Tips for those who HATE crowds

[forgetyourtroubles!]

We have been to Disney many times in spite of the fact that 2 people in our family really hate crowds. I thought I would share some tips we have learned to insure that our whole group is having fun and perhaps others can share their tips, too.
1-Obviously, avoid Christmas, Easter, Summer, Spring Break, Presidents day.
2- Read the Unofficial Guide and ARRIVE EARLY!! 1/2 hr. before opening at least.
3-We have found "quiet" places to take breaks/snacks in each park. Upstairs in Columbia Harbor House is one place. I am the runner so while crowd-o-phobes are taking their rest, I run for FastPasses. We do the FP attraction and maybe one more short-queue attraction, then we move to another pleasant place while I run for more FPs.
4-We stay close to a park and always go back to our rooms for about 2 hrs for down time.
5-We usually skip the daytime parades and enjoy shorter queues during it.
6- Plan time to enjoy some no-crowd activities. Ft. Wilderness petting farm, playgrounds, riding bikes at the resort, sitting in the swings on Beach Club Beach.
7- We find that kitchen-equipped rooms are VERY helpful for maintaining some calm time. We eat one or two meals in the room most days.

Just a few things we do to keep everyone cheerful. They may seem like no-brainers, but even so, it took me a while to realize how un-fun it can be when I am pushing others to maintain a higher level of energy than they naturally have. We ALL have FUN now and we keep going back.

 

[Kaycee]

Thanks for sharing some great ideas! We are also crowd haters - unfortunately, we're at the mercy of the school calendar so we visit WDW at fairly crowded times (never Easter, Christmas, or other holidays though!) We use many of the tips you've suggested, and it really does make for a much more pleasant trip.

The tips we've found most useful are arriving early (probably the most important one), finding quiet places to take breaks, and taking an afternoon break for a couple of hours.

I'm the FP runner in our family too, and we use FP in exactly the way you described!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

That was very nice . Thank you
My husband and I will be going to WDW in November and although I have been there many times he has never been and HATES crowds. He says this will be fine for him but I keep warning him.
We planned in the middle of November to help with large crowds as well as heat... we have it set in our plans to return to our room each day for a couple hours ( Yacht Club)... plan on doing EMH every day so we can get back to our room for a couple hours in the afternoon
Hadn't thought about the parades but that is a good idea.
BUT... he will have to come with me to get those fast passes!!!
Running and getting them for him while he sits and drinks his ice tea by a pretty fountain is a door I'm not about to open!!!

 

[Bojo]

MrsJ - Since you are going in mid-November, you may not need to utilize FP all that much. Also remember that trips to the room (while definately worth it, IMHO) may take from 30 - 45 minutes each way. Whichever way you choose to vacation - always enjoy it!

 

[Skywalker]

Originally posted by MrsJ Henry
Running and getting them for him while he sits and drinks his ice tea by a pretty fountain is a door I'm not about to open!!! [/B]

 

[laceemouse]

I loved your suggestions. We have to travel when the kids are out of school, but we don't go commando and really enjoy ourselves no matter the crowds. The kitchen idea works great for us, one of the main reasons we bought DVC. As much as we love eating out, it really gets to be a hassle 3 meals a day with 4 kids. We eat 1 or 2 meals in the room also, and my kids enjoy munching in front of the Disney Channel almost as much as ANY restaurant!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Yes we are hoping that due to crowds being low that we should not have to use FP all that much (hopefully). Also we will have a car and plan on using that at times. We do know that that can mess with time you have at times but I think it is going to be best for him. I have been one of those Camando style vitors. I have gone with my cousin and friends in the past and we stay from open to close in the parks. My husband would NEVER be able to do this so we are going to go for a longer period of time and take advantage of some other things at the World... we will take it a little slower than I have in the past. I'm sure it will be fun for me also to do something different rather than my usual.

 

[jl3614]

Not that these solutions are optimal for most people - but if you are willing to dance to a different beat - here are a few things you could do to minimize crowds.

Only visit the first and last 2 hours of the day.
Hit busy attractions when parades or fireworks are occuring
Visit the park when it is pouring down rain

 

[jtjarvis]

Pouring rain helped us a bundle our last trip! Hey, don a poncho, ride Splash Mtn a few times, and the water is fine!

Forgetyourtroubles, thanks for posting your ideas. That's a really good one about scoping a quiet place, and someone "running." (That would be me too. I'm all charged up anyway!)

I also agree that having a kitchen in the quarters gives you lots of control over your schedule, and adds a lot of convenience. That's one of the reasons we're partial to FW cabins.

 

[PeeKooAaa]

What are the best (read : low crowds) days to visit MK ? We are arriving late friday night and originally we thought we might go to MK on saturday but is that a very busy day ?

I know that I've seen these 'best days' somewhere but just can't seem to find them, sorry...

- P -

 

[Gluman11]

One word.............


JANUARY

 

[jtjarvis]

Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days at MK. Some say Sundays have surpassed Saturdays re: crowds. Of course, EMH is Sun. for MK if you're staying onsite...

But you have to go when you can. And speaking of JANUARY!! It's awesome! And we did go on Sat. and Sun. then. However because of the down time of year and the rain, there were no crowds.