (Poly) regardless of the crowds.

I also did MK on Easter Sunday PM, arrived at 8 PM and stayed until past 11 PM. Loved it, too, but was solo as too late for DH, DD7, and DS7.

Like my days in the 70s-80s and nights in the 60s, so can't imagine going during hot summer or cold winter. Would definitely go again this time, although if/when we return would also consider April-May or October.

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

looks like this schedule is pretty good; sorry about your trip.

http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

I've seen this link before but was just too lazy to click onit!
GREAT SITE!!!
I just printed it out!
THANKS!

 

[Hawk]

proper planning, early rising, and FP it was a fabulous vacation!!!!!
:

That's the secret! Excellent.

Tim/Hawk