Crowd composition during different times of the year.

[networkpro]

Has anyone else noticed the difference in the overall mannerisms of the guests during different parts of the year? For about the past decade we've eschewed Thanksgiving but decided to be here this year. Overall the guests are much more subdued and polite than September or late Spring this year. Even the inevitable Disney meltdowns have been fewer, more constrained, and not in the central areas (as if they were gladitorial matches that thrived on crowds)

 

[Ayla]

I think a lot of it is related to weather.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I think a lot of it is related to weather.

Certainly the heat and humid months wear on people and their short tempers are most likely to explode when they are irritable. Ive found guests are most at their best behavior at Thanksgiving and Christmas times. The mood seems more joyful and they are in a festive place. Possibly surrounding them with decorations, listening to festive music and good thoughts keep tempers in check.

 

[Disneylover69]

Higher income people go during thanksgiving week and Christmas week and the cheaper season passes are blacked out and hotels are more expensive. Those people likely have more discretionary income and less “once in a life timers” and also they likely go more often. Money doesn’t buy class, but it does make things less stressful. Disney is also historically cheaper during the hot weather times and many people with lots of discretionary income would rather pay the premium to go during the nicer weather times.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Higher income people go during thanksgiving week and Christmas week and the cheaper season passes are blacked out and hotels are more expensive. Those people likely have more discretionary income and less “once in a life timers” and also they likely go more often. Money doesn’t buy class, but it does make things less stressful. Disney is also historically cheaper during the hot weather times and many people with lots of discretionary income would rather pay the premium to go during the nicer weather times

There are plenty of low and middle class income guests who vacation during those holiday seasons. All the value resorts are filled with guests that can’t afford moderate or deluxe resort stays.
Income levels can certainly relieve guests from stress but that doesn’t always stop bad behavior.
Bad behavior comes in all sizes and shapes of guests. The line gets crossed when they cannot control their tempers or walk away from situations. Too many people want to push their assertiveness and entitlements.

 

[Disneylover69]

There are plenty of low and middle class income guests who vacation during those holiday seasons. All the value resorts are filled with guests that can’t afford moderate or deluxe resort stays.
Income levels can certainly relieve guests from stress but that doesn’t always stop bad behavior.
Bad behavior comes in all sizes and shapes of guests. The line gets crossed when they cannot control their tempers or walk away from situations. Too many people want to push their assertiveness and entitlements.

During the off times some of the deluxe resorts are the same price as the value resorts are during the highest pricing times of the year.
with that said there is a different type of guest that is there during Christmas time vs other times of the year. Christmas time guests are there more the the vibe then to do every single last thing. Plus the locals are mostly all blacked out of that time from the parks so everyone is mostly in vacation mode vs locals who aren’t in vacation/chill mode.

So yes the crowd composition is dramatically different because there are way less locals.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Crowds are dramatically worse, in general versus 20 years ago. Entitlement has gone through the roof and basic common courtesy has gone the other way.

 

[Disneylover69]

Crowds are dramatically worse, in general versus 20 years ago. Entitlement has gone through the roof and basic common courtesy has gone the other way.

That issues goes way beyond Disney and stems from a lot of issues beyond Disneys control such as social media and the proliferation of smart phones. It’s not an issue unique to Disney, but Disney could amplify the issue or put it on more display as Disney causes people to come into contact with a lot more people than usual, especially people they probably will never see again.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Biggest difference between a decade or two ago and now is that the crowds are bigger.

I figure by at least 40 lbs a person. Ornery too.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I think a lot of it is related to weather.

That’s definitely part of it. I feel sorry for people who plan a once in a lifetime trip and end up with bad weather that include cancelled shows, closed attractions, etc. - that definitely adds to the stress.

I’ve seen entitled guests from all classes and walks of life, and I’ve seen really nice guests from all classes and walks of life.

There have been visits where I see “certain types of guests” that all seem to act a certain way. Most recently this was during a dance competition where there were lots of dance moms. They didn’t do anything wrong… they are just, a type! Haha.

 

[Disneylover69]

That’s definitely part of it. I feel sorry for people who plan a once in a lifetime trip and end up with bad weather that include cancelled shows, closed attractions, etc. - that definitely adds to the stress.

I’ve seen entitled guests from all classes and walks of life, and I’ve seen really nice guests from all classes and walks of life.

There have been visits where I see “certain types of guests” that all seem to act a certain way. Most recently this was during a dance competition where there were lots of dance moms. They didn’t do anything wrong… they are just, a type! Haha.

When school is in session and when it’s not in session likely always plays a roll in the types. Black out days play a huge roll too. Income level doesn’t dictate someone’s pleasance level. What income level does dictate is how big of a deal an expense is. If that $200 entry to magic kingdom equal 5% of someone’s net worth it will be much more meaningful to someone then if it equals 0.01% of someone’s net worth. It’s all relative

 

[Chef Mickey]

When school is in session and when it’s not in session likely always plays a roll in the types. Black out days play a huge roll too. Income level doesn’t dictate someone’s pleasance level. What income level does dictate is how big of a deal an expense is. If that $200 entry to magic kingdom equal 5% of someone’s net worth it will be much more meaningful to someone then if it equals 0.01% of someone’s net worth. It’s all relative

$200 is infinite to the net worth of most because probably over half have net worths that are negative.

 

[Disneylover69]

$200 is infinite to the net worth of most because probably over half have net worths that are negative.

people with net worths under zero are spending lots of discretionary income on Disney? That’s troubling to be honest but guess it’s on par

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

If that $200 entry to magic kingdom equal 5% of someone’s net worth it will be much more meaningful to someone then if it equals 0.01% of someone’s net worth. It’s all relative

Not necessarily- sometimes rich people are the most stingy - it’s how they got rich in the first place! Haha

 

[Chi84]

people with net worths under zero are spending lots of discretionary income on Disney? That’s troubling to be honest but guess it’s on par

It’s also highly improbable.

 

[Vacationeer]

August/Sept especially. I think after months of brutal hot humidity making guests cranky, the CMs are on their last nerve, and then it caps off with the last 50 days of oppressive humidity and misery. Guest morale isn’t great at this point and CMs barely have any left for themselves nevermind boosting others.

After Halloween things finally happy days again. Pleasant weather has returned. Many repeat visitors who think the added expense these next months still makes a better overall value. Well trained koolaid drinkers, not so crabby and not on their last nickel. CMs spend 2 months of joy and revelry celebrating their release from the surface of Venus on Oct 18.

January cold doldrums. Not the best mix of energy here either. Christmas is over. Everyone is cold and there’s still another month or two to go. Not a bad time to visit, juSt WDW and its humans are stiff this time of year. They’ll all be feeling better in April. The big party of smiles where you can actually count them every hour, every day, all month long.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The weather finally not being brutally hot and oppressive makes a huuuuuge difference in people's attitudes at the parks. This is one of many reasons I urge people to avoid going anytime from June to October.

 

[Chef Mickey]

people with net worths under zero are spending lots of discretionary income on Disney? That’s troubling to be honest but guess it’s on par

Of course. How many people don't have credit card debt, car loans, and/or a mortgage? That is likely negative net worth individuals in most cases.