Return of Crowds

[Aluminum Falcon]

Yea school here is out the 11th-12th(Mon/Tues) so we're going the 9-17. Hoping crowds die down by the 13th so we have a few lower crowd days. I am assuming the weekend of the 9th to be legit insane tho.

I think there may be a bump, but i think a lot of people canceled their trips when Covid was on the rise, and I would wager a guess that they moved their trips out another year, (the 50th would still be going on then, and vaccines should be available for everyone including children at that point). Will there be bumps in crowds along the way, sure, but i don't see them getting back to their normal levels anytime soon

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

And masks being gone again inside. Even international travel isn't going to be a huge impact all at once but more trickle. Its not like they will all flood in the moment they can. Many lost their prime time to travel for this year and when they are most likely to come to the US. 2019 crowds are a long way away.

Weekends and school breaks will stay busier but weekdays not as much. Their is a def trend of parents not pulling kids from school right now to travel also.

i agree, I just don't think people canceled their trips, to just move them a few months out. masks are annoying, but i don't think that would curb the majority of guests. the risk of getting your kids sick, and having to quarantine, when they just got back into the classroom is more of a driver IMO. I think once this wave ends, and kids can get vaccinated, you'll probably see a massive uptick again, because i'm sure Disney will be ready to pounce with some good promos, return of the dining plan, and so on... but who can say when that will be at this point

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

I will say this. We were at UOR 9/16-9/19 and then WDW 9/19-9/25…..we’ve been in September/October/November where there have been crowds and there was barely a soul. Even HHN was quieter than normal (and on a Saturday no less!) BUT one thing I did notice: 9/24 our last day had a lot of people checking in. While we didn’t feel it during our day at MK, by the time we left Homecomin later that night you can tell people were coming in. The next day at MCO there was a flood of people coming in-and many had Disney related luggage/clothing/handbags. So my guess is the crowds will start to return

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

I will say this. We were at UOR 9/16-9/19 and then WDW 9/19-9/25…..we’ve been in September/October/November where there have been crowds and there was barely a soul. Even HHN was quieter than normal (and on a Saturday no less!) BUT one thing I did notice: 9/24 our last day had a lot of people checking in. While we didn’t feel it during our day at MK, by the time we left Homecomin later that night you can tell people were coming in. The next day at MCO there was a flood of people coming in-and many had Disney related luggage/clothing/handbags. So my guess is the crowds will start to return

I think crowds will definitely be higher this week, the question is, how high will they go. this week should be a 15/10, if it sits at a 5/10 that will say a lot

 

[StarrySkye21]

TP had yesterday at a 5 and actual crowds were a 1. So I think it will be less than anticipated. Only thing is that MK and Epcot are fully booked for the 1st so unless they have their capacity capped, tomorrow should be very crowded.

 

[Bahamontes]

We’ll see crowds for the 50th, but, as ever, remember that few folks care about such occasions like we zealots.

Look for reasonably tame crowds until we get to Xmas, atmo*

*according to my opinion

 

[AndreaDM]

And masks being gone again inside. Even international travel isn't going to be a huge impact all at once but more trickle. Its not like they will all flood in the moment they can. Many lost their prime time to travel for this year and when they are most likely to come to the US. 2019 crowds are a long way away.

Weekends and school breaks will stay busier but weekdays not as much. Their is a def trend of parents not pulling kids from school right now to travel also.

We just got home yesterday, and now thinking about it, it seemed like there were more younger kids and adults than school aged kids there. Lots of strollers and I saw many couples/adults without kids, but not as many kids/teens as we usually see.

 

[OhBother1984]

We’ll see crowds for the 50th, but, as ever, remember that few folks care about such occasions like we zealots.

Look for reasonably tame crowds until we get to Xmas, atmo*

*according to my opinion

This! Thanksgiving week my get busy with school breaks.

I think many forgot that the vast majority of people go to Disney once maybe twice, and those people aren't going to be going anytime soon, not till the full experience is up.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

This! Thanksgiving week my get busy with school breaks.

I think many forgot that the vast majority of people go to Disney once maybe twice, and those people aren't going to be going anytime soon, not till the full experience is up.

I agree, the only caveat being so many were willing to travel to disney when things began to open up, because international travel wasn't a thing, and there was a lot of pent up demand. If things settle down again soon-ish, i am curious to see the reaction, if it's like it was, Disney will be all out, if not, we may see lesser crowds for about a year, (which i believe is the typical timeframe for families to book trips)

 

[sethschroeder]

and those people aren't going to be going anytime soon, not till the full experience is up

I also think discounts elsewhere might also be drawing people away.

We just went on an Alaska cruise this last month and we saved a ton of money over the normal pricing. Disney hasn't really done any "additional" discounting yet to make people think they need to do it now because they can get more for less money.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

So I have seem conflicting information today, i've heard the park is packed, and yet wait times are more than manageable. A lot are saying that the crowds are there but all looking for merch. If that's the case, i feel like crowds will subside after the weekend. My assumption is that Floridians are buying as much 50TH merch as possible, and then leaving the park.
Anyone have any other incite?

 

[OhBother1984]

So I have seem conflicting information today, i've heard the park is packed, and yet wait times are more than manageable. A lot are saying that the crowds are there but all looking for merch. If that's the case, i feel like crowds will subside after the weekend. My assumption is that Floridians are buying as much 50TH merch as possible, and then leaving the park.
Anyone have any other incite?

I thinky by 2/3 the park will be quieter and then around 5-6 hoppers will come over for the fireworks and by monday will beback to low weekdays and busier weekends but nothing like 2019 was.

 

[Leight19]

So I have seem conflicting information today, i've heard the park is packed, and yet wait times are more than manageable. A lot are saying that the crowds are there but all looking for merch. If that's the case, i feel like crowds will subside after the weekend. My assumption is that Floridians are buying as much 50TH merch as possible, and then leaving the park.
Anyone have any other incite?

I was just thinking this same thing; how are the parks a 10 today crowd wise with such short waits. I look forward to feedback from the boots on the ground but did the crowds not show as intended?

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

I was just thinking this same thing; how are the parks a 10 today crowd wise with such short waits. I look forward to feedback from the boots on the ground but did the crowds not show as intended?

I just looked at the live main st cam, and it looks packed at the emporium, but a ton of walking room around the train station. so maybe the assumption of people just buying merch is correct

 

[Beachmom0317]

Hi everyone, I follow various Disney vloggers/influencers on social media and have been looking at crowds in MK today. Is this what it is like Christmas week? We are going 12/21-12/26 so I am mentally trying to prepare lol We are seasoned WDW visitors (2-3x a year) but wanted to cross a Christmas morning off our bucket list!

 

[Stephy811]

I was just thinking this same thing; how are the parks a 10 today crowd wise with such short waits. I look forward to feedback from the boots on the ground but did the crowds not show as intended?

Same thoughts…wait times look great! I’m getting cautiously optimistic for my trip in two weeks…as long as Disney doesn’t lower staffing and ride capacity on purpose like they do during slower times? Of course it could be the fear of crowds pushed people back a few weeks and it will still get crazier later this month.

 

[OhBother1984]

I was just thinking this same thing; how are the parks a 10 today crowd wise with such short waits. I look forward to feedback from the boots on the ground but did the crowds not show as intended?

Also have to remember that just because a reservation was made doesn't mean it was used, plus they can come in at any time.

 

[_19disnA]

Some locals with AP's might be staying away on 10/1 thinking there will be huge crowds due to the start of the 50th celebration. Lots of Disney marketing hype around the 50th, but honestly they seem to be celebrating something every time we have been there in the past. Those 3rd parties who try to forecast future crowd levels probably were assuming LOTS would be there for the start of the 50th celebration. Forecasts of future event can be wrong for any number of reasons.

 

[rangerxenos]

I'm surprised, TP has my dates the week after Thanksgiving as mostly 4s, with a 5 and a 3 thrown in on two other days. I will be overjoyed if that's the case, as early December has gotten more crowded in the last 7 years or so.

 

[Tonyz]

If you don’t care about food or merch, today is a great day to do the attractions. Walked on Pirates, Splash, Big Thunder, IASW, 10 minute wait for PeopleMover, 15 for Mansion.