Superbowl in Tampa Feb 1st

[kerickson]

We have a WDW trip planned for Jan 24-Feb 1, 2009 and I just saw that the Superbowl is in Tampa, FL on Feb 1st. How do you think that will affect crowds at the parks? Now I have to check with my husband that he's ok with us flying home during the game, or we might have to stay and extra day or go home a day early

 

[BigBahamaDada]

We are there the 24th through 31st. We are planning on doing the parks the morning of the 31st, then heading to the airport. We go in January to avoid the crowds and I (and the crowd estimator at touringplans.com) expect it to be packed on that Saturday and Sunday.

 

[photobob]

It definately could and will affect crowds. How much I couldn't say but it will have an effect.

 

[Duchie]

What about the week after the Super Bowl? We arrive on Sunday. We can't change our dates because this is when the kids are out of school. Any thoughts on what the crowds will be like?

 

[photobob]

I would think the time leading up to the Super Bowl will be busier than the week after. All the big super bowl activities are in the week leading up to the super bowl.

 

[bigsmooth]

On a recent WDW Today Podcast the guy who does the Touring Plans crowd calendar (Len) said that they had upped the forecast for the parks the days leading to the superbowl.

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

We were at WDW in 2005, the SB was held in Jacksonville that year.

The 3 days following the game were really crowded--like Easter or July 4th crowded. Now, keep in mind that during that year, President's Week, Mardi Gras, and the SB ALL fell on the same week/weekend--so that could have an additional impact. Most folks that went to the game made a week-long trip out of it and spent the 2nd half of their trips at WDW.

With the SB being so near distance-wise in Tampa, I'd definitely anticipate higher crowds than usual for that time of year.

 

[Budahman]

I booked a trip to WDW in JAN late just for this reason. MY B-day is early Feb, and so I wanted to be able to experience both WDW and the local SuperBowl activities all the same week...I look forward to it.
Originally tried to get a room in/ close to tampa, & was a no go.....now we are jsut using our DVC points and are gonna make th drive to Tampa 2 days to check out the scene.

 

[corky441]

MY trip is planned for Jan 24th through Jan 28th and leaving on Thursday afternoon to go home. I'm really really really hoping & praying that the crowds won't be too ridculous on those days. I would think that the crowds would get worse by Friday & Saturday. and then again for the few days after the game.... who knows.

 

[dgaston]

AH.. but MK EMH during the Superbowl is truely amazing. Now if you really feel you have to watch the game, I guess then it's not so hot.

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

Good news you will be able to see all the Patriots players there for the Superbowl.

 

[thepops]

Wow ... they bought their tickets already? What section of the upper deck did they get?

 

[cseca]

Well shoot... we're going Jan 31st to Feb 8th...
Hopefully the crowd won't be too crazy...