Was F&W a bust this year attendance-wise?

[SM1992]

We were there last week, and at Epcot Thursday 10/23. The afternoon wasn't bad, but by 6 PM it was packed. So much so that we almost missed a dining reservation trying to get from Soarin' to Via Napoli!

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I went the first weekend on that Sunday and crowds were light. Went a few weeks later on a Sunday and it was a tad busier but manageable. Also went this past Tuesday and it was packed with long lines. Wilson Phillips was the musical guest and I think that was why it was so busy. Going tomorrow morning and the following Sunday as well. All trips that I have taken have been 3pm or later. You could not even pay me to show up on a Saturday night.

 

[Otter49]

We've been 16 or 18 days so far this year, which is actually fewer than usual.

I'd say weekdays have been pretty typical with a few busier days. But weekends I believe are significantly more crowded than in the past.

 

[DOOM1001]

F&W festival is never going to be a bust for Disney,its one of the most popular events that brings in the most profit.When I went it was normal crowds for F&W which means crowded,not crazy but plenty crowded.If there's something that could have meant slightly lower crowds this year I would say the new groups playing the festival's Eat to the Beat concerts were kind of a dud,Jim Brickman,Jo Dee Messina and Los Lonely Boys aren't exactly drawing the big crowds like a Boys II Men or the Beach Boys when they used to come to the festival.The other regular groups that come regularly are good and have plenty of fans,but the 4-5 new acts were disappointing.

 

[NewRVLady]

I think you'll find that the daytime/weekday crowds are often considered manageable vs the nighttime/weekend crowds. I don't think that has changed from previous years.

:that has been our opinion
We go M thru Thursday
Only Thurs was a bit crowded

 

[auralia]

Was there today sat nov 1. By 12:30 the lines by Mexico were 50-75 people long. Didn't go past that since it is a mom son trip and my 4 year old is not interests in f&w

 

[Polydweller]

We've been there every year since the beginning and were there Oct 15-22. It was definitely bit a bust. Of the four nights we were there it was busier than usual and the weekends nights were packed, especially Saturday. Like others say, it's manageable on weekday nights but that's a relative term compared to weekends.

 

[JennyDrake]

It was packed wall to wall when we were there in late September. Weekdays, early in the afternoon was better, but crowds were never light.

Ditto !!!!!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We were there last week, and at Epcot Thursday 10/23. The afternoon wasn't bad, but by 6 PM it was packed. So much so that we almost missed a dining reservation trying to get from Soarin' to Via Napoli!

Was Via Napoli crwded? Are most of the people just eating at the booths or are the TS restaurants also busy?

 

[MommyMK]

We were there today and the world showcase was wall to wall people. We visited 2 other times this week and it was quieter but still quite busy.

 

[shyjade]

F&W festival is never going to be a bust for Disney,its one of the most popular events that brings in the most profit.When I went it was normal crowds for F&W which means crowded,not crazy but plenty crowded.If there's something that could have meant slightly lower crowds this year I would say the new groups playing the festival's Eat to the Beat concerts were kind of a dud,Jim Brickman,Jo Dee Messina and Los Lonely Boys aren't exactly drawing the big crowds like a Boys II Men or the Beach Boys when they used to come to the festival.The other regular groups that come regularly are good and have plenty of fans,but the 4-5 new acts were disappointing.

Boys II Men are scheduled this week.

 

[Hopefully]

We were there Sun 10/26 through Friday 10/31. This is about our 10th time in October. I felt that while crowded, it was less than other years and less than I expected. We did do Sunday evening on our arrival day, but we did not do a Friday/Saturday evening.
We stay at BCV and do as DebbieB. We visit another park in the morning/afternoon and the festival most evenings. The lines for the Wilson Phillips concerts were very long.
We did everything we wanted and enjoyed ourselves very much.
This was the first time I have had to use a scooter and I was worried about the crowds. But I was able to navigate well.
We ate at the Biergarden, Via Napoli and Teppan Edo. Each was busy and full. Already looking forward to next years Festival!!!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We were there Sun 10/26 through Friday 10/31. This is about our 10th time in October. I felt that while crowded, it was less than other years and less than I expected.
This was the first time I have had to use a scooter and I was worried about the crowds. But I was able to navigate well.

You see...this is the kind of post I've been reading(for the most part) since F&W started this past September. Actually, this type of post was kind of rare too...because she actually says it was "crowded".

Thanks for all of the responses guys!

Anyone else with first-hand accounts to how busy(or not) F&W has been this year...please keep 'em coming!

 

[Vivianne]

We were there Wednesday 10!17 - evening EMH & Friday 10/17. It felt very crowded. In Mexico you could hardly see the entrance to that tequila area. Perhaps because it was EMH & a Friday it was busier. I guess. We had to find our way through the crowds to get to our dinner ADRs on time.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We were there Wednesday 10!17 - evening EMH & Friday 10/17. It felt very crowded. In Mexico you could hardly see the entrance to that tequila area. Perhaps because it was EMH & a Friday it was busier. I guess. We had to find our way through the crowds to get to our dinner ADRs on time.

Vivianne...just to be clear....are you saying that the Wednesday was crowded too?

 

[Vivianne]

Vivianne...just to be clear....are you saying that the Wednesday was crowded too?

Yes, it was crowded but manageable. I wouldn't let it stop me from going.

 

[Vivianne]

Double post

 

[Sugart]

My wife and I were also there 10/26-10/31, and felt it was very crowded. World showcase was very busy, but we never waited more than a few minutes at the booths. The halloween party was packed, very hard to find seats for the parade, but the longest we waited all week for a ride was 30 minutes for 7dmt. I will say that the crowds never ruined anything and we had a great time. Weather was perfect. Also we are used to going in February where the crowds are a lot less but have to deal with the tour groups. All in all we are already planning on going back next October.

 

[cruisingkat]

We were there 10/22 through 10/24 and 10/27 to 10/29. We go during the early afternoon only and just do F&W booths each day. We have done October trips for F&W only the last 4 years. In the past, we could just walk up to a booth- no line. This year we found that a lot of booths had lines.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

We were there 10/22 through 10/24 and 10/27 to 10/29. We go during the early afternoon only and just do F&W booths each day. We have done October trips for F&W only the last 4 years. In the past, we could just walk up to a booth- no line. This year we found that a lot of booths had lines.

Very interesting.