Just got back on Saturday, some random observations and discussion

[EaglesfanNJ]

So, we're back Spent 8 glorious days at the World, All Star Music from 9/23 - 10/1. I will be posting (or attempting) a trip report complete with pictures and food for you food junkies. But while the trip was really fresh in my mind I wanted to drop a few random observations, and throw a few questions out there...

1) First and foremost, thanks 1 last time to Tammy and Kingdom Konsultants. They handled our entire trip, from ADR's, to Wishes Dessert Party, to BBB. If you haven't tried them......do so.

2) Probably my biggest question of all.... What in the world happened to September in WDW??? Ok, I understand Food and Wine started, I understand Free Dining, and I understand the Marathons, but this September was like nothing I've ever expierienced before in the past as far as crowds. Even on the weekdays we were battling the crowds. I also took notice of many of the tour groups still in the park, some of which were Brazilian. I must say as far as a business standpoint, Disney has done one heck of a job filling their rooms and filling the parks in what was once a "slow" time for them.

3) MNSSHP: Sold out on September 30th. I've never heard of this party selling out this far out from Halloween. If I'm wrong on this, then let me know because I'm not extremely knowledgable, but from what i've read, this is out of the ordinary. I will say, though, we still had an incredible time and Disney does a great job of dispersing the crowds.. We still walked on Splash 3 times, Pirates twice, caught the 1st parade, the fireworks, and the mix n mingle. I'm not complaining by any means, loved the party and will do it again, but more just coming to you experts for an explanation. My only theory is that this was the night before the 40th anniversary.

4) This was a trip of 1st's in several ways for us. My 8 month old's 1st trip, he was a pleasure to travel with. The baby care centers in each park are a savior and I applause Disney for providing this service. This was also my 1st time eating at: Tony's, Wolfgang, 1900 PF, and Hollywood and Vine. Thumbs up on all 4 choices with special mention to Tony's for incredible service.
1st time at the Wishes Dessert party... can't say enough good things about this. View was spectacular, the desserts amazing. 1st time sending DD to the BBB. It was a memory i will carry forever and i hope she remembers it for a long time to come.

5)40th anniversary: This was my last day of the trip but from what I experienced they did a nice job to celebrate. I saw the opening and the presentation in the AM, missed parade and wishes though. I attempted a 40th anniversary cupcake at the bakery.... UNTIL.....I arrived to see the line at the Bakery come out the door, head down past Crystal Arts, across Center street, and then about 20 people deep past that even. The family and I enjoyed a nice breakfast at Crystal Palace and the weather was gorgeous, so overall we enjoyed the day... but again, crowds were overwhelming.

6) Ride interruptions: In no particular order we experienced interruptions on Splash, Pirates twice, Haunted Mansion twice, Test Track, Buzz Lightyear twice, and Toy Story 1 time. I know it comes with the territory and it happens, but it seemed to happen way more than usual. Has this been a common problem as of late?

7) Overall we had a magical time and Disney is still the best at what they do, I already can't wait to go back. The cast members get another thumbs up, everyone made us feel so special. The parks overall looked great as well, and the bus transportation was spot on the entire trip.

 

[devoy1701]

Tony's is a real Gem and very modestly priced as compared to other Disney Restaurants. Hopefully it stays this way for awhile. I've never had a bad meal at Tony's.

 

[WDWmazprty]

Im hoping Sept. this time around is a little busier than usual because of the 40th Anniversary. I'll be going next Sept. Hopefully it'll be a little lighter crowds like always. Glad you had fun!

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

Tony's is a real Gem and very modestly priced as compared to other Disney Restaurants. Hopefully it stays this way for awhile. I've never had a bad meal at Tony's.

Completely agree... I even spoke with a manager after our meal so i could compliment the waiter. I had the NY Strip and an ice cream bomb for dessert.

I'm hoping I get a few responses here about September crowds too, and some possible explanations for this. Out of the entire trip this seems to be one of the major things that stuck in my mind. DW and I even discussed on the plane ride home maybe switching to mid January next trip. We got the bounceback offer in our room for next September and normally I would have jumped all over it...but we didn't do it.

 

[powlessfamily4]

I have to agree with the OP. I was there from 9/21 - 9/28 and was shocked at how full the parks were. We chose Sept because we were told it was a great time to experience non-peak season. The heat and humidity was more than I thought it would be also. Don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful time. We were just surprised at how full the parks and resorts were.
On another note.... It is my opinion that this quells the notion of Disney losing money on free dining. I know many will disagree with me, however I feel the promotion was largely responsible for the crowds. Everywhere we went people were openly talking about the free dining they had received. I personally spoke with 3 different families who stated they decided to go at the last minute because someone told them the dining was free. Apparently the promotion worked because the resorts and parks were very full at a time of year when they are usually experiencing small crowds.

 

[sksowell]

Agree on the crowds - we went this year at this time but found the same thing you did. Crowds. Thanks for the observations, we also noticed the ride interruptions to be a little more than usual and some were for a longer period of time for us too. Can't wait to see your pictures!

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

I have to agree with the OP. I was there from 9/21 - 9/28 and was shocked at how full the parks were. We chose Sept because we were told it was a great time to experience non-peak season. The heat and humidity was more than I thought it would be also. Don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful time. We were just surprised at how full the parks and resorts were.

Our 1st full day there was Saturday the 24th. MK was a madhouse. My 1st thought was, well it's the weekend and things will thin out come Monday. Well, Monday was AK for us and once again things were insane.... you feel this especially at the AK thanks to the poor design of the walkways. Divine also was out by a bridge where people decided to stop dead in their tracks, on a bridge, and take pictures. I felt like we caught a break Thursday night at Studios but that was only because 3/4 of the park were que'd up for F!

I want to reiterate too that overall we enjoyed ourselves and I'm counting down until we can return, but i guess i'm more looking for an explanation to the crowds, and maybe suggestions on other/alternate months to return for lower crowds.

 

[Bravo 229]

6) I went last Saturday, Wednesday and for the 40th, and I experienced ride stops on Splash (two times), BTMRR and Test Track. I'm not sure if it was just because people were slow at load/unload, but the first time I was stopped on Splash, it was a good 10 minutes before we got going again. And on the 40th, I noticed Splash, BTMRR and Pirates were all down at one point during the day. It was definitely unusual, because I haven't been stuck on a ride in a long time.

 

[harveyt0206]

Your observations are spot on in my opinion. Hubby and I were there from 9/15 through 9/24 and we too thought the crowds were much higher than normal. We are typical visitors in September and are use to seeing the parks much less crowded. It wasn't horrible, but it was more than we are use to seeing. We had some minor waits for the major rides: Splash, Mansion, Soarin', etc..., but found most everything else to be reasonable and we still really enjoy the September season.

Now, as for your other observation about "ride interruptions" - this was a major issue for us during our trip. Hubby keeps track of the number of times we ride particular things, more for our own enjoyment rather than for any other reason, and we had a significant increase in our ride interruptions. I will use our Haunted Mansion experience as and example. We rode HM 10 times over our 10 days in the parks. We had ride interruptions 9 out of 10 times. Only once did we get a complete uninterrupted ride. I don't point this out as a complaint as much as just a simple observation in support of what the OP said about this topic. Our frustration was that we never really had an opportunity to take in the full experience of the ride without getting stopped and hearing the overhead announcement about ghosts interrupting our ride. These stop/starts really do take away from the magic of the attraction, but in all honesty I am not sure I have a recommendation for how to prevent it from happening. It is just one of those things that we all have to deal with when it comes to Omnimover rides and, to a lesser degree, boat rides.

Like the OP, overall our trip was so wonderful that these minor inconveniences did not distract from our enjoyment. I just wanted to comment that we too noticed some of what you mention experiencing.

~Tracy

 

[M.T. LOTT]

I planned on going late Sept but when I heard the All Star resorts were full I opted out
of the Mod resorts. I said to my wife it is odd that it is full it is going to be crazy around there! Maybe Oct is the time to go??

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

Your observations are spot on in my opinion. Hubby and I were there from 9/15 through 9/24 and we too thought the crowds were much higher than normal. We are typical visitors in September and are use to seeing the parks much less crowded. It wasn't horrible, but it was more than we are use to seeing. We had some minor waits for the major rides: Splash, Mansion, Soarin', etc..., but found most everything else to be reasonable and we still really enjoy the September season.

Now, as for your other observation about "ride interruptions" - this was a major issue for us during our trip. Hubby keeps track of the number of times we ride particular things, more for our own enjoyment rather than for any other reason, and we had a significant increase in our ride interruptions. I will use our Haunted Mansion experience as and example. We rode HM 10 times over our 10 days in the parks. We had ride interruptions 9 out of 10 times. Only once did we get a complete uninterrupted ride. I don't point this out as a complaint as much as just a simple observation in support of what the OP said about this topic. Our frustration was that we never really had an opportunity to take in the full experience of the ride without getting stopped and hearing the overhead announcement about ghosts interrupting our ride. These stop/starts really do take away from the magic of the attraction, but in all honesty I am not sure I have a recommendation for how to prevent it from happening. It is just one of those things that we all have to deal with when it comes to Omnimover rides and, to a lesser degree, boat rides.

Like the OP, overall our trip was so wonderful that these minor inconveniences did not distract from our enjoyment. I just wanted to comment that we too noticed some of what you mention experiencing.

~Tracy

Thanks for the feedback Tracy. I agree that these were just minor inconveniences, but I thought they were worth mentioning on the General Discussion board nonetheless, this way i can leave them all out of my positive trip report I will write.

Regarding the way to fix it. This will go against popular opinion I'm sure, but, instead of building a highly interactive queue for the Mansion a year ago, perhaps sink that money into ensuring the ride itself can make it through without interuption more than 1 out of 10 rides.

 

[Communicore]

They were not letting people in on HM for a couple moments last Sat. I guess it went down those times. Also, Pete's Dragon was not at the first MSEP but was around in the nightcap.

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

I planned on going late Sept but when I heard the All Star resorts were full I opted out
of the Mod resorts. I said to my wife it is odd that it is full it is going to be crazy around there! Maybe Oct is the time to go??

Perhaps, my thinking is after the New Year, or before Thanksgiving?

 

[ladydi]

We got back yesterday after eight days at the parks. Crowds were much higher than I have ever seen in September! Oddly enough, though, the waits on Space, Splash, EE, BTM, TOT, and Rock n Roller coaster were very low. However, the shows were packed-not an empty seat in Muppetvision or Philharmagic. Never have seen that before in the fall.
We went to MNSSHP on Tuesday which was also a madhouse. We enjoyed the party but may skip it next time. There were lines for candy and not many characters out.
We also had a great expereience at Tony's. I was a bit leery about going but our food was great and our server was wonderful as well.
The one thing I really didn't like was Mickey's new location. Maybe we were there on a bad day, but I felt very rushed in and out (and there was a very short line) and Mickey didn't interact with my kids at all. Sign the books, take a picture and get them out. Belle and Chip and Dale made up for it later in the trip.
A good trip this time around. CMs were nice, weather a little sticky but not unbearable, most guests polite and only one snarky comment about my dad's scooter in a bus line!

 

[Clamman73]

I was there last weekend....
9/23 Friday night - Marketplace parking lot packed

Sat morning DHS - by lunchtime...mobbed
Sat evening World showcase Epcot - crowded

Sunday morning Future world - not too bad, but a lot of people...took advantage of single rider line for TT....people were almost lined up to the outside door entrance.
The stroller parking area b/t Land and Seas was so packed.

Sunday evening MK = mucho people...at 10:30PM there were still families w/ little kids going to Buzz.

 

[disneygirl1]

I totally have to agree with you on the ride interuptions!!! I swear I think we were stuck on a ride at least once a day when we were there in the beginning of September.

 

[Skippy's Pal]

We returned Oct. 1st after 12 days in the World, and I'm glad I wasn't alone in my feelings of shock at the mobs of people during what we had read to be one of the "slowest" (relatively) times in the parks. Not helping was what seemed like "August weather" (heat, humidity, afternoon rain) that decided to hang on through the end of September. We were at MNNSHP on the 21st and were quite surprised at the near-gridlock at this hard-ticketed event. We had fun, but what we found that getting on major attractions was easy; meeting characters and trick-or-treating was near-impossible.

Whenever our next trip will be, it'll be no earlier than October, or maybe even later - maybe squeezed in between the end of MNSSHP and the Thanksgiving crowds.

Trip highlights: Concierge level at Beach Club - our choice, not an upgrade. Did this 5 years ago, found this much improved, great CM's, and being able to breakfast in the lounge covcered half of the upcharge. (We weren't on the dining plan.) Wild Africa Trek - wonderful. Lunch With an Imagineer at Brown Derby - teriffic. Sunrise Safari at AKL - good time. Great meals at Tony's (A sentimewntal favorite); Boma; California Grill; House of Blues in Downtown Disney; Brown Derby (lunch and dinner). Even Crystal Palace (despite the noise). We chose not to be on the Dining Plan until the last couple of days of our trip, when we moved to AKL.

Not quite so great: Jiko (posted a comment in another thread) -- nothing like the menu, service, and knowledgable CM as we experienced on our last visit. Club Level at AKL: food was good, but very inconvenient distance from our room; Flying Fish - meh. Agree with merchandise comments we read prior to our trip: poor quality on many things, bad designs, hard to find something we wanted, same stuff everywhere, wish the characters hadn't invaded all the pin designs, wish there whad been some nice resort logo merch and not DVC logo items everywhere instead.

Several ride interruptions on Splash, one on Pirates, but otherwise no problems.

They need to design a new pin: I Survived the Attack of the Triple-Wide Strollers.

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

I totally have to agree with you on the ride interuptions!!! I swear I think we were stuck on a ride at least once a day when we were there in the beginning of September.

Yeah, based on the responses I'm seeing on this thread, we're not alone Disneygirl. Seem like the constant interruptions were felt in all 4 parks. For every interruption, though, I had even more pleasant ride experiences so in the end I can't complain. My first trip through HOP since that last update and it gave me goosebumps, FOLK again gave me goosebumps, first time in Space Mountain since that refurb and loved it.

 

[Lynn1030]

Wow - so many people saying how busy it was. One of my favorite and least busy trips was during September. I hope it was just a convergence of all the events at once and not a predictor of how it will be from now on. Glad you had a good time!

 

[puntagordabob]

Also, Pete's Dragon was not at the first MSEP but was around in the nightcap.

I noticed his absence too..was like wow where is he?