Checked out early - Parks too crowded.

[AngiTN]

All of this tells me that Express Transportation might be worth it when the parks are crowded.

It's great at all times but basically required when it's crowded. At least to me

 

[NinaBella]

All of this tells me that Express Transportation might be worth it when the parks are crowded.

What is express transportation?

 

[DOOM1001]

Nah. Some may well hit Disney but the numbers at these rounds are so small that the numbers of those guests that did go to Disney would be too small a percentage to make a bit of difference. 100 or so extra people make little impact on the park crowds.

Someone posted in one of these crowd threads that Canada's spring break happen to fall last week. I guess theirs is more universal than the breaks here in the US? Not sure honestly. But they felt it was a significant part of the crowds there this week.

I've seen an abnormally high amount of Ontario plates so add that on.

 

[WEDWDW]

I have ADDED a day at the last minute!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

We've left the park when crowds got crazy, but we've never wanted to check out early. We just hang out at the resort, swim, eat, relax....and then head back later for fireworks.

This.

I have ADDED a day at the last minute!

Same!

 

[amberpi]

It's great at all times but basically required when it's crowded. At least to me

So glad to hear this! I'm so excited to try it in May!

 

[NinaBella]

I agree, crowds were insane. March 16 we arrived at 5PM. Did 2 of our FP and went to dessert party. After dessert partu went to do our Haunted Mansion FP. Standby line said 10 minutes and we were 30 min early fo FP so we went into standby. 25 minutes later we were inside. Something was terribly wrong... the capacity inside haunted mansion probably exceeded fire marshall standards. DD and I were able to laugh it off and remain calm. DD kept tight grip on me as not to be separated in the sardine tight can we were in. There was a loud lady next to us freaking out and being overly verbal about it... repeating her statements non-stop (understaff, safety issue, wanting to file a complaint, etc.). I wouldn't disagree with her perspective as she was right about the safety issue and understaff CM. There wass no organization. As other room doors opened I was eye to eye with a CM who opened the door to that room and was horrified and the room of sardines as people from her room started to push their way into our room. The loud lady was also tipsy (Starbucks cup in her hand a wasn't coffee as I could smell the alcohol). On the way out she attempted to stop three cast members asking for a supervisor. DD and I kept walking so no idea the outcome as the 3rd CM was listening to her outside the mansion. The two previous were unloading cars and couldn't stop to listen. Needless to say we dodnt use our fast pass to go back in that mess.

Yesterday the HM was a normal experience for our 1:50 FP.

Leaving the park Thursday was also the worst crowds I have personally experienced. We rarely stay in the park that late so I don't have a recent comparison. We left MK yesterday at 7PM and it was again normal for us. We went to 1900 Park Fare for dinner which was a nice experience.

As a FL resident, my family doesn't swim until May. I do have FL friends who are already in the pools, but it's too cold for my family. Last week at SoG we checked out the pool temp in the evening as DD wanted to swim, just after dipping our toes in to discover the pool heater wasn't on ahe quickly changed her mind. When my son was younger we swam in SoG heated pool but air was still cold and he ended up with pneumonia. Since, we don't swim in the winter months even in heated pools.

Yesterday, I think the crowd was manageable until about 2PM. Then it got quite crowded.. I witnessed some very rude guest towards CM as well which makes me sad. One CM was about 70 years old and was telling guests they couldn't bring strollers inside. The dad yelled at him about it being hot and the baby was sleeping so it was coming inside... he was in line in front of me. Passing by later he still was telling guests not to bring strollers in and they would zip by him.

 

[Fiddysmum]

We just got back from a week in Orlando and I wont wait more than 45 minutes. I did find that the wait times were not accurate. I was timing with Touring Plans and Small WOrld had a posted 65 minute wait (RIGHTS?!?!) which ended up being 31.... and HM said 60 and it was 42.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Someone posted in one of these crowd threads that Canada's spring break happen to fall last week. I guess theirs is more universal than the breaks here in the US? Not sure honestly. But they felt it was a significant part of the crowds there this week.

I've seen an abnormally high amount of Ontario plates so add that on.

Not all of Canada has breaks at the same time (!!), but public schools province-wide do in Ontario, I believe... I think MOST Quebec schools follow the same calendar, though it may not be province-wide. Not sure about the other provinces...

Ontario Spring Break: March 13-17
Quebec Spring Break (most public schools): March 6-10; some seem to be Feb 27-Mar 3

 

[JuniorSkipper]

Lol wait what

 

[PirateD]

We just got back from a week in Orlando and I wont wait more than 45 minutes. I did find that the wait times were not accurate. I was timing with Touring Plans and Small WOrld had a posted 65 minute wait (RIGHTS?!?!) which ended up being 31.... and HM said 60 and it was 42.

We use the Lines app from Touring Plans and find this to be true too. We always have to go during busy times like Christmas and I think the Lines app is one strategy that helps us stay out of long lines. We won't get in line for anything longer than a 30 minute wait.

We have been there for New Year's, Spring Break, Christmas, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving and several of those times, parks were closed for capacity. You definitely have to have your A game on for touring. We try to cram as much in to rope drop or late night EMH and then take a slower pace for the middle of the day.

That said, it does sound like a perfect storm last week. I'm glad that most were still able to have a good time. We don't like the crowds either, but we always try to make the best of it because it's the only way we can go. I think sometimes it's a matter of luck and zigging when everyone else is zagging. I thought the crowds on Thanksgiving at MK last year were easy but saw that a PP thought otherwise. I do think it's possible to have a completely different experience in the same park. Some of it can be perspective and strategy. But sometimes, I think it's just how the cards fall and lucking out to be in the right places at the right times for that little extra pixie dust. I've been there when it's crowded and everything goes your way and also when everything is a struggle. I always figure that we will have at least one "bad" day when things don't go as smoothly. But even on the "bad" days, we still have a great time!

Wishing everyone who is headed there some pixie dust and lots of success with their touring strategies!

 

[Dismama2boys]

It's true, most people want the parks., however when you choose to visit during any vacation or holiday period you travel knowing that the parks will be crowded. If they are not, well you got a bonus. There are options available if you don't enjoy the crowds, and most free options are found in resorts. All you need to do is check the calendars. Movies, crafts are just a few things guests may do if they find the parks are not fun for them.

Most of us have backup plans if we find that the parks don't work for us. If we are there in the summer and it is too hot for us in the parks, and the pools are like bathwater, we don't pack our toys and go home. We find things to do. That may not work for you, but it does not negate the suggestion.

Of course it doesn't negate the suggestion. If people are happy to do a cheap craft or watch a movie or anything else they can do at home while paying thousands of dollars to do something else, then good for them. For some (most?) of us, it's not in the realm of a reasonable suggestion. Advice on how to maximize touring time would be much more appreciated.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't know what the OP did but we checked out early and didn't pay for the final two nights. So sometimes you can save money by leaving, which makes it a logical choice if you are really having a bad time

 

[jollygreen]

I just got back from a week long trip. Yes, it was crowded but we did everything we wanted to do. I think we only made RD 3 or 4 of the days we were there. Rode tons of rides, met some characters, saw some shows/parades. We had two days at MK and I'm pretty sure the only things we didn't ride were Astro Orbiter, Barnstormer, and Stitch. Our second day there was mostly repeats of what we did our first day and only 2 rides we didn't do, PP and 7DMT, which we had FP for. We had a great trip!

 

[mamamelody2]

Here I am a few days ago on my birthday in MK. No other person in sight. This was around 8:10am. I get that not everyone is a morning person, but this is what what the parks look like at that time!

Love that picture!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Of course it doesn't negate the suggestion. If people are happy to do a cheap craft or watch a movie or anything else they can do at home while paying thousands of dollars to do something else, then good for them. For some (most?) of us, it's not in the realm of a reasonable suggestion. Advice on how to maximize touring time would be much more appreciated.

There has been plenty of advice that pertains to maximizing park time. Honestly, the best advice is to open the park, but if the crowds are bothersome and leaving your vacation is not a viable solution, then finding things to do with the family outside of the parks can be helpful.

I can swim at home but my family lives the resort pools. We can play cards at home but they find it fun to leave the park and spend time playing cards on the patio of the room. The bottom line is that crowds happen. If you choose to travel during busy weeks you will face them. If the crowds make you miserable and the touring suggestions that folks posted here are not working for your family, you either find alternate things to enjoy, stay miserable, or go home. It's that simple.

I seldom travel on holiday weeks, but when I do you can take it to the bank I have my backup plan in place if The family gets frustrated in the parks. I refuse to be upset on vacation with my family.

 

[Sweettears]

We don't go at crowded times. I think my trip reports have the months in them. And we haven't hit a Disney park since January 2015 so I don't have park trips not listed.

But SSE lines for me have always been 60 and we've waited that long for Land. Just thought it was normal for them.

Which is why I was confused that those weren't normal.



I'm not telling anyone to do anything. I'm giving suggestions that are more fun than going home early.

The Dvc community centers are part of our dues and are a fun place to go. The op is at a Dvc resort. Or was there, at least. If you have it available, check it out. My extended family has a lot of fun hanging out there. Disney tickets aren't in their budget so we find the included things to do when we stay with them on our points, and it's actually quite a nice way to spend the time.

Better than going home, at least! Once home all activities are my responsibility, not Disney cms. I'll go with the Disney cms creating activities.


I don't know how anyone traveling with kids (even Floridian kids like my cousin's kids) is keeping them out of the pools as long as the pools are open.

A pool heated to 80 feels like a hot tub when the air temperature is cold. Getting out is painful, but while you're in that water, the covered parts are very warm.

Right now wait time for LwtL is 25 minutes and SSE 15 during a reported crowded spring break. I'm not sure where your usual experiences are coming from.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Of course it doesn't negate the suggestion. If people are happy to do a cheap craft or watch a movie or anything else they can do at home while paying thousands of dollars to do something else, then good for them. For some (most?) of us, it's not in the realm of a reasonable suggestion. Advice on how to maximize touring time would be much more appreciated.

I think the best advice...if you are going during a crowded time, do NOT buy tickets for every day you will be there (start with a 2 day pass)...after experiencing a day in the parks, upgrade them then to add days if you feel like you are actually enjoying your park and trip time. If you aren't, try a different area plan - the beaches, Universal, Legoland, Dinner Theaters, Seaworld and its parks, Busch Gardens Tampa, the 360 attractions, the other small attractions, etc...if you are a family of 4, you would save $800 minimum on your tickets if you think 2 days are all you can stomach, and you can use that money to make fun elsewhere...

 

[Dismama2boys]

I think the best advice...if you are going during a crowded time, do NOT buy tickets for every day you will be there (start with a 2 day pass)...after experiencing a day in the parks, upgrade them then to add days if you feel like you are actually enjoying your park and trip time. If you aren't, try a different area plan - the beaches, Universal, Legoland, Dinner Theaters, Seaworld and its parks, Busch Gardens Tampa, the 360 attractions, the other small attractions, etc...if you are a family of 4, you would save $800 minimum on your tickets if you think 2 days are all you can

That would probably help some, for sure. For us, we are fortunate right now in that we don't have to go in peak season. And we ALWAYS rope drop. Beyond that, it just is what it is and we leave for the day when it gets to be too much. I don't think the park will ever be so crowded that I want to leave and go to my resort to make a friendship bracelet .

 

[ckb_nc]

Just back myself - two DDs shared the same spring break (different US colleges) and for Christmas we and my parents teamed up for a spring break WDW trip for the two. I flew in Wednesday 3/15 early in the am to surprise them. We hit Epcot and MK on 3.15 and AK and MK 3.16. I had just come back from a President Day Weekend trip. The two days we were there felt just as crowded as President Days weekend with wait times longer. The resorts (we ate at Ohana and Grand California Cafe plus Port Orleans Riverside QS) did not feel as crowded as Presidents weekend. I think the cold weather was a huge factor. Port Orleans Riverside QS is one of our favorites. We there for lunch and it was relatively uncrowded. I know the DVC resorts were full for the most part. With it being so cold, I believe people simply were at the parks. And it was pretty darn chilly.

I was able to grab a FP for the Epcot Character Spot 20 minutes out.

MK 3.15 was pretty crazy. We hit Philharmagic during the fireworks (no wait) and walked out to the end of Wishes and walked in to Rapunzel and Tiana meet and greet. We walked over to Space Mountain and it was a hot mess. Felt like everyone had a FP from other attractions being down that day was there right there. We ended up at Thunder. The stores on Main Street were mobbed all the time. Witnessed a first, people napping on the new Hub sections during the day.

Local kids had spring breaks, apparently Canadians plus the college kids. When I landed at 9:15 on Wednesday the line for security at MCO was truly long.

Its not a great week to go at WDW - pure and simple. I am now convinced I am not sure of when is a good week except maybe mid-September (which is hot plus hurricane prone). We went the weeks after Thanksgiving this year and we still had crowds that weekend. Everyone for the most part expects to come down to WDW and get the off season approach. When in doubt, reference the DVC points charts. To me, these are the best indicators of crowd predictors. The fact that these weeks are in Magic season, which is the second highest season point chart (Christmas and Easter only being higher in 2017) is a clear indicator of Disney crowd predictions.