Wrong

[BoardWalkBelle]

So much for what everyone says about going to the parks after a hurricane because they are empty.
Wrong! These parks are packed!

 

[scrappinginontario]

What park are you at?

Often the first day is quiet but then things pick right back up especially as reservations are open as many want to take advantage of the ‘quiet parks’.

Hope you still have a great day!!

 

[VAtink]

So much for what everyone says about going to the parks after a hurricane because they are empty.
Wrong! These parks are packed!

Totally agree, although this whole week has been packed as well. We usually go this week every year and I've never seen it this crowded before.

One thing I think that impacted the number of people here post hurricane is there seems to be a ton of foreigners here right now so it's probably harder for them to get home. Hearing a lot of British accents and Portuguese around, and there have been a handful of those large Brazilian tour groups in the parks, which we've never seen in September before.

 

[scrappinginontario]

You also have a certain number of people who have come in for Epcot’s 40th Anniversary today so some have pkanned their trip around today.

 

[picktails]

Truth! We were there Sept. 25 - 30. When parks reopened Friday the 30th we were there at opening (Epcot opened for on property guests at 9.) By 11 when the park opened to all it was crazy!

 

[inspectorgadget]

Totally agree, although this whole week has been packed as well. We usually go this week every year and I've never seen it this crowded before.

One thing I think that impacted the number of people here post hurricane is there seems to be a ton of foreigners here right now so it's probably harder for them to get home. Hearing a lot of British accents and Portuguese around, and there have been a handful of those large Brazilian tour groups in the parks, which we've never seen in September before.

I visit Disney every September. This week we visited for the first time since 2019, due to covid. I have always seen those big Brazilian groups every September.

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

What park are you at?

Often the first day is quiet but then things pick right back up especially as reservations are open as many want to take advantage of the ‘quiet parks’.

Hope you still have a great day!!

I actually am a CM at MK.

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

You also have a certain number of people who have come in for Epcot’s 40th Anniversary today so some have pkanned their trip around today.

There isnt anything special for the 40th anniversary of Epcot.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

There isnt anything special for the 40th anniversary of Epcot.

Are you sure about that? I read about multiple anniverary-related events today, and of course all of the merchandise (and the lines!) that wenr with it.

 

[BK2014]

We are local AP holders. Yesterday there were no park reservations open for EPCOT. This morning there were so we decided to go. We arrived around noon, and neither the parking lot nor the park itself was as crowded as we would have expected for a major anniversary. But we also didn't venture into the world showcase, so it may have been more crowded there. When we arrived in the parking lot, it did seem like a lot of the people arriving were like us, realizing that reservations were now available and deciding to go last minute. My wife did wait in the line for anniversary merchandise around 4:40pm and waited about 45 minutes, much shorter than reported earlier in the morning.

As for special anniversary things, in addition to the merchandise, there was a ceremony in the morning, a special park map, and a poster being handed out upon exiting the park. Was it a lot? No. But then again, we were at MK this day last year for the 50th and we were underwhelmed by that as well.

 

[scrappinginontario]

There isnt anything special for the 40th anniversary of Epcot.

People have been planning trips for months/years wanting to be at Disney both during MKs 50th Anniversary Celebration and Epcot’s 40th.

These trips were planned long ago hoping to catch special events for both celebrations.

 

[TropicalDIS]

There was also a special light show on Spaceship Earth which was very well done.

 

[Disneylover99]

So much for what everyone says about going to the parks after a hurricane because they are empty.
Wrong! These parks are packed!

In years past yes. Different times now with the reservation system, restrictions to park hopping and Genie Plus replacing FP. People are feeling forced into parks earlier and staying later to get their money’s worth.

Plus other factors in play……Epcot’s 40th, beautiful sunny weather, the reopening of parks leading into a weekend.

 

[Disneylover99]

There isnt anything special for the 40th anniversary of Epcot.

While I agree, there was nothing really special happening, many don’t care and go for the nostalgia factor, just to say they were there.

 

[MomOTwins]

While I agree, there was nothing really special happening, many don’t care and go for the nostalgia factor, just to say they were there.

True and there were also a few private fan gatherings to celebrate Epcot’s 40tg, like the one hosted by the Dis (sponsor of these boards), so people coming in for an event like that will likely make a long weekend of it and visit other parks too.

 

[maltdizzy]

So much for what everyone says about going to the parks after a hurricane because they are empty.
Wrong! These parks are packed!

"After" hurricanes the danger and uncertainty has passed. And people head to the parks.

The light days were leading up the the hurricane when there is uncertainty and risk. Even when a hurricane has (seemingly) diverted, the parks stay light until it passes and there is no more risk of it changing course again.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Something else that will increase crowds is that many local APs are still without power. Rather than stay home they’re understandably making their way to Disney.

 

[WEDWDW]

Totally agree, although this whole week has been packed as well. We usually go this week every year and I've never seen it this crowded before.

One thing I think that impacted the number of people here post hurricane is there seems to be a ton of foreigners here right now so it's probably harder for them to get home. Hearing a lot of British accents and Portuguese around, and there have been a handful of those large Brazilian tour groups in the parks, which we've never seen in September before.

That is interesting that The 15s would be there in September-a School month for them.

I am surprised they were taken out of school for a WDW trip-not that there's anything wrong with that!lol

 

[VAtink]

That is interesting that The 15s would be there in September-a School month for them.

I am surprised they were taken out of school for a WDW trip-not that there's anything wrong with that!lol

I was surprised to see them, but mostly because we've never seen them during this week before. Although I think we've seen them pretty much every other month we've visited, so I shouldn't be surprised to see a group or two any time of year!

And seriously, I wish my parents would have taken me out of school for a WDW trip! Would have loved visiting WDW outside of school break, can't imagine how low the crowds would have been in the fall back in the day when I was in school!

 

[lovethattink]

I’m at Hollywood Studios atm and it doesn’t feel busy at all. Got here after 3pm and the parking lot was pretty empty.

I expect Monday to be busy as most of our schools are not back in session after Hurricane Ian. Lots of passholder friends have gone this weekend and planning on parks Monday.