Wow.....attendance is up at WDW

[gshoemate]

We had plans to go to MK today. We arrive at the ticket center and it was packed. We look at the monarail ramp and it is backed up all the way to the bottom and they have ropes set up to keep people in a line. Same with the ferryboat.....there was a massive crowd waiting to get on. So we ask a CM what was going on at MK to make it so crowed, he said nothing, they have just been really busy the whole month. Needless to day, we were not up to the crowds and headed to Epcot instead...where it was also very busy. Good to see attendance is up at WDW.

 

[kilee]

Flights from our area to Orlando were sold out on certain airlines for this 2 week window in February. I think the travel industry is starting to see a rebound.

 

[gshoemate]

Also while driving by I-Drive I noticed that the hotels were advertising rooms for 59.95.....for February that seems high. We normally see them between 39.95 - 49.95. Tourism is up!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I know here in Syracuse NY it's been winter break so I'm sure many people went down to Disney. The weather has been so bad this year that MANY people took off to go Down South.
I think quite a few schools have this week off I know some of the small colleges here did also.

 

[mitros]

From now, right on through Easter, expect hugh crowds. This time of year heavy attendance is fairly normal. Also, this year, because of this DVC member homecoming thing, you can expect a busy last week of May. Gosh, I hate it when it gets crowded!

 

[MELSMICE]

I think more & more schools have the week off for President's Week. Rumor has it our school district will be doing the same thing next year.

When you live up north, there is not much to do in the winter time, unless you are skiier & enjoy winter sports - none of which I enjoy or have any desire to take up now!!!

This could be the reason you experienced higher than average crowds for this time of year. It is becoming a big holiday week for many areas of the country.

 

[Jen in MA]

President's Week is always school vacation week for Massachusetts schools... I think CT schools may have this week off as well. NH schools have the next week off.

 

[kilee]

Melsmice-- we aren't that far apart. There was an article in the Buffalo News, that it was mandated that all the public school's in this area have to take the week off. They have 2 yrs to implement it into the schedule. It has to do w/ the Easte break being too long and disrupting "learning", as well as an energy issue. With the school's closed, they can save energy on heating costs for the week.

This was our 2nd year off for Presiden't Day week.

 

[Pig Pen]

Schools are out here as well, and EVERYONE is heading to Florida.

 

[Poohbear123]

Slow season anymore! I was there Jan. 31-Feb. 5th and it was VERY crowded for a Feb. 30 min waits for rides, and the food court was crowded at PC.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by mitros
Also, this year, because of this DVC member homecoming thing, you can expect a busy last week of May.

Tell me more about this event. We're going this week and I hadn't heard about this.

When and where?

 

[tboss]

Does the DVC homecoming event add huge crowds?

 

[tiberius]

Also, don't forget that with an improving economy across most of the country, I am sure some people who put off earlier trips are starting to go again.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by kilee
Melsmice-- we aren't that far apart. There was an article in the Buffalo News, that it was mandated that all the public school's in this area have to take the week off. They have 2 yrs to implement it into the schedule. It has to do w/ the Easte break being too long and disrupting "learning", as well as an energy issue. With the school's closed, they can save energy on heating costs for the week.

So they say. My sister is a teacher & she said having 2 separate weeks off will be more of a disruption than 2 weeks together. She said even after a long weekend, it's sometimes hard to get the kids back into the groove & remember what they were working on.

I remember reading an article last year about it - I don't remember it saying it was mandated, but I do remember that they said they wanted to save on heat costs & were most likely going to follow the BOCES schedule.

The one thing that irked me a little was one of the Superintendent's (can't remember who) said this would give families a way to take 2 vacations instead of just one.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't think that the majority of families couldn't afford to double the travel expenses for the 2 vacations. Also, I am sure there are many families (some which I know) that drive to their destinations, thereby using 4 or 5 days to travel. If you only have one week off this will be a very difficult thing to do.

As you can see, I'm not crazy about the split vacation. Honestly, we will probably end up taking our DD's out of school for a few days at Easter time if they are only going to get 1 week off. It's not that I wouldn't enjoy going 2X to WDW within a few months, it's just cost prohibitive for us. Plus, I prefer to go in the warmer months so I can utilize the pools & the water parks.

Here's what my high school sophmore's schedule will look like next year:

--last week of January - exams - no schedule classes
--week of Feb. 21 (3rd week) off for vacation
--Easter break beginning Friday, March 25 - off for another week

Just about every 3rd week for 3 months she will have a week off. Doesn't seem like such a great learning environment to me!

I realize I'm only one voice & they're certainly not going to change the school schedule to accommodate my vacations. I just thought the comment about families now taking 2 vacations was a little niave and ignorant on the part of the person saying it!!! Plus, I don't see how such a broken schedule can be conducive to learning. JMO!

Okay, now I'll get off my soapbox!!!