January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[jenjolt]

I was there the 15th through the 21st and crowds were hit or miss for me...Thursday night and Friday MOrning were great days...EPCOT I got there at 1pm and was able to get a Soarin Fast pass for 3pm...walked on to TT and Mission Space and Spaceship Earth. Magic Kingdom mornings were good but by the afternoon it was packed so I went over to DHS where I did TOT, RnR Coaster, Great Movie Ride, Beauty and the Beast, Star Tours, and was able to explore places I had never seen before with little to no waits at all...it was amazing...I would recommend not going on a Fantasmic Night also!! Sunday at AK was crowded by the afternoon and Monday I did my tour so I didn't have to deal with crowds...Tuesday things calmed down and DHS I was able to once again do everything including TSM twice and Wednesday Morning was amazing at MK...I was first to meet Tink and the Faries and did both them and the princesses in less than 20 minutes!!! GREAT MORNING!!

I was suprised though by the crowds for a "Low" time of year...next trip is end of September beginning of October...I know I will deal with more crowds for Food and Wine, but I'm hoping for a great Halloween Party and what not also LOL!!

[Pluto_fan]

Hello Snowbirds!
We're back!

Had a GREAT time , although it was chillier (at the beginning of our trip) and more crowded than we would have liked.

I'm SO sorry we missed the Snowbird meet at DHS...we were at MK for the morning and couldn't drag ourselves out of there.

I'll be back with more details later.

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by Pluto_fan

Hello Snowbirds!
We're back!

Had a GREAT time , although it was chillier (at the beginning of our trip) and more crowded than we would have liked.

I'm SO sorry we missed the Snowbird meet at DHS...we were at MK for the morning and couldn't drag ourselves out of there.

I'll be back with more details later.

Welcome back!

Be glad you weren't at DHS on the 22nd, it was packed!!

[snykymom]

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

We were disappointed in the crowds too. Never expected that for January. Honestly our May trips have been less crowded.

We arrived on Tues the 20th. We went to MK around 3:15 or so. It was packed. We got on one ride before our 5:30 dinner. After dinner we went back to MK for Wishes. Wall to wall people.

Wed the 21st - the only day we experienced low crowds. We were at MK from open until we left for dinner around 5:00. Got a lot done, some lines were still long, but nothing like we saw the night before.

Thur the 22nd - DHS WOW!! If they continue to only show Fantasmic 2 nights a week we will definitely skip it and go to DHS another day. Everybody was at DHS Thursday. We were there from open to close and did not get to do everything. Luckily we ran to TSM at opening because that was the only time we got to ride it. The lines just to get fastpasses were humongous! Most waits were over an hour for the big attractions. We even waited 30 minutes for Star Tours. That ride is always a walk on.

Fri the 23rd - We got to AK just after opening. The lines weren't too bad. We only do a few things at this park, so we were done by 1:00. I could see the lines and crowds were really picking up by then.

Sat the 24th - We went to MK for an early dinner at 4:30. I planned it that way so when we were done we could grab a spot on Main Street for Spectro. Well when we got out of the Plaza it was 5:45 and the streets were lined and packed already. Luckily I spotted a small spot and we grabbed it. We sat there and watched the crowds walking up and down Main Street for the next hour and 15 minutes. It was shoulder to shoulder.

Sun the 25th - We spent the day at the resort/DTD/Boardwalk. After dinner we walked over to Epcot around 5:45. It was packed!! We thought maybe we could do a couple of rides. Soarin said 60 minutes. TT said 30. We got in line for TT and waited over an hour. After that we just left.

Mon the 26th - We got to Epcot just after opening. It wasn't too bad at opening, it got more crowded as the day went on. We did get a lot done that day though.


Well there you have it - my crowd report. Wasn't really what we were expecting. I'm wondering if there is ever a slow time at WDW??? We did really enjoy the January weather though! It was nice to not be sweating the whole time we were there!!

Weather report -

Tues 20th - 55 and sunny. We froze that evening at Wishes!
Wed 21st - 51 and sunny. We froze that morning at MK, but it did make for lower crowds!
Thur 22nd - 64 and sunny. Chilly morning, nice afternoon.
Fri 23rd - 74 and sunny. Went swimming!
Sat 24th - 76 and sunny. Perfect!
Sun 25th - 78 and sunny. Perfect!
Mon 26th - 82 and sunny. Perfect!
Tues 27th - it was warm and partly cloudy when we got on the ME bus at 10:00am.

Originally Posted by katieam1

Welcome back!! We were there the 18th-25th. We also were disappointed with the crowds! There seem to be a lot of tours and just all around a lot of people. We also froze during the evening most nights we were there. We had a nice time even though the crowd level but it made for less rides for us. The only place we did not think was bad was AK. We had a great day there!

I think we have decided to try the level of crowd in end of August. Maybe it will be less crowded than January. I think a lot of it had to do with the promo though!

Originally Posted by Kazooie01

We must have just been at the right parks each day. Even Toy Story MM was only about 5 minutes with Fast Pass (all three times we got on). Walked on Star Tours, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest (1/21), Big Thunder Mountain, Kali River Rapids, and a whole bunch more.

Did your boys get picked for the Jedi Training? Our Daughter did get picked and my Husband was as proud as a peacock!

We must have also been at the right parks at the right times - maybe not planning too much is a good thing! We were there from Jan. 4-11. Sunday the 4th wasn't much busier than I had expected, since it was the Sunday of New Year's weekend. Monday the 5th, though, did surprise us! It was very busy at DHS, and now I realize that it was the beginning of the 2 day per week Fantasmic! and it was showing that Monday.

After that, though, we found that the crowds dropped precipitously, though we still had waits at RnRC and at ToT. And of course at TSM, but we got to ride it 6 times anyway! Otherwise, everything was fast passes or 10 minute waits.

I'd go again in January in a heartbeat!

Welcome back everyone!

[dklam]

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

Be glad you weren't at DHS on the 22nd, it was packed!!

We actually ended up not staying for Fantasmic, even though we had the Dinner Package. It was just too crowded and we were beat, as we had gotten up at 3:30 AM for our early flight. We did a few more rides (ToT and RRRC) between 6:00 and 7:00 and then left for the hotel. I believe that they added an 8:15 Fantasmic that night because it was so crowded.

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by dklam

We actually ended up not staying for Fantasmic, even though we had the Dinner Package. It was just too crowded and we were beat, as we had gotten up at 3:30 AM for our early flight. We did a few more rides (ToT and RRRC) between 6:00 and 7:00 and then left for the hotel. I believe that they added an 8:15 Fantasmic that night because it was so crowded.

I saw that they had added an extra show when we went into the theater. It was wall to wall people at DHS all day. They really need to show Fantasmic more than 2 times a week!

[Kazooie01]

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

I saw that they had added an extra show when we went into the theater. It was wall to wall people at DHS all day. They really need to show Fantasmic more than 2 times a week!

We avoided HS (during Fantasmic days) like the plague. We talked to a CM during the beginning of our trip and he said that “reducing Fantasmic to twice a week has accomplished making HS a whole lot busier (On show nights)!" It sure would have been nice if it was offered every other day (or more than twice a week).

[jenjolt]

Originally Posted by Kazooie01

We avoided HS (during Fantasmic days) like the plague. We talked to a CM during the beginning of our trip and he said that “reducing Fantasmic to twice a week has accomplished making HS a whole lot busier (On show nights)!" It sure would have been nice if it was offered every other day (or more than twice a week).

That is also what I was told about a CM...so I avoided DHS on those days...because I wanted to see the other shows and I was willing to miss Fantasmic this time around. Hopefully by my next visit they will change that up and have more shows!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by Kazooie01

We avoided HS (during Fantasmic days) like the plague. We talked to a CM during the beginning of our trip and he said that “reducing Fantasmic to twice a week has accomplished making HS a whole lot busier (On show nights)!" It sure would have been nice if it was offered every other day (or more than twice a week).

Yeah I wish we would have avoided it. But we hadn't seen it since 2007 and wanted to see it. We will know better next time!

Does anyone know if they are going to continue to only show Fantasmic twice a week all the time or just during "slow times"?

[Pluto_fan]

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

Be glad you weren't at DHS on the 22nd, it was packed!!

We ended up arriving at DHS just before 6pm that night, and heard on the way in that they had added a second Fantasmic! that night. We had never seen it and it was high on my list. We went straight to the stadium (for the first show) and were able to find seats down near the front and to the right--it was pretty full when we arrived but people were still streaming in. I would guess that the second show was less crowded, but we didn't want to be out that late if we could help it. Anyway, we all enjoyed the show and were glad we had made it in!

[RFrank9504]

just got back-it was great-but maybe it was me-seemed awfully crowded-this 4/3 deal seemed to get enough people in, anyyway-got an awesome bounceback-returning in September!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by RFrank9504

just got back-it was great-but maybe it was me-seemed awfully crowded-this 4/3 deal seemed to get enough people in, anyyway-got an awesome bounceback-returning in September!

No, it's not just you - it was crowded!!

Glad you enjoyed your trip!


Welcome back and congrats on the bounceback!

[jenjolt]

Originally Posted by RFrank9504

just got back-it was great-but maybe it was me-seemed awfully crowded-this 4/3 deal seemed to get enough people in, anyyway-got an awesome bounceback-returning in September!

Glad you had a great time...and no it wasn't just you who thought it was crowded at times.

I'm kicking myself for not taking advantage of the bounceback offer I had because now I want to add days to my trip in Sept...my friend booked the package for us but I want to go a few days early and I should have booked the days....hopefully a pin code or a good AP rate will allieviate the price right now LOL

[dundeehunter]

We are back as well. We actually crawled into our beds at 1:00am on the 28th. It was nice meeting Shelly at DHS briefly. I would have talked more, however, we were there for the opening and I knew we wanted to get to Toy Story as fast as possible. Sorry Shelly that I didn't chat.

This is my 2nd January visit and I will say is was definitely more crowded than 2007. Plus the weather was much colder ...actually only a few 10 degrees different than what I left in Wisconsin. But so glad that I packed mini-gloves and headbands! Disney made money on the 8.95 pair of mittens and hats!

This was not the best trip for my family. My DH was not excited about the trip from the get-go and his 1st day certainly proved it. Then the 3rd day he got ill. So ill that he probably should have went to a clinic but didn't. So he spread his germs to me.... By the last day, we were both shot and spent the last 5 hours of our vacation on a pool chair at Pop Century in 85 degree weather wrapped up in towels. We could not get home fast enough. We went to the doctor yesterday. We both have sinus infections and I have a terrible ear infection. (I actually had one before I left, but this is in the other ear) My girls said they had a great time, but I think this is the last trip to Florida for a while.

I was in DHS on the 22nd. We waited 1 1/2 hours for Fantasmic. We were in the stadium and got great seats in the middle on the end of a row so we would have to "slide all of the way to the left". I will send the annoying Tour Groups! Very rude the entire week.
I am going to go back to bed for now. More later when my head doesn't feel like it's going to explode.

[crzyred]

Originally Posted by dundeehunter

We are back as well. We actually crawled into our beds at 1:00am on the 28th. It was nice meeting Shelly at DHS briefly. I would have talked more, however, we were there for the opening and I knew we wanted to get to Toy Story as fast as possible. Sorry Shelly that I didn't chat.

This is my 2nd January visit and I will say is was definitely more crowded than 2007. Plus the weather was much colder ...actually only a few 10 degrees different than what I left in Wisconsin. But so glad that I packed mini-gloves and headbands! Disney made money on the 8.95 pair of mittens and hats!

This was not the best trip for my family. My DH was not excited about the trip from the get-go and his 1st day certainly proved it. Then the 3rd day he got ill. So ill that he probably should have went to a clinic but didn't. So he spread his germs to me.... By the last day, we were both shot and spent the last 5 hours of our vacation on a pool chair at Pop Century in 85 degree weather wrapped up in towels. We could not get home fast enough. We went to the doctor yesterday. We both have sinus infections and I have a terrible ear infection. (I actually had one before I left, but this is in the other ear) My girls said they had a great time, but I think this is the last trip to Florida for a while.

I was in DHS on the 22nd. We waited 1 1/2 hours for Fantasmic. We were in the stadium and got great seats in the middle on the end of a row so we would have to "slide all of the way to the left". I will send the annoying Tour Groups! Very rude the entire week.
I am going to go back to bed for now. More later when my head doesn't feel like it's going to explode.

Oh you poor thing! I hate when I hear that people didn't have a good time. It stinks that you both got sick. Hope you feel better soon.