Just returned..packed parks/variable weather!

[DisFam95]

We were there 2/6-2/11. We went to MK on Monday and some CM said the parks should not be too crowded today. We've been in early Dec and Jan and used to the very low crowds. Well it was JAMMED.. 90 min waits by noon on many rides. We waited an hour for Pooh even though it said 20 min when we entered. It was miserable. I can't imagine what a holiday crowd would be like. We knew it was Mardi Gras week and would probably see a bit more crowds from LA but it was crazy. Or maybe people extending a Superbowl trip?? Epcot was Tues but that park was bigger and less noticable. MGM Wed, bit more crowded than usual. AK Thursday, bit more crowded. MK again on Friday, still way more crowded than I'm used to for a "low season".

We heard over and over from others who normally come this time about how insane the crwods were and they were not expecting it. Overall a good time. Nice weather..it got hotter than we expected then Friday it was in the 40's even though when we left it was forecasted for the 70's!! So bring layers. There were so many people yesterday in shorts and t's saying they did not bring anything else. Just because it's Florida does not mean you can wear a bathing suit 365 days a yr!! At least bring a pair of long pants/long shirt.

 

[SeeDisney]

Welcome back,


Our trip was for 1/20 to 1/29 and MK was crowded at times too. Some of the regulars (probably Florida locals) even said to me that they were stunned to see how crowded it was for that time of January.

 

[jimmiej]

DisFam95:

DW & I were at MK that same day. Gridlock, pure gridlock! Fantasyland was virtually impossible to navigate.

You're correct, the weather was nice. We noticed a lot of people wearing shorts. We didn't pack any.

 

[Harley-Mouse]

We were there on Mon also I said to DW this is what its like in summer time. Well we did what we could with FP got one for Poo bear that had a 4 hour return time. Weater was good not any problems at any other parks. Over all good trip.

 

[Okiemom]

I keep hearing the parks are more crowded. We are going over a Holiday, so I can image what it will be like. Maybe tourism is really picking up.

 

[lsutigger2]

Hummmmmmmm! Heard the crowds at NO Mardi Gras were much lighter this year. Could they have all been at WDW???
Once year my niece and I went to WDW the day after Mardi Gras and saw lots of LA folks and the crowds were larger than we thought.

 

[noladave]

We started out at Epcot on that Monday for early opening, and then when the crowds were getting thick, we went to MK. On the boat ride over, we noticed that it was VERY, VERY, crowded, so we took the boat ride back to DTC, and then on to MGM. MGM was not that crowded, most rides in the 20 minute range, and the few that were longer than that (TOT & RNRRC) we got fast passes.

WE went to MK that night, as it was the only park open past 7pm. We left MK at 9pm, didn't get a bus until after 10pm, and didn't get into the room at AK until 10:15/10:30.

Crowds were definitely bigger than expected.

 

[jtryan]

We were also at Magic Kingdom on Monday. The crowds were so bad in Fantasyland that all we did was walk right through. Fortunately, our daughters were much more interested in getting to Tommorowland which was only manageable through the use of Fastpass.

 

[Mickeycrazy]

We just got back yesterday. I agree the crowds were heavy all week. The National Cheerleading event didn't help, lots of groups all over. The other thing we experienced was a ton of ride breakdowns It started on saturday 2/5 with Philharmagic, and continued with Space Mountain numerous times, Rockin Roller Coaster numerous times, Test Track and others. We got to ride most everything, but not multiple times like my boys would like. Missed a few rides in order to get things done. The weather provided another roller coaster going from 80+ wed to 50 on friday.

 

[travelin' tigger]

The other thing we experienced was a ton of ride breakdowns It started on saturday 2/5 with Philharmagic, and continued with Space Mountain numerous times, Rockin Roller Coaster numerous times, Test Track and others.

The only day I spent at WDW was 2/7 and went to all 4 parks. Started at Epcot EMH - Test Track down right of the bat. Went to MGM, got in 2 rides on RnR and 1 on ToT. Then off to AK to ride KS with PandyPaws, but she wasn't driving until after 2pm. Back at 2pm, waited 20 min., but her truck's audio was on the fritz, so gave up and headed back to Epcot. Rode TT and saw OK, then off to MK. Went to ride BTMRR, got all the way to INSIDE the car - went down for technical difficulties!!! UGH!!! Did ride HM then headed out, passing Peter Pan whose line was 1/2 hour long 10 minutes before park closing. Decided to play it safe and watched Wishes from the ferry - that was cool!!!

Saw MANY dance teams since it was their day off from competition. In the future I'll avoid the parks on that day!!!

 

[LeGrosB]

I just made my first trip; Mon. 2/7 through fri 2/11. I was one of those Louisiana Mardi Gras travelers, and yes there were a lot of us there. It seems every other person was wearing an LSU shirt or baseball cap. Overall though, I didn't think it was that crowded for the most part. Of course, I had nothing to compare it to. I don't think we waited more than 20 minutes for anything and only made sparing use of fastpass for the most popular rides and attractions like Space Mountain. On many of the rides and attractions like the Haunted House and the Spaceship ride at Epcot, we walked right into and onto the ride.

I do wish we had used priority seating for restaurants though. We did get shut out of a couple of places I wanted to try. We used priority seating for the character breakfast at Polynesian and my girls loved it!

I wasn't even looking forward to this vacation, being the workaholic that I am. I thought it was just for kids. But, I GOT THE MAGIC! And, I'll be back.

 

[livcammom]

Fridays weather put such a damper on our day after walking around all week in the 60's & 70's Guess I shouldn't complain I'm now stuck in the house in 30's with a ton of snow on the ground in NH

 

[Luckymommyx2]

It seems like attendence, in general, has been on the rise so far this year. I remember several reports after the New Year that were expecting little to no crowds reporting that even the CM's were suprised in the levels of attendence. Maybe tourism is bouncing back. I don't know what this will mean by the time my trip rolls around!

 

[karensi]

We were there Feb 5th-Feb 12th. The crowds were much worse than I have seen in the past. Of course, I always plan to go during off peak times, which I thought this would be. I felt bad because I took my DD, DSIL and DGS for their first visit to the world and felt that they couldn't enjoy it as much as I usually do because the crowds and wait times were really much more than expected. I was also wondering if it had to do with the Superbowl being in Fl this year and/or Madi Gras time? I overheard one woman saying that she had spoken to someone who goes every year during that same week (Feb 5th to Feb12th) and that this woman was also saying that the crowds were much larger than in the past.

 

[ksc37]

We weren't there during that week, but we were there from 1/31 - 2/3. We only go during low season, so I don't know how crowded summers or holidays get. I even avoid weekend days.

Monday, Jan. 31st, it was crowded at the MK. I think it's because it was the only night that they were doing SpectroMagic. We waited about 20-45 minutes for everything (much longer than my usual experiences).

The next day (2/1), we arrived at the MK at opening and stayed until about 4 pm. We didn't wait in hardly any lines. And Wednesday (2/2) in Epcot we had low crowds as well.

I suspect that the crowds last week were due to Mardi Gras, and I believe there were cheerleaders or dancers there as well. It will probably only get worse as we go into President's day and spring break.

 

[macfamily]

Oh please, let them have an off week 3/7 thru 3/11! Please please please!

 

[petula]

Oh please, let them have an off week 3/7 thru 3/11! Please please please!

No kidding!

 

[schumacher]

I would tend to agree with the earlier post about increase in crowds due t the Superbowl. Being from PA I know a lot of people who were going down to see the Eagles. I think that in a lot of cases, in order for DH to be allowed to go to the "Game" he needed to spend a couple of days vacationing with the family and Disney would fit the bill nicely. I'm sure attendance is up a bit but I would think that the Superbowl was the reason for the overwhelming crowds.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[Stitch Inside]

It seems like attendence, in general, has been on the rise so far this year. I remember several reports after the New Year that were expecting little to no crowds reporting that even the CM's were suprised in the levels of attendence. Maybe tourism is bouncing back. I don't know what this will mean by the time my trip rolls around!

Hopefully you are "Lucky" and the crowds will have died down by then, as we will be there at the same time as you. Maybe most people will have already gone by then, and will be too broke to go again 'til the summer.

 

[STEPHILL]

We were there last week also. I think some of the parks were understaffed. The lines could have been a lot quicker had they had more ride vehicles operating. We rode Star Tours and had a 25 minute wait, but there were only 2 ride vehicles in operation. Had they had 4 operating, the wait probably would have been about 5-10 minutes. Also, my husband was talking to some guys in our hotel (WL), they said they were there on a convention and decided to take the family down for vacation since the room was being paid by their company.