Magical ? Not so much.

[Love Tink]

And you chose to visit the busiest park at WDW during the holiday season (one of the busiest seasons of the year), only to find that it was...you guessed it...BUSY.

It is not the holiday season at Walt Disney World. The holiday season begins December 18.

 

[subtchr]

The crowd issues, the cleanliness issues, the cost issues are all valid concerns....however i find that folks who remember what the parks were like just 15 years ago compared to today, are often drowned out by the Disney walks on water, If you cant afford it dont go, Disney is not a charity crowd.....There was however a clear and distinct difference in Disney back then. there was such a thing as low crowd times during the year. A middle class family could afford to purchase a DVC membership and make it work (the original price was $11,300 for 230 points (financed over 3-10 years), which was $51 per point). Right now DVC is selling for $165 a point at a resort that basically only has studios. Today my family of four annual passes WITH THE DISCOUNT cost north of $2,000, and with that price i cant travel during my favorite week, Christmas due to blackout dates......But hey, according to my friends, The stockholders are happy with record profits. so what if its not as clean, or affordable... minor details!

This is an honest question: Do you have a solution for making it more affordable? If prices are simply lowered, what would the effect be on the crowd level?

 

[gmboy95]

This is an honest question: Do you have a solution for making it more affordable? If prices are simply lowered, what would the effect be on the crowd level?

I think the crowd levels have little to do with the pricing, and if disney is pricing for that, shame on them....i think the crowds have to do with an ever increasing amount of resorts (DVC, which i am a member since 2000) has built a ton of resorts, without there being corresponding growth to match it in the parks.....also keep in mind, that 9/11 decimated the operating budgets in these parks, and much of that level of service never really returned....so the pricing to me that is something like 800 times cost of living adjustments is simply ridiculous

 

[gmboy95]

i think if pricing had folowed more of an inflation and cost of living track (not completely, as it is a business)...we woudl be in a much different place

 

[gmboy95]

And you chose to visit the busiest park at WDW during the holiday season (one of the busiest seasons of the year), only to find that it was...you guessed it...BUSY.

I have been to disney from Christmas eve through new years day 6 times...i was there during new years ever 1999 in Epcot....the crowds nowadays are ridiculous compared to what they were 10 or more years ago....its simple math....look at how many on property resorts exist now that didnt over a decade ago

 

[whiporee]

This is an honest question: Do you have a solution for making it more affordable? If prices are simply lowered, what would the effect be on the crowd level?

There is no way to make it more affordable. If they made it cheaper, more people would likely come. They already see spikes when they offer free dining or heavy room discounts, so the cheaper it gets, the more people come.

I've been a proponent (and people yell at me for it) that the park ought to be only one to resort guests a couple of times a week because it would focus the resort guests on those days and would reduce the number of resort visitors on the other days (because thy would likely focus on the resort-only days). But that would affect crowds and do nothing about affordability.

Because it's really affordability on its own -- no one would scoff if for their hundred bucks they got an all-day VIP tour It's the crowds and the waits that become an issue when measured against the cost -- value rather than expense. So if they limited the crowds, the value might be seen a larger. But there's no way to limit crowds short of raising prices dramatically, and few want to see that.

 

[minnie mum]

The OPs experience is a perfect example of what happens when you fail to plan. And the lack of planning was a deliberate choice. I would have been surprised if it had turned out well. I can't imagine that in the internet age many people spend hundreds of dollars for an outing without doing some rudimentary research. Sorry, OP, that your visit turned out so poorly, but I'd like to suggest a few things, for your next trip.

- Before your next visit, and at least the day before, have a look at one of the crowd calendars like easywdw.com or touringplans.com. Find out what the crowd level is predicted to be for that day. Check to see what the recommended and least recommended park is. Easywdw gives a daily review of the major factors that will affect crowds at each of the parks. As an example, it would have told you that MK was the least recommended park that day and would see very high crowds due to it being an EMH day and because the park was closing early on other nights that week for Christmas parties. If you don't like crowds, don't go to the least recommended park without a park hopper. Or prepare yourself for longer standby lines.

- Educate yourself about FP+. Make your FP selections in advance, not after you arrive in the parks, if you want particular attractions at particular times.

- Have a general park touring strategy so you don't have to spend too much time standing in lines. This doesn't have to be a time consuming process. Easywdw has cheat sheets for every park. Print them out or download them to your phone and you're done.

This would take less than an hour to do. Seems like time well spent to avoid what you went through on your last trip.

As for your other comments- we've only noticed trash problems on our most crowded days. I think Disney does a better job than most cleaning up after the slobs who throw their garbage on the ground instead of one of the garbage cans nearby.

And Disney food has always been more expensive than comparable food you would get at home. This is nothing new, and is no different than at other Tourist attractions. If the cost of dining in the park is too daunting, then you are free to bring your own food with you.

 

[PurpleDog]

LOL

I did not expect you Disney folks to agree with me or even be a little sympathetic.
My goal was to to relate to you - and perhaps a newbie to the site - what a non Disneyite experienced a week ago tomorrow at MK.

I understand it's December, but I would not of figured that a weekday before any of the schools in the US are out for Christmas break to be crowded.
Boy, I was wrong !

If and when I do return - and I suppose I have to because there is no way to sell the remaining 3 days I have - I will research the crap out of my visit.
But, I again want to make the point that it is amusement park, and in my humble opinion, you should not have to plan a visit to it like the D Day invasion.
I normally am a huge planner, but my wife asked me to just "go with the flow" and not overthink this visit.
We both wanted to see 8 attractions - one an hour we figured when you factor in eats and bathroom breaks.

I do have photos showing instances where we found the park to be just plain dirty, if anyone cares to see them.

I also think that by just saying that the food prices are "just the way it is" we are condoning them - and they will only go higher.
We all know that a hot dog and a Diet Coke should not cost over $10 - don't we ?
Or is that hot dog and Diet Coke OK to be priced ridiculously high because its Disney ?
If you think that is OK, then I hope you enjoyed the Disney kool aid also. =)

Have a great holiday season folks !
I want to wish you all a prosperous and healthy 2016.

 

[rlduvall]

The park was insanely crowded, IMO on our visit last week. However, we never waited more than 20 minutes for ANY attraction.

I was there last week and also thought the crowds were pretty bad. That being said, I had 2 morning visits planned for Magic Kingdom and those were fabulous. Got there at rope drop; rode everything I wanted; used my 3 FPs and had a grand old time - out of there by 1:00 p.m. HOWEVER, the evening of 12/09 [the day OP was there], I rode the boat over to MK after a lovely dinner at Narcoossee's. I had saved my 3 FPs for that evening, BUT MK will still such a zoo I stayed barely an hour and got the heck out of dodge. Which was sad for me because I just love MK at night, but being a seasoned visitor . . . it just wasn't worth the stress.

I personally wish they would drop doing so many party nights, but I know they never will. I'm sure that contributed to the insane crowds that night, a non-party night. Out of my 6 night trip, 4 nights were MVMCP at MK.

 

[Jennasis]

LOL

I did not expect you Disney folks to agree with me or even be a little sympathetic.
My goal was to to relate to you - and perhaps a newbie to the site - what a non Disneyite experienced a week ago tomorrow at MK.

I understand it's December, but I would not of figured that a weekday before any of the schools in the US are out for Christmas break to be crowded.
Boy, I was wrong !

If and when I do return - and I suppose I have to because there is no way to sell the remaining 3 days I have - I will research the crap out of my visit.
But, I again want to make the point that it is amusement park, and in my humble opinion, you should not have to plan a visit to it like the D Day invasion.
I normally am a huge planner, but my wife asked me to just "go with the flow" and not overthink this visit.
We both wanted to see 8 attractions - one an hour we figured when you factor in eats and bathroom breaks.

I do have photos showing instances where we found the park to be just plain dirty, if anyone cares to see them.

I also think that by just saying that the food prices are "just the way it is" we are condoning them - and they will only go higher.
We all know that a hot dog and a Diet Coke should not cost over $10 - don't we ?
Or is that hot dog and Diet Coke OK to be priced ridiculously high because its Disney ?
If you think that is OK, then I hope you enjoyed the Disney kool aid !

It's not an amusement park...it is a RESORT. That's like saying the Grand Canyon is a hole in the ground.

 

[PurpleDog]

My comments were ONLY about MK.
The last time I checked, they do not have hotels inside the MK, with the exception of the sleep in the castle deal.
So MK is not a resort in the traditional sense of the word.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I also think that by just saying that the food prices are "just the way it is" we are condoning them - and they will only go higher.
We all know that a hot dog and a Diet Coke should not cost over $10 - don't we ?
Or is that hot dog and Diet Coke OK to be priced ridiculously high because its Disney ?

Food is definitely expensive at Disney, but if you have visited other amusement parks or sports venues, you will find that the prices are very similar.

 

[baler31]

I understand it's December, but I would not of figured that a weekday before any of the schools in the US are out for Christmas break to be crowded.
Boy, I was wrong !

Yet, you arrived with school age children yourself. Everyone figured the same thing and wondered why it was so crowded. People remove kids from school all the time and many schools now have totally different break schedules allowing for trips at many different times of the year.

Your 5 & 6 year old most likely could have booked your FP+ reservations for you. Many kids receive a tablet in kindergarten now for schoolwork and are far move savvy than many adults. We overheard a child of 6 or 7 correcting someone at a kiosk recently and telling them which rides they should book FP for .

I agree it is too crowded, I too wish they would just raise ticket prices and reduce the numbers allowed in the park. Easy way to avoid this is book a VIP premium tour and relax and enjoy the day.

 

[subtchr]

I think the crowd levels have little to do with the pricing, and if disney is pricing for that, shame on them....i think the crowds have to do with an ever increasing amount of resorts (DVC, which i am a member since 2000) has built a ton of resorts, without there being corresponding growth to match it in the parks.....also keep in mind, that 9/11 decimated the operating budgets in these parks, and much of that level of service never really returned....so the pricing to me that is something like 800 times cost of living adjustments is simply ridiculous

i think if pricing had folowed more of an inflation and cost of living track (not completely, as it is a business)...we woudl be in a much different place

I have been to disney from Christmas eve through new years day 6 times...i was there during new years ever 1999 in Epcot....the crowds nowadays are ridiculous compared to what they were 10 or more years ago....its simple math....look at how many on property resorts exist now that didnt over a decade ago

I am trying to wrap my head around your point. So you are saying that the reason the parks are over-crowded is because Disney built too many resorts? That they should have expanded the parks before they built the extra resort capacity?

And by "if the pricing had followed inflation and cost of living track" , I assume you are saying that prices would be lower than they are now, is that right? And this would fix the problems how? Wouldn't more people come to the parks, if the price was lower, and make it even MORE crowded?

 

[Baklava]

LOL

I did not expect you Disney folks to agree with me or even be a little sympathetic.
My goal was to to relate to you - and perhaps a newbie to the site - what a non Disneyite experienced a week ago tomorrow at MK.

I understand it's December, but I would not of figured that a weekday before any of the schools in the US are out for Christmas break to be crowded.
Boy, I was wrong !

If and when I do return - and I suppose I have to because there is no way to sell the remaining 3 days I have - I will research the crap out of my visit.
But, I again want to make the point that it is amusement park, and in my humble opinion, you should not have to plan a visit to it like the D Day invasion.
.

No, you really don't. I think everyone including you will be happier if you don't. You don't like Disneyworld. You don't like the people who do like Disneyworld. Spending your time in Disneyworld or talking to the people who like Disneyworld is not going to make you happy. There's no point in making yourself unhappy over this.

 

[subtchr]

I was there last week and also thought the crowds were pretty bad. That being said, I had 2 morning visits planned for Magic Kingdom and those were fabulous. Got there at rope drop; rode everything I wanted; used my 3 FPs and had a grand old time - out of there by 1:00 p.m. HOWEVER, the evening of 12/09 [the day OP was there], I rode the boat over to MK after a lovely dinner at Narcoossee's. I had saved my 3 FPs for that evening, BUT MK will still such a zoo I stayed barely an hour and got the heck out of dodge. Which was sad for me because I just love MK at night, but being a seasoned visitor . . . it just wasn't worth the stress.

I personally wish they would drop doing so many party nights, but I know they never will. I'm sure that contributed to the insane crowds that night, a non-party night. Out of my 6 night trip, 4 nights were MVMCP at MK.

We were there, too. We only had 4 days in the parks (Tues-Fri), so Wednesday was the ONLY non-party night at the MK for us. But we had a blast! We went to MK from rope drop until about 4 on Tuesday, and the crowds were VERY manageable, thanks to it being a party night. Then on Wednesday, we did DHS from rope drop until 4:30, and came over to MK for an ADR at LTT and the night time shows. Yes, it was VERY crowded until after Wishes, but then it was fantastic, if you could have stuck it out. They added an extra hour that night to park hours, so EMH was 11:00 - 1:00. We rode 4-5 rides and enjoyed an almost empty park by the last half hour. So much fun!

 

[leebee]

In some ways I can almost understand doing this
Not complaining about it but I have wondered what is it like to someone who walks up to buy a 1-2 day ticket
This was DH, DD and I back in 2002. At Christmas time at that.
It worked out well for us, we went to Epcot as we had never been there before.
We walked up and got seated at Biergarten, saw Illuminations (or whatever it was called then) without planning, and got a good view.
But I do shudder to think what would happen to us if we were to do that today
It would not go as well, I'm guessing.

Actually, it can work out quite well, as DD22 and I did something similar in Nov. 2015. We had been at Disney Studios for the day, but of course all the ADRs were gone so we figured we'd eat counter service. However, we were hot, hungry, and exhausted by mid-afternoon, so decided that we needed a nice, sit-down TS dinner if we were going to make it long enough to see Osborne Lights. We tried for an ADR somewhere at the Studios, but it was a level 8 crowd, so of course nothing had "opened up." Around 4:30, she checked Biergarten and there was plenty of availability, so she made a reservation for 7:30. We saw Indiana Jones and then rode the Great Movie Ride (no FP+ for either) and then took the boat to Epcot. We had dinner, leaving the restaurant right at 9pm, when Illuminations was starting. We found a decent viewing spot, watched the show, hustled over to the boat, and caught the last 30 mins. of Osborne Lights. SO, being almost a walk-up at Biergarten and just watching Illuminations without stalking a viewing spot worked out quite nicely, for us!

I actually agree, in some respects, with the OP. They have multi-day tickets, they've used them in the past, they've been to WDW before and "know" how it works. Why would he think he'd need to research the heck out of it? Also, although we met some very, very friendly cast members in November, we also met just as many who'd roll their eyes at any question asked. SO rude! When you are stationed next to the FP+ machine at the FP+ kiosk, isn't it your job to help people with FP+ selections, answer their questions, etc.? Apparently not... it interrupted them scrolling on their phones, or just talking with another CM (and we could hear the conversation, it wasn't about work, unless Disney now encourages its employees to get "soooo wasted!"). So, yeah, I kind-of understand the point the OP is making!

 

[PurpleDog]

No, this recent trip was just my wife and I - both 50 somethings. No grand kids this time.
Again folks, I was and am relating my OPINION of my visit.
Whether or not you agree or disagree with my opinion means absolutely nothing to me.
It's my opinion and I am of course entitled to it.

Have a wonderful holiday season everyone, and a great 2016.
I am over and out !

 

[Jennasis]

My comments were ONLY about MK.
The last time I checked, they do not have hotels inside the MK, with the exception of the sleep in the castle deal.
So MK is not a resort in the traditional sense of the word.

On the contrary ...it is part of the vast resort complex, with many tens of thousands of visitors taking part in its offerings daily. The MK alone has reports of averaging over 50k per day. It's more than an "amusement park " period.

 

[baler31]

No, this recent trip was just my wife and I - both 50 somethings. No grand kids this time.
Again folks, I was and am relating my OPINION of my visit.
Whether or not you agree or disagree with my opinion means absolutely nothing to me.
It's my opinion and I am of course entitled to it.

Have a wonderful holiday season everyone, and a great 2016.
I am over and out !

Sorry, I misread that you had a 5 and 6 year old with you. The one thing I totally agree on is the location of the kiosks. They can be hard to find and in some cases they have moved them around frequently in many areas of all the parks.