What's going on with Crowds???

[Spine_DR]

Disney has done a good job of eliminating the slow times, and its prob do to many of the things mentioned already, the free dining, special room rates, and the fact that early Dec and many of the other times mentioned take the least amount of points for DVC.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I found crowds to be no problem at all when we were there over Pop Warner week in December 2004 I think it was from December 4th. I remember at the time people talking about crowds but we only had to use fastpass a couple of times that week, waits were no more than 15 minutes I remember.

I also found the World to be more than manageable crowds wise this past April into 1st week of May slightly busier than early December but still no problem.

That last week of October is a great week also, that has been my favourite time so far.

Now I will definitely be seeing lots of crowds on our next trip over Christmas Week.

Tip for people who don't like crowds, try TourGuideMike his advice is spot on

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I planned our Dec 2007 trip last year early. I even signed up at AllEars 6 mths ago to go the week of Mousefest (1st week of Dec.). I called wdw and they said EVERY SINGLE ROOM in EVERY value resort was booked solid. The same for the next week in Dec. I dont call that slow. I call that WTH? What happened to slow early December? Weve never seen the CHRISTmas lights or OFL, and we wanted to really bad, but not at those levels. Then we planned for second week of January and found out its MLK day, and that THAT brings big crowds.
Darn.
Just cant win.
I understand everyones thoughts, but I dont go if its going to be crowded. At least not if i KNOW it will be crowded. That was one of the perks of knowing the system and the whole Disney thing so well. Now it seems to be a crutch. It seems the slow seasons are just history.
Oh well... I still have the Disney kitchen!
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h293/chileheadplumber/?start=20

We are undecided, but plan some time in January or Feb for our last trip for a while. We gotta make some use of those APs we bought last month. 8 trips in 3 years isnt half bad.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Whoops mistake in first sentence. Meant to say Dec 2006 trip.

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

Hoping for a"slower" busy season for dec 7-dec 16!

 

[snowbunny]

Weather was AWESOME. I think October is a GREAT time to go to the World.

Yes it was Low 80s and sunny, what's not to like?!

 

[joeytiffany118]

Every trip for me has been during June or August. If that is the busiest or most crowded time then I am fine in November. The people never seem to bother me. No kids mean we can do as we please and if we miss something it gives an excuse to go back.

 

[kidsgobears]

I've seen Jersey Week mentioned a few times and it seems to mean bigger crowds, but what "exactly" is Jersey Week?

thx,
lori

We just got back last night and we met a lot of folks from NJ. The parks didn't seem crowded to me at all. Most attractions were walk-ons or a few minute wait. Tuesday we didn't get to MK until 1 p.m. We grabbed FPs for SM and then went and rode Buzz (10 min). Went back to SM and rode it standby (10 min) and then rode it again and just walked-on. Splash Mountain was a walk-on. The only line we encountered was BTMR (~30 min standby). We got FPs that were only 40 minutes out, and walked-on HM and Splash while we waited for our FP window. Granted, we hit the early part of Jersey Week, but I'd definitely go this time of year again.

 

[Ethan's dad]

We also just returned and didn't really have any problems with crowds. Most rides were no more than 20 minute wait (and that's for biggies). Splash mountain and BTMR were usually no more than 5-10 minutes except during peak times. Morning and afternoon evening were pretty empty - my son and I rode Splash Mountain (his favorite ride) several times without getting having to get off!

Someone earlier in this thread said they thought MGM was crowded Tues morning. We were there then and thought it was not really crowded at all, with minimal waits for most rides -- the biggest problem was the two earlier Indiana Jones shows being cancelled, but we still walked in to an afternoon show 10 minutes before start and had no problem getting seats.

The one park we thought was crowded was EPCOT, which we went to on Saturday, and that was mostly Food & Wine Festival traffic in World Showcase. Many future world rides had very manageable waits, especially with use of Fast Pass.

Overall, we love the early November period!

 

[disneysteve]

We just got back last night and we met a lot of folks from NJ. The parks didn't seem crowded to me at all. Most attractions were walk-ons or a few minute wait. Granted, we hit the early part of Jersey Week, but I'd definitely go this time of year again.

We're still at Disney. MK was PACKED today (Thursday). For example, at about 2:30pm, Peter Pan was giving FastPasses for 6:00pm return. Today was really the first day this week that we encountered major crowds. I'm really curious what the other parks were like today. We'll be at AK tomorrow so we'll see what that is like.

We have been coming for Jersey Week for 5 years now and it has gotten worse each year. My wife said tonite she really doesn't want to come this week again if this is what it will be like. We just don't enjoy the parks when they are as crowded as it was today. But without taking DD out of school, I don't know when else to come.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Honostly, if you don't like the projected crowd level then plan to go in September during hurricane season. This year we went and it was fine, but it rained a lot and we would always freeze when we went into stores or restaurants.

I remember going to WDW when there were no fastpasses and you had to wait 2 hours to ride Space Mountain.

We went for the first time in Sept this year and we were amazed at how low the crowds were. BUT, when we went to the EMH evening park, it was crazy!! So, it seems the rule applies all year round: get to the parks at opening, leave at lunchtime, avoid EMH evening parks, weekends are more crowded. Of course, there are times when someone gets to an EMH evening park and there's no crowds, but it seems from most of the posts here (and my own experience) that the EMH evening parks are going to be crowded.

September was a great time to go, but I think we were just lucky with the weather. There were no major thunderstorms (just rained all day one day), no hurricanes, and the heat was only bad during the late afternoon (when we went back to the resort to swim).

I remember the days before fastpasses...it was just awful.

Mary

 

[keishashadow]

Evidently, WDW tourism has rebounded since 9/11...ergo, crowds have increased & discounts will become few & far between...can you say rack rate?

Surprised that the same people who are taking advantage of promos designed to fill the parks during slow periods (free dining, etc.) are so surprised that lots of other people are too.

FP is a lifesaver if you don't want to wait on line. Noticed in June & Oct. that they were disappearing early in the day though. Soarin' gone by noon!

We waited @ least an hour for POC each time we rode it (with the exception of late during one EMH & we still waited 1/2 hour)...this ride really needs to institute FP.
Always told the week after Thanksgiving is very slow...anyone know?

 

[Sleeping~Beauty]

My husband surprised us with a trip for 11/26-12/1. I'm really excited and have been planning. I'm also really relieved to know that the cheerleading competition is coming the day after we leave. I feel bad for the first week of December people.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

I feel bad for the first week of December people.

Don't feel bad because it really won't be that bad (unless you are staying with them in a value resort which I don't think I'd want to do).

Every year for about the last 4 (since I joined up on here) there is the same panic about Pop Warner week and about how all the value resorts are booked up months in advance. Having experienced it I would book the same week again without hesitation.