Thoughts on why crowds are lower this summer so far??

[Darcy03231]

I used to do a WDW vacation at least once a year (and sometimes 2-3x a year). Having said that, I haven't been back since 2017, and that was only for a two day/three night visit at the end of a cruise. For me, the value just isn't there anymore. I've continued to price it out, but just don't end up pulling the trigger. I can vacation in other places, have just as much fun, stay longer, and it's still less expensive. Once we broke the bubble it became easier to not go back.

We now have grandchildren and will most likely take a trip in the next couple of years, but will do it very differently. We're already talking about going for a week to 10 days, staying off-site and only buying a 4 day, 1 park per day pass. One of my friends went to Florida recently and took her 6 y.o. daughter. Due to the cost they only did 1 day at Magic Kingdom. Granted it was one really full day and they had a ball, but I'm sure they would have done a longer trip if it wasn't so expensive. They ended up staying off-site, had a couple of hotel/pool days, went to Seaworld/Aquatica for two days, and went to the beach for a day.

 

[Minnie1222]

Yes, never will go back either.

I wholeheartedly support the decision of all the people who don't want to go back to BOG due to the current pricing. I avoided BOG in the past because it was too busy and chaotic. The prix fixe effectively removed all the guests who took up several tables just to split one pastry. It's now a tranquil and lovely place to dine. People who have not experienced the current ambience shouldn't be so quick to judge.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wholeheartedly support the decision of all the people who don't want to go back to BOG due to the current pricing. I avoided BOG in the past because it was too busy and chaotic. The prix fixe effectively removed all the guests who took up several tables just to split one pastry. It's now a tranquil and lovely place to dine. People who have not experienced the current ambience shouldn't be so quick to judge.

The menu change that went along with the prix fixe is why I no longer go. I expect more for $70 a person.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

People who have not experienced the current ambience shouldn't be so quick to judge.

It's the atmosphere I want actually, but the price and quality of the food nixes it sadly. Maybe just understand others would like to eat there just not under how Disney is currently opting in their menu choices and be content with your easy availability!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The menu change that went along with the prix fixe is why I no longer go. I expect more for $70 a person.

Me too. I don't think many posters who were among those cupcake peeps are actually the ones talking about how they aren't going back. I never got the chance to go but my time and money is better spent elsewhere at WDW for what you get at BOG which is a consensus held amongst many people (both here and IRL). Maybe if I went to WDW multiple times a year year after year I could think one time to do it but actually the ones I do know that go multiple times a year year after year lost interest in BOG too with the changes and they were hardly the riff raff being spoken about. The beauty and the beast castle theme is amazing in concept though.

 

[Gentry2004]

I didn't mind the atmosphere with the counter service. We always went right at 11am when they opened and ordered meals for everyone. It just seems a shame to lock that gorgeous building behind a $300+ paywall for a family of four. I'm glad my kids had the experiences they did, because had it always been the way it is now, they wouldn't have ever gotten to see it. DH and I will spend that kind of money on date nights, but not with the kids and not inside of a theme park.

 

[Minnie1222]

It just seems a shame to lock that gorgeous building behind a $300+ paywall for a family of four.

We were among the first few groups to visit BOG, and I immediately thought the place was too lovely to be trampled by so many people. Even back then, some guests were sulking about paying too much and/or complaining out loud about not having Beast and Belle as around-the-clock entertainers. It was impossible to get a seat in certain rooms, and even if you did, there were always people milling around blocking your views.

I'm glad BOG finally realized their value and changed the operation. The current ambience is lovely. It's so nice to sit in the West Wing listening to thunder and watching the transformation of the Portrait without any disturbances.

 

[NickC]

I don't necessarily have an issue with the pricing for BOG. Our issue was the menu--the food wasn't bad, but I would like to see some other more-kid-friendly offerings. A lot of 10-15 year olds don't really want steak or pork loin, etc, so you end up paying $70 for mac and cheese or chicken fingers that you can get elsewhere.

 

[imbelle]

Why are the crowds low? It's too darn hot.

 

[123SA]

The genie + doesn’t really look like low crowds to me. $29 today.

 

[RivShore]

The genie + doesn’t really look like low crowds to me. $29 today.

That might be the best way to determine crowds. Does any site track it day to day?

 

[123SA]

That might be the best way to determine crowds. Does any site track it day to day?

https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane/wdw/price-history

 

[SL6827]

The genie + doesn’t really look like low crowds to me. $29 today.

That's the thing. They are gonna charge what amount they have set to charge whether the crowds show up or not. This past Christmas was lower than expected crowds, if my memory serves me right, but Genie + price was on par with normal Christmas crowds.

 

[SmallWorld71]

The genie + doesn’t really look like low crowds to me. $29 today.

I have noticed the Genie+ and ILL prices creeping up recently and wondered if they were getting ready for the change on the 24th and what they will charge. You know, make it not seem like such a big jump in price.

 

[Disneydawg74]

I have noticed the Genie+ and ILL prices creeping up recently and wondered if they were getting ready for the change on the 24th and what they will charge. You know, make it not seem like such a big jump in price.

I have been thinking the same thing.

 

[Minnie1222]

What did the crowd calendars say for Universal on 07/17 and 07/18? We're here now and the crowd looks similar to our past July trips. There are definitely no low attendance here. We also notice that easy access to ADR does not mean fewer diners. There was a wide selection of openings for Toothsome in the past two days, yet the place was packed to the brim every time we went. This "phenomenon" also happens at Disney but no one wants to hear about it. I think Universal and Disney have adapted a more efficient reservation system where it benefits both hosts and guests. I'm looking at Mythos right now and there are still many openings for today, but I'm sure it will be packed when we get there.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The genie + doesn’t really look like low crowds to me. $29 today.

Thats the high end of low time pricing so still indicative of lowish crowds. A number of dates this summer have seen $29.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I have been thinking the same thing.

Your pic throws me every time I see it

 

[Disneydawg74]

Your pic throws me every time I see it

Same! I”ll switch to a different Disney Dawg.

Edited to ad: Goofy fits me much better.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Same! I”ll switch to a different Disney Dawg.

Edited to ad: Goofy fits me much better.

Ohhh I love that one! Excellent find!!