Just my observation of the crowds this weekend.

[CandCMommy]

I just wanted to share my experience with the crowds this weekend. I've been reading all the posts about the crowds and I have to say as of my experience this weekend, you can have a great time and avoid the crowds! We arrived at about 6:00-6:30 on Thursday night. The streets were PACKED with people waiting for the parade. We made our way to Frontierland where it was DEAD! Headed straight for HMH and rode with about at 15 minute wait. Stopped at some stores and rode Pirates and then onto Fantasyland where there were lines for the rides that were still open as some were already closed for fireworks. Headed on over to Nemo and found that the wait there was only 30 minutes, this was at about 8:30 pm. Got off Nemo and watched the fireworks from right there. Decided it was time to head back to the hotel for the evening.

Friday we arrived early and were able to ride all the Fantasyland rides, HMH, Pooh, Splash, Indy, BTMRR, Buzz, and Space all before 12:00. That included sitting down and having lunch at River Belle Terrace. Decided to head to DCA. Did some things there and then went back to the hotel for a nap and to get ready for MHT. I can't speak to the crowds Friday night because we didn't go back since we were at the Halloween Treat. Oh yeah, we got DREAM FASTPASSES TOO!

Saturday we arrived at 7:00 for MM and rode all the Fantasyland rides again, Matterhorn, Buzz, BTMRR, HMH, Pirates and did some shopping all before our 10:40 breakfast reservation. After breakfast we went into Innoventions and then onto DCA. Headed back to the room at about 3:30 for a nap and then back to the park at 7:00 for dinner ressie at 7:30. This is where we first experienced the crowds. It was packed on Mainstreet with everyone waiting for the parade but the cast members were doing a GREAT job with crowd control and keeping things moving. Once we got to Frontierland and New Orleans Square it was packed with people too. Went in and had dinner and came out to a park a little less but not much less crowded. Fought our way to Tomorrowland and did a few things there and decided to head to DTD. The hardest thing was getting from behind the castle to the entrance of the park. It was wall to wall people waiting for the fireworks. The cast members had the one way only crowd flow going and doing a great job I might add. It took us 15 minutes to get from Fantasyland behind the Castle to the entrance. Not bad in that mass of people.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can have a great time when it's crowed, just avoid the crowded places whenever possible. Get there at park opening! Go see the parade and fireworks on a weeknight and then stay away from Mainstreet from a half hour until parade time until after the fireworks. There are plenty of other things to do that does not involve walking down Mainstreet. Take the train or monorail out, go to DTD, go to DCA, stay in the lands away from Mainstreet. We did this and had a FABULOUS weekend! Just remember, the train and the monorail close 45 minutes before the fireworks, so keep that in mind. I think if you keep these things in mind and plan accordingly, you will have the great time we did, crowds or not!

 

[croconile]

Thanks for the great advice! We're headed to California on Saturday and, I must admit, I've been a little stressed about possible crowds. It's nice to hear a different perspective!

 

[CandCMommy]

Thanks for the great advice! We're headed to California on Saturday and, I must admit, I've been a little stressed about possible crowds. It's nice to hear a different perspective!

Don't stress! Just get there early, I mean at park opening and you will have at least 2 to 3 hours of low crowds and be able to do a lot! Catch the parade and fireworks midweek and avoid Mainstreet from 6-10 pm the rest of the nights and you should be in good shape! Since you are leaving on Sunday and I'm not sure if you are staying through the following weekend, you may not even run into any crowds! Have a great trip!

 

[mariezp]

CandCMommy, sounds like you had a wonderful trip and able to get a lot done during the time you were in the park. Great tips!

We usually watch the parade, fireworks and Fantasmic only once during our entire 2 week trip. You are correct that the best strategy is to just avoid Main Street and New Orleans anywhere near showtime if you can. Lines are often shorter on the rides becasue so many people are watching the shows.

Also, if you are not determined to stay until the park closes, you can avoid the huge rush leaving the park by exiting 15-30 minutes earlier.

On the other hand, if you are not in a hurry, it is a lot of fun to be in the very back of the park when closing time comes. While the crowd is working it's way out the gates, it's fun to do a nice leisurely stroll to the front in a near empty park