Overcrowded?

[Wyndale]

I'm staying at the WL starting 9/6. After reading about all these upgrades, I'm wondering if since the FTP, is it acomplishing what it's designed to do...bring in more people, thus more visitors, and less upgrades offered. I already booked for a courtview, with Silver Package, so don't know what upgrades might even be available.

What do you think? Are are parks, resorts and transportion too busy, since the FTP began?

 

[DebbieB]

I believe FTP doesn't begin until July 4 so there are no actual experiences yet.

After Labor Day is usually a slow time, I wouldn't expect to be very crowded. I wouldn't go in expecting an upgrade though.

 

[Wyndale]

No, no, I don't expect an upgrade.

But I might be interested in paying extra for the Concierge Level.

I was sort of forced to pay for the Courtyard view, because nothing else was available. It got me wondering about how crowded it might really get.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi - I wouldn't bother paying extra upgrading to concierge if you are already on the silver plan... but if you didn't have the silver plan - it would be a good idea.

I am thinking it is going to be much busier than last year - the FTP is drawing alot of 1st time bookers who couldn't afford to stay on property before.

Courtyard view is the best it gets... suites or concierge would be the next step up.

>>^..^<<

 

[Ven]

Hi

So this brings a question to mind.
I've booked a Fairy Tale Package (I'm assuming that is what you are talking about) for the first week in September at the Contemporary.
I kind of sounds like this FTP isn't a good thing to do???
I have no problem staying in a standard garden view room. And yes, the price was very very good. We are a family that is going because of this package deal. Yes, we as a family are going for the first time.
(I went when I was 17...but I'm bigger now )

Let me know of your thoughts on this please.

Thanks

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi Ven.. welcome to the DIS Bards and your first post - I love your little turtle!

FTP = Fairy Tale package and it is a great thing! The first week of September should be good (except for the labor day part - then the parks will be busy) All the kids are back to school by then.

FTP is not a bad thing - you are paying 7 nights for the price of 4, we were just commenting on how it may be busier then other years - have a great time.

>>^..^<<

 

[dBugged]

I don't anticipate that the FTP will increase attendance at a dramatic rate during off-peak times (late Aug into Sep). The parks might be a little more busy, but they won't be super packed. We always go the first half of September, every year, because it is so dead -- mainly because kids are back in school. I expect it to be a tad busier (maybe), but not much.

The fall fantasy pricing they offered last year was very close to the FTP package they are offering this year -- except that disney got clever in their marketing and say that you are getting "free days" instead of just discounting each day on the trip (in addition to starting it earlier in July, versus late Aug, like the fall fantasy pricing was). I checked how much we paid for our vaca last year and compared it to this year (we're staying the same number of days) and the price is similar. My guess is that observant September travelers who got Fall Fantasy last year might notice the price is similar.

 

[bali]

The past two years I've gone in May, and we've been able to walk right onto many of the rides (and change our PS times on a whim) because of the lack of people in WDW. I have to admit that I've been spoiled by this. Just the thought of battling huge crowds due to the FTP (we're going the first week of October) makes me frustruated. Now, I know that no one in their right mind would go to Disney World not expecting crowds, but, as i said, I haven't had to deal with them for the past two years.

That said, it's exciting that so many people are deciding to go and experience the resorts. They truly are magical, and no matter how much I dread the crowds this fall, I dread the thought of completely empty parks even more...