Where are all the crowds?

[DeeBee3]

Forgot to mention you have to think in economic terms, as the cost of all things related to energy are going up right now - I am sure airfare will go up as it is much more than we paid over the summer, and gas is already much higher per gallon where I am.

 

[Punkrockbebop]

Yay, another mask thread
Enough already!

This is not a mask thread, it’s a thread about why there are low crowds, and I’d prefer we just left that part of the discussion, so the thread doesn’t get closed.

 

[kanerf]

Glad to hear about low crowd levels. I will be there on the 22nd - 31st and am looking forward to a relaxing WDW stay.

 

[JenM]

I can’t even imagine canceling a trip with such light crowds just because of a little piece of cloth, but we are used to it, too. In our job industry mask wearing is a requirement and we are tested 1-3 x a week, so it’s no big deal. I kind of like it, too. It keeps the sunburn away and every photo is flattering. Lol. As Ryno said in the Dis Unplugged this past week, we have treated it as just another fashion accessory that we match to our outfits. Lots of cute options.

That being said, I highly doubt the low crowds are because of the masks, I think that’s probably a minority group of travelers. One family ahead of us was so giddy about the low waits and said to us, “it’s totally worth wearing masks. We are having so much fun”

I went to my first Broadway show since March 2020 this week - masks and vaccine required - and the show was sold out, so it hasn’t been a dealbreaker for anyone wanting to see a show. But NYC was pretty quiet compared to pre-COVID matinee days, and I suspect these are mostly locals filling these seats right now. The tourists just aren’t back yet.

My guess is the same is happening with WDW now. This summer was…rough, and I think people are still waiting it out a bit longer. Our trip for next month is still on, but we debated moving it to next year. The crowds will be back in NYC, they’ll be back at WDW too. (just hopefully not during our trip )

 

[Punkrockbebop]

Yes, I can read. I’m very interested in this thread but the mask-lovers seem to descend on so many posts and it really makes reading the boards less fun every day.

It can be annoying when other people have input that contrasts with your own opinions. These are challenging times. I understand. What do you think about the crowds being low? I’d love to hear your input.

 

[mommamouseca]

Not sure if this helps at all, but I think our family situation might be representative of many; which is to say, I think people are changing/cancelling/moving trips for a variety of reasons. We are a family of four (DH, DS15, DS11 & me) from San Diego. We do Disneyland multiple times per year but this was going to be only our 3rd (and probably final, due to rising prices) WDW trip. We had an 11 day stay planned for early November. This trip had been postponed twice during the pandemic. We decided to postpone, yet again, for multiple reasons:
1) DH is not comfortable with the FL Covid numbers and hospital availability. He's not so much afraid of getting Covid but what if we needed emergency care while we are there and can't have adequate access to it?
2) Both kids are FINALLY back in to full-time in-person learning after being on Zoom school since March of 2020. We were ok with taking the middle schooler out of school for a few days but can't really justify doing so with the sophomore. When we moved the trip to this particular date, we truly thought that CA (San Diego in particular) would still be at least doing a hybrid schedule so he would still be able to participate in school while on vacation. One week of missed school with his schedule is just too much to ask of him. Plus, he is finally experiencing high school & don't want him to miss a minute more.
3) DS11 is still not vaxed. We just didn't feel comfortable with the FL Covid numbers for him.

So, what does this all boil down to? We have sunk costs in most of the trip and DH hates anything to go to waste, so I'm traveling to WDW solo at the beginning of November to use our non-refundable hotel stay and airfare, and the family vaca is scheduled for Spring Break 2022. Our thoughts are hopefully Covid numbers will be better, the kids won't be missing school and 11 year old will (maybe) be vaxed by then. We will see how our predections pan out.

I have a feeling there are many families like ours out there who are just waiting or canceling altogether for a variety of reasons. Fingers crossed (selfishly) that the low crowds stick around at least through early November. I'm pretty sure it will be too much to hope for low crowds by Spring Break.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Maybe I've just been in the wrong places, but MK and Epcot have been more crowded than I have ever seen. Including the week between Christmas/New Years. Like nowhere to walk at times. AK and HS have fluctuated, not too bad at times but still fairly crowded.
Still having probably my best trip ever though!

 

[jujubiee4]

Just like the report of labor shortages....low crowds can be indicator of variety of reasons.

Rising costs of everything including outside of Disney. Economic uncertainty.

We had a party of 16 coming December 1st and I moved everyone to DL. Not because
of costs but cases and CONSTANT flight changes to lousy arrival/departures. Being local most
family/friends can drive.

DH and I are suppose to come next month for couple's trip to F&W and even now i'm close
to cancelling because of constant emails regarding flight schedule changes. Not to mention the
rental car price has come down but not nearly good enough. So we shall see.

I hope there is no winter "surge" as i would love to take the kids In Jan/Feb.

 

[thptrek]

Agree. Mask are here at least till summer 2022. This winter will be rough.

I think it really depends on where you are. Many areas have no mask policies in place at all and don't plan to. Here in Texas I never wear a mask.

 

[aviva5675]

It's irritating to me because we make a 1 night reservation, living on Fla west coast. Can't find any 1 nights at all for Nov/Dev, have tried numerous times. You can make a 2 night so obviously rooms are open. If crowds are so light you'd think they would take any nights' stay.

 

[mousefan73]

Many cancelled because of the Covid spike in August. People weren’t sure what the next couple of months would bring. We decided to do our August trip but I know many in that now close thread had October trips they were canceling. If you think about the cost of a Disney vacation if there’s any black cloud or life or death what if’s, you’re going to cancel. Just not worth the money I mean we’re not talking about a weekend trip that’s only a couple hundred dollars.
Many were worried about lack of local ER care for non- Covid reasons too. I recall one person was fully vaccinated but had other underlying health issues and was worried that if she had a spike up she couldn’t get care locally. Some cancelled because they didn’t want to wear masks indoors. Based on feedback I read the latter was less a drive. I did WTW and Universal end of August and Universal also had low crowds and they did not have a mask mandate. Plus many International were thinking October would open. It did not.

I must say I’ve had an interesting August / September : I did WDW end of August, universal and then Disneyland Paris two weeks later‘s in September. Crowds were low in all three parks. For me it was a once in a life time luck ( Not counting the same like we had with the Irma and Dorian).
I promise to write a trip report because it’s very interesting to compare how the two Disney parks delt with Covid. Paris for example, you can’t even enterPark property unless you’re tested or vaccinated.

OP. When exactly were you guys looking at resorts back in August that seem to be booked? Because I do know that around mid August that was when the cancellation spike started. I work in the industry but it was basically around the time that Orlando announced they might have water/ sewer issues due to oxygen supply issues. That could explain how things seemed booked “crowded”.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Maybe I've just been in the wrong places, but MK and Epcot have been more crowded than I have ever seen. Including the week between Christmas/New Years. Like nowhere to walk at times. AK and HS have fluctuated, not too bad at times but still fairly crowded.
Still having probably my best trip ever though!

We had the same experience as you! Everyone is saying low crowds blah blah. We were there 2 weeks ago and it was more crowded than we have ever seen including having been there on major holidays. Lines were all minimum of 45 min for the normal walk ons and well over 90 for other rides.

 

[rasclautmangos]

We had the same experience as you! Everyone is saying low crowds blah blah. We were there 2 weeks ago and it was more crowded than we have ever seen including having been there on major holidays. Lines were all minimum of 45 min for the normal walk ons and well over 90 for other rides.

Cosign. I'm here right now on the liberty boat and Magic Kingdom is just as crowded as I've seen it in June or July. Just as hot too.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Cosign. I'm here right now on the liberty boat and Magic Kingdom is just as crowded as I've seen it in June or July. Just as hot too.

Its definitely been a warm week. But not unexpected for this time of year here.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Cosign. I'm here right now on the liberty boat and Magic Kingdom is just as crowded as I've seen it in June or July. Just as hot too.

It was very, very hot and rainy when we were there. Not quick rainstorms either, drawn out storms including almost all of our Hollywood Studios day.

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

Light crowds? M K was nuts today. ( monday)!

 

[AUTUMNSAM]

Omg I’m getting excited now. Fingers crossed it stays like this 25 days from now

me too!

 

[AUTUMNSAM]

Omg I’m getting excited now. Fingers crossed it stays like this 25 days from now

me too!

 

[luv2cheer92]

Light crowds? M K was nuts today. ( monday)!

Yep. I was kinda glad that I had to leave around 2:15ish for my DME. The number of people wasn't quite as much as it was on 10/1, but everyone was actually riding rides, so those waits were a lot higher than the rest of my week there.
I originally had AK booked for today, but spent some time there yesterday afternoon so decided to switch to MK this morning. Kinda regretted that choice.

 

[Wookiecookie]

I’m going in 2 weeks with 5 fully-vaccinated adults (and back-up covid test kits courtesy of my work) so I hope we will be lucky and hope wait time stay low. I do feel bad for the families who cannot go and I’m going to get gifts for all my family friends who can’t.