Please explain what exactly "crowded" means?

[luvmygirls]

Ok, so I've never been to Disney, 1st trip planned in 1 year. Please don't laugh at me here, but when people say the parks were "crowded" does it just mean everywhere you looked there were people, or does it mean "shoulder to shoulder" wherever you walk. The only other "amusement" type park I've ever been is to a Six Flags, and always had to wait 1-2 hours in line for a ride, so the waiting I expect, but now I'm a little worried, is it so crowded that it's difficult to move around in parks?

TIA for the clarification!

Shelly (the obsessive/complusive planning freak!)

 

[lovethattink]

Christmas and Easter can be extremely crowded. Navigating a stroller during these busy times can be frustrating. In my opinion, the lines and crowds have become better in recent years thanks to having 4 major parks and fast passes. How crowded a park is depends on time of year, time of day, and special events. As I posted in another post, we went to Epcot yesterday for lunch and it was empty. We walked right on and were the only people in our boat for Maelstrom. I've got to say that was a 1st.

 

[DisneyPete]

Crowded can mean different things to different people. In general, the summer and holidays are VERY crowded. Long lines and wall to wall people.

Other times of the year, it is really a personal rating. I have never found October or November to be crowded but I see that lots of folks complain about crowds those times of year. April and May, when not the holidays or spring break are also not crowded to me, but some folks avoid EPCOT during the flower show and MGM during Star Wars weekends.

November and May are my favorite times to go and not crowded according to me. By this I mean, we never wait more than 30 minutes for an E ticket ride like Splash Mountain or 15 minutes for other types of attractions. You don't need reserved seats for Fantasmic. there are enough folks in the park to make you feel a part of something exciting but not so many that you can't walk around easily.

Hope that helps.

 

[luvmygirls]

Thanks for the replies! We are going Oct 2-9 next year, we have 4 day PH's..so will probably go to the parks Monday - Thursday (weather permitting) & then hope to do MNSSHP on Friday night or Sunday night. I guess it shouldn't matter, I was more concerned with having 3 small kids, only 1 in a stroller, am I going to have to a leash to tie around them b/c of the "crowds" (ok I'm kidding about that part, but seriously, I do get nervous about one of them running off before I can catch them!

Shelly

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

Shelly,

You should be fine, going in Oct. In fact, the park usually isn't very crowded during that time of year - it may spoil you.

Mrs. PB

 

[Lilskibearsmommy]

We just got back from there Oct 3-7. It was not crowded. I had my 2yr old in a stroller and it was easy to get around. We went to Halloween Party on the 3rd. You will have a great time. This was our first trip to WDW so if I can help answer any newbie questions I will try to help.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Well, I grew up in Southern CA and went to Disneyland frequently. It was nothing to wait 30-45 minutes per ride. My definition of crowded is waiting 45+ minutes for even the non-popular rides.

We went in August 2001 and with fastpass we NEVER waited in a line for more than 20 minutes and that's a busy time of year. So, I did not think it was crowded.

October is supposed to be much less crowded than August, I *know* you'll have a great time!

 

[4greatboys]

This past summer we were there May/June 2004. The first week wasnt bad. Second week there if you had counter service there were no tables to be had and lines waiting for ones that looked to be about done. There was atleast a 60 minute wait for rides and more were like 1.5 hours to 2 hours. To me that is crowded. If you go in the off season the waits are no where near that.

 

[Lilskibearsmommy]

The longest wait that we saw while there Sunday thru Thursday was on Thursday and that was for Test Track which was 1hr 45min but of course fast pass was quick. It seemed to be busier on Thursday any way. So I guess closer to the weekend and being a holiday weekend it was picking up. Other wise there may have been a wait for 45 min at MGM but it changed fast. I feel it wasn't busy at all. Had no problems with crowds!

 

[worlddreamer]

I am soo glad someone asked this question... I was starting to get scared of going in October. Then I saw people posting complaints about waiting 30 minutes and thought "what 30 minutes?? That's a *short* wait!"

Now, believe me, I DO NOT like to wait - AT ALL. But, I am used to Cedar Point, and waits of 2 hours, for ONE ride, are not unheard of in that park! We would be ELATED if the longest wait was only 30 minutes!

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. Now I'm not so scared of October

~Sara

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Originally posted by luvmygirls
Thanks for the replies! We are going Oct 2-9 next year, we have 4 day PH's..so will probably go to the parks Monday - Thursday (weather permitting) & then hope to do MNSSHP on Friday night or Sunday night.

Shelly

Don't you need a park ticket for entrance even it you are going to the MNSSHP? Or can you go to it with out a regular ticket?

 

[4greatboys]

You must have a ticket to MNSSHP and MVMCP. They do not accept AP's or park hoppers to get in.