Record crowds this month?

[COProgressFan]

Argue all you want, if Disney rakes in the $$$, at some point a portion thereof makes it's way into investment. Simple economics.
~

In recent years, Disney seemed to actually take the opposite approach at WDW. The more money they raked in from say, 2003-2008, it seemed like that was justification to not bother spending, since "people are coming anyway".

 

[PhilharMagician]

MNSSHP is also way more crowded. I went in Sept 2008 for the first time and it was like a ghost town. Walk on almost any attraction. Very few people.

This year packed from open to close at midnight.

I also noticed that there were less MNSSHP parties during the week. Last year I went on a monday and a thursday during the same week. This year they only offered one party during the week and the rest on weekends.

It has been Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for many years. There may be one or two Mondays max per year when scheduling around other special events, but the days I listed above are the typical days. There are more parties over the past few years with the start dates moving what seems earlier each year.

We were originally scheduled to go last Tuesday to the MNSSHP, but switched our tickets to Thursday because of the approaching storms that never really hit:brick:. Anyway, we went on Thursday instead and if it wasn't sold out, it certainly had to be close. We got to the park @ 7:15 and they had a second bag check set up over by Guest Relations. Once past the bag check they had 3/4 of the turnstiles for Party guest going in and they we backed up to the bag checks. It was busier at the gate than any morning entrance I have seen. The waits were more than what I expect for a party. Having 30 minutes for Buzz and 40 for HM, JC was closed and is listed to be but every other party we have been to lists JC closed and it is open. PoTC was down and it was 15 minutes for us to get on Small World. We did 2 rides, watched the second parade and the fireworks along with the disaster called Villans Mix & Mingle. The show was good, but the mingle was a complete and utter disaster and was not controlled. I'd rather see them take the Mingle time and make a longer show.

Anyway this party was more packed than a sold out October 31st party we went too in 2008? I am not sure why, but it was clearly apparent that there were many more people in the park? This probably also had to do with the amount of people that held off going Tuesday to go on Thursday for better weather.

This entire week has been very busy in all the parks. The only day we found it slow was Tuesday before we left MK. Nearly everything was walk-on. Space @ 2:00 in the afternoon we walked right up to the loading gates and did not wait one second. That I think is the first time I have ever seen it that quiet.

 

[WDW1974]

Your 'tone' certainly gave me the impression it was a negative... :shrug:

No. I was frankly surprised because, as I said, I've been visiting in October annually for as long as I can recall (except '09) and I have never seen crowds like that.

Made me wonder where all the money was coming from because I don't for a second believe wearen'tthisclose to another recession or worse.

But that's par for the course with the vast majority of your posts.

I call 'em like I see 'em. And while I could say plenty of great things about WDW (want to hear me gush about Star Tours? how about my meals at 50s Primetime, Kouzzina, HoB? or just the beauty of an afternoon safari at DAK?), why do I need to do that when that's the 'tude most fans opt to take?

I want to talk about the hows and whys behind Disney being run the way it is. I do realize that many fans can't deal with that because they view Disney as a religion or family member and not just another huge media company looking to take every penny they own. But I look at that as their issue, not mine.:king:

Argue all you want, if Disney rakes in the $$$, at some point a portion thereof makes it's way into investment. Simple economics.

Simple economics are NOT Disney economics. Talk to anyone who worked at WDI in the 90s when WDW was used as a de facto ATM machine for the units of the company that were not performing.

Like I said, I'd love to know what the Food and Beverage numbers were just for last Saturday, just at EPCOT. The number was staggering I'm sure. But don't expect to see the LoW return or anything to happen with WoL or Imagination etc.

~GFC~

 

[WDW1974]

I am tired of hunkering down in a corner waiting for the world to right itself.

I don't blame you. I think you've got one helluva wait, especially in the USA.

Perhaps the feeling is more widespread. People want to vacation.

Wanting to vacation and being able are two different things. This IS the USA where 'rugged individualism' is our alleged backbone and it means no one is guaranteed one day of vacation annually ... as opposed to other more grown-up nations that realize that without happy and healthy workers you don't have a country that is improving or a liveable society, so they mandate vacation time. Imagine how bad that would be here!!!:drevil::king:

Bottom line is people may want to vacation, but being able to afford it and having time to take are other matters.

~GFC~

 

[WDW1974]

From what I understand, from friends I spoke to who were there two weekends ago, the weather was horrific. They said they couldn't leave their hotel room at all.

It's possible that the crowds were people who had planned to go to F&W the weekend before but changed their plans because of the bad weather (basically doubling the crowds for the weekend you were there).

That could be a factor with locals (and likely was), but vacationers who are locked into certain days are either gonna brave the weather or miss out.

FWIW, I hear crowds at both Disney and UNI have continued to be strong later this week ... and have friends at UNI tonight for HHN's who will be letting me know about the crowds there shortly.

~GFC~

 

[WDW1974]

The "negative", if you want to call it that, is that people who want to try to avoid crowds have traditionally chosen this time of year to go to WDW. The weather is warm enough to swim (although sometimes rainy) and the crowds are typically very light. I went in October a few years ago and I can remember walking on many attractions with no wait. (January used to be slow too, but the marathon and other events seem to have made that month busier as well.)

Yep. October used to be one of my favorite times to visit (largely due to weather and later on Food and Wine, MNSSHP and UNI's HHNs). Never much a fan of January, even though crowds are almost non-existent after the first few days (and a quick bump on marathon weekend and MLK weekend).

I'll be there in mid-November. I expect a decent crowd, especially in Epcot for Food & Wine, but I really don't want to see it "nuts" (to use the technical term). If it's so nuts that I can't get any food or a beer or two, then I'd consider that a negative for my enjoyment.

Well, to be fair, the crowds didn't 'ruin' my time. They likely saved me some money as I wanted to try 4-5 samples that I didn't get around to ... at the same time, pricing them for a DDP audience has largely made F&W Fest a non-event event for me. Sorry, but $1-3 samples I can justify ... when the average sample is in the $4-5 range (or the price of a meal at an off-site QSR) then I tend to head elsewhere.

But waiting in line 20 minutes to place an order at a booth isn't fun, I'll grant you that.

BTW, I'm with others who look around, shake their head and wonder about the economy. We have been fortunate in that we were financially able to take a trip each year over the past several years. On each trip we saw large crowds, and these weren't Summer or holiday weeks. Kudos to Disney for bringing people in (even if they had to discount and give free dining to do it) but I wonder what kind of credit card balances some of these people carry. Not my business or my problem, but sometimes it just makes me wonder.

I have theories as to why there are people at WDW spending ... many are from other countries that weren't as hammered by the economic disaster as we were ... a lot of Americans who visit WDW also tend to either have government jobs, related to those who do, have jobs in the military industrial complex that has exploded in size since 9/11 and many who are on government aid.

But I was at WDW this year in January/early February, April and May before this trip and there were not times that I would have ever said the parks were much more than lightly crowded with a few moderate days thrown in.

This week was pretty much packed everywhere.

~GFC~

 

[BigTxEars]

I don't blame you. I think you've got one helluva wait, especially in the USA.

Wanting to vacation and being able are two different things. This IS the USA where 'rugged individualism' is our alleged backbone and it means no one is guaranteed one day of vacation annually ... as opposed to other more grown-up nations that realize that without happy and healthy workers you don't have a country that is improving or a liveable society, so they mandate vacation time. Imagine how bad that would be here!!!:drevil::king:

~GFC~

Vacation time is part of the entire employment package along with wages, medical etc is it not? I certainly do not want the folks in D.C. determining what I am worth to my employer. I much rather my performance do so :wave:

 

[WDW1974]

Vacation time is part of the entire employment package along with wages, medical etc is it not? I certainly do not want the folks in D.C. determining what I am worth to my employer. I much rather my performance do so :wave:

Employment packages? ... I REALLY don't want to see this thread closed down or posts disappear.

But many people don't have packages. Many people are lucky to have work at all.

And while I don't want people in D.C. placing limits on what I can get from my employer, I do want them to have minimum standards so that businesses can't simply get away with giving employees little or no vacation time.

Workers deserve basics. And, no, it won't bankrupt anyone. :wave:

~GFC~

 

[BigTxEars]

Employment packages? ... I REALLY don't want to see this thread closed down or posts disappear.

But many people don't have packages. Many people are lucky to have work at all.

And while I don't want people in D.C. placing limits on what I can get from my employer, I do want them to have minimum standards so that businesses can't simply get away with giving employees little or no vacation time.

Workers deserve basics. And, no, it won't bankrupt anyone. :wave:

~GFC~

I agree not the place for this issue to be spoken about.

 

[Monty]

No. I was frankly surprised because, as I said, I've been visiting in October annually for as long as I can recall (except '09) and I have never seen crowds like that.

Made me wonder where all the money was coming from because I don't for a second believe wearen'tthisclose to another recession or worse.

There are varying impacts of the "global downturn" in different parts of the world. Here in Canada for the most part those impacted seriously were workers in industries directly tied to the U.S. economy. Most outside that sphere [not all, generalization at work here] were unaffected or even benefited from the situation. I can say I benefited, my income has steadily increased [1-2% per annum, but increased nonetheless], my dollar is stronger vs yours and interest rates have dropped to next-to-nothing.

Prices for some travel have gone up, but overall my WDW trips are costing less than they did prior.

Wanting to vacation and being able are two different things. This IS the USA where 'rugged individualism' is our alleged backbone and it means no one is guaranteed one day of vacation annually ... as opposed to other more grown-up nations that realize that without happy and healthy workers you don't have a country that is improving or a liveable society, so they mandate vacation time. Imagine how bad that would be here!!!:drevil::king:

We have minimum paid vacation in most, if not all Provincial labour law. I believe it's 15 working days per annum. I work in a Unionized Gov't office, so get 5 weeks. It is sad that so many in your country have been adversely affected. I hope recovery comes sooner rather than later, but like you I don't see it coming soon unfortunately.

While I don't always appreciate your posting style or your treatment of other posters as children or worse, I do respect your right to your opinions and that we can be generally respectful of each other while taking an occasional "dig". :animwink:

~OCS~

 

[kittybubbles]

I was 5 when I 1st visited WDW in 1971, went at least once a year until 1986. I had been a few times in other years, but started going again in 2006 when DD was 11 months old. I was really impressed how Disney was able to bring folks in during times that should be slow Back somewhere between '06 and '08 it was speaking to several Brit's about how great the exchange rate was. I guess the only point is that WDW seems to be able to bring folks from countries that are doing well even when the U.S. is not.

I learned a few years ago to avoid EPCOT on a FRI or a SAT night, this is mainly due to have a young daughter and finding F&W (on FRI and SAT nights) to be something of a cross between a Frat Party and a Jimmy Buffet concert. I would think that the EPCOT after 4 (PM) tickets that FL residents can get help make this a 'fun' night for locals.

I know that the weather was great SAT (10/22) which I am sure would have brought a lot of locals out (I live 3 hours south, so this was my first touch of 'cool' weather in some time).

But I was not at EPCOT on SAT as I had a bad time a few years back just trying to get around the world with the large crowds just hanging out in the walkways.

Now I can say why we were up there this weekend. We had been giving Blue Man group tickets as a gift last Christmas, had planned on going when we were up for the 40th, but didn't make it. Anyway, DD had time off from school at the end of SEPT (which is why we were up for the 40th). We had hoped to enjoy F&W on THUR (figuring it would open a day early), but we got there early evening (and apparently) it was 'cast member preview day as it took us some 40 minutes just to get into the park...it was not overly crowded, but I just did not feel like waiting for overpriced food samples.

Now DD did have a teacher's work day on FRI, so we decided to head up to Orlando for the weekend (I stayed with my brother who lives in Orlando, so we made it a somewhat low cost trip).

SO on SAT 10/22, we started the day at Sea World, this was only my second time there this year and it was more crowded than the last time I was there, but I did overhear a couple of employees talking and they had said the crowd was smaller than it was last SAT, but they also had said that the crowds really started coming in around 3 PM last weekend.

So DD got to get some candy, ride a couple of rides and see the penguins. We then headed over to Universal to see Blue Man Group. I can say that the studios seemed to have a good crowd (based on the crowds at City Walk)....we were leaving BMG around 8 PM and noticed a huge crowd waiting to get into HHN and a whole lot of people still arriving, so I thik they did real well on 10/22....anyway, we headed over to the Magic Kingdom, got in around 9:30 PM....saw folks leaving via the back stage exit (this has got to be the 4th time I have seen this exit used over the past 2 years, and we visit more than some, but less often than others....

I was somewhat surprised by the waits that night as I too recall OCT being a great time to visit, but I knew it would be somewhat crowded as the park was open until 1 AM....but then again, we would not have gone to a Disney park had MK not been open that late. Anyway, it was real pleasant walking around MK at around 12:30 AM...and we were able to visit Mickey, do the three mountains, and visit the Haunted Mansion, so not a bad unexpected OCT visit for us ;-0

So a whole bunch of words to say that I think Disney keeps finding ways to bring people in for these 'slow' periods, but a good portion of Orlando seemed to be doing well (maybe a lot more staycations for us Floridians...but I always seem to see a lot of Stealer's shirts whenever I head up there..

 

[baanman]

We were in WDW from 10/16 thru 10/21. We have been going this same week for the last 4 years. This year, the crowds were the largest we have seen in October. Normally, the longest wait was never more that 15 minutes. We waited 30 minutes for Pirates! Usually there has been 0 minute wait time.

 

[Jakester]

October 1st was packed at Magic Kingdom mainly due to the 40th anniversary.

I went to AK, DHS, Epcot October 5th, and crowds seemed a little bigger.

Went to Magic Kingdom the weekend after the 40th (the rainy one), and no crowds at all *weather*

This past saturday seemed busier than normal (probably why it was open 8am - 1am)

 

[llrain]

we are here now and have done this two week span for the last 6 years now.
6 years ago up to 2010 it was a very manageable crowd. And now, like yourself
we are experiencing super heavy crowds that we have never seen before .
For example, Buzz lightyear had a 85 minute wait Thursday....I dont think
I have waited all but 10 minutes since 2004 during this time.
Yesterday Pirates was basically lined up outside the covered area and into the walkway

We were in WDW from 10/16 thru 10/21. We have been going this same week for the last 4 years. This year, the crowds were the largest we have seen in October. Normally, the longest wait was never more that 15 minutes. We waited 30 minutes for Pirates! Usually there has been 0 minute wait time.

 

[BigTxEars]

we are here now and have done this two week span for the last 6 years now.
6 years ago up to 2010 it was a very manageable crowd. And now, like yourself
we are experiencing super heavy crowds that we have never seen before .
For example, Buzz lightyear had a 85 minute wait Thursday....I dont think
I have waited all but 10 minutes since 2004 during this time.
Yesterday Pirates was basically lined up outside the covered area and into the walkway

Sounds like July not October :shrug:

 

[BigTxEars]

There are varying impacts of the "global downturn" in different parts of the world. Here in Canada for the most part those impacted seriously were workers in industries directly tied to the U.S. economy. Most outside that sphere [not all, generalization at work here] were unaffected or even benefited from the situation. I can say I benefited, my income has steadily increased [1-2% per annum, but increased nonetheless], my dollar is stronger vs yours and interest rates have dropped to next-to-nothing.

Prices for some travel have gone up, but overall my WDW trips are costing less than they did prior.

We have minimum paid vacation in most, if not all Provincial labour law. I believe it's 15 working days per annum. I work in a Unionized Gov't office, so get 5 weeks. It is sad that so many in your country have been adversely affected. I hope recovery comes sooner rather than later, but like you I don't see it coming soon unfortunately.

While I don't always appreciate your posting style or your treatment of other posters as children or worse, I do respect your right to your opinions and that we can be generally respectful of each other while taking an occasional "dig". :animwink:

~OCS~

I think the U.S. is about to bounce back. Maybe I am biased but I am not the only one. I work in a industry that is very in touch with the basic consumer and sales are coming back without a doubt.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...44646/World-power-swings-back-to-America.html

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I also have to say that yesterday at food and wine was madness. Thankfully we started at 11 when WS opened, but for the last 1/3 of our way through the place was madness. I have taken a Sat to tackle the festival the last two years and both were not even remotely this crowded (and last year I went the last weekend which is usually more crowded). The parks were also more crowded than I expected, but manageable.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Just got back from 5 days in the World -- and it is absolutely the heaviest crowds I have seen there in mid-October...

All four parks were packed Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Saturday was ridiculous -- I would estimate crowds of 6/10 during the week, and a solid 10 on Saturday. Both the magic Kingdom and Epcot were packed to the gills on Saturday. I actually found myself leaving Epcot right after lunch, heading to MK for a couple hours, and leaving. Spent the rest of the afternoon/evening at Downtown Disney (also packed) but went to the movies, had dinner, and spent a relaxing last night there, rather than braving the crowds.

Also went to MNSSHP on Friday night, and it was also packed -- although, like most special events at MK, the crowds were at the parades and treat-centers, and the rides were pretty much walk-ons.

BIG BIG crowds during a week that is normally a 2/10 on the crowd level meter, at east during the week itself.

 

[BigTxEars]

We went mid Oct in 2010 and it was pretty light crowd. Went mid Sept in 2011 and it was not horrible but heavier than expected. Planned to return to Oct time frame next trip but now I think we will look at the first part of the year instead. Going on a Disney cruise in 2012 so it will be 2013 before we have to decided.

I wonder if this is a one year spike or is in the new normal. Props to WDW for their marketing, it sure seems to have worked!

 

[71jason]

FWIW, I hear crowds at both Disney and UNI have continued to be strong later this week ... and have friends at UNI tonight for HHN's who will be letting me know about the crowds there shortly.

~GFC~

Won't presume to call myself your friend (more Spirited fanboi), but HHN was typical Friday, even a little slow early on. Sunday was insane. Lines climbed to 30 minutes by 7:00, over an hour by 8:00. Seemed largely due to Osceola County schools being out today--the crowd was very young, and Finnegans was actually less crowded than normal considering an NFL game and the World Series were on. (BTW, last Monday Orange County schools were out).

Didn't attend Saturday, but scuttlebutt among team members is that it was one of two nights that sold out this year. It's counter-intuitive, but the weekend before Halloween seems to be the busiest at HHN. Fall breaks play a part, but also there's much more competition Halloween weekend. Every bar in town holds a costume contest, and there are all kinds of private parties Friday and Saturday.

This past Saturday at F&W felt even busier than 10/15. Satellite lots were largely full. F&W has always been busy on the weekends, but this year just seems even busier. Some interesting theories, but I'm still at a loss as for why.