What's the verdict on FTP & Crowds?

[megrod74]

I did notice that some of the park hours have been extended (a little) during our stay the last week of Sept. While that means more crowds, it's good to have longer hours. (Can you tell I'm trying to be positive?)

 

[reldridge]

Crowds is one reason that we are going 9-26 to 10-1. Hopefully the last week before the Haloween festivities begin will be a little slower. Just hope the hurricanes will stay away!!!

 

[frannn]

I'm not sure about other states, but maybe there are a lot of NY'ers crowding WDW with the FTP this summer. I'm going in Oct, so I hope it's not so busy then.

 

[megrod74]

Well, even though I'm not looking forward to big crowds (we're used to going in early Dec.) I am glad that business seems to be booming for Disney - both as a shareholder and Disney fan! I think for those of us who have been there every year for the past couple years, it will seem really crowded, but the crowds are probably back to normal.

 

[jeleebeene]

Hey C4241, I am from Fort Wayne!! What a small world it is. I grew up in Fort Wayne, then the family moved to Leo/Grabill and when I married, we moved to Tennessee for DH's job.

We are heading to Fort Wayne this weekend to visit family before our WDW trip the end of next week.

I feel pretty good about the crowds right now - I have never been in the Fall, and while I am ready for a steady stream of people, I doubt it will be crowded like in the summer. Most kids are in school, or will be right after Labor Day.

We usually go in the summer, and while the crowds and hordes of people haven't bothered me, I am hoping for a more relaxing time this year !!

 

[llp479]

Just returned 8/23 from 9 days at WDW. Crowds were slightly larger than last year, but everything was quite doable.

The biggest thing I noticed this year, was the wait times posted for many attractions were incorrect. We got a fast pass for BTM because the posted wait time was 50 minutes. When we returned an hour later to use our fast pass we noticed there was no one in the standby line, and the sign still said 50 minutes. We used our fast pass, got off and went in the standby line and road again in 10 minutes! Same thing happened at Kali two days later.

 

[c4241]

jeleebeene.....what a small world huh? How great for you to be so close to your WDW trip. I hope you let us all read a trip report. We don't go until December. I was so happy to find this site....I've learned so much. You mentioned that you moved to Tenn.....was your hubby with Magnavox? I know lots of folks who moved down there years ago when the company split into commercial. I live on the SW side of town...Aboite. Originally from Milwaukee though....but our kids grew up here....Homestead HS. Anyway, thanks for making yourself known.

 

[jeleebeene]

DH works with computers on semi's and he transferred here to work with a company from Nashville. I actually have a cousin who works for Magnavox, and I remember him telling me about the split that was happening. We actually find out this week if we will be moving yet again - DH makes good money, but it sure would be nice to stay in one spot or move closer to home!!

My Aunt lives in Aboite - DH and I (right before we moved) lived at Willow Crossing - I think that is the name if I remember correctly -and I can't believe how much they have built out there! I remember when there was just a Walmart out there, now there is a whole complex! I am a Vera Bradley freak, and I love that Rustic Hutch was moved there, as I can atleast buy what I need until the outlet sale next year! There isn't a Rustic Hutch around here, and Vera Bradley is almost unheard of. I introduced it to my co-workers, and now they love it!

So glad to meet a fellow Hoosier!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

hi everyone . We were at All Star Movies from 8/13 to Fri 8/22. We usually always go the last week of Aug into Sept., but we could not this year. This was our 4th summer in a row. We are used to busy , heat , and a little rain. This summer was the SUMMER of RAIN<STORMS, almost daily. Some were really bad later in the day. As far as crowds, this was the MMOST PACKED we have seen in all 7 trips. I figured with the FTP it would be. Alot of first timers. We did ALOT of FP. Just try to get there early, alot of mornings we got there at like 945 to 10ish. WE just tried to do the more popular rides, then FP, then go to little shows, etc. We did BB and TL, loved both water parks, first time at TL. Loved swimming with the baby sharks and fish. I think now that more schools are going back you guys will be much better off then we were. Our MA> school starts on Thurs this week. its a day later then usual. I think you will always have summer crowds, so fall should be ALOT better. Just do the BIG rides early, then try to relax and enjoy your time. It will be GREAT just being there even if its crowded.

 

[packy]

We just got back on August 28th. We have been there four times in the last five years in the last week of August and this was the most crowded ( Aug 2001 was second). There is FTP with the Ultimate Magic Passes but also there is the child tax rebate checks that started to go out in July, so I am not sure what the reason is for the crowds. We went to the parks at opening and still had a great time although the crowds at opening were large compared to past experience. Disney may need to re-think Fast Pass. We went to MK at opening and rode the Speedway then SM at 9:15 a.m. When we got off SM at about 9:45 p.m. the Fast Pass return was 12:40 p.m. This shouldn't be.

 

[HPHILBIN]

We've been trying to book a second room for our trip in Oct. We are having a hard time - everything is booked. It's definitely making me rethink my planning - taking advantage of EE may not be so great if the hotels are booked and everyone else is doing the same. Any thoughts?

 

[Disneymom2AA]

Does anyone think that since the FTP came out and expires before the holidays that the holidays will be less crowded because everyone went to WDW sooner or are they making multiple trips due to the great deals of the FTP? Just wondering since I will be there during NYE. I was there last year at the same time and crowds really weren't that bad except for Magic Kingdom and the weather was wonderful.

 

[cfewell]

A lot of countdown counters on these boards are on or around the same time, so I am sure the crowds will be large, however, dont get to excited, take your time, enjoy an spend quality time with your family. Dont think of it as "I paid all this money and want to do everything" or you probably wont get everything done and will have a miserable time fighting the crowds, just enjoy your time, even when you are in line for a line that seems to go on forever, if you play a game with your kids or spouse or strike up a conversation with your family or people around you, you might find that the line goes quicker and you had fun while waiting!!!
Just a little tip... We will be there from Oct. 17 - Nov. 2.... hope to see you all there!!!

 

[Pamlur]

We were there 9/6-9/13, and everything was almost empty. There were very few lines, the biggest were at Star Tours and The Land.

 

[cdrn1]

We were there 9/15-9/19 and there was not much in the way of crowds. Walked on to Test Track, Splash Mountain, RNR. The only lines we had to speak of were 7 min for Jungle Cruise and about 10 for Maelstrom. Everything else was a walk on. Never even saw fast pass in use. For Illuminations, there were empty spots all along the lake up to show time.
We finished at MK by 1 pm (did not do "kiddy" rides but did everything else) and MGM by 4 pm including 1 hour lunch.
Empty busses, empty monorail.
By far the lowest crowds I have ever encountered there.

 

[megrod74]

wow - this is surprising

 

[cfewell]

I am also suprised by the amount of counters I am seeing, however Oct. is not yet upon us, keep us posted!

 

[indyanna]

The Disney Resorts in October appear to be quite full, but since the package was offered by Disney, is it possible that the surrounding non-Disney hotels are not going to be that full so even though the crowds will be higher than usual, they won't be like summer crowds?

I'm torn because we booked our vacation prior to the FTP coming out and were excited to be going during a slower time. FTP allowed us more time at Disney but perhaps at the price of bigger crowds and more time spent in line. It's still better to have 7 days with bigger crowds than 4 days with lower crowds, right?

 

[cfewell]

I dont think it will be anything like the summer crowds, but I imagine the weekends will be pretty full in the parks.

The only way to find out about other hotels, would be to get a book like the Unofficial guide and start calling 1-800 numbers to surrounding hotels and try to book a room, not acutally booking a room but "pretending to book" about 3 rooms for your family to see if they have the room. That would kind of tell you. The first place to start would be the Disney Hotels across from Downtown Disney. Course I know they are not run by disney however they are the clossest.

Anyway, I think we will be okay, I dont think the crowds will overpower our fun at Disney. We will be there from Oct. 17 - Nov. 2nd. I figure one of those days it will be slow enough to see each one of the parks LOL.

I hope all of you Disney goers that are just returning from Disney keep us posted.

 

[MouseNut]

I agree with the previous poster. Just relax and go with the flow. Use your time in line to admire what Disney does best: setting the scene. Sometimes the queue area is more entertaining than the attraction itself! (ie: Jungle Cruise).

Think of this: where would you rather be, waiting in line at DW, or back home at the office?

I have been to The World when there were virtually no people, and it was a strangely forlorn and spooky place.

Have a great trip!