OKW-parks crowds down

[shelbyjosh]

Just got back last Friday and all I can say is this war/terrorism stuff is really taking its toll on WDW. We were told that OKW was only at 70% occupancy and the longest wait we had for a ride was 15-20 minutes. The parking lots were pitiful. I think the biggest crowd we ran into was at Epcot. We did have a little bit longer wait for Test Track. While waiting in line at Rock-n-Roller Coaster, I was chatting with an MGM part-timer. She told me that as part of their cut backs they are closing the Studio Catering area and the Shrunk the Kids play area. I am not sure what else in that vicinity will be affected. I don't think she mentioned the Backlot Tour. Some of the college kids down there are laid-off 2-3 weeks at a time. Makes you wonder how they are surviving. We were in bldg 64 and had a great room. We were ther for 10 days and had 1 full housekeeping day and 2 days in a row were T&T days. We had beautiful weather.

 

[Fenceman]

Thanks for the report. We are arriving Sunday and hope they do not close to many things.

Once this war is out of the way I bet it will be business as usual.

 

[geffric]

Thanks. we will arrive on Sunday for Spring Break week. I don't remenber the parks not being crowded. This should make it fun.

 

[jcodespoti]

Uh did we go to the same parks? MK was packed 50 to 60 minute waits on most rides (even Small world was 25 minutes) This was on 3/9/03. Epcot was crowded (test track was 60 minute wait, the fast passes ran out by about 2:00 pm.) The world show case not as bad but a whole lot of people there.
I thought the place was full, but thats me.


Joe in Ct

 

[dbond]

Didn't go for spring break this year ourselves, but our good friends did and they said the place was packed. They were there from 3/9-3/14. Interesting that the perspectives are different.

 

[shelbyjosh]

We went 3/5-3/14. We were at Typhoon Lagoon on the 6th and even that was not filled. We got there probably around 10:30ish and could pretty much pick a seat anywhere. While we were walking around, DH and I were commenting on all the vacant chairs and chaises. We were at MK that Sat. and walked onto just about every ride. Space Mtn was a 20 minute wait. Small World, Buzz, Peter Pan were like 5-10 minutes. That day Splash Mtn and Big Thunder both broke down at the same time. We have gone every March for the past 4-5 years and have never seen attendance down like this. Maybe once all the Iraq stuff is done, things will pick back up. But, I have a feeling we are going to be set back for quite a while.

 

[Allan]

We were there from 3/9-3/15 and thought the parks were packed. The fastpasses for TOT were gone by noon both days we went to MGM with an 80 minute standby. We went to MK 3 different days and it was a zoo by noon. Living with the Land had a 45 minute wait. We have gone spring break for the past 6 years and felt this year was at least as crowded as every other year. E night 3/11 was crowded- 30 minute wait at Space mountain and 15 minute wait at BTMRR. We went to Typhoon Lagoon 3/11 and had trouble finding 6 chairs and that was at 10:30. Maybe we just picked the wrong parks to go to each day. I was definitely accused of that throughout the week.

 

[reneesam]

Originally posted by Allan
Maybe we just picked the wrong parks to go to each day. I was definitely accused of that throughout the week.

LOL Allan...I've heard that more than once from my family too! Maybe we're related!

Renee

 

[danny1649]

Enjoyed our conversation on OKW bus,don't forget your lime green ribbon on your next trip home.