laprana
06-04-2010, 11:34 AM
Just got back yesterday from WDW and we had a really great trip! We were there from May 23 to June 3 and it seemed like the parks were really crowded! We still had a wonderful time, just had to plan a little more and make good use of fast passes.
I've never been during the busiest times of year (Christmas week, Easter, July 4, etc.), so I can't really compare the crowds during those times to the crowds during our trip. But, I've been to WDW at the end of May/beginning of June every year since 2005 and this was by far the most crowded it's ever been. We talked to a lot of CMs during the trip and several of them said they are seeing many more Florida residents than usual because of the economy and discounts offered to them this year. I also noticed lots and lots of tour groups, more than I've ever noticed before. There were many school groups, lots of big family groups, and more international tour groups than I've ever seen.
Wait times for rides like Soarin', Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Test Track, RnR, etc. were on average around 75-110 minutes throughout the day and evening most days. We either hit those rides first thing in the morning or during evening EMH. There were some rides that I've hardly ever waited in a line for that had 20-30 minute waits, like IASW, Living with the Land, and even JII and TTA had 15-20 minute waits at times! :eyes:
We went on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour one day during our trip, a Thursday, and our guide (who was excellent) said at least 10 times during the tour, "Gosh, it's really crowded today!" Even he seemed surprised at the amount of people in the park!
Even with the crowds, we still had a great trip and I can't wait to go back! We just had to make the best of it and adapt to the crowds a little bit more than usual. Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone heading to WDW soon! :thumbsup:
I've never been during the busiest times of year (Christmas week, Easter, July 4, etc.), so I can't really compare the crowds during those times to the crowds during our trip. But, I've been to WDW at the end of May/beginning of June every year since 2005 and this was by far the most crowded it's ever been. We talked to a lot of CMs during the trip and several of them said they are seeing many more Florida residents than usual because of the economy and discounts offered to them this year. I also noticed lots and lots of tour groups, more than I've ever noticed before. There were many school groups, lots of big family groups, and more international tour groups than I've ever seen.
Wait times for rides like Soarin', Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Test Track, RnR, etc. were on average around 75-110 minutes throughout the day and evening most days. We either hit those rides first thing in the morning or during evening EMH. There were some rides that I've hardly ever waited in a line for that had 20-30 minute waits, like IASW, Living with the Land, and even JII and TTA had 15-20 minute waits at times! :eyes:
We went on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour one day during our trip, a Thursday, and our guide (who was excellent) said at least 10 times during the tour, "Gosh, it's really crowded today!" Even he seemed surprised at the amount of people in the park!
Even with the crowds, we still had a great trip and I can't wait to go back! We just had to make the best of it and adapt to the crowds a little bit more than usual. Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone heading to WDW soon! :thumbsup: