Ok Tell the Truth! Anyone just back and how are the crowds?

[Meagansmom]

Anyone back recently - how are each of the parks as far as the crowds? You hear that the parks are busy from some people and you read on this website for instance that the parking lots are only 20% full and cutbacks are deep. What are your thoughts?
Just curious!!!

 

[wdwguide]

Last Sunday was pretty dead at Epcot and the Studios, with the parking lots being at less than 25% of capacity from what I could tell when we pulled in.

 

[susy]

My mom's neigbors just returned . They did two days at the MK and said the lines were about 25 minutes. They got there at opening and stayed all day.

 

[Madhatter266]

For the most part MGM and Epcot were not crowded at all. Last Saturday, we felt that MK was fairly busy. Fast Pass for BTRR was 75 minutes out. Parade route for the evening was packed.

 

[mike80124]

We just got back from 3/30 to 4/7 parks seemed not to crowded we found that tues at mk was crowded but friday was not most rides had 10 min waits space was 30 min and splash about the same mgm was walk on expect tower of terror had a 50min and rockin was 35 . . epcot was walk on for all execpt test track had at 35 min wait which for spring break time that is not bad most rides were empty ... same with ak walked on all rides or had 10 min wait at the most . it was a great time and great weather

 

[CarolA]

using my parking lot review method, I would say things are slow. At Epcot the parking lot was very empty and it was not too crowded at AK. Sunday night at Boardwalk around 6 pm I could have walked into any resturant for dinner without a wait (except maybe ESPN, I did not check there!) I did not do many rides on my weekend trip but really never felt crowded. Now I did not do MK, which probably has something to do with it!

 

[Shelly]

Just back, not crowded. The most crowds we found were MK, but it was a Sunday. Went back Wednesday and no crowds to be seen. Went last minute to Chef Mickeys 6pm, and were seated right away. I was shocked because I tried to get PS before the trip with no luck. All the other parks not busy at all. Parking lots not full at all. MK will be your busiest.

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back were there April 4-8. MK was fairly busy but the other parks were really quiet. ToT was a walk on in the middle of the afternoon. At Epcot they didn't even have parking trams running since you could walk to the front.

 

[eeyore0062]

When we were there March 23-28 it was very crowded in the parks. There were many touring groups at that time, such as cheerleaders, high school bands and choruses... also, it was spring break for some of the areas in Florida as well as other parts of the country.

Most of the March Spring breaks were over after that week, so naturally a lull in the crowds would be expected... however, starting this week the crowds will likely pick up alot, as many schools have their spring breaks the 2 weeks surrounding Easter. All of the kids where I live have spring break starting tomorrow, but others have theirs the week after Easter, so if you are going during that time, just plan to deal with crowds the best you can... but have a good time!

 

[Plan Man]

I am convinced after reading these boards for several years that crowd estimates and wait times are very very subjective.

Waits are based on what you expect and what you really want to do at the park. I have met people who have no problem waiting 40+ minutes for their "headliner" ride and think nothing of it.

I think the best way to judge crowds is to read as many trip reports and "just back" messages as possible. Somewhere in the middle is usually the truth. So ...... take my report with a grain of salt too.

We were there from 3-29 to 4-5.

MK was crowded - not summmer time packed but crowded. Headliner rides were 30+ minutes. Parade day was very crowded = it took at least an hour to get back to the parking lot.

At all the other parks - early entry or even getting to the park at opening if it wasn't an early entry day was still a good idea. We were able to ride most everything with little or no wait, but about 1.5 hours after the park opened there were waits for all of the headliner attractions. We were at AK three times and the wait for the Primeval Whirl was 30-40 minutes every time. The posted time said 20 minutes but the CM at the front said 45 minutes so I am guessing 30-40.

We also ate at several rest. and found them all to be busy. At dinner there were waits at all the nice restaurants in Epcot and MGM. Many had waits of one hour or more for groups greater than 2. Now I know that often you can't even get in but an hour wait means there are plenty of people around!

 

[PattiPB]

4/2-4/8---FABULOUS weather!

We are teachers, so virtually all of our trips are "peak". Usually Feb break, early June, pre-Spring break.

To me it is all about planning! If you either do or completely avoid EE park, you are fine. On Fri night we got to MK at 4-ish to finish the night and watch fireworks. I was still able to get a FP for Splash for 6:15!!! I was completely shocked!!!! Nobody can convince me MK was crowded if FP were still available for Splash and Pooh! Sat. morning at 10:30 we arrived at Epcot (9 am opening) and TT still only had a 10 minute wait!

BUT!!! We went to TL on Monday (never been before) and I thought it was quite busy (due to BB closed). I went to buy lunch around 11:30, and I asked the check-out girl. She said it was an extremely slow day for them. So, it's all in your perspective and expectations!

Patti

 

[BonnieA]

Just got back yesterday 4/10 from an 8 day trip to WDW & Universal. I'm used to going at very non busy times (early Dec and January). The crowds weren't as bad as I thought they would be. MK seemed busy but if you get there early, you can do a whole lot and then make good use of fastpass. Crowds were very manageable at MGM, Epcot and MGM. Typhoon Lagoon seemed busy but it was a hot day so that was expected. Universal seemed more crowded. Since we stayed at Hard Rock we were able to get front of the line access.

 

[BadgerBruce]

Just returned today. Went to TL last Saturday & Sunday-crowds light. On Monday it was pretty crowded. Epcot was pretty light all week, but very busy on Friday. Also went to Studios Friday morning and it was very busy, also. Animal Kingdom was packed on Thursday, in spite of the cold weather. Went to MK on Saturday & it was normal for that day-pretty crowded. Seems all the crowds were picking up at the end of the week--maybe due to Easter arriving soon? As we only went on rides using FP or those having a short wait, this is a very unscientific report!

 

[Poohbear123]

And MK was crowded. LOTS of Spring breakers and School Groups, but only 30 min wait for Space Mountain. Buzz was 5 min and than 20 min later, a 20 min wait. Also, MK is an Early Entry day on Sunday.

 

[niks81]

I agree that it truly depends who you ask. It depends who you ask and what their history is on their trips and when they've taken them. Me, for instance....I've only gone in June, July or August--I'm accustomed to waiting at least 45 minutes for the good rides and I'm also used to dealing with rain daily. This year was my first trip in a non summer month. I loved it. The weather was great...only rained once really and the humidity was often gone by 1pm or so. The crowds at the parks were minimal meaning the waits were around 30 minutes at most for the attractions, but that was stretching it. I got on Space Mountain in 5 minutes and it was the same for many attractions. To put it into perspective, we did the early entry and this was after normal opening time, typically between 9 and 11am. Walking down Main Street I heard someone say, wow its crowded....this really opened my eyes that you'll find many different answers. This was the lowest I'd seen the parks, and that person thought they were mobbed. They probably had only been in January or any other really low time. It truly does depend who you ask.

Hope this helps!