just back fro Disney, and crowds much larger then expected!

[disneyfan2]

Don't know if this is was normal or not, but was there 10-15 and the parks were so busy. Because my DD was ill the entire time, we did not set out in the mornings until 9-10am. however, by that time the lineups at 10am were 50+ min waits?? I hoped to see Ariel in her grotto to cheer my DD up, but by 10 it had waits in excess of 1hr and got worse through the day. We did not get to see 1/2 of each parks each day, and with MK for 2 days, still missed way to much!!
So, if planning another vacation next winter, what would be a better time for crowds. Our vacation months have to be Feb/Mar or April. But not during the peak weeks.

 

[CanadianGuy]

From Feb 1 to Presidents day.. and the weekend after.. are crazy busy.. it dies off a bit the week between March and Feb.. And then 'bam'... it goes nuts again

 

[SaraMc]

We were there too from the 9-16th and I totally agree with you it was a bit crazy. Sat the 10th in MK was a zoo. We didnt do as much as we would like. We went the last two years around the same time and this year seemed busier. But all in all we had a good time and we started picking what park we were going to by how small the line was at the busses at POP, that seemed to work a bit

 

[calena]

We have gone twice at this time of year and find the crowds around President's Day are nuts. Then the next week - last week of Feb/first of March are great. Not really looking forward to the crowds during March Break, but will enjoy ourselves anyway!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I was there from Feb 1-6 and we walked on to every ride. There was never a wait for anything. During our stay there was a cheerleading competition so I expected it to be crazy but that was not the case. The only lines I waited in were at lunchtime because we ended up wanting to eat right around 12 o'clock.

 

[kristieleeoz]

I'm sorry it turned out that way for you.

We are going April 21-28/ Any thoughts on what the crowds will be like?

Kristie

 

[coastgirl]

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear that. We flew out on the 10th, good luck I guess. We were there Jan 27-Feb 9 and didn't wait for anything. Glad we missed the crowds, but sorry to hear some of you didn't!

 

[SandraC]

March and April crowds are large....however, if you avoid EMH evenings, you'll be fine! S

 

[dsneygirl]

We went in 99 or 2000 around President's Day and remembered it was crazy, never again. It was also Daytona 500 this past week which I'm sure had an impact.

 

[Daddio]

Some of us have been spoiled by low to non existent crowds during off times, especially early post 9/11. But travel is back to, if not heavier than pre 9/11 and Disney seems to be getting busier all the time.

I have been this past Dec. (7 to 12), (31 to Jan 6) and Jan. (29 to Feb 6), and, for off season (not NYE but several days after), it has been packed. The quietest time was between Feb 4 and 6 during which time, SOME of the attractions at MK were close to walk on while others were not. Still 45 to 60 minute waits for Peter Pan.

It will only get busier.

 

[dsneygirl]

We were there Dec 10-17 and found it pretty quiet. We went to the park the day after EMH every day and rarely hat a wait. Other than Soarin I don't think we even used FP.

 

[mtmbyck]

Honestly, I think that ever since MYW was created, the parks are usually busy. Gone are the days of "walking on" rides (unless you get there first thing in the morning and you may hit 2 rides before the crowds). My girlfriend went labour day weekend which is supposed to be the least busy and she said it was 60 min waits for most rides. We've managed to have a great time at Easter, Christmas, March Break....it's all good. Assume there will be huge lines and just go with it.

Do fast passes, be patient, and keep your cool!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

A long weekend 'least busy' ? What website told her that? Cause they'd be flat out wrong.

Least busy holiday perhaps.. but still I would expect very decent crowds that weekend...

J

 

[dsneygirl]

A long weekend 'least busy' ? What website told her that? Cause they'd be flat out wrong.

Least busy holiday perhaps.. but still I would expect very decent crowds that weekend...

J

We've gone a couple of times at Labour Day and it has been very quiet. I think because most schools in the south go back in early-mid Aug most families don't take a holiday that early.

 

[princess pooh]

I hope the crowds have died down a little by now. The parks are closing fairly early next week and DH likes to sleep in .

 

[mtmbyck]

Birnbaum's Disney book lists Labout Day as "least Busy". Makes sense given that most parents would not pull their kids out of school their first day.

Let's face it, it will be packed next week.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Well.. that's interesting.. the Touring Plans website shows the 'peak crowds' of March as really starting to hit on Saturday March 10th. I certainly hope that's true because I arrive on Feb 25th.

I think the 26th to the March 03 will be 'moderate' crowds. 45-60 minute peak waits at the busiest time of day is roughly what TPlans projects. Given the parks close so early and that Disney discounted rooms to book that week.. who knows.. it could go either way.

Funny.. over in the main forum.. there's a post from someone who travelled the same week as the OP of this thread.. saying the crowds were unbelieveably small.

It's all so subjective.

J

 

[drag n' fly]

We were there February 6th to the 15th. From the 6th to about the 9th it was pretty good. AK on the 8th was a complete nuthouse. MK on the 14th(Valentines Day) was a nuthouse. It really got busy on the Sunday the 11th when families started showing up for President's day week. We had TGM and zagged when people zigged so we had little to no wait at all to get on rides. Worth every cent!

 

[dangler]

Don't know if this is was normal or not, but was there 10-15 and the parks were so busy. Because my DD was ill the entire time, we did not set out in the mornings until 9-10am. however, by that time the lineups at 10am were 50+ min waits?? I hoped to see Ariel in her grotto to cheer my DD up, but by 10 it had waits in excess of 1hr and got worse through the day. We did not get to see 1/2 of each parks each day, and with MK for 2 days, still missed way to much!!
So, if planning another vacation next winter, what would be a better time for crowds. Our vacation months have to be Feb/Mar or April. But not during the peak weeks.

I'm really sorry to hear that your DD was sick the entire time, how awful! I have read on the boards that the last week of Feb. or first week in March is a good time to go. We went last year the last week of April, it was busy but we did touring plans so we were fine.