Just how bad are the crowds for HEA?

[BachataMan]

Can you crowd surf?

 

[kylenne]

We have Dessert Party tickets for the Plaza Garden in late October, during a packed week of MNSSHP parties. I anticipated it would be a heavier turnout because of the lack of HEA showings, so we are splurging on the Dessert Party tickets. If this wasn't the first time we'd seen HEA, I'd be content to be over in the Tomorrowland Terrace seating and have our own table/chairs for the event. I don't mind being in a crowd, but I'd rather be comfortable and have a little wiggle room. If I have to pay extra for it, I'll rearrange spending plans accordingly to make it happen.

Same here. In our case, it’s a couple only trip (we don’t have kids), and my partner is 5’2”. Both of us have ADHD and anxiety and do poorly in crowds. This is our first time seeing HEA. So the Plaza Garden view was a no brainer, especially during MNSSHP season. And it’s the capper to our “princess day”!

Truthfully, not having kids means we have more disposable income for things like this, but we budget and save because comfort is a priority for us. I don’t put a price on that if it’s within our means, even outside of Disney. I’m the gal who pays for extra legroom on planes whenever possible because I’m 5’10” and don’t want to feel like a sardine in a can. Everyone has to do what’s best for them and their family.

 

[DisneyMim]

Well you never know. We were there on New Year's Day this year. It was a cold (for Florida) rainy day. We had no intention of watching the fireworks. We go often and are done with waiting for fireworks and have been done for years. We were on our way out and were on Main Street when it started. There was hardly anyone there. We just stopped directly in front of the castle and saw The whole thing. Honestly there were maybe 20 people. I kept looking around thinking something had to be up. It was awesome! We had seen it before, in the magic kingdom, from California Grill, Top of the World, beaches, etc. but this was crazy. Sometimes the planets are just in alignment. Lol!!

Good luck everyone and Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Well you never know. We were there on New Year's Day this year. It was a cold (for Florida) rainy day. We had no intention of watching the fireworks. We go often and are done with waiting for fireworks and have been done for years. We were on our way out and were on Main Street when it started. There was hardly anyone there. We just stopped directly in front of the castle and saw The whole thing. Honestly there were maybe 20 people. I kept looking around thinking something had to be up. It was awesome! We had seen it before, in the magic kingdom, from California Grill, Top of the World, beaches, etc. but this was crazy. Sometimes the planets are just in alignment. Lol!!

Good luck everyone and Enjoy The Magic!!

That night was unexpectedly awesome, wasn’t it?

 

[DisneyMim]

GADisney Dad14 yes it was. We've been going to Disney forever and have been there Christmas week for the past ten years. We are so use to crowds that it doesn't bother us at all. That night was totally unexpected and like most of our best Disney moments it just happened. We stopped plannng years ago and just go with the flow. Sometimes the magic appears out of nowhere and you can't plan for that.

 

[sara_s]

Me too! We did the FP option once with Wishes and then they stopped it. I know it's probably not possible logistically, but I wish there was some way they could do a dining package for HEA.

I'd be all for this!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

GADisney Dad14 yes it was. We've been going to Disney forever and have been there Christmas week for the past ten years. We are so use to crowds that it doesn't bother us at all. That night was totally unexpected and like most of our best Disney moments it just happened. We stopped plannng years ago and just go with the flow. Sometimes the magic appears out of nowhere and you can't plan for that.

Couldn’t have said it any better.

We were pretty much just lounging at the resort since it was so grey/cold that day and we had been up all night the day before... but got restless after dinner so headed to MK on a whim. Granted we pretty much put on every piece of clothing we brought with us to stay warm... but I’m so glad we did. Those few hours were such a random change from the very large crowds leading up to NYE. And HEA with so few people around the hub was wonderful.

We’ll occasionally have those unexpected moments which remind us why we go... the moments that keep us coming back. That night was definitely one of them. I agree, you can’t plan for magic.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

Go to Poly and watch or do the dessert party.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'll admit I wasn't expecting this much negative feedback. It's a bit discouraging. But glad to hear it all the same. Clearly HEA will not happen for us (if we actually go back).

That said, I asked earlier but no response: is there special wheelchair viewing spots? And if so, is it only for wheelchairs, or those who have the stroller as wheelchair pass as well?

 

[jaysmom4285]

It could be called negative feedback, but it's more like the unvarnished truth about how extreme the crowds can be. Better to be informed than to be unpleasantly surprised.

In answer to your other question, I'm quite sure there is no special wheelchair viewing spot.

 

[11290]

That said, I asked earlier but no response: is there special wheelchair viewing spots? And if so, is it only for wheelchairs, or those who have the stroller as wheelchair pass as well?

Earlier this year 2 Disability areas for HEA were created. The locations (2 roped off areas - one each on the East and West side) are in the walkway in front of the Gardens areas and "behind and to both sides" of the fountains. They are decent size areas but usually fill up pretty quickly. Not sure if it has been just an ongoing short term "test" or whether they will continue to offer on a long term basis (that's above my pay grade). In the generally recent past, there has not been a dedicated Disability area (other than those Guests that had pulled a Fireworks FastPass) for the fireworks presentation, only for the Parades.

 

[DisneyOma]

I won't be planning on standing in a crowd for HEA ever again. The CMs had everyone packed in like sardines, and kept telling the crowd to move forward. Then there was the last minute 'put the kid on dad's shoulder' jerk and the 'ipad over the head' idiot. So we basically saw none of the castle projections, but the people in front of us heard some pretty interesting words out of my mouth...

 

[Beer Me]

It's been awhile - July of 2017 - maybe things are getting worse. But we staked out a spot right behind the Walt and Mickey statue about an hour before the show. We were able to sit on the ground up until about 15 minutes before it started. It continuously got more and more crowded but not jam packed. At any time we could have moved around or left if we wanted to. The time and minor discomfort was worth it to me.

Alternately we watched from the Poly beach on a different night lying drunk on loungers. Not as good of a show but zero discomfort.

 

[mareed]

I won't be planning on standing in a crowd for HEA ever again. The CMs had everyone packed in like sardines, and kept telling the crowd to move forward. Then there was the last minute 'put the kid on dad's shoulder' jerk and the 'ipad over the head' idiot. So we basically saw none of the castle projections, but the people in front of us heard some pretty interesting words out of my mouth...

We had the same thought about the ipads held up up and the kids on shoulders - along with cell phones held up in the air everywhere, and have decided that we'll skip it on our upcoming trip that's our first real extended parks trip in almost 6 years.

We mostly switched to cruising in the last 6 years, and it's really hard to take the decline in the parks experience (fastpasses limited, food prices outrageous, and still larger crowds!) compared to the way we used to tour. We had a set of 6 day passes to use so we'll use those in 2 weeks, but this may be our last extended WDW trip ever! We'll continue to use our non-expiring passes a day or two at a time along with a cruise and also our stash of non-expiring waterpark passes in the same way - but just don't see a dedicated 1-2 week WDW trip like we used to do and love!

 

[thegales]

Earlier this year 2 Disability areas for HEA were created. The locations (2 roped off areas - one each on the East and West side) are in the walkway in front of the Gardens areas and "behind and to both sides" of the fountains. They are decent size areas but usually fill up pretty quickly. Not sure if it has been just an ongoing short term "test" or whether they will continue to offer on a long term basis (that's above my pay grade). In the generally recent past, there has not been a dedicated Disability area (other than those Guests that had pulled a Fireworks FastPass) for the fireworks presentation, only for the Parades.

To add to this, there were six of us last February, with one on an ECV. We asked about the disability area, and were told only four guests were allowed with the person on the ECV. We understood why they made this rule, but we all wanted to be together. We found another spot (about 90 minutes before the show). We had had a great day, and did not mind just sitting and resting while waiting for the show. We were able to see the disability area from our spot, and it was overflowing, at least 30 minutes prior to show time. I think it was just as packed as other areas around the hub with many folks standing, so only those right at the front would be able to see from a sitting position. And once it was full, with there no being no more room, folks in wheel chairs really had no place to go, as they could not squeeze through any crowds to find another spot.

So my recommendation, ask early about the locations, then get there at least 45 minutes before to get a spot closer to the front of that area. And recognize that the number of guests is limited.

 

[ww52]

In response to mareed - who said "it's really hard to take the decline in the parks experience (fastpasses limited, food prices outrageous, and still larger crowds!) compared to the way we used to tour."

So true. Disney used to build new parks to spread the crowds around. Someone figured out they could just raise prices WAY faster than most anything except maybe college tuition and make more rather than spend more money.

The dessert thing for HAE goes up $10 the end of the month. What - other than pure greed applied to the almost artificially created demand - justifies a nearly 20% increase overnight?

Club level at deluxe resorts gives you the ability to double your preplanned fast passes - for an additional fee of course. And people keep shelling out the money and justify it because they are buying convenience. While the overall experience for most people declines.

Those that can afford it - or choose to give up other uses of disposable income, or choose to go into debt - scoff at complaints like this. "If you don't like it - don't go!" And as mareed says - many who knew a simpler time are deciding just that. Sadly, younger people will never know a time when it was all more enjoyable WITHOUT having to pay so much extra for it.

And as my son said yesterday as we continue to plan with his family - what would Walt think of this upper vs middle class attitude his company has created?

Understand - this is our 8th family trip and it won't be our last. But we'll clearly have had much better trips in the past. (Wow - I sound like a grumpy old man!)

 

[B. Shoe]

I won't be planning on standing in a crowd for HEA ever again. The CMs had everyone packed in like sardines, and kept telling the crowd to move forward. Then there was the last minute 'put the kid on dad's shoulder' jerk and the 'ipad over the head' idiot. So we basically saw none of the castle projections, but the people in front of us heard some pretty interesting words out of my mouth...

I've set one hard and fast rule for myself; don't take photos of anything on this trip that you won't already find on the Internet. There are gorgeous, HD/4K videos of HEA, with a perfect view of the fireworks and projections, and quality sound, on YouTube. Maybe I'll snap a photo of DD10 when the fireworks are in the sky and I can catch a dimly lit photo of her smiling during the show. Plus, I'm a taller guy and I try to take consideration of others around me when we're at concerts/events, etc.

Plus, you can't really enjoy the show THEN, if all you're doing is trying to record it to watch again LATER.

 

[SouloTravlr]

$69 adults, $41 kids 3-9, starting 5/28.

 

[SCSteve]

So basically, if you want to see the projections - pay for the dessert party, or camp out an hour or two in advance and be packed in like a sardine?

Sadly, that sounds pretty much standard procedure

 

[ww52]

Just think, in less than 10 years, we'll be able to buy an entire VR Disney vacation and not have to worry about crowds.

(To be clear, I'm being perfectly serious. I don't expect anyone doubts this. Well, maybe we won't be able to BUY it - they will charge to rent it and it will expire like park tickets do, so many days after first use.)