Nervous about crowds

[bluejasmine]

Ok with all the ppl who have just returned from WDW complaining about the crowds it has my worried. Now would you say the crowds are as bad as peak summer crowds or spring break? I talked DH into going at this time because I convinced him it wouldnt be crowded.. He isnt a WDW freak like the rest of us and the combination of heat and crowds and him makes me nervous..
Also I am now concerned with the reports of long waits for ADRs that we may be waisting valuable park time but I really had my heart set on my TS places..
Advise anyone? We leave Thurs..

 

[notnothin]

Ok with all the ppl who have just returned from WDW complaining about the crowds it has my worried. Now would you say the crowds are as bad as peak summer crowds or spring break? I talked DH into going at this time because I convinced him it wouldnt be crowded.. He isnt a WDW freak like the rest of us and the combination of heat and crowds and him makes me nervous..
Also I am now concerned with the reports of long waits for ADRs that we may be waisting valuable park time but I really had my heart set on my TS places..
Advise anyone? We leave Thurs..

Many are reporting crowds as bad as or worse than typical peak summer months. I wouldn't be at all surprised given the popularity of the free dining plan.

 

[ciera321]

We usually go end of May thru beginning of June. We just returned yesterday and it was a lot busier than June is. BUT, we got to the parks minutes before opening, did the moring EMH and fastpasses and we did get to do a lot before noon. I now need a vacation to rest up from my vacation...

 

[singitalto]

I just spoke to my sister who is at Disney right now. She said it is crowded! We go to WDW tomorrow. I hope it gets better !!

 

[notnothin]

I just spoke to my sister who is at Disney right now. She said it is crowded! We go to WDW tomorrow. I hope it gets better !!

Have a safe and magical trip!

 

[Harambe]

It'll be what it'll be! Dont' worry about it, and take that good advice about early mornings, fastpass, and BE FLEXIBLE.

Sipping a smoothie under a palm tree can NOT be bad, no matter what!

 

[Disneyhappy]

I am not clear when exactly you are going. I would prepare yourself mentally that it will be crowded and if it is not that bad, you are ahead of the game! That was my first mistake. I thought it would be crowded but not nearly as crowded as it was. I have visited during all peak times except Xmas, and last week was by far the busiest I have ever seen the parks. But I also believe those crowds will slow down as the weeks progress through the end of September. It is good advice to get to the parks before opening when it is less crowded, manage your fastpasses, and get the heck out of Dodge around lunchtime if the crowds are bad. Although we are WDW vets, I used Tour Guide Mike's plans this trip which I think also helped to limit further frustration this week. His daily park tours were right on the money and was not exactly how we normally did the parks. As we toured the parks, his plan was proven to be effective so this WDW vet is not too proud to admit that I don't know everything!

As far as ADRs, we were seated relatively quickly. I think our longest wait was 15 minutes at Wolfgang Pucks. Getting or changing ADRs last week was pretty impossible for the evenings.

To recap- I think you will be fine. Go with a plan. I think the worst crowds during free dining were the week of 8/13-20 and things will get progressively better.

 

[alien]

We just got back last night. The crowds were pretty heavy in all of the parks. I think it's a little more crowded than in July when we usually visit. We didn't get to do some of our favorite rides as the waits were just too long and it was pretty hot. We only stayed 5 nights and due to breakfast ADRs, couldn't make too many early park openings.
Our first TS was Alfredo's and if I had to judge the free dining plan on that restaurant, I would never go back. The meal was very rushed and our waitress was almost rude. My fettucine Alfredo seemed like it had been sitting a while as it was a dry on the top. The waitress told me to just stir it. We usually love this restaurant but it will be a long time before we try it again. There was a line outside at the podium with maybe 40-50 people trying to get a table as they had no ADRs.
On the good side, our waits for TS ADRs was minimal. The remaining TS meals were excellent - SciFi, Le Cellier, Chef Mickey's, and 'Ohana's. I think with the free dining, ADRs are a must. Le Cellier was turning away people when we checked in at 4:50 p.m.

 

[Nite0wl71]

We were there from the 11th-15th. To me it ws not crowded, but I have only gone the week before Easter before.

Went to AK on the 15th the wait at 11:30 for EE was about 20 minutes standby, then we got FF and the time was for 1:30.

 

[LBAK]

We were there on August 9-16. The 9th - 12th the crowds were light but once the 13th came they got pretty heavy. That's when the free dining started. It didn't keep us from doing anything though. Use those fastpasses!

 

[CarolinaBlue]

We were just there and I did not think it was all that crowded. Of course, I have never been this time of year, so I can only compare to my experiences in March, June, and the week before Christmas. I think it was more like June. Get to the parks early, use fastpasses, have a plan. We walked on several rides including Pirates and didn't wait more than 20 minutes for others. We used fastpass when necessary. We didn't have long waits for our ADR's or CS's. Just have fun!

 

[KTSMOM]

We were there last week and I thought it was crowded compared to my visits in Sept but not as crowded as my visits in April around spring break. Just get up in the am and go to the parks when they open. We walked on most rides from about 9-11 and then after that would use fast passes.
As for the TS, the longest wait we had was 15 mins at 1900 Park Fare. Everywhere else we were seated very quickly. So it was not bad at all!

 

[StacyPop]

Dont worry about it!
The kids down here in South Florida JUST started school. My daughter started last Friday. A lot of people from Dade and Broward counties go the week/weekend before school starts. PLUS-Florida Seasonal blackout dates JUST ended. Everyone seems to think it is from the free dining. I disagree. I have gone every year Labor Day for the last 10 yrs and it is empty immediately following Labor Day.

 

[gems_smiling]

Dont worry about it!
The kids down here in South Florida JUST started school. My daughter started last Friday. A lot of people from Dade and Broward counties go the week/weekend before school starts. PLUS-Florida Seasonal blackout dates JUST ended. Everyone seems to think it is from the free dining. I disagree. I have gone every year Labor Day for the last 10 yrs and it is empty immediately following Labor Day.

I was starting to get very worried but maybe it wont be that crowded. We arrive September 1st - 12th and usually go in late June, July or August.

 

[TinkerTracy]

I leave wednesday I hope it's less crowded

 

[WDWorBUST]

Try not to worry too much. I think these last couple of weeks of August are going to feel free dining. Think about it - if you were limited to summer because of school schedules and you could make it during free dining when would you go....so I think 8/13 to the end of the month got a lot of your normal summer vacationers that might otherwise have been there in June or July. Also you have the folks who have children that play sports that put off vacations until the kids are done but right before school starts that may have chose WDW this year because of the free dining. I think that probably from around 9/1 through 9/15 or so you will see a huge reduction in crowds then the end of the month attendance will pick up again because of free dining...after all who wouldn't go for free food AND MNSSHP! I do think if you don't have ADR's you will be up a creek because the restaurants will all be crowded - at least more so than without free dining.

 

[bluejasmine]

I leave Thursday and check into our resort Fri morning. I appreciate everyones input. I do feel better that a couple ppl have noted its not as bad as April ( I have been during Spring Break) and I was able to manage that so I feel better about the crowds I may encounter at the end of the week.

 

[jess20k]

My best friend just got back yesterday and she said that is was very crowded. She said it was worse than when she went in the middle of July 2 years ago. Regardless, try not to worry too much, because your trip is just about here and it is Disney, so as long as you are a step ahead by being prepared (especially by all the fantastic tips on Dis) just have a magical time!!!!! That's what my friend did.