Current Crowd Level

[TiggerGuy]

We are heading down on the 9th and I'm hearing crowds are lighter than normal.
Anyone there that can confirm what they are really like or to expect next week?

Thanks
Carl

[TheHD]

I'm heading down on the 16th and suspect the crowds are slightly lower. I say this because the closing hours are barely elevated compared to this time last year. Only a few midnight or later closings for MK during our stay. Of course I was also thinking that it could be due to more cost-cutting.

[mydisneygirls]

A month or so before we go, which will be August, I usually follow the wait times just to see the crowd levels and they haven't been that bad. I just checked them again and I'm amazed that the lines aren't as crazy as I thought they'd be especially being a holiday week. I'm hoping this trend continues but then also hope that everyone isn't waiting to go the same time we are (VISA free dining).

[buzznwoodysmom]

We were there in mid June and did MK only for one day. I felt crowds were way lighter than I expected. I have read reports of lighter than normal crowds so far this summer.

Now Universal was a different story. We did 3 days in the Universal parks and crowds were larger than I've previously experienced there.

[DizneyRox]

WDW is currently experiencing lower than normal attendance levels.

[Hammer]

What I noticed when I was there the last weekend in June was the lack of tour groups. I researched when I returned and this seems to be due to the financial crisis in many South American countries, especially Brazil. Also, the Olympics are being held this month in Rio (though with all the issues they are having, I wonder how well that's going to go). These issues translate to less tour groups, which means lighter crowds.

[Strmchsr]

I agree with Christine, but to add to that I think also we're seeing an overall shift in crowd patterns. So many people now go during the "off-season" that it's knocking the crowds down some in the summer. Honestly, I was there a couple of days in June and found October and December to be more crowded.

[TiggerGuy]

Thanks everyone. I'm certainly not expecting it to be empty but if we get a bit of a break that would be nice.

[mydisneygirls]

Maybe that's why they offered free dining a couple weeks earlier than they usually do.

[TheHD]

These issues translate to less tour groups, which means lighter crowds.

Lighter crowds AND less tour groups, win/win!!!!

[baldburke]

The US Irish Dance Nationals just ended yesterday so you may see an uptick in people who did combo vacations.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Attendance is down across Orlando... WDW, Universal, and SeaWorld are seeing lower than normal attendance numbers so far this year...

[baldburke]

Attendance is down across Orlando... WDW, Universal, and SeaWorld are seeing lower than normal attendance numbers so far this year...

Yet 2015 was a record year for WDW and Universal. Does this mean that we could see a full year over year slide? Data I was looking at online showed consistent year over year growth for at least the last ten years. With New Fantasyland completed in 2013 and Diagon Alley completed in 2014, neither location had any "significant" additions last year or this year. Maybe they need to keep the capital rolling to keep the masses happy?

[DizneyRox]

You mean, you gotta spend money to make money? Hmmmm...

[DizneyFreak2002]

Yet 2015 was a record year for WDW and Universal. Does this mean that we could see a full year over year slide? Data I was looking at online showed consistent year over year growth for at least the last ten years. With New Fantasyland completed in 2013 and Diagon Alley completed in 2014, neither location had any "significant" additions last year or this year. Maybe they need to keep the capital rolling to keep the masses happy?
Honestly, I believe majority of the down attendance is due to less Brazilian tour groups then normal... I don't have numbers to back anything up, I'm just posting an uninformed opinion, but with the huge growth Orlando has had the last few years with records breaking in 2015, sooner or later things had to level off, and numbers sooner or later had to go down... Many things are and can be at play here.... Again, the Brazilian tour groups, uncertainty with the U.S. economy, fears of terrorism, or, maybe, the theme parks have finally hit the breaking point price wise... Many of us have always said $100 was going to be the tipping point... WDW and Uni are there now... And, it may be coincidence, but attendance has now leveled, and in some cases, been down...

Granted that was before the summer season, which is here now, but from what I am hearing, things aren't as busy as they should be for this time of year... In fact, a friend of mine sent me pictures from MK... Park truly looks empty...

One thing we can't do is blame the Brexit vote yet...

[madhatterrules]

We are currently on day 3 of our WDW trip. I'm actually amazed how the crowds seemer lower than normal at this time of year. On Friday at10 am, my daughter and I were the only passengers on the bus from our hotel to MK.We haven't waited very long for any rides. We used our FastPasses then were still able to walk on most rides with a 10 to 20 min wait. Some said 20 but were really 5. Restaurants in the parks are easy to find seating at and even at 12:30 pm did not have long waits. Walked on to Toy Story Mania this morning with no wait and no fast pass! We rode it twice in a row.

[deedee73]

Excellent for you all...I think there are a lot of factors lowering the crowd levels. I wouldn't get too used to these numbers in the summer but for the time being enjoy it!