Park Crowds So Far

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

Hey Everyone !
I was wondering how the parks have been these last 2 days ? My family is trying to get us to take a trip with them next year during Jersey week but i am very nervous about the crowd level. Everything i have read in the past was to stay away from this week but they swear its not that bad.
Thanks Guys !

 

[turtlechick6]

Not good
I am used to 4 and 5 days and these have been reported at 7 and 8. I am not used to this level of crowds and I can't handle it. Never again. But apparently I keep hearing there is not true off season anymore so..........we may be Universal families from now on. I was able to walk onto to every ride all day long first week of Dec at Universal last year. That is more my style

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

If crowds are heavier I wouldn’t blame jersey week. I think crowds will be heavier next week too judging by the lack of hotel availability etc

Fall is becoming very popular!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Not good
I am used to 4 and 5 days and these have been reported at 7 and 8. I am not used to this level of crowds and I can't handle it. Never again. But apparently I keep hearing there is not true off season anymore so..........we may be Universal families from now on. I was able to walk onto to every ride all day long first week of Dec at Universal last year. That is more my style

From what I'm hearing, Universal is every bit as crowded(if not more) than Disney right now.

 

[turtlechick6]

Lets put it this way. I have come to Disney a lot the last twenty years or so. I came every March for a dance competition in the late 90s. I came in Sept 2004. I came in probably Oct 2010 . Then November 2012 or 2013. I did not see crowds anything like this week. There was an hour ride at one point for the Land ride! The Land ride! I have never had to wait for that ride in previous trips.

So whatever is up-I am not down with it

 

[turtlechick6]

From what I'm hearing, Universal is every bit as crowded(if not more) than Disney right now.

It might be but last year we had an amazing trip. We went like first week of Dec and we were pretty much walk on to every ride so rode the same ride over and over and over. And even in Harry Potter world in the mornings you could do the wand things with no one in your way. It was empty at times in certain parts.

It was so nice. But I keep hearing that never happens in Disney anymore any time of the year. So then we may just not ever do Disney again. I need an off season. Universal last year at least had one because we went during it

 

[SaintsManiac]

From what I'm hearing, Universal is every bit as crowded(if not more) than Disney right now.

Wait times were pretty darn low this afternoon when I was browsing the Lines app.

 

[2vets]

It's not been awesome, but it has been doable. I'd say 6, perhaps 7 on occasion. We have done everything we wanted to, but our MO is to be at our chosen park first thing every day (at opening), book FP+'s after 10:30 am only, get the hell out by 2:30, and watch fireworks from our room/resort every night.

I don't think this had anything to do with Jersey Week, or at least not much. Lots of FWF crowds (many locals) after 2 including weekdays, residuals from the 1/2 marathon last weekend, and families. It just IS now. Still far preferable to July, but really has to be orchestrated in a way that never used to happen a few years ago.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

It might be but last year we had an amazing trip. We went like first week of Dec and we were pretty much walk on to every ride so rode the same ride over and over and over. And even in Harry Potter world in the mornings you could do the wand things with no one in your way. It was empty at times in certain parts.

It was so nice. But I keep hearing that never happens in Disney anymore any time of the year. So then we may just not ever do Disney again. I need an off season. Universal last year at least had one because we went during it

Turtlechick...I am sincerely sorry that you are having a crowded vacation. It seems like this fall has been busier than usual...but what's strange is that the crowds have been light for most of the entire year before this October. Many were saying this summer has seen the lightest crowds in many years. Overall attendance has been down since 2015.

Universal, on the other hand, has had exploding attendance in that same time frame.

Just sayin'.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Wait times were pretty darn low this afternoon when I was browsing the Lines app.

Disney or Universal?

 

[JJ2017]

Heading down tomorrow! And more NJ'ers heading down tomorrow and Thursday. To me, it was crazy crowded last year and I'm expecting the same this year. Oh well, can't wait!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Disney or Universal?

Universal

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I still feel there are times of the year to go when it's much more pleasant. I found myself dismayed by the crowd growth, but I still find times to go that are tolerable. I'm not going to quit going.

 

[turtlechick6]

I still feel there are times of the year to go when it's much more pleasant. I found myself dismayed by the crowd growth, but I still find times to go that are tolerable. I'm not going to quit going.

when do you go now? I am looking for a true off season for future trips.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I have found the very last week of April/first week of May to be pleasant, as well as 2nd or 3rd week of September. We've been lucky to miss the hurricanes; had to leave a day early one time to avoid one, then another time we were heading into one - we arrived on Saturday and it was supposed to come through on Wednesday. The resort we were staying in (offsite) called to tell us not to come but we had already left home a day early and didn't get the memo. Hurricane turned and went through the Panhandle and we had 4.5 days of bliss. A little more crowded but the first week of December also works for us. Avoid anything with a holiday and those with days off (Christmas, Easter, Spring Break, Memorial Day - Monday holidays, etc) They're super busy.

ETA, the last couple weeks of August aren't bad if you can stand the heat.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Also, I don't pay much attention to crowd calendars - unless there is a valid reason to avoid the park, such as special event, but as I said before, we have found the pre park opening dining reservations to be pleasant. We get a lot done and break by noon - 1, then come back after 5. I have also been pleasantly surprised at the EMH nights; very manageable. Our May trip I realized too late I had booked dining on 3 different EMH nights, but all were great. The only one which can be an issue is MK but even that was great. We went on our first night and had planned dinner and 3 fast passes because it was arrival day, and that's all we were going to do. It had rained earlier and the crowds were so wonderful we ended up doing a lot of the things we had planned for our 2nd MK day. Also, if you don't have little ones, just go for the party (if in the fall/winter). You can get in at 4, we had booked 3 fast passes for that day (they cut the passes off at 6 or so on a party day) but we had something like 3:20 - 4:20 Space Mtn., 4:20 - 5:20 7DMT and 5:20 - 6:20 Splash Mtn with dinner at 6:15 at Skippers. While we dined they cleared the park, plus they let us in at 3:45 so it was an easy walk to Space Mtn. We pretty much did everything we wanted to do, watched the shows and the parade. It was all great. As well as cheaper than a day ticket.

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

I still feel there are times of the year to go when it's much more pleasant. I found myself dismayed by the crowd growth, but I still find times to go that are tolerable. I'm not going to quit going.

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

when do you go now? I am looking for a true off season for future trips.

We love going in Septemeber!! Crowds are low and we and we are able to get the restaurants we want and ride all the rides we can handle

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Yes, I also try to avoid free dining. Unfortunately, September is a tie they often choose. Get your reservations early and there should be no problem getting what you want.

 

[CAS239]

It might be but last year we had an amazing trip. We went like first week of Dec and we were pretty much walk on to every ride so rode the same ride over and over and over. And even in Harry Potter world in the mornings you could do the wand things with no one in your way. It was empty at times in certain parts.

It was so nice. But I keep hearing that never happens in Disney anymore any time of the year. So then we may just not ever do Disney again. I need an off season. Universal last year at least had one because we went during it

Walk ons at universal is not the norm. Attendance everywhere has picked up.