Why are wait times irrelevant to me?
Yes meaning 45 minute wait is a 45 minute wait no matter the reason. Personally i have not waited nor can i wait longer than roughly 30 minutes for anything luckily ive been able to manage that between FP/Genie/DAS but last couple trips have seen some downtimes between rides
Some possibly perhaps more don't have the opportunity to be granted 3 weeks vacation from work much less go away for 3 weeks to WDW. One thing we learned in parts of Europe is a number of people take the entire month of August off . For unsuspecting travelers - think 2x about a trip to France in August. Seems like residents of some businesses close up for a month and go away on vacation.We spoke to quite a lot of Americans in the parks and was amazed how many come for just a day or two..even those coming hundreds of miles.
Many couldn't quite believe we were doing 3 weeks...we are crazy and quite hard-core park goers... but, contrary to what you may think (going by my constant rants on here), I do actually enjoy Orlando and its parks. Its just for me it's become harder and harder and more and more expensive to have the same fun we had 4 or 5 years ago.
I think the only reason we may return in future is when Epic Universe is open...and of course,if we are coming all that way we will still visit Disney Parks. By then who knows, we may be back to free FP+
I noticed a lot of this when I was at AK on sunday. The quick service restaurants, walkways and bathrooms were quite crowded. I had to circle around Satuli Canteen a few times to find a table (and this is with the CMs not letting you in until your mobile order is ready). Every bathroom I went in had a line and there were lines for the sinks.I will be visiting my Dad starting this weekend, and be able to file a report.
For the record, the things I look for to help determine how crowded things are. Shops: less crowded, it's way easier to look at the merchandise without needing to wait for people to move out of the way first. QS restaurants: how many people are you dancing around at the drink machines or the napkin / cutlery dispensers. Bathrooms, especially the smaller to medium size ones: are you having to wait in line for a stall, at the sink, to get in and out of the door. Around the park: when you stop to take a photo, can you wait for a gap and get a great vista shot with few people vs even when you are trying to take a tighter shot, you run the risk of someone's head getting in the way, and waiting for people to move doesn't help. How easy is it to find a place to eat your snack. Just general, "If you aren't in a queue how much are you dodging people and rolling your eyes because of the myriad of ways other people are getting in your way." There are big differences between the crowded and less crowded times. I reckon people notice when the attraction queues and cashier queues are long but they aren't usually evaluating these types of things in their reasoning.
From a strictly ride wait time point of view you are right, there is absolutely no difference. Still, I will take a low crowd day with equal weight times to a high crowd day because of the other benefits. Having less people in the way so there is more room to comfortably stroll through the parks, shop, use restrooms, etc. is nice.
Totally agree regarding crowds as you said & yes no wait is better than any wait hence why ill bite the bullet & pay for the inferior product called Genie
Locals are a typically small percentage of the daily visitors
But equally it could be a false indicator.I will be visiting my Dad starting this weekend, and be able to file a report.
For the record, the things I look for to help determine how crowded things are. Shops: less crowded, it's way easier to look at the merchandise without needing to wait for people to move out of the way first. QS restaurants: how many people are you dancing around at the drink machines or the napkin / cutlery dispensers. Bathrooms, especially the smaller to medium size ones: are you having to wait in line for a stall, at the sink, to get in and out of the door. Around the park: when you stop to take a photo, can you wait for a gap and get a great vista shot with few people vs even when you are trying to take a tighter shot, you run the risk of someone's head getting in the way, and waiting for people to move doesn't help. How easy is it to find a place to eat your snack. Just general, "If you aren't in a queue how much are you dodging people and rolling your eyes because of the myriad of ways other people are getting in your way." There are big differences between the crowded and less crowded times. I reckon people notice when the attraction queues and cashier queues are long but they aren't usually evaluating these types of things in their reasoning.
The key to that is money. It costs nothing to walk around Disney springs, looking in the shops, taking in the atmosphere. And even if you do stop by for a drink, it won't cost the earth. So its a cheaper afternoon out to experience 'Disney'
Not only that, I like to speak to locals, or should I say Americans in the parks as its great to get other peoples feelings on things and how they hit the parks. And I'll say this, I've had many many people say they used to stay on property but this year decided to stay just outside as the cost is just getting out of hand. Even people that can easily afford to stay at the Grand Floridian, but don't see the value in it anymore with the reduced perks, so stay in an off site 5 star hotel for less money and have a blowout with their kids in the parks.
We’ve noticed this also, they’re likely pushing people towards the restaurant seats, that they reserve for guests who make a purchase. A clever, if shady, way of driving sales.
People don't stop peeing, need to hydrate and refilling their drink bottles at the accessible drink stations, taking photos, resting or walking through places to get from A to B because they are cutting back on expenses.
I wish for the days back in the day of the 3pm daily parade at MGM Studios. That was a perfect time to enjoy the ride attractions since thousands of fellow guests lined the parade route to view the parade.
My last trip it was somewhere between a 2002 and a 2010 crowd scale/level
