Crowds.

[Huglife]

So all I keep reading here is how much busier September is this year. So what does this mean for the months to come during non-peak, but busier times, like F&W and December ? I'm going Dec 1st-11th and touring plans predicts very low crowds, but they also did for September. I know there's no way to really tell, but maybe some of you experts have an opinion.

 

[Figment73]

I am no expert but I would hope the crowds are low as I am going Nov 27th thru Dec 2nd. We went in 2003 and 2004 at the same time and the crowds were very low once you got passed Thanksgiving weekend but these days with the free dining offers its anyones guess what the crowd level will be. Have a great trip!

 

[Scuttle]

So all I keep reading here is how much busier September is this year. So what does this mean for the months to come during non-peak, but busier times, like F&W and December ? I'm going Dec 1st-11th and touring plans predicts very low crowds, but they also did for September. I know there's no way to really tell, but maybe some of you experts have an opinion.

The first two weeks of September were not bad. I went labor day and the 16 i think it was and both days were as slow as it can be. I'll put it this way we arrived at Epcot at 615 and were able to get fastpasses for TT and Soarin. The 40th anniversary was busy, but it was expected. Epcot on Oct. 1st was the busiest I think I have ever seen it. Atleast WS, but Future World was pretty busy as well. SSE had a 20 minute wait and same with Nemo. My point is the Touring Plans Lines app I have predicted Epcot to be a 1.1 overall crowd level, but it was more like a 9.0 crowd level. Even though it is a very accurate app it still can't predict crowd levels perfectly.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I think the free dining had a huge impact on the crowd levels. As I stated earlier in another post, we heard several people discussing the free dining. We even spoke with 3 different families (while in the bus line) who said they decided to go because of the free dining. I kow many people argue that it really isn't free. I say that is beside the point. If someone thinks they are getting it free, it suddenly becomes a big deal. This tactic for sales has worked for ages. If a customer thinks they are getting a bargain they will buy. It worked. I am taking a short 5 days trip the second week of February..... it would be nice if the crowd level was light, but if it isn't... I will still enjoy the trip.

 

[NYwdwfan]

I think that schools being closed Thursday/Friday last week for the Jewish holidays may have impacted crowds as well - people could have pulled kids out for the week but only missed 3 days of school thinking they would take advantage of lighter crowds for September. That, coupled with free dining, make make it pretty crowded.

 

[Monorail Lime]

The 40th Anniversary and the start of Food & Wine brought huge crowds to Magic Kingdom and Epcot this past weekend. The other parks however were relatively deserted which I think is a good indication that the artificially elevated crowd levels will not last. Things should settle down well before your early December trip.

 

[Huglife]

I think that schools being closed Thursday/Friday last week for the Jewish holidays may have impacted crowds as well - people could have pulled kids out for the week but only missed 3 days of school thinking they would take advantage of lighter crowds for September. That, coupled with free dining, make make it pretty crowded.

That makes a a lot of sense. I didn't even think about the Jewish Holidays.

 

[CP_alum08]

There really isn't much of a 'slow' time anymore. Free dining is typically offered during those times and foreign guests come at all times of the year. However, there is still a HUGE difference between now and July/August crowds and I still think it's worth it to go during an off-time if you can.

If you have never been in December before I think you will be happily surprised. The weather is amazing compared to summer and all of the holiday decorations will make the crowds (if there are any) tolerable.

 

[draybook]

The crowds were bad in September and the restaurants we went to weren't busy, just the Parks. We've been during free dining before and I don't thinjbk it was the cause.

 

[Huglife]

There really isn't much of a 'slow' time anymore. Free dining is typically offered during those times and foreign guests come at all times of the year. However, there is still a HUGE difference between now and July/August crowds and I still think it's worth it to go during an off-time if you can.

If you have never been in December before I think you will be happily surprised. The weather is amazing compared to summer and all of the holiday decorations will make the crowds (if there are any) tolerable.

This will be my second time going at the beginning of December. Though I've found the crowds to be lighter in October/November I LOVE a WDW at Christmastime.

 

[drp4video]

We were there september 3-10 and it was not crowded. Never used fastpasses at all. Walked on everything. Did not do the free dining (it really isn't free) I would rather have the discounted room. We are only two people, so maybe with a larger family it would be worth it. For us, it is not.

 

[BigTxEars]

The crowds were bad in September and the restaurants we went to weren't busy, just the Parks. We've been during free dining before and I don't thinjbk it was the cause.

Agree. We did 7 table service meals between Sept 10-18th this year, only San Angel (Friday Night) and Le Cellier were full. The other 5 were slow to very slow business wise.

It has been said before but it was the overseas folks who boosted the crowds in Sept IMO. Now there might be some kind of free dinning for those folks but to blame the crowds on free dinning is not entirely accurate IMO.

I swear it was like a Rosetta Stone commercial in some parts of the park. :ROFLOL:

 

[draybook]

Agree. We did 7 table service meals between Sept 10-18th this year, only San Angel (Friday Night) and Le Cellier were full. The other 5 were slow to very slow business wise.

It has been said before but it was the overseas folks who boosted the crowds in Sept IMO. Now there might be some kind of free dinning for those folks but to blame the crowds on free dinning is not entirely accurate IMO.

I swear it was like a Rosetta Stone commercial in some parts of the park. :ROFLOL:

Yeah, the San Angel was busy, but that was also because it started pouring down and people that were seeking shelter in there also started looking to eat there.



I'm confused on how Free Dining isn't exactly free. While I expect to eat some of the cost(no pun intended), I don't understand this. I've priced the same time/resort/tickets/dining for next Sept without FD, and it comes to just over 3K. This trip, with us upgrading to table service(staying at value) ran just under $2200 for our family of four. What am I missing here?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I think that schools being closed Thursday/Friday last week for the Jewish holidays may have impacted crowds as well - people could have pulled kids out for the week but only missed 3 days of school thinking they would take advantage of lighter crowds for September. That, coupled with free dining, make make it pretty crowded.

I've never heard of schools closing for Jewish holidays. Maybe it's a regional thing. I know the schools in southeast Louisiana used to close for Catholic holidays....:shrug: Interesting....

Yeah, the San Angel was busy, but that was also because it started pouring down and people that were seeking shelter in there also started looking to eat there.

I'm confused on how Free Dining isn't exactly free. While I expect to eat some of the cost(no pun intended), I don't understand this. I've priced the same time/resort/tickets/dining for next Sept without FD, and it comes to just over 3K. This trip, with us upgrading to table service(staying at value) ran just under $2200 for our family of four. What am I missing here?

I try to remind people who ask me about the dining plan to remember to factor in gratuities because they aren't included the way they used to be. Those were the days...but I digress. With the dining plan I think we were out a bit over $300 in gratuities in our November 2010 trip. That part wasn't free. I think the statement most make that "free dining isn't free" loosely refers to Disney getting everyone for more than enough to cover their cost on what they are allegedly giving people. Sorta like the crazy rack room rates they charge just so they can discount rooms and give the impression of a good deal. In actuality, if you check similar accommodations they're pretty comparable, the discounted rates aren't really any huge savings. They're pretty standard if not on the high side. Conversely, if you're paying way more for a room at rack rate just to get something that's "free" then it's not really free in the end because you paid a premium to get to the "free". Not arguing the value or what-have-you of the dining plan, free dining, etc. It's just a roundabout explanation. :wave:

 

[majorrfb]

A great time to visit!

This will be my second time going at the beginning of December. Though I've found the crowds to be lighter in October/November I LOVE a WDW at Christmastime.

This is our 3rd time consecutive trip going to WDW at the end of Nov., early Dec. The crowd levels are usually low/moderate during this time frame. At least this is what we have experienced. It's our favorite time of the year, due to the holiday decorations and atmosphere in the parks. See you Nov. 30. :xmas: :sohappy: :ROFLOL:

 

[irmonkey]

I went in both September of 2009 and September of 2011. While there were more people there this year, they were nothing bad. We still walked onto most rides. Leaving after Wishes was as crazy as ever. We just found a bench and waited out the crowds.

 

[trylon57]

I've never heard of schools closing for Jewish holidays. Maybe it's a regional thing. I know the schools in southeast Louisiana used to close for Catholic holidays....:shrug: Interesting....

In New York, schools are closed for Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) We have a major Jewish population here, and the impact of these holidays is hugh.

 

[NYwdwfan]

I've never heard of schools closing for Jewish holidays. Maybe it's a regional thing. I know the schools in southeast Louisiana used to close for Catholic holidays....:shrug: Interesting....

That's funny - I have lived in NY my whole life (and Boston for 4 years of college) - I didn't even realize this was regional!