Why the crowds?

[Mac4life30]

Any reason for the higher then normal crowds lately?

 

[FlipHipster]

MM+ is actually bringing people in maybe?

Are the parks actually more crowded or are the lines a lot longer making it seem more crowded?

 

[DividedSky]

Economy is improving

A brutally cold and long winter is making Florida travel more appealing.

FP+ could be increasing demand to return to Disney. (it did for me)

 

[Mac4life30]

I was there in January and two weeks ago and it was crazy!! I took my parents in January thinking it be empty ( it was not marathon weekend or Martin Luther King weekend) and MK was packed.

 

[smitch425]

Well, there have been some holidays weekends recently, but I am going with weather being the biggest factor. I know at least 50 people that have just picked up and left to escape the brutal cold of this winter. Wish I could have been one of them!

 

[MomofKatie]

Don't many universities around the country start spring breaks right around this time?

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah weather is a factor. I'd love to get somewhere warm right now. I walked out of my office earlier today (we had a power outage so no heating!) and it was snowing. I was trying to imagine the feeling of hot sun on my skin and if I had the means, would have paid good money right there and then to get it.

Also the economy is definitely picking up and that is fact. Disney is an obvious first cut from a struggling budget and it's been a long, dark few years for many.

Are we not going into Spring Break now too?

 

[LSUfan4444]

I was there in January and two weeks ago and it was crazy!! I took my parents in January thinking it be empty ( it was not marathon weekend or Martin Luther King weekend) and MK was packed.

I was there for 9 days in january (1/10 - 1/18) and the only thing I waited more than 20 minutes for was Tink's Nook, Anna & Elsa, few ADRs and the marathon expo bus.

 

[lazer]

We've been going the last four falls. Each year it has gotten more crowded. Two years ago, we walked out of magic kingdom after ten minutes. A Friday, in the off season, couldn't move. No special events going on. I think the economy is improving and more people are going back to the parks!

 

[Mac4life30]

Spring break should be starting soon yes. I get to go back March 26 and I'm already dreading the crowds.

 

[mousehockey37]

Any reason for the higher then normal crowds lately?

Well, this past week has been Mardi Gras, there's also college Spring Breaks, the economy is improving for some, and there's people in the cold areas that just want to thaw out and get warm.

Flower and Garden is getting underway, there were cheerleaders and runners, don't forget the tour groups and this weekend there's something going on with ESPN Wide World of Sports.

So yeah, just a lil bit going on.

 

[Mac4life30]

Darn! Great for Disney not so much for us.

 

[Dis703]

I swear I remember reading the exact same thing last January/February. Lots of people posting how it was so much more crowded than expected.

 

[surferdave]

Disney has been doing a good job of finding markets and creating incentives to fill the parks during previously less busy times.

I suspect the odds of MME attracting more people to be lower than the odds of John Carter getting another theater run.

 

[DividedSky]

Disney has been doing a good job of finding markets and creating incentives to fill the parks during previously less busy times.

I suspect the odds of MME attracting more people to be lower than the odds of John Carter getting another theater run.

I suspect you are wrong.

 

[mousehockey37]

I swear I remember reading the exact same thing last January/February. Lots of people posting how it was so much more crowded than expected.

You also have to look at all the deals that are out there and NOT just in the US. Just go out on the main page and look at the deals for people in Europe as well as the visitors from south of the equator.

The crowd calculators are an estimation/prediction. Look at all the things that can impact that: deals, weather, time of year, special events, etc...

For this particular year, it's been brutally cold in most of the country and people just want to get away from the snow and cold. Add in deals for room discounts, free dining (if it's there) and things like that and you'll see people making last minute trips or taking an extra day off or two from work and coming in.

Couple this with the fact that you have FP+ still in testing and yes, you may not be there on a particularly busy day but you may see more people wandering because they don't want to be in lines for rides (something there's a lot of right now apparently).

 

[surferdave]

Couple this with the fact that you have FP+ still in testing and yes, you may not be there on a particularly busy day but you may see more people wandering because they don't want to be in lines for rides (something there's a lot of right now apparently).

I'll wholeheartedly agree that MME may be making the parks look and feel more crowded.

 

[GovieMom]

Don't many universities around the country start spring breaks right around this time?

Bingo!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

How many college students visit the parks?? Not many I'd guess.
Economy improving my rear end! I doubt many are making more than they did and their COL has lowered.
I'd say weather, people living beyond their means and FP+ are to blame, the parks might not be much more crowded it's just the FP lines making the parks appear super packed.

 

[jhaig]

I blame Mother Nature. This has been the worst winter for the eastern and central parts of the United States in many years. So, if people can get away from it, they're going to.