Updates on Crowds 8/20

[Nebsky]

Hello Everyone!!

A quick question or two for anyone that has just returned from WDW.

Did the crowds drop this week due to most southern states returning to school? Can you give me some wait times on the major rides. We plan to do EE and fastpasses but any info that could be provided would be greatly appreciated. Any other late breaking news on the parks/resorts/etc?

We leave on Sat Aug 23 at 0900 from DFW.

We are going to do something that most people tell you not to do. We are going to MK on that day in the afternoon so we can see the parade and fireworks. It just happens to be the latest night they are opened on our week there plus, they will be shutting down BTMRR after closing on the 24.

Think this is only my third post but really hoping and CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAPPING that the wonderful Tag Fairy will grace my post soon for my trip. Any extra pixie dust sent this way for the trip would be welcomed as well.

Thanks to all who reply...

 

[Eiblis]

Just returned this morning after a 2 week stay. Sorry dont really know re U.S. schools.....but when we were there the majority of accents we heard were UK ones.
The schools here break up the end of July and return the first week of September, therefore the majority of parents not wishing to take kids out out of school go then.

The wait times for Mission Space was listed as 40 mins.....altho we got through in 20 minutes.(Both times)
Splash mountain and thunder mountain were both around 60 mins.......so we went back later.
We didnt really use the Fast pass system, mainly due to the fact the return times were frequently 3-4 hours later.
The Early mornings were very good tho..

Bear in mind that there are frequent ( and IME daily, lol, )
thunder storms around 5-7pm. Many people seemd to leave the parks at 3pm......we went back at this time one day and queues were minimal.
We still had a brilliant time tho.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

 

[michygoomy]

We just go back from a stay 8/13-8/20. I didn't notice any difference in the crowds between last week and this week--which suprised me, I thought they'd die down. I'd consider it pretty crowded. We only did major attractions using fast-pass or first thing in the morning. Yes, it did storm every afternoon, and because of that fact, we only saw one afternoon parade.

We also went to a lot of parks in the afternoon because either we were park-hopping or went to a water park in the morning. It was fine--we just stuck to fast-passes or the lesser attractions. My DH and DD (DS and I aren't big on the thrill rides) got on BTMR, Splash, Space, R&RRC (four times at least),&ToT. We all rode M:S twice and Test Track once. Test Track was probably the hardest to get on of all of them. Use EMH or tour during parades or late night and you should be fine.

 

[erinch]

we just got back from over 3 weeks in the orlando area (with Fun in the Sun passes) and the crowds were miserable with many UK guests. FastPass saves the day -- along with an in park PS inside in air conditioning. We did EMH at Magic Kingdom and it was not worth the time--we stood in line for 45 minutes for space mountain. Had the same thing happen on E-Night which was also very crowded. Blizzard Beach and Disney Quest were nightmares. But we managed to get on all the major attractions and find down moments for the others.

 

[Nebsky]

Uggh...
I really didnt want to hear that but thanks. I guess if I prepare myself for the wait it wont be that bad.

Well its kinda like golf. A 6 hour round out on the course is 3 times better than full day of work. and since it is WDW, a croweded day there beats sitting around the house watching reruns or cutting the grass.

These FTP were a big hit and it seems like everyone bought one.

Oh well. Its good for the economy.

 

[wheatenwalker]

Jeff, I am going around the same time as you and we have been there this same week for the last 6 years. I cant say how it is this year, but in past years, it hasnt been bad. We always go early though and take a break and then go back some place in the later afternoon (park hours permitting). It sounds like you have the right attitude, you really do have to go with the flow there sometimes- have a great time- Sheila

 

[wdwguide]

I was at Epcot yesterday, and was shocked by how busy it was. The legend of the Lion King theater was at 75%+ capacity, and Journey Into Imagination had a 20-minute wait. I didn't ride either Test Track or Mission: SPACE because the lines were simply too long there as well (90 minutes at times, with Single Riders up to 50 minutes).
I expected it to be much, MUCH slower by now.

 

[disneypooh]

Hi. I just returned from the parks on Monday. I have to agree that there are many people from the UK in Florida right now. The parks were VERY crowded, especially MGM and the Magic Kingdom. However, if you get there about 20 minutes before the gate opens and are there for the opening times, you will be amazed at how many rides you can go on with virtually no wait at all. My younger children went on all the rides in Fantasyland 2-3 times with no waiting times. When we finished these rides we got fastpasses for major ones like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. I know you said you are going later in order to see the parades, but seriously consider going early to go on the rides, leaving for an afternoon nap or swim and having your hand stamped to return later. There is a world of difference between arriving at the parks at 9:00 am opposed to 12:00. Just avoid early entry days if you are not staying on a Disney site. It is a very manageable way to enjoy the parks and not stressing over the crowds and the heat. Enjoy!

 

[TZMOM]

I'll be down on Sunday w/FTP just like thousands of others, I suppose. Hopefully, it won't be too packed - but what can you do - other than enjoy yourself???!!!!!

 

[Nebsky]

I would love to get there earlier in the morning but my flight from DFW doesnt get into Orlando until 12n.
Then I have to catch a ride to the resort, check in there, get my passes etc.
Im not too worried. I think we will be ok.

 

[cindyfan]

A bit of good news though..........
DON'T compare what the crowds were like the past 3 weeks to what they will be starting next week. The occupancy rate seems to take a nose-dive this week.
Yes, there may be a lot of UK and over-seas travelers....but most USA schools are headed back, so crowds decrease tremendously!!!!!
That is why August 24 is the beginning of "VALUE" season! And you will see the park hours shortened, but you should still have enough time to see everything!
If you are staying over Labor Day, it may get more crowded for that weekend, but don't worry!!

 

[Nebsky]

Cindyfan, you ROCK!

I completely forgot about Value Season staring on the 24th.
Im not too worried now. Really wasnt before, but now even less.
In the 8 days we are going to be there, we will see just about everything we could ever want to.

My 5 yr old is going to have a blast and so are my wife and I.

Thanks!!!

 

[disneypooh]

It is true that crowds will die out towards the end of August. Two years ago we went down the last two weeks of August as opposed to the first two weeks of August that we did this year. The crowds were much lighter at that time. You will have a great time. The FastPass system is a great way to see all the major attractions that you want to hit Have fun.

 

[JBurke]

Just back yesterday and I was shocked at the crowds. (8/13-8/20)
I really thought the crowds would go down the beginning of the week of 8/17 but they did not.
I noticed that they extended park hours and added shows so the crowds must have been up.
I agree that most vistors were from other countries.
We beared the rain so we could go on as many rides as possible.
We went to MGM on Monday 8/18 while it was POURING out and the wait for RNC and TOT were still 50 minutes!!

I dont think I will go in August again.
I hope it gets better for those of you going closer to the end of August,
We still had a great time though!!