Would you say...

[TheyCallMeStacey]

That these wait times we're currently seeing are still due to spring break ... or due to just inflated crowd levels post-covid closure?

 

[lanejudy]

Neither...my guess is it's more likely due to continued limited staffing in the call centers since covid.

 

[gatorlisa]

Are you talking about wait times for attractions in the park? If so, spring break is still in full swing. I can't speak to the rest of the country, but here in the south spring break can run anywhere from mid March (parts of Florida) to mid April (the Carolinas).

 

[sponica]

It's probably a combination of the following:

1) Two years worth of travelers picking the same 8-10 week period (winter break/spring break/break adjacent)
2) Staffing not fully re-established
3) People eaters not back in force (see also item 2)

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Are you talking about wait times for attractions in the park?

Yep! Just wondering if things are going to quiet down when we hit end of April/May

 

[lanejudy]

Yep! Just wondering if things are going to quiet down when we hit end of April/May

Sorry, I was thinking of the horrendous phone waits!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

That these wait times we're currently seeing are still due to spring break ... or due to just inflated crowd levels post-covid closure?

We were there a couple weeks ago, and I would say both - both spring break and pent-up pandemic travel needs. It was incredibly busy earlier this month, and it was also unusually crowded when we were there in late January. Things are slowly but surely reopening at WDW, but it's not 100% yet, probably because of staffing issues as others have said. I don't know for sure, but I find it hard to believe April (at least) won't be just as crowded with so many traveling around Easter. May crowds would only be a guess, too!

 

[RoseGold]

Everest being closed and Tower of Terror being broken is not helping.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Spring break won't really be over until the week after Easter. I think it will still be very busy through the summer with pent up demand, international visitors, many things still not open (stores, restaurants, shows, fireworks etc.) and then in the heart of the summer Food & Wine is starting. I bet we will hear something about Halloween shortly so along with F&W crowds will fill in late summer and early fall. October has become the new go to season followed by Jersey week, Thanksgiving and Christmas so I don't see much of a reprieve from crowds this year. Just my own little crystal ball.

 

[sponica]

Yep! Just wondering if things are going to quiet down when we hit end of April/May

I'm not anticipating it...I think the best predictor will be if park reservations are unavailable. And I know that's just a made up cap that means nothing.

 

[Imamom2]

I expect to see crowds for the rest of the year for lots of reasons. People are ready to travel, international guests are returning, and Disney is short-staffed. The internationals CMs will help, but they won’t be back until late summer. We rented points for the 2 trips we have planned and DVC is definitely booked. I am hoping the parks won’t be so crowded at the end of August... we will melt of course, but I don’t think it will be so crowded.

 

[hulagirl87]

Everest being closed and Tower of Terror being broken is not helping.

Tower of Terror is broken? We just rode it yesterday! Though yesterday Rise and Runaway Railway had their moments.....

 

[MainMom]

Tower of Terror is broken? We just rode it yesterday! Though yesterday Rise and Runaway Railway had their moments.....

One side is being refurbed. When it’s done they will do the other side.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

maybe with character meets coming back that will help eat up some of the crowds

 

[Darcy03231]

I think it's a combination of both. We're waiting another year to see if things return to "normal" before rebooking our canceled 2020 trip.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I think it's all of the above, spring break, pent up demand for travel and/or people wanting to spend money and definitely limited staffing. And really, what's causing the wait times is really irrelevant, we all are ahead of the game since we're aware. I had an acquaintance that went to WDW in February and lost her mind on the crowds. I think if you know what to expect and adjust accordingly, then you set yourself up for a better trip outcome.