are crowds lower than other years?

[dyin tago]

hello,

I have read on different posts that crowd levels are a lot lower right now than same time last year.

Dw and I go in mid september and although that time is usually not too bad even lower crowds would be super!

[1DisneyNut]

We were at Magic Kingdom and Epcot a couple of weeks ago and crowd levels and wait times were definitely low. We were at Magic Kingdom for only 8 hours and did almost everything there except for a few attractions the kids didn't want to do. We also rode splash mountain 3 times, big thunder railroad twice and pirates of the Caribbean twice. We went to Epcot for about 7 hours the next day and did everything there with exception of the God Awful films about each country. In both parks, many of the wait times were only 15-20 minutes and at times only 10 minutes. The popular rides got up to about 60 minutes during the afternoon for a few hours but then started dropping back off. I have never been in the summer peak season and seen such low crowd levels.

On a side note, we also went to Sea World and Busch Gardens while we were and the crowd levels were as high or higher than I have ever seen them.

[lovemy3girls]

We were there yesterday and Magic Kingdom rides had almost all less than 30 minute wait times. Incredible for a Saturday night in early August!

[dyin tago]

wow that`s amazing.

I wonder if all the price increases and cut backs are taking a toll?

This is great for people there now not having to deal with crowds so much in the heat of summer.

[darthmacho]

Well, as someone leaving for WDW in just 2 weeks, I'm torn by the usual Catch-22: I want WDW to be vibrant and successful going forward in the future, so big crowds spending lots of money would help that. On the other hand, I dream of 2 weeks of low crowds and lots of short lines and ride repeats. I'm pretty selfish, so I'm going to wish for the latter.

[Strmchsr]

In general this last little spell seems unusual because crowds in general are up for the year. I think some folks are avoiding the hottest part now and taking vacations during other traditionally "low" times of the year which is why those times aren't so low any more.

[Melanie]

Crowds are definitely more spread out throughout the year now. I couldn't believe the lower crowds last month. It's definitely noticeable.

[VWL Mom]

Crowds are definitely more spread out throughout the year now. I couldn't believe the lower crowds last month. It's definitely noticeable.

I wonder how much Disney is manipulating the crowd levels with free dining offers.

[TikiGoddess]

We had two days on our trip (July 21-26) that had lower crowds, but one was due to a long rainy afternoon. The other two park days we had were incredibly crowded, even during the first hour after opening.

Kathy

[disneymomma2010]

I will be there in 27 days and I bet crowds will be higher than they are now because of free dining Although Im not knocking free dining, because we are taking advantage of that..but I bet that's my luck, there will probably be higher than normal crowds.

[1DisneyNut]

We had two days on our trip (July 21-26) that had lower crowds, but one was due to a long rainy afternoon. The other two park days we had were incredibly crowded, even during the first hour after opening.

Kathy

That is the same week we were there that I posted about earlier. We were at Magic Kingdom on Wednesday 7/25 and Epcot on Thursday 7/26. As I stated in earlier post, the crowd levels were exceptionally low for that time of year. After looking at your list of recent previous trips, it looks like you normally visit during off peak times so that may explain why you thought the crowd levels were high. I have seen higher crowd levels in the middle of January while there for a large convention.

[Mom on a Mission]

I doubt we need to worry about Disney not being vibrant and growing, but I also think Universal may have a bit of an upper hand right now with the Hogwarts section pulling people into their parks and hotels. But the new Fantasyland is coming soon and that will pull everyone back In fact, some may be holding off on WDW trips to wait for all the new FL to be open. All that said, we'll be there in two weeks and I really really hope we have low crowds. That would be awesome!!

[MarkC]

I also think the hot summer and the economy have taken their toll on a lot of people this summer. Gas prices, food prices, etc have an effect. Also, its been so hot no one wants to go out and do anything.

Like others noted, some people may have postponed their trips to try to use the free dining promotion, attend the Food and Wine festival, etc.

I'll be there in 6 days and will try and report. This will be trip #25, several of which have been in summer, so I should have a good comparison from the past.

[1DisneyNut]

I also think the hot summer and the economy have taken their toll on a lot of people this summer. Gas prices, food prices, etc have an effect. Also, its been so hot no one wants to go out and do anything.

I'm not so sure I agree with this perspective. The economy was a lot worse 3-4 years ago. Gas prices were higher last few summers than they have been this summer. Its always hot somewhere in the U.S. every summer, this year just happens to be your turn.

I personally think its all the price increases and decreasing services and quality. We normally stay on property but decided to try an offsite resort this time. The price was better, the accommodations were just as nice, we got free breakfast and we didn't have to wait on WDW buses. It was great.

[dyin tago]

wife and I have considered trying staying offsite after staying onsite for many trips.

problem is when you figure the cost of a valu resort during free dining and also the fifteen dollar a day parking charge if not staying onsite
and paying for all your meals onsite is a really good deal.

[missastrocat]

I would agree with the post that some people might be holding off until the Fantasyland expansion is complete. I know that before I booked this trip, I was going to hold out until it was complete. This year just happens to work for us, and with the free dining, it kind of sealed the deal for us to go this November.

[Strmchsr]

I would agree with the post that some people might be holding off until the Fantasyland expansion is complete.

Between "free" dining and the new Fantasyland stuff opening I would expect November and December to be packed this year with the months preceding those a little lower than normal. I imagine a good many people are waiting until late November or December when they know the new stuff will be open (plus the new Test Track opening Dec 1). We decided NOT to go in December this year because I'm expecting much higher than normal crowds. We'll go sometime next year when the newness has worn off a little.

[BIGDOG]

I don't mean to get off topic here but does anyone know the date when the construction will be done and Fantasy Land will be completely open?

[Strmchsr]

I don't mean to get off topic here but does anyone know the date when the construction will be done and Fantasy Land will be completely open?

There has not been an announcement beyond AP holders will get a preview "sometime" in November. It looks like it will be open to the general public close to the end of November. I imagine they'll want it open by Thanksgiving week.

[epceddie]

wife and I have considered trying staying offsite after staying onsite for many trips.

problem is when you figure the cost of a valu resort during free dining and also the fifteen dollar a day parking charge if not staying onsite
and paying for all your meals onsite is a really good deal.

Oh the horror! LOL. My wife and I have had good and bad experiences staying offsite in Kissimmee.
We stayed at a hotel on Cape Cod last week for $169 a night and felt that we got ripped off. The room was nothing special and the pool area was ordinary at best. The benefits of staying at Disney can't be overlooked. The resorts are beautiful, the pools are great, and there's nothing like being right in the middle of the Magic.