Too Many Events to Plan Around?

[Fitswimmer]

Is it just me, or are there just too many events at WDW to plan around anymore? You practically need a spreadsheet to figure out a time to go to these days. Does Disney make so much more money from these group events that regular guests don't matter anymore? It seems like every year a new week gets added where you don't want to go.

 

[disnut8]

What do you mean by "group" events?

 

[bytheblood]

Group Events - Pop Warner, Gay Days, Baseball Teams, etc.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Don't forget the Tour groups as well.

 

[Fafolguy]

It seems to me that they do try to schedule these kinds of events at times when there are usually fewer crowds. Can you imagine the nightmare you'd get if the Pop Warner/Cheerleader event was held in the summer?
I'd say that the schedule during off peak times shows that they do want to impact as few people as possible with these kinds of special events.
Also, Disney doesn't sponsor Gay Days. It's organized by people who are not working in an official Disney capacity.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Gay Days is really only the weekend. I've heard it's toned down a lot since I was exposed to it several years ago. Our experience was not good that time so we've stayed away from early June-behavior that I would find inappropriate in public no matter what the sexes of the participants were. . We also stay away from early December and February for the cheerleading/Pop Warner weeks. We stay away from the big school breaks like Christmas week and Easter for crowds. I'm not sure when Brazilian Tour Group week is, but I'd like to avoid that too. We don't even think about going near Spring Break and even though we're from NJ, we've only done Jersey week once.
So, just for our family that's 8 weeks a year that we stay away.

 

[WVParkfan]

I'm not sure when Brazilian Tour Group week is, but I'd like to avoid that too.

Last year, it was during the week before Easter (we were there for Spring Break). Honestly, they were very well behaved... not like the POP Warner group that I've been hearing about. The parks were already crowded because of Spring Break, so it didn't seem overwhelming with the Brazilian Groups there. In fact, it was fun while we were waiting for Fantasmic when they all started a cheer competition (depending on the color of their shirts). It felt like a World Cup event.

 

[laceemouse]

It does seem like there is always something special to plan around, but really as long as you are prepared you can always have fun even when it is crowded. Disney is a money-making business after all. Plus, going to Disney is a special treat for some of these groups. AND, Disney can't control things like GDs, Jersey Week, etc. I always laugh a little though when people come on here saying "When can we go when it won't be crowded" because honestly those times are getting fewer and fewer, and, if Disney doesn't draw in the crowds they will cut back and then we will all be mad SO, we should all just chill and make the best of it, use FP, get to the parks early, etc......

 

[disnut8]

Of all the things mentioned, the only thing Disney schedules is Pop Warner. Gays Days happen but Disney doesn't schedule it. They don't sponsor it. It just happens and if the sponsors decide to take it somewhere else, it's not Disney's decision. Disney also has no control over when tour groups are there, or the fact that alot of people from New Jersey decide to vacation at Disney World during their week off. They also can't control the fact that schools all over the country are staggering spring breaks so it's not the same week anymore.

Disney does schedule the Flower and Garden Festival, the Food and Wine Festival, Nights of Joy, Super Soap Weekend, Star Wars Weekends, and the acts for those things.

I used to concern myself with all of that. Now I just go when I can and enjoy what I can.