Some Crowd Comparisons Please....

[eeyoresmountainpals]

We haven't been to WDW in the summer months for over 15 years. We usually go in the fall. I was wondering if any of you that have been both in the summer and the fall can give me an idea of the crowd differences.

When we went last October there were crowds but not bad. A mid-day wait for Space Mountain, without a fast pass, was about 45 minutes. How does that compare with the wait times in July?

Any info would help! Thanks!

 

[Joanna71985]

Summer is MUCH worse then fall, especially midsummer. Splash and Space can get up to around 2 hours. I've seen 1 1/2 hour waits for Splash and Stitch in the spring, so you can imagine the summer. Also, because it is very warm in the summer, Splash and Space will probably be busy all day long (Splash for the water, Space because of the AC). Many of the popular rides will be quite busy as well. There are days over the summer when the parks have to be closed because they are filled to capacity. So you really want to get to the park for opening in the summer.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

We always go in October and went last week for the Grand Opening Celebration and I thought the crowds were HORRIBLE!! Everyone else has been saying how great the crowds were - which leads me to believe they are used to the summer!

I had a good plan and the crowds didn't really bother me - but we really utilized Fast Passes - something I don't always have to do in October

The worst was parades - in October we usually get there 1/2 hour early with our pick of locations - last week we got to Spectromagic 45 minutes early and the crowds were already at least 4 or 5 deep everywhere!!

 

[Joanna71985]

Oh yeah, the parades. People start lining up for the parades during the summer at LEAST an hour beforehand. Spectromagic is a pretty good parade so its worth it. But you really do need to be prepared to sit for awhile. (Oh yeah, the 2nd night parade, when they have it, is always MUCH less crowded. Even if you have little ones, it's easier to get room and you don't have to show up as early).