My theory on the ever changing crowd level dynamic

[topolino]

Remember when you could walk into MK on any date in January and have the place to yourself? Or when the first week of December afforded you the luxury of having Epcot to yourself?

Those days are gone. I was at WDW in Jan of 09 and I'd never seen a January so crowded. Same goes for early December when you used to go in order to beat the holiday crowds. Now the holiday crowds arrive around Thanksgiving and don't leave till February. And speaking of February, that month is more crowded than ever too.

How do you explain the increase in crowds even in a "down" economy?

My theory is that fan sites just like this one (actually, especially this one, since no other carries the juice that this one does), by constantly touting the benefits of these "off" times, have actually driven crowds there at those times, thus changing the dynamic entirely.

Isn't there a term for this type of thing? Self fulfilling prophecy maybe?

In any case, I just find it interesting and even ironic, that we Disney freaks, by sharing our secrets, actually drive and change trends at the place we love.

What do you think?

 

[catycatcat4]

Lets start telling people the best time is summer.

 

[topolino]

Lets start telling people the best time is summer.

Yeah we'll tell them that the weather is cool and comfortable and that they won't even need FastPasses.

 

[chillcoupons]

I heard the best time to go is in the summer.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Remember when you could walk into MK on any date in January and have the place to yourself? Or when the first week of December afforded you the luxury of having Epcot to yourself?

Those days are gone. I was at WDW in Jan of 09 and I'd never seen a January so crowded. Same goes for early December when you used to go in order to beat the holiday crowds. Now the holiday crowds arrive around Thanksgiving and don't leave till February. And speaking of February, that month is more crowded than ever too.

How do you explain the increase in crowds even in a "down" economy?

My theory is that fan sites just like this one (actually, especially this one, since no other carries the juice that this one does), by constantly touting the benefits of these "off" times, have actually driven crowds there at those times, thus changing the dynamic entirely.

Isn't there a term for this type of thing? Self fulfilling prophecy maybe?

In any case, I just find it interesting and even ironic, that we Disney freaks, by sharing our secrets, actually drive and change trends at the place we love.

What do you think?

I agree 100%, the internet and sites like this one really spilled the beans. I remember finding out myself from the DIS that early December was a great time to go. We went the first week of December in 2004 and it was AWESOME crowd wise. I know that is not the case anymore. I have heard Pete himself say that the DIS ruined early December too. There are still a few good weeks though. I went the first week in February and crowds were very low and a friend went the first week in March and said it was good too.

I think it will shift, now that early December isn't as good, another week will get more popular and so and so on, because we are driving the trends and it is ironic, but I still wouldn't trade having the information versus not having it. There may some downsides, but there are many upsides that make it worth it.

 

[PEANUT1]

interesting theory...but then wouldn't the usually crowded times get less busy? My cousin was there this past week during her spring break and she said the crowds were the worst she had ever seen (next to christmas week of course).

 

[topolino]

I agree 100%, the internet and sites like this one really spilled the beans. I remember finding out myself from the DIS that early December was a great time to go. We went the first week of December in 2004 and it was AWESOME crowd wise. I know that is not the case anymore. I have heard Pete himself say that the DIS ruined early December too. There are still a few good weeks though. I went the first week in February and crowds were very low and a friend went the first week in March and said it was good too.

I think it will shift, now that early December isn't as good, another week will get more popular and so and so on, because we are driving the trends and it is ironic, but I still wouldn't trade having the information versus not having it. There may some downsides, but there are many upsides that make it worth it.

Interesting that Pete said that. I swear I didn't know that when I created this thread.

You make good points, and I agree that there are still good weeks. I was there the second week of September 09 and crowd levels were very manageable. If you get in and get out before F&W you'll encounter light crowds.

I also agree with you about choosing to have the info even if we have to share it. There is so much we can learn from each other, what a great resource this is.

 

[topolino]

interesting theory...but then wouldn't the usually crowded times get less busy? My cousin was there this past week during her spring break and she said the crowds were the worst she had ever seen (next to christmas week of course).

You make a good point. You'd think things would shift, and traditionally busy weeks would lighten up. But then there are other factors that drive the numbers up, such as promos like 7 for 4 and free DDP.

Spring Break week is nuts, but even that week used to be less crowded than it is now.

 

[WaltD4Me]

interesting theory...but then wouldn't the usually crowded times get less busy? My cousin was there this past week during her spring break and she said the crowds were the worst she had ever seen (next to christmas week of course).

No, I don't think that would necessarily make crowded times less busy, mainly because those times are basically when kids are out of school and will always be busy. There are alot of parents out there that won't or can't take their kids out of school for a trip to Disney, that very large group will be always be there in the summer and on school breaks.

I have noticed in slower weeks, you see alot of little kids, 5 and under, that group has figured out it's better not to go in summer or during breaks and they can do that. I also noticed alot more couples, especially older couples during "slower" weeks.

 

[hapandpam]

I am talking everyone's advice and just booked a trip for July 21. I am sure I will be walking down an empty Main Street...

 

[jewels1916]

Surely if we get all the disers to start spreading around that summer is the best time to go, we can have some sort of impact!

 

[dizneedoll]

Disney has offered some great discount promos over the last few years during these slower times of the year. That would also account for the larger crowds.