Silly question: Do you still enjoy yourself if it is crowded??

I've been going to WDW since 1984 (I was just a little kid then!) And most of the times we've gone, it's been crowded.

When we were young, our grandparents wanted to take us out of school to go during slower times, but my dad being at teacher, he wouldn't allow it. So it was summers only.

I went on two school trips in H.S. that weren't during the summer, so those were my only "non-crowded" trips.

DH is a teacher, so even as an adult, I still only go in the summer. (Although in 2010, I'm going with some of the girls the first weekend in October - can't wait!)

Obviously, I keep going back. So obviously I've been having fun all this time. You just have to have a different kind of approach to the way you do the parks. Get up early, hit your favorite rides/use Fast Pass, then break midday and return in the evening. That's our tried and true method.

You will have fun!!!!:woohoo:
 
We enjoy ourselves but we have to readjust our thinking. First, you may not get to all your favorite rides more than once.
Also dining is different also. CS in the MK in the middle of July is sort of like an episode of "Man vs. Wild" with all the people.

I can't say I like it but I'm not the type to turn down a trip to the world.

I do want to see the world at Christmas but when I do I'll probably not do the parks as much.
 
When it comes to the crowded issue, I try to call on a past trip that may have been more busy. I prefer to go not during the summer months. Not because of the crowds but the temperature and humidity, Even if the crowd level were the same as early May, which it is not. The irradible level from the heat, IMO, effects some people (Myself included) not always in the most positive way. So, for us, the crowded issue is not the problem. But more importantly the weather or time of year. Remember LBFP (Life Before Fast Pass), and standing in the que lines at Space Mountain or specifically Splash Mountain? Now that was crowded.
 

The last trip I took in the summer was the year I purchased my DVC membership. It was the last week of July 2005 and the heat index was 106 degrees most days:scared1: It was so hot that my son and I stayed at the resort until 5 p.m. and then went to the parks.:confused3 I can't even say that I remember the crowds because the biggest memory I have is of the HEAT!! The next year I took my kids and grandkids in June and that year I not only remember the heat but the lines and the crabby people (myself included). So I now vow that I will not return to the World in any month from May through September (unless it is the last week of September). It's still warm in September, October and November but not nearly as crowded, even with F&W...
 
If it's too crowded I go back to the resort, the beauty of owning DVC. I take advantage of EMH's both am & pm to see & ride what we favor. I won't wait in a line more than 15-20 minutes, we visit Disney often and if not this time then it will be the next, our park touring philosophy!
 
One thing to keep in mind regarding crowds this December...
This year, Disney offered free dining during this time, which brought in more people to the parks. Normally, this isn't offered in early December.

Also, we were there from Dec 3-10. For at least two of these days, the Christmas parade filming was canceled so parks were busy. The day after they wrapped up the filming, we noticed a big drop in the crowds everywhere we went.

As for crowds, during busy times we get a FP for the big rides we want to ride and enjoy other activities. But, we've been there many, many times so if we miss a ride this trip, we'll get it next time.
 
Nothing beats a slow time--- We went the week of Thanksgiving and by Tuesday- I had had enough (we left Thanksgiving day)

We usually go during a school vacation (Presidents week or April Vacation) so we haven't been when its really not crowded and we do manage just fine, but the times when the parks close due to capacity would just ruin my vacation.

But since we own DVC now and stay longer, we enjoy the resort more and work around the crowds (go early, leave or shop during the peak times and use fast passes more)
 
I don't prefer the crowds,but they don't ruin my good time either UNLESS dh is nnot in the mood to deal. If we have friends with us, he is much more likely to deal than if we don't. If it is just us...he might bolt.Maybe it is because we go so much?
 
I'm not good with crowds at all. Once the density starts getting to a certain level, I'm pretty much in a constant state of freak out.

I travel everywhere off season as much as possible and for some places where the crowd densities are just super high all the time (i.e. Manhattan) I usually will go, but for a very short trip. The longest I can deal with Manhattan is about two days, then I have to go back to my much quieter Boston :)

I'm usually at Disney World January and February when the crowds are much lighter, but I still avoid the parks on weekends and, of course, any holiday weekends that time of year (such as MLK). Late August isn't a bad time to go either, crowdwise, but it is awful hot.
 
We are in Disney right now and I have to say that all the people make it a little less special. I am finding guests are less magical. DD has wished every person she has seen Merry christmas and most are just indiffernet and barely acknowledge her. DS has been wishing those with Birthday pins happy birthday and maybe one or to has even smiled in response. This is the first Disney trip we have had more fun in the room and out watching the nightly movies then in the park. Don't get me wrong I knew when I booked this trip how busy it would be. It is just this is my first Christmas trip as a DVC member and I have to say I have become spoiled with the low crowds and the happy polite people.
 
There is no doubt it is better when the crowds are lower, but I always enjoy my trips. We are still tied down to times when my daughter is out of school, but we will we be empty nesters in the not too distant future and we will seek out those low attendance times.
 
I don't do well with overwhelming crowds. I make it a point to schedule my trips in the "off" season (it there is such a thing). When promos like free dining, stay 3, get 4, children cruise free, etc. happen during my exact week of my trip, well I get very annoyed :rolleyes1. Seems like its just luck of the draw anymore. Most times I have been successful and my trips have been very relaxing.
 
We enjoy ourselves when we're NOT in the parks during crowded times. Crowded pools and minigolf courses are also an irritant.
 
We go so often, that I don't let the crowds ruin it for me, although I do get a bit annoyed at people who walk in large groups & take up the whole walkway & either continue at a snails pace or stop short to discuss what to do next! :confused3

We are going right around NYE & I know it will be insane since we've done it before, but we planned ahead for that. We don't really plan on doing many rides & we also planned multiple days in each park, so that if we don't get to do something one day, we'll do it another. We aren't commando & we are not early birds, so we just wing it (pun intended ;)). My only hope is to make it through the crowds in Epcot on NYE to make it to my ADR at Nine Dragons & I'm not exaggerating when I say it is really so crowded that you can not move or get by in some spots. :eek:

I just feel bad for those folks that plan their one & only mecca to WDW during the holiday season & they leave wondering what all the fuss is. :guilty:
 
Except for the night shows, we stick to the resorts and relaxing when there are great crowds. We brave the crowds for the shows and fireworks.
 
We just got back last night. We usually go in May and October, but decided to try Christmas. The crowds were vastly larger and it did lose some of the magic for us.

As a PP stated, I like my personal space, and don't have to worry if I should do this or that by a certain time to avoid crowds, waiting and lines. I REALLY enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park without wall to wall people. I have never had to wait to get on Spaceship earth, Carousel of Progress or Small world. This trip there was a wait at all 3. Guess I got spoiled because I was surprised to see a line :lmao:

I will stick to going off season, it makes a big difference to me.
 

















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