What's going on with Crowds???

[Randy K]

Does anyone else think that WDW really needs to add another park? What are the chances of that happening in the next decade?

When a new park is announced, how long from the time it is announced until it is open? I don't remember when MGM or AK were opened, the amount of time between concept and opening day.

Does anyone know if there are even any potential new park concepts on the table right now?

Susan

Of course everyone would like to see another Disney Park but as far as helping with crowds it would actually have the opposite effect. When a new park opens everyone wants to see it, thus more people are going to DisneyWorld. I think Disney will wait until attendance starts to drop a bit before anouncing a new park which would then pick attendabce back up.

 

[First timer]

We went 6/28/06-7/4/06. Was our first trip and we really loved it. But with 7 days (two of which we spent travelling) we really did not do as much as I (we) would have liked. Especially in MK. As a matter of fact we never even made it to AK! It was just sooooo darned crowded! So I thought (as soon as we returned) that I would make reservations for next year in August. I know - the heat is awful and hurricane season, etc. I was just so hoping that it would be a little less crowded and though and now as I read all these threads I think I made a huge mistake! Not only will it most likely be as crowded - we will be melting to boot!

I wish we had been able to make a trip a few years ago so we could have experienced at least one time where the parks were not packed to the max. Not that that will stop us - mind you!

 

[bawsmom]

So what's everyones opinions: we are going Dec 6-10: AK Wed afternoon, MK thursday & Friday, MGM Saturday, - leave Sunday (no Epcot-Kids are 5 & 8- will focus on Epcot next time)- no parks Sunday just maybe visiting resorts after breakfast. How do you think the crowds will be?

 

[MickeyMaz]

Quite frankly, we didn't find the first week of December to be bad at all last year. We enjoyed the low crowds so much that we are heading back the same week this year. Now most of the rides weren't walk-ons (but some were!) The most we ever waited in line was 10 minutes. I wait longer than that for so-so rides at our local amusement park!!!

I am hoping this quote is right. It sounds about the way I figured the parks to be around this time of year. You pay a little bit in crowds for the Christmas Decorations.

See everyone down there as I battle for Elbow-Room.

 

[BeckWhy]

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.

Disney is how you make it, my sister and I rode all the rides in Epcot and some multiple times during a trip in the 90s before fastpass.

And no offence to TGM, but they are assumptions, they can be wrong.

Personally, when we went in Sept it was too easy to walk on rides. We finished the parks before dinner even while riding some rides multiple times. Not that I really want much of a wait, but sometimes you see things that you wouldn't see otherwise while walking through the queues (sp) when there are no waits. Take Test Track. We went there, my boyfriend and I are huge car freaks, but we didn't take any time to stop and look at all the little test zones they have in the queue. We just ran right past them all.

But do as you please, if you don't want to go in December that is perfectly find for me.

 

[kaabost]

I, too, prefer to visit when the parks aren't crowded (hoping they won't be crowded in May) BUT, slightly more crowded offseason times are great for WDW. We all want WDW to prosper so that they keep building, revamping, improving, etc.

 

[dizprincess717]

During my College Program this past January - May I worked at Splash. It's a huge attraction, but the lines were so short until April hit. For the first 3 months there was seriously hardly any wait for any of the attractions that I'd go on during my days off. The most was probably 20 minutes, which, to me at Disney World, is nothing.

I think it's coming to the point that they're going to have to make another park. But then it's going to cost even MORE to go there, not just in tickets but hotel rooms, too. Five theme parks is A LOT and Guests will have to stay longer.

My idea for the next theme park? It'll kick Universal and IOA's butt - the Villians Theme Park. Make it mostly all roller coaster/thrill rides. That'll appeal to the teens and those in their early-mid 20s. I'm not talking no 300' roller coaster with a straight down drop like Shiek-Ra at Busch Gardens, but more among the lines of Roller Coaster, Tower, EE, etc, and make them all villian themed! So, for my first example, a racing/deuling coaster in black and white for Cruella!!

I know, I know. Far fetched. Probably won't ever happen. But that's just my little idea.

 

[disneysteve]

We are currently at Disney. This is our 5th year coming this week (Jersey Week). Each year has gotten progressively more crowded. If not for FastPass, we'd be seeing very little. MK was packed on Sunday. Epcot wasn't too bad yesterday. MGM was pretty busy this morning.

We were actually having the same conversation, wondering when or if there is a slow season anymore. I've been coming since the late 70s and it is far more crowded than it used to be.

 

[Stucas]

My idea for the next theme park? It'll kick Universal and IOA's butt - the Villians Theme Park. Make it mostly all roller coaster/thrill rides. That'll appeal to the teens and those in their early-mid 20s. I'm not talking no 300' roller coaster with a straight down drop like Shiek-Ra at Busch Gardens, but more among the lines of Roller Coaster, Tower, EE, etc, and make them all villian themed! So, for my first example, a racing/deuling coaster in black and white for Cruella!!

thats a great idea for a park. I would be there they day it opened. if only someone would see this post and go make it


-lauren

 

[nowellsl]

I agree that just about every time of year has gotten more crowded (especially since 9-11), but there are still plenty of times when there are low crowds. We generally go in Sept., Dec., Jan., and May. We go a lot so if the lines are long we just skip them, if a park is crowded we just head off to a different one. Of course week days are almost always less crowded than weekends. We went last Dec. on the 17th expecting pretty big crowds but it wasn't as bad as we were expecting. If you go expecting the worst you will almost always be pleasantly surprised!

 

[HayGan]

So what's everyones opinions: we are going Dec 6-10: AK Wed afternoon, MK thursday & Friday, MGM Saturday, - leave Sunday (no Epcot-Kids are 5 & 8- will focus on Epcot next time)- no parks Sunday just maybe visiting resorts after breakfast. How do you think the crowds will be?

Here is a link to ***************** Crowd Level Calendar. You can judge for yourself if those will be good park days or not

http://www.****************/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

Edited - grrrrrr - I see that it isn't an allowed reference so just go to www dot touring plans dot com (all one word) and look for the Crowd Level Calendar

 

[disneymiss]

Quite frankly, we didn't find the first week of December to be bad at all last year. We enjoyed the low crowds so much that we are heading back the same week this year. Now most of the rides weren't walk-ons (but some were!) The most we ever waited in line was 10 minutes. I wait longer than that for so-so rides at our local amusement park!!!

Now, I went the first week of Septemeber (Labor Day) this year with my mom. We walked right on to everything - even Space & Splash Mtns and Soarin'!!!

WOW we seem to be on the same schedule.. and yes the rides were walk right on, in September to the point I was the only one on the whole ride on alot of them....it was great but strange and Last year December was about the same or maybe just a little bit crowded but I would not say there was really a crowd.....I was able to do a lot or all of everything and was able to spend alot of quite time in a corner with a book....

so hope to do it again....

 

[tink1978]

I think the free dining thing is what messed up the "slow" season in the fall....and Disney may be coming up with other offers for other slow times of the year. I still think that any time is better than the summer. I would much rather face the crowds in 75 degree weather instead of 95 degree weather.

 

[tink1978]

People are talking about Saturday's and Sunday's being crowded....of course they are....it's the weekend.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We are currently at Disney. This is our 5th year coming this week (Jersey Week). Each year has gotten progressively more crowded. If not for FastPass, we'd be seeing very little. MK was packed on Sunday. Epcot wasn't too bad yesterday. MGM was pretty busy this morning.

We were actually having the same conversation, wondering when or if there is a slow season anymore. I've been coming since the late 70s and it is far more crowded than it used to be.

Hi DisneySteve,

We are leaving tomorrow, (Jersey Week) how is the weather?????????

Thanks

Patricia

 

[dvc at last !]

Crowds are good - business is good !

 

[LoriMistress]

I went to WDW in November 2003 and it wasn't crowded at all. Use FP if lines were getting long. I've noticed the only day that was crowded was MK and it was on Veteran's Day. We're going to WDW again in 2007 and I've been worried that the park will be crowded. Though, we're planning to stay in the parks for 10 days so that should give us plenty of time to do everything and take our time exploring new things that we didn't notice during our last trip.

I think, regardless if you go during high peak season or value season, it's all about planning. Do your research and you should be able to do everything that you want to do.

 

[disneysteve]

Hi DisneySteve,

We are leaving tomorrow, (Jersey Week) how is the weather?????????

Hi Pat. We got some heavy rain this evening, but otherwise has been very nice and is supposed to clear up tomorrow and after that.

If you are free, meet us at MK on Thursday at 1:30 opposite the Dole Whip stand in Adventureland. Hope to see you there. Otherwise, watch out for the green Mickey heads.

 

[spima3]

We are currently at Disney. This is our 5th year coming this week (Jersey Week)

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

thx,
lori

 

[disneysteve]

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

NJ schools are closed at least 2 days this week for state teacher conferences. Some districts close for up to the entire week. So lots of NJ folks take the week off and head to Disney World.