What's the verdict on FTP & Crowds?

[indyanna]

All of you have gone already, was there a hugely significant increase in the crowds? Just curious!

 

[FreshTressa]

Yes, Yes, I want to know!!

I am sooooo worried about crowds in October. We purposely booked that time of year to avoid the crowds of summer, but it looks like it may be just as packed in October!

 

[TZMOM]

I'm with you guys - it seems from what I've been reading that crowds have been a bit bigger this summer than what has been seen the past few years. We're leaving in a couple of weeks - I'm not worried, nervous, anxious, "scairt" - just excited to have time on a fun vacation w/my 13 y.o. DS - this may be the last time he wants to go anywhere with just his Mom for the next few years. Geez, they grow up fast!!

 

[dclwdwlover]

What IS 'FTP' please?

 

[indyanna]

FTP means Fairy Tale Package!

 

[HYM8TNNCE]

We just returned Thursday --we have never seen crowds this size before, and we always go in the summer. The Florida kids even started school last Monday and we thought the crowds would diminish a bit, but they didn't! Still a great trip--I don't let the crowds get to me--you're in Disney!!! if it weren't for the FTP, we probably would not have gone this year--just couldn't pass up the opportunity--so my family and I also contributed to the crowd!

 

[mep319]

Oh...I was afraid of that......I can't stand crowds that is why we pull DD out of school and this will probably be the last year we can do that!! lol

 

[Duckster]

We just returned from our stay at the Wilderness Lodge at Disney. The crowds were very large. I noticed that most people were using their room key as their park pass which I believe means thay had to have an Ultimate Park Hopper Pass. Since thaty is the pass involved with the FTP I am assuming that the reason for these large crowds is due to the FTP package.

 

[psar]

Just returned form AKL conceirge. We go every year during the summer and these are the largest crowds I have seen in 4 yrs. The most people were gathered at RRC and TOT no matter when you went, and MK had good size crowds also. We did go on EE mornings to these parks, and while the crowds were there we manged to get everything done before the masses arrived. Everthing is doable just use fast pass. E nights are great also. On the contrary, you wouldn't know this at the resort which was 90%-100% booked while we were there. Pool was not crowded, bus service was excellent, and the lounge was never full. Probably because everyone was hangin' out at the parks!

 

[disneyluver91]

This is what i was afraid of...

 

[indyanna]

I'm almost sorry I asked! Oh well, I've never been to Disney so I don't know what the difference is between light and heavy crowds. Hopefully October will still be a little "lighter" than the summer even with FTP. I'm gonna have fun anyway!

 

[Emy'sMom]

mep319 - We are taking our DD out of school for 3 days for this trip too (she has a 4 day weekend for a Fall Break). She'll be in First Grade so this is the last time we'll be going to Disney in the Fall for quite some time!!!

indyanna - Hi neighbor! Just wanted to say I hope you have great time on your first trip!

Debbie

 

[mep319]

My DD is 1st grade too...why it will be our last year to pull her from school (said that last year too)..didn't want to this year but FTP too good to pass up. (We are missing 5 days...I feel terrible!) Well I guess we will all just have to keep our fingers crossed for low crowds!

 

[Kuruptr]

I'm missing first day of senior year of highschool for disney...12 years and ive never missed the first day......Oh well

 

[indyanna]

I actually live in Fishers, but grew up in Indy. /Fishers sound so pathetically small town! My kids are in an alternate calendar school so we get two weeks Fall break.

 

[TZMOM]

Anybody else just back? What is your opinion re: FTP crowds vs. previous year's crowds? I guess it doesn't really matter - it's all been paid for, we're going, etc. just curious. . . . .

 

[Emy'sMom]

indyanna -

My mother used to live in Fishers - off 116th Street and Lantern Road. My doctor is in Fishers too.

We live in Pike Township but are building a house in Westfield. It should be done right around the time we return from our Disney trip! Yeah!

Have a great time on your trip! We'll be there the same time as you - our counters are almost the same!

Debbie

 

[c4241]

Just a quickie "hello" to fellow Hoosiers......I'm a grandma in Ft. Wayne, going to WDW for 10 days in December. Are you driving or flying? I have a son living in Fishers....small world huh? Well, just had to give a "pixie dust" blessing to fellow Hoosiers.

 

[Aurora in blue]

We just got back the first week of August. The crowds were really large. I bet you will have better luck in October. We usually go in September but my son is starting Kindergarten and I didnt want to pull him out. We used fast pass and some EE days. We tried to get to the parks as early as possible and that really helped . Just try to have some sort of game plan before you arrive.. one that is adaptable of course. We also were reeled in by the FTP and even though it was crowded we had a terrfic time.It is Disney after all. Have a fantastic time! We are ready to go back already.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Just remember that BIGGER crowds in July and August are HUGE compared to BIGGER crowds in September and October. The last time we went in September we didn't wait on anything. So if we have 10 - 30 minute waits in the stand-by line it still isn't really crowded.