Wow...why has it been so busy?!

[todzwife]

We just got back from a trip this week and were surprised by the crowds. I think part of the problem is that SO much is closed that would help funnel some of the crowds from the most congested areas of the park. It was miserable Friday evening. 20 minutes just to get in the bathroom!

 

[MacMama0930]

I'm sorry but those wait times are neither "average" or "decent". At least not on a Tuesday/Thursday at the end of February. To say that you would be happy to have those wait times when you're there seems overboard to me!

Those wait times have really been all I've ever seen. Gone in October, November and February. They seem decent to me. But I don't really use standby lines. I've always been able to take advantage of FP and/or SRL - so I wouldn't wait in an hour + long line. But ya, those waits seem very normal based on my trips.

 

[minnieralyks]

I'm sorry but those wait times are neither "average" or "decent". At least not on a Tuesday/Thursday at the end of February. To say that you would be happy to have those wait times when you're there seems overboard to me!

That's great that you've only experienced lower wait times so would not consider them average or decent. I'm curious to hear what you would say are decent wait times for specific rides. But just because I (and several others) have had a different experience of wait times than you have doesn't mean that our observations are invalid or incorrect.

We've gone anywhere from April, September, October, November, December, and February over many years and those are the wait times we've always experienced if it was an average afternoon (not light, not heavy on crowds). I'm not sure what about being happy at those wait times is "overboard". If we had those wait times when we're there next week, it would be great because it's getting into the early Spring Break season.

 

[MAJPLO]

That's great that you've only experienced lower wait times so would not consider them average or decent. I'm curious to hear what you would say are decent wait times for specific rides. But just because I (and several others) have had a different experience of wait times than you have doesn't mean that our observations are invalid or incorrect.

We've gone anywhere from April, September, October, November, December, and February over many years and those are the wait times we've always experienced if it was an average afternoon (not light, not heavy on crowds). I'm not sure what about being happy at those wait times is "overboard". If we had those wait times when we're there next week, it would be great because it's getting into the early Spring Break season.

I am by no means saying you or anyone else are incorrect about the wait times. I'm just saying it's an exaggeration to expect that this time of year. If it were spring break season then sure, you should excpect to see those kind of lines. But I wouldn't be happy to see 60-90 minute lines for anything in late February on a Tuesday.

 

[SMD]

I am by no means saying you or anyone else are incorrect about the wait times. I'm just saying it's an exaggeration to expect that this time of year. If it were spring break season then sure, you should excpect to see those kind of lines. But I wouldn't be happy to see 60-90 minute lines for anything in late February on a Tuesday.

Compared to what? The waits were similar last year throughout February. In any given week you could see waits like that midweek one day and have it be totally different another. Then the next week those days of the week might reverse. Besides the parks just being more crowded in general, I think Sherry's theory of crowds avoiding crowds causing crowds has been at play for the last few years.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I am by no means saying you or anyone else are incorrect about the wait times. I'm just saying it's an exaggeration to expect that this time of year. If it were spring break season then sure, you should excpect to see those kind of lines. But I wouldn't be happy to see 60-90 minute lines for anything in late February on a Tuesday.

When were you last at Disneyland? I've been a frequent visitor (around once a week) for the past 3.5 years since I've been home with my daughter, and those times don't look surprising to me. We are usually there on weekdays.

If you haven't been all that often in the past few years, perhaps that explains the difference in perspective.

 

[minnieralyks]

I am by no means saying you or anyone else are incorrect about the wait times. I'm just saying it's an exaggeration to expect that this time of year. If it were spring break season then sure, you should excpect to see those kind of lines. But I wouldn't be happy to see 60-90 minute lines for anything in late February on a Tuesday.

Are we talking about the same list of wait times here? The one I'm talking about was a snapshot posted from Albertan Mom on page 1:

Big Thunder 30
Buzz 25
Haunted 40
Space 90
Indiana Jones 55
Splash 70
Star Tours 50
Small World 20
Alice 30
Jungle 30
Peter Pan 50

The only rides that are in the 60-90 minute wait category are Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain is high, but Space Mountain is always pretty busy as it is a very popular ride.

The majority of the rest are well below that. I would agree that 60-90 minutes would be pretty bad for the majority of these rides in late February (TBH, it wouldn't be good for peak season either), however that is not what was observed. Maybe we're talking about two different things here.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

Rarely any lines at WDW? When is the last time you were there?

Last year in September

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

the OP is talking about DisneyLAND....

Apparently there are significant differences between DL and WDW ... I don't really understand why but hey, Disney clearly does what works for them...

They don't have Dining Plan, they don't have the same FP+ system...

Makes sense

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

Actually, I would have to say those are pretty average and decent wait times for the afternoon. If those are the wait times during our trip in a week, I would be pretty happy. Also, they normally don't have shows during the weekdays. Those have always been restricted to the weekends, besides last year (the diamond celebration).

Sorry that you didn't have such a good time Hopefully you'll be able to make it back when all the nighttime shows (Fantasmic) are opened, which I believe is happening later this year.

Thank you I still had a great time but we couldn't even get out of the park. It was crazy packed because of the parade and the fireworks. I'm just not use to it and was wondering why.

 

[GatorChris]

The worst part was there was NO nighttime shows. And no, the Electrical Parade does not count. To have Fireworks, Fantasmic and World of Color all down at the same time is just awful. People save their whole lives to come to Disneyland, and to not have one night time show on, that is just cruel. Better timing needed to make sure that doesn't happen to people.

Perfect quote. All of those long long long lines at the rides, and then nothing in the evening but a very old and outdated light parade. What's worse, and I'll be posting about this soon, is that the fireworks on Friday started up, and the about 7 minutes in just ended "due to high winds". It was the ultimate slap in the face.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

The OP specifically mentioned "DW" (see quote below) and then commented about 2008 experiences that inferred they were DLR related.

Yes correct. 2008 was the last time we had passes. And DW is normally a vacation we take in low season. I think I've gotten spoiled with wait times. We did visit DL a couple of weeks ago and although busy we didn't wait too long because of fast passes. However, it was still packed.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

Interesting! I didn't realize that. Has it been nightly for several years or just last year? We've only seen WOC once a few years ago, so haven't followed the scheduling.

I do understand the disappointment, which is unfortunate because Disneyland is such a special place that no one should come away disappointed.

You're sweet. I think Id like to be wiser like many of you on here. There were many factors we need to avoid for next time.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

Perfect quote. All of those long long long lines at the rides, and then nothing in the evening but a very old and outdated light parade. What's worse, and I'll be posting about this soon, is that the fireworks on Friday started up, and the about 7 minutes in just ended "due to high winds". It was the ultimate slap in the face.

Yes we were there...and it was difficult getting out of the park from Tomorrowland.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

We just got back from a trip this week and were surprised by the crowds. I think part of the problem is that SO much is closed that would help funnel some of the crowds from the most congested areas of the park. It was miserable Friday evening. 20 minutes just to get in the bathroom!

Yes, I've had to beg gracious ladies to let my child go so she does not have an accident.

 

[mom2rtk]

Last year in September

That explains a lot. September has historically been one of the lowest crowd times. Many schools in the northeast (a huge piece of WDW's base) start back on Labor Day, and even parents who will take kids out of school for a trip won't do that in the first few weeks of a new school year.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Perfect quote. All of those long long long lines at the rides, and then nothing in the evening but a very old and outdated light parade. What's worse, and I'll be posting about this soon, is that the fireworks on Friday started up, and the about 7 minutes in just ended "due to high winds". It was the ultimate slap in the face.

I'm not understanding how this was a "slap in the face"? Fireworks were scheduled, as you want them to be, they are committed enough to showing them to try to get them in on a night with wind, they start the show, and then the wind conditions force them to stop... While I absolutely understand that this would be a bummer and a disappointment, what was Disney supposed to do?

It certainly would have been easier (and cheaper) for them to skip them entirely if there was a chance of wind, so the fact that they started the show seems to be a point in their favor. Clearly they were trying to put on a fireworks show. They can't change the weather.

 

[GatorChris]

I'm not understanding how this was a "slap in the face"? Fireworks were scheduled, as you want them to be, they are committed enough to showing them to try to get them in on a night with wind, they start the show, and then the wind conditions force them to stop... While I absolutely understand that this would be a bummer and a disappointment, what was Disney supposed to do?

It certainly would have been easier (and cheaper) for them to skip them entirely if there was a chance of wind, so the fact that they started the show seems to be a point in their favor. Clearly they were trying to put on a fireworks show. They can't change the weather.

That's easy. Have you ever gone to a Broadway show that cancels after the second act? Have you ever gone to a buffet and they kicked you out after the salad? Have you ever watched half a season of Game of Thrones and then have Netflix cancel your account?

I've never seen this show. We hung around THE WORST crowds I've ever seen at DL to get to see this show. Worked our way through a Tomorrowland that felt 20 times worse than getting in line for Southwest Airlines. And it got cancelled right in the middle. Yeah, they started the show. Good on them. But after multiple cancellations I've experienced in the past, this was just a new way for them to cancel it. OK, so you don't think much of the fireworks. But for me and my family, it's the pinnacle of Disney, the apex of what they do, the biggest difference between Disney and Six Flags, the reason we love going to Disney parks. It was painful. I like things you can depend on, predictable. DL fireworks are anything but. So let me express my disappointment. That's what these forums are for.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

That's easy. Have you ever gone to a Broadway show that cancels after the second act? Have you ever gone to a buffet and they kicked you out after the salad? Have you ever watched half a season of Game of Thrones and then have Netflix cancel your account?

I've never seen this show. We hung around THE WORST crowds I've ever seen at DL to get to see this show. Worked our way through a Tomorrowland that felt 20 times worse than getting in line for Southwest Airlines. And it got cancelled right in the middle. Yeah, they started the show. Good on them. But after multiple cancellations I've experienced in the past, this was just a new way for them to cancel it. OK, so you don't think much of the fireworks. But for me and my family, it's the pinnacle of Disney, the apex of what they do, the biggest difference between Disney and Six Flags, the reason we love going to Disney parks. It was painful. I like things you can depend on, predictable. DL fireworks are anything but. So let me express my disappointment. That's what these forums are for.

Ha - I paid for a Halloween party this past year mostly just to see my beloved Halloween Screams fireworks. Guess what? They got cancelled after being "postponed" for 20 extra minutes while we all stood around. $90 to watch fireworks that didn't happen. I was definitely disappointed, but I had a great time anyway. Maybe I'll try again next year.

It's Disneyland. The fireworks get cancelled All. The. Time. I definitely understand disappointment. I don't understand the attitude that implies that Disney is somehow out to get you or slapping you in the face by cancelling the fireworks.

 

[agamble]

Disneyland and DCA opened at 10AM this morning with DCA having EE at 9. Ten minutes after 10AM opening the average wait time at DL (based on the official app) was 7.4 minutes for 25 running attractions (longest waits Peter Pan at 30 and Star Tours at 20) and the average wait at DCA was 10.8 minutes for 19 running attractions (longest waits RSR at 60 and Toy Story at 20). That looks alright to me. Best tiem to be at the parks is in the morning. I'll check back later in the day and see how those averages change.