Observations From Last Week

[NJ Goofy]

We just returned from a week long stay and as a Disney veteran, I have the following comments/opinions:

1) Stayed at BLT for the 1st time, we thought it was nice and convenient to MK but we really weren't in love with it. The studios are fairly small and the walk over to the Contemporary on the open skyway wasn't pleasant when it was cool out or raining.
2) The parks were IMO crowded for January, there were thousands of guests there from South America. We discovered it was their "summer break", so any thoughts of having the parks to "ourselves" went right out the window. Don't think we'll return in January, just too cool, we missed our afternoon pool breaks. As noted in several posts over the last few months, I just don't think there is a quiet time of year at the parks any more.
3) Though I'm not a fan of using the buses the service was surprisingly good.
4) Went on POTC 3 times, most we got was a light spray in the face. No boats had standing water in them and I saw no one soaked.
5) Disney Springs is finally starting to look good. We walked around for a couple hours and while there is still construction going on the bridge, the boathouse, the food trucks, etc. all looked great.
6) We went to HS for extras magic hours and kinda think it's a waste of time, they only keep a few rides open and of course they get fairly crowded. TSM was closed because of the fireworks and that was the one attraction we would have waited to ride.
7) EPCOT is our favorite park, but it definitely needs another headliner. Especially with Soarin being refurbished. Hopefully, they'll do something after Avatar is built.
8) Speaking of Avatar construction is well under way, three large cranes set-up and you can make out the "floating rocks" being built.

Just my general notes on our trip last week, if anyone has any questions ................

 

[DisneyOma]

That's odd - my daughter just came back from a week's trip at WDW yesterday and said the parks were empty until Saturday.

 

[jsrj21]

This has been the common theme - that there are no "down" times any more. My family and I only visit in the summer because I'm a teacher but I hope to go during different times of the year. I agree with you though, the pool breaks are priceless - and in the August heat, they are awesome! Thanks for the update and your thoughts!

 

[bksomody]

I went last year the week of 1/18 and it was crowded and I'm use to going during crowded times. (We're going Easter week this year.) Trying to get around the hub was impossible, we waited for the 11:00 MSEP thinking it would be less crowded but couldn't find a spot. We also noticed A LOT of South Americans. I wouldn't go again at that time.

 

[Jawolf]

We have also just returned from a weeks trip staying at AKV. We arrived on the Thursday so very busy with Disney runners and yes we also noticed a lot of guests from the south Americas. Now knowing that this is their summer break helps to understand why they are all there!

From my perspective it was busy but we did manage to do all 4 parks and all of the rides that we wanted to do. We normally have to travel Mid August due to our son being in school, but we escaped thanks to his Grandmother looking after him!!!! January not as quiet as expected but no way as busy as our normal times.
We did find that by the Tuesday, the majority of runners had left and all parks were quieter.

We also had great fun getting back onto POTC and a slight splash but certainly not soaked. We did however get "shot" by an air cannon from the fort! Felt it right across side of my face and then my wife said it got her right in the face.

Since August in Disney Springs, the buildings have grown behind the boards! So it is certainly taking more shape as well as looking and sounding great!

I expected cooler weather but it got a lot cooler down to around 43 degrees farenheit (6 degrees centigrade)
I was really pleased to have my winter coat with me from England!

Only had 2 bad days then at least daytime temperatures picked up so I was comfortable in jeans and T shirt.

 

[nkereina]

That's odd - my daughter just came back from a week's trip at WDW yesterday and said the parks were empty until Saturday.

Crowd levels are relative. Some may consider waits 20 minutes or less to be "empty", others may consider "empty" to be walk on rides. The stores and streets may feel crowded with people, but ride wait times are minimal as well. Just depends on what your expectations are. I will say it's getting harder to gauge how busy or not busy it is with FP+ jacking up stand by times.

 

[TippeeCanoe]

I was there the 10th-14th. I agree with your number 2 point. Lots of South Americans and the parks were much busier than I anticipated. I was disappointed crowd calendars were so far off the mark. Wait times were high for all the headliners, as well as secondary rides.

 

[lubob]

I was there last week as well and the parks were very crowed for January. For magic kingdom to close at 8 pm during the week with crowds like that it was crazy !!

 

[kashzan]

We were there 1/8 thru 1/14 and almost everything in all 4 parks were walk on, or less than 10 minute wait.

 

[TippeeCanoe]

We were there 1/8 thru 1/14 and almost everything in all 4 parks were walk on, or less than 10 minute wait.

That wasn't my experience at all, nor was it true for any of the parks I visited.

 

[gjramsey]

We were there 1/8 thru 1/14 and almost everything in all 4 parks were walk on, or less than 10 minute wait.

Not my experience. We were in the parks 8th through the 10th, and most everything was 20+ minutes with some the headliners being over 60 (SDMT, Space, TT, EE). We were able to hit almost all of the must-dos with FP+. Still not a fan on FP+.

 

[momimouse27]

As far as the parks go, I had some of the same observations as the OP did.

Our trip was 11/14-11/19 and when we were at Epcot, I realized that with Innoventions almost completely shut down on one side, we didn't have FP for Soarin, so that was a skip and Maelstrom being closed, we can actually do Epcot in one day, which we used to never be able to do. We sat through the movie in France for the first time in several years, and it desperately needs updating. It's showing it's age. I did enjoy the new attraction in Innovention(the Color thing...can't remember the name right now!)

During my particular visit, I found the crowds to be light to moderate. Even at MVMCP we walked on to everything but a couple. We only waited 20 minutes for PPF, which is really saying something. Even the crowd at the first parade was sparse. I was surprised.

I really like what Disney Springs is shaping up into. I like the feel, and the shops are unique. We hung out in the evening near the boathouse and Disney seems to be trying to recapture that feel of evening entertainment and crowd involvement that was lost when PI went belly up. They were having a dance party with all the kids and everyone was watching the boats launch. It was fun.

 

[OchreHand]

I just got back too came for the marathon but stayed a week at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

AKL: incredible, beautiful resort. I can see why it's so well loved. It was my first time and I left feeling impressed.

Crowd levels: I can see why this is subjective. Magic Kingdom "felt" more crowded than years past. Fantasy Land -- sheesh! Talk about large masses of people. You were either dodging double strollers or large groups. I suppose wait times for Peter Pan or Mine Coaster will never dip below 40 min for long periods of time.

Crowds at the other parks were more manageable but you still need fast passes for headliners.

Both days I went to Epcot it was either cold (Mon 11th) or raining in the morning (15th) so the weather kept some people at bay. I actually watched Illuminations that Monday with hardly anyone around me when I stood on the bridge. Without Soarin, the Land pavilion wasn't nearly as busy whenever I rode Living with the Land.

DHS crowds were around TSMM or Star Tours but if you manage a Fast Pass you won't have to deal with them too much.

Will it ever feel like you have the parks all to yourself? Eh probably not. When I visited in 2012 it was nice but Disney doesn't want empty parks...

 

[monkyby87]

To some, and maybe myself, a 20 minute wait is "walk-on". I don't know if you should ever expect to literally walk on a ride, not in this day and age.

 

[DSLRuser]

This has been the common theme - that there are no "down" times any more. !

Disney has hundreds of Marketing professionals whose entire job is to ensure every hotel room is sold out every day. Plan for 10's be excited by 8's.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Just got back from the 9th-15th. Most everything was a walk-on at every park we visited. Walkways were busy, but even the headliner rides were <50 minutes.