Touring Plans new projections

[ScoJo15]

They updated the site yesterday (touringplans.com) and increased the crowd projections for all of Sept and Oct!! Most of my days went from 4's to 6's...here's hoping that this does not turn out to be true!!

 

[eeyore45]

Well considering the Free dining and how booked the resorts are, it doesnt surprise me, and I'm glad for the information provided!!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

It works out the same for me too. I went from 4's to 6's too. I knew it was going to happen; gosh with the free dining package what do people expect. Nothing we can do about it; Just make the best out of your trip. Hope everyone has a great trip!!!! We leave in 13 more days!!!!

 

[i like stitch]

I was surprised that MK was the recommended park to attend for Sat. Oct 1st, particularly because spectro is that night and I've heard to stay away from MK on Saturdays.

Touringplans suggest that Saturdays are not the nightmare that I've assumed from reading here on DIS. (I have a feeling the weekend of Oct. 1st@ WDW will be busy due to dining plan, F&W Festival, and MNSSHP.)

If you've been on Saturdays to MK, do you think it's not as crowded as some of the other days??

 

[can'twait]

Well, maybe everyone will be eating instead of waiting in line for the rides?

I assume the wait times Len predicts are for standby lines and not Fastpass lines. Can anyone confirm this?

What is the maximum amount of time Disney expects people to wait in a Fastpass line?

 

[bbowers]

I went to MK on a Saturday in early June a year or so ago and it was NOT bad at all! (Well, crowd-wise - heat was rather nasty.)

 

[tigertam]

thanks for updating us! I will check it out.

 

[dismom9761]

Thanks for telling about the update.I hope the crowds aren't what they project but if they are I'll still be in Disney!!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Thanks for telling about the update.I hope the crowds aren't what they project but if they are I'll still be in Disney!!

I just hope the crowds are not worse than what they predict.

 

[lentesta]

Hi can'twait!

I assume the wait times Len predicts are for standby lines and not Fastpass lines. Can anyone confirm this?

Yes, it's for standby lines.

What is the maximum amount of time Disney expects people to wait in a Fastpass line?

I don't think Disney's ever stated there'd be a maximum. I believe, however, that attraction C/Ms can use their own discretion when determining the ratio to admit of FP users to standby guests. IIRC, the starting level was something in the ballpark of 25:1 FP to standby guests, moving to 30:1 and 35:1 ratios if the FP line doesn't diminish. I don't recall there being an upper limit, so it's entirely possible you'd reach a 50:1 ratio under some circumstances.

When FP users are getting that kind of an advantage, it's unlikely your wait would be more than a few minutes. I think I waited 15 minutes in the FP line at Splash once, but that was so odd that I still remember it. I'd say a 5-10 minute range is more realistic.

Oh, and a "6" is still slightly below average for the year (average = 7). Disney's evidently expecting bigger crowds, since the park hours for this September seem to be longer than last year. And I expect the dining offer played a part in it, yes.

Good luck to everyone going next month. I'd worry more about hurricanes than crowds.

Len

 

[eeyore45]

Thanks Len,
I'll add that the FP line at AK for Safari sometimes gets rather "long" (ie app 15 min) you even see a line waiting for the exact FP return time!! (it did rather confuse me when we returned 5 min passed our FP time, to see a line, outside of the FP entrance!!) aw:

and gee thanks about the reminders to worry about hurricanes!!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I see when we are going that they recommend MK on Saturday 9/24 and not go to Animal Kingdom. We were doing AK on the 24th....Should we not do AK, Ack, I'm so confused

 

[can'twait]

Thanks Len - you rock!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think some of my days went up to "6", but I think some also came DOWN because I thought there was originally only one day predicted at "4" and now there are three. Oh, whatever! We'll have our Touring Plans so we'll be ready! I'll just have to go change the crowds numbers on my trip planner so I'll be really up-to-the-minute with my info!

 

[tallpkb]

The new Touring Plans lists MK as the park to avoid on Wed. 9/28. There is no EMH on that day, and the crowd level is listed as a 5. This is the day we're scheduled to go to MK. Why would it be listed as a park to avoid? Is it because "historically" a lot of people go to MK on Wednesdays?

 

[chamonix]

What day does the Free Dining thing end?

For some reason, I seem to recall October 4th as the last day? Or was it the last day to check in with free dining packages? We arrive October 6th or 7th (not sure which yet!)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Free dining was for check-ins through October 4, so I imagine there will be "free diners" factored into crowds until around October 14. Crowds for Oct. 15-22 have changed a little, but my week is still all 4, 5, and 6. They are in a different order now, but the same basic numbers.