Can The Parks Be Too Empty?

[Iris]

I've been thinking about my September 2004 trip. It was shortly after one of the hurricanes, and WDW was practically deserted. While it was interesting just strolling into any attraction I wanted and having entire monorail cars to myself, something just didn't seem right.

I think that the enjoyment of WDW comes not only from the fun that you're having, but also vicariously from the fun that people around you are having.

If you've been in the same situation, what is your perspective on this?

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Hmmmmmm....interesting question.

I don't think I would ever want to be in the park alone, because I would keep thinking about The Kingdom Keepers or something.

I loooooooooove the park when it isn't crowded (who doesn't??). I've never been there when it was "practically deserted," though. I've gone during the off-season, but there have always been enough other people that the headliner attractions had about 10-15 minute waits. That always felt ideal to me.

Then again, I love when the parks are open LATE because of crowds. There is something to be said about being in the Magic Kingdom until 2 AM, because of EMH evenings.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I actually like a little bit of a crowd at the parks...not huge mind you, just enough to make you feel like you might be experiencing the magic with other people. And I always like a full car on the ride to see other people's reaction to stuff. Especially if you have little kids there, it can be priceless.

 

[jamesbills1604]

there always really busy when i go which add to the magic

 

[Yenfid]

I've been there once with an almost empty parks and resort. I went in December of 2001. There was no wait for anything. You did not need reservations for restaurants. We went to Boatwrighters at Dixie Landings and we were the fifth people seated at 7. It was very odd. With it being so empty we did get a lot more when it came to meals.

 

[Edeyore]

I have always enjoyed the company of others to share the joy and experience of WDW. Once while waiting in line at BTMR, a gentleman in front of us began doing coin tricks and some slight of hand. It can be fun with a good group. At the same time, I remember standing in line for over an hour, holding my son, who at the time was only about 3, in 90 degress heat. I really didn't appreciate the crowds as much that day. It obviously isn't too bad, I keep going back and always miss it when I have been away for a while.

 

[WishIwasThere]

I love the MK when it's empty. Last Jan during the DP&PP, we were going from Frontier Land to Fantasy Land and we passed virtually no one on the way there. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Riding Peter Pan five times without getting off, with a 4 yr old who loves that ride, was really awesome as well. Since I've never seen it without at least a 30 minute wait during the day.

 

[brkgnews]

I went during the same time period (matter of fact, I went the week that Ivan was supposed to make a direct hit, but veered off at the last minute). True, everything was deserted, but that made for a much more one-on-one interacction with streetmosphere characters, CMs, and tour guides. It was a different vacation, but an enjoyable one nonetheless. Don't know if I'd want EVERY trip to be like that, but it's a nice change every now and then.

 

[garyhoov]

I've been there once with an almost empty parks and resort. I went in December of 2001. There was no wait for anything. You did not need reservations for restaurants. We went to Boatwrighters at Dixie Landings and we were the fifth people seated at 7. It was very odd. With it being so empty we did get a lot more when it came to meals.

I was there that same time, and I was going to say that's the emptiest I've ever seen it.

One thing you notice when crowds are thin is that some rides reduce their capacity (Only running one train on Thunder Mountain, only running one side of Space mountain, fewer boats on Jungle cruise etc.), so even with 1/2 the crowds of peak times, your wait may be 80% of peak times. Still nice, but not as nice as some people might expect.

 

[sbkline]

I feel the same way the OP does. I'm not a big sports fan, but I tend to compare it to going to a ball game and being the only one in the stadium. It's the same game, but something just doesn't seem like it would be right, not having a stadium full of people cheering, booing, buying hotdogs, etc.

Similarly, I wouldn't want to walk around WDW and see a barren ghost town. Sure, I don't want to stand in 1 1/2 hour lines either, but there is a healthy balance somewhere between too crowded and too desserted. But part of the fun, IMO, is the general festiveness of the place. Looking around and seeing thousands of other people enjoying the happiest place on Earth. A good crowd makes the place feel alive and happy.

 

[Hrudey3032]

I went in 1999 in Oct and it was during Hurricane Irene.We went the day after the worst part of it and the park was deserted as the rain was still heavy.Me and brother were there from like 11am-10pm(Back when they used to keep park open later all the time)We walked on to everything and although it was quiet we truly enjoyed it as it allowed us to do everything 2-3 times in a day!

Now I will say I will always love it with some people there to enjoy the experience with I also would love it when a day or 2 of the time there it was deserted for my own personnal gain!:drevil:

 

[vardy]

DW and I were at WDW Sept 13-21 2001 and let me tell you the parks and resorts were empty. We stayed at Wilderness lodge and we were told that there were less then 60 rooms being occupied. We had the run of the place. It was not only creepy, but it was also so sad considering what the world was going through.

 

[Hoop Raeb]

The one thing I notice is how much smaller everything looks. When there's a bunch of people, you can't really see how small the walkways really are. Plus the forced perspective doesn't work as well. I've noticed this recently in Main Street USA waiting for the Keys to the Kingdom tour, World Showcase on a rainy day and the walkway on the way to EE during an AP event.

Seems to be counterintuitive, more people less space right? But it's exactly the opposite.

 

[bgraham34]

I went 1 week after Sept 11th and the parks were very slow. Then i went in January and it was dead. I waited at most 5 minutes on a few rides. Even Peter Pan in the afternoon was 5 minutes. It was amazing. I had a great time though.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Working in attractions at WDW, and being a theme park veteran, I can definitely confirm that parks lack a certain energy when they are empty.

Sure, you can relax more and go at a slower pace, but certain things - rides especially, lose their impact when you walk right on because you don't get enough time to build up anticipation. At ToT, when we are at a walk-on, riders are much less enthusiastic after riding than they are if they waited 20-30 minutes.

IMO, there is an ideal crowd size somewhere in the middle that is best for having the most exciting time at a park. Crowd sizes where you have minimal wait times, but nothing excessive.

 

[CThaddeus]

As someone who loves to videotape and take pictures, the emptier the Park, the more I like it. Then I can get clean audio, I don't have to try to set up my shots around people, etc. And if I don't have to wait in any lines, so much the better. I managed to get a round trip on the Epcot Monorail loop by myself last month and I was one happy dude. Yes, it's selfish of me, but I want the Parks all to myself. Mine, mine, mine!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

A busy park makes an atmosphere - I can't imagine watching a show like Fantasmic with a half empty theatre, it just wouldn't be the same

 

[Jeff456]

The emptier the better IMO, Disney and universal are the only theme parks i have been to where you dont have to queue for ages!( i always go in october). Theme parks in the UK you are looking at atleast 90 mins for a big ride, regardless of the time of year. I hope february is not too busy, would be fantastic if the park was nearly empty(obviously it wont be but i can always hope)!