MK was Crazy today!

[jcraig]

Thanks for posting the crowd status. I've invested some time into checking out the "recommended/not recommended" suggestions on easywdw, who explains the criteria for every day. I've used a few wait time apps to check in to see if the waits are inline with the suggestions. That AND this useful thread confirms that easywdw's service is very helpful.

 

[pigletto]

I've been following the Touringplans "Lines" app for the wait times at the MK today. It doesn't look too bad. It's about what I'd expect for a day that's moderate crowds.
Not very encouraging to see all these threads about how mobbed it was when we're set to leave in 11 days but at least I'll be somewhat prepared.

 

[littlejen22]

We are here now as well, and it is way busier than we anticipated. However, we planned well and aside from a bit if crowd dodging tonight, so far we've done everything we've wanted with little to no wait

When you have a chance do you mind whaling how you avoided?

 

[stinkpickle]

If this is any indication of what it's gonna be like in few weeks, I'll be glad I bought park hoppers.

 

[twinklestar22]

The weather last week in WDW was amazing. We arrived Tuesday night and left Sunday evening. Temps in mid 70's to low 80's and no rain. It was beautiful and we even got to swim on Fri. afternoon.We missed that blizzard (ironically named Nemo) which dumped about 6 inches of snow on our home in NJ. I was talking to people from NE who apparently got 2+ feet!

 

[MikeRx]

As Disney has fewer and fewer down times you need a strategy for your days at the parks. www.Easywdw.com actually mentions you need a strategy during the lower times more than during peak season. The “slower” times require better park selection each day (Josh explains this well in a few posts).
It seems the previous poster went to the MK on the "wrong day" according to Josh. I know this can't be avoide in some cases, but his site has help for you there too!

So, if you go with Josh’s (easyWDW.com) recommendation of park choice and get there for rope drop (or early character breakfast) and have an attraction plan you will have a great experience.

If you can’t fathom getting up early on vacation, enjoy your rest, but don’t complain about the crowds when you arrive with the rest of the “sleep-ins” and spend too much time in line. While many like the sleep-in and stay late strategy, it’s not one that works well with a 5-year- old, so we get up early and enjoy our lower crowd morning before lunch and then back to the resort for a swim or nap. We can always return for the evening entertainment and we are actually refreshed. If you can handle the early mornings, I think it’s the best of both worlds.

In summary…we rope drop with a character breakfast, commando the morning with our required attractions, lunch, resort for pool/nap, return to park on selected nights for entertainment.

See everyone in April (12-18) and Dream Cruise (18-21)!!

Mike DW DS (5 ) DMIL

First visit 1976, Pre-2010 too many off sites to remember, WDW 2/2010 BC CL, Disneyland GC 12/2010, WDW 4/2012 POLY TPV, WDW 7/2012 (off site), WDW 12/12 POP and 4/2013 POLY with Disney Dream cruise!

 

[Colleen27]

If you can’t fathom getting up early on vacation, enjoy your rest, but don’t complain about the crowds when you arrive with the rest of the “sleep-ins” and spend too much time in line. While many like the sleep-in and stay late strategy, it’s not one that works well with a 5-year- old,

I think that's part of why strategy matters more in the slower times - because "sleep in and stay late" just isn't a viable option when the parks close as early as they do right now. When even the EMH closing times are 9-10-11pm the crowds don't thin the way they do when EMH extends to midnight or later.

 

[diddldonna]

I am glad we have park hopper tickets, if it looks too bad at one, we will go to another I have done a plan of days on recommendation, hopefully it works we will see.

 

[geenerbell]

Well, my guess would be these are the Mardis Gras crowds rolling in, mixed with tour groups still being there, mixed with all the cheerleaders there for the competition. Most people are going to want to hit MK on their first few days and its a weekend. All of these things combined could account for the crowds. Go to easywdw and follow Josh's recommendations for what parks to do what days and you should be able to dodge the herds.

Yep!

 

[lokin4deer]

We were there from Sat Feb 2nd thru Sat Feb 9th and I will agree that in my 7 trips to WDW I have never seen crowds like this. So far I have been there in June, Sept, Oct, and Dec and this was by far the busiest I have ever seen. If this my first visit I am not sure I would ever want to go back. We had the "fifteen" girls in the Pop evidently all from Argentina and all celebrating their 15th Bdays. I was told there were 450 girls age 15 in the Pop the week we were there.

 

[KimK2006]

Anyone know Shen the cheerleaders are likely to go home? When does their competition finish? Going to be at disney world 18th for 12 days. I was expecting crowds around that week but worried its going to be even worse now. I was hoping the last week would be quiter.

Finals were yesterday, so most left today. Our only flight option (that was resonably priced) was this morning, but a lot stayed on and went to parks today and took late flights.

 

[4kids4karen]

Dance and Cheer competitions are off and on through the end of April. Some competitions are small, others like this past weekend is huge.

One of the guys that works for me is headed down for his wife to run in the Disney Princess Half Marathon 22-24 Feb, with a few additional days tacked on to make it an entire week.

Beautiful weather right now is bringing out the crowds. Locals want to enjoy the parks while the weather is nice.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This happened when Cars Land opened in DCA. I think it's 100% due to the new Fantasyland. Things will die down as time passes.