Why so busy!?

[TeddyinMO]

Because it's too cheap to go to Disney these days. People hate hearing that, but demand is too high because it's such a good deal relative to other vacation destinations.

People do the research and say, "Welp, might as well go to Disney."

This is right on. We looked at a WDW vacation earlier this year. We priced it out and decided to stay closer to home and do a driveable (four hour away) midwestern city vacation with the kids. We did the local amusement park, water park, zoo and the local family attractions, etc. We did a lot and had a great trip, but hardly anything first class.

- Hotels were the same prices as the Values at about $130 for a night average when all fees/taxes were included. (And they were Value quality and size as one kid slept in a sleeping bag on the floor just as he would've at POP). They were acceptable, but nothing fancy.
- Individual attractions were priced cheaper for one-day tickets, but when you added up everything my family of 5 did up over the 6 days, we paid more than we would have for 6-days with a park hopper.
- Food prices were equal to Disney for the most part (averaged out over trip)

When we added up the bills at the end, the 6-night drivable vacation ended up costing us more than Disney with 6-nights and the QS dining plan for that same week $3500 vs $3300. Now, we would've had to pay for flights to do WDW and I'm sure we would have splurged a bit down there too, so in the end, we would have spent more to do WDW, but it really made me realize how competitive WDW still is (too bad we can't drive it in 1-day).

And before anyone jumps all over me, I don't regret the decision. We had a fantastic vacation, just as we always have at WDW. Also, I am not saying WDW - or anything else for that matter - is cheap. My point is a WDW vacation is still competitive with a true family vacation in your average American city. I think that point gets forgotten a lot in this silo of a WDW message board.

 

[Chef Mickey]

This is right on. We looked at a WDW vacation earlier this year. We priced it out and decided to stay closer to home and do a driveable (four hour away) midwestern city vacation with the kids. We did the local amusement park, water park, zoo and the local family attractions, etc. We did a lot and had a great trip, but hardly anything first class.

- Hotels were the same prices as the Values at about $130 for a night average when all fees/taxes were included. (And they were Value quality and size as one kid slept in a sleeping bag on the floor just as he would've at POP). They were acceptable, but nothing fancy.
- Individual attractions were priced cheaper for one-day tickets, but when you added up everything my family of 5 did up over the 6 days, we paid more than we would have for 6-days with a park hopper.
- Food prices were equal to Disney for the most part (averaged out over trip)

When we added up the bills at the end, the 6-night drivable vacation ended up costing us more than Disney with 6-nights and the QS dining plan for that same week $3500 vs $3300. Now, we would've had to pay for flights to do WDW and I'm sure we would have splurged a bit down there too, so in the end, we would have spent more to do WDW, but it really made me realize how competitive WDW still is (too bad we can't drive it in 1-day).

And before anyone jumps all over me, I don't regret the decision. We had a fantastic vacation, just as we always have at WDW. Also, I am not saying WDW - or anything else for that matter - is cheap. My point is a WDW vacation is still competitive with a true family vacation in your average American city. I think that point gets forgotten a lot in this silo of a WDW message board.

Thanks for sharing your story. You sound like you had fun both times, but still spent the same money.

People seem to get hung up on the fact Disney gets "most" of your vacation money besides airline fees. I'm OK with that, because I have most of my fun at Disney and they deliver a consistent experience.

With the trips to city X, you might like your hotel, but end up hating the activities and have meh food. Disney ensures the experience remains at a certain level for the duration of the trip.

 

[Kristamouse]

I am blamming Pinterest crowd calendars...anyone can look around there and "think" they are WDW experts. I have talked to so many people that "think" they are bucking the system and going in the "off"'season.
They are also the people that get buttons for any celebration and demand free stuff, try and make Woody and Buzz fall by saying "Andy" and are shocked other also want their pictures with Mickey Mouse...

 

[threvester]

Fact: attendance is down

 

[The_Jobu]

I went last year to MK on July 4th. It seemed pretty busy, but manageable. Then I went earlier this year in April and it "felt" like the lines were longer but I didn't actually time them. During the time between a lot of people were posting about cutbacks in the parks, especially CM hours. I wonder if that's what made the lines feel longer, that there were less CMs to keep things flowing?

 

[bethymouse]

We want to visit a day or 2 in November. Perhaps Election Day! ( J/K) We will avoid Veterans Day and Thanksgiving of course. September seems to be the best month, since kids are back in school and parents don't want to take them out so early. Never been in January, but we plan on it once we move to Florida ( yes... we're moving in December to Ocala).

 

[mf1972]

we normally enjoy coming in october. we're here now, & it was more crowded in MK yesterday from what we've usually seen in the past.
i noticed long fast pass lines for 3 attractions. we had FP for mine train. took about 10-15 minutes to get on.
didn't ruin our day. just an observation

 

[Derezzed85]

Just got back monday night from a 10 day trip because of the Hurricane. I did notice that Magic Kingdom was a LOT more packed than usual the last few days of my trip, but chalked it up to being the weekend....and everyone having been stuck in their hotels on friday. I'm used to crowds in MK... but it was total chaos at night around the parade and fireworks times. Next to impossible to even move from Casey's to Adventureland. It seems much more busy than previous years. I couldn't even book any fast passes for major attractions the entire length of my stay.

 

[Eddie Garrison]

We went to The Studios on Wednesday and it was packed!

When we arrived for our first FP's, Star Tours was at a 70 minute wait around 3:00 PM. We then headed over to Tower for our second FP and it was at a 90 minute wait around 3:45. Headed over to the Coaster to do the single rider queue. We waited 45 minutes with a posted wait time of 70 minutes around 4:30.

Headed over to the Tune in Lounge for some food & drinks around 5:45 or so and they were slammed. Luckily we got two seats at the bar within 10 minutes & watched a steady flow of people coming in and out of the bar & restaurant.

The passed few days, going to the Studios, EPCOT & Typhoon ... There seemed to be a lot of people traveling from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, etc. Not sure if their schools had some sort break or not. There just seemed to be a lot of people from those areas.

 

[mf1972]

at MK today, & the crowds are much more manageable compared to 2 days ago.
they had extra magic evening hours. that might've been a factor.

 

[Dubman]

We leave in 3 weeks and are hoping the crowds will be manageable. We will be dealing with the marathon weekend, veterans day, election day and the end of Food & Wine. Also, all the Christmas decorations will be coming out, so we are mentally preparing for it to be crowded.. Doesn't really matter because we have dealt with huge crowds in the past and always have had a good time!

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I went with my Dad and younger siblings Columbus Day Weekend 2012. There were definitely crowds then, but I didn't think they were too bad.

 

[jloucks]

Thanks for sharing your story. You sound like you had fun both times, but still spent the same money.

People seem to get hung up on the fact Disney gets "most" of your vacation money besides airline fees. I'm OK with that, because I have most of my fun at Disney and they deliver a consistent experience.

With the trips to city X, you might like your hotel, but end up hating the activities and have meh food. Disney ensures the experience remains at a certain level for the duration of the trip.

I was going to throw in my complete supply and demand spiel, but I think you two covered it perfectly. So, the sort version... demand can be controlled with price. Currently price is keeping demand, and crowds, high.

My super unpopular opinion: They should have double price weeks every now and then. There is a demand for a non-sardine experience. I would think a very big one.

 

[Tinkwings]

We want to visit a day or 2 in November. Perhaps Election Day! ( J/K) We will avoid Veterans Day and Thanksgiving of course. September seems to be the best month, since kids are back in school and parents don't want to take them out so early. Never been in January, but we plan on it once we move to Florida ( yes... we're moving in December to Ocala).

Have been all weeks in January and Februrary.....favorite week ever for crowds/weather was first week in February. We had an odd early school break one year and it was wonderful. I usually go in January and find lesser crowds and the weather can be hit or miss for warmth...but Presidents Day weekend and week following was the worst ever, I assume that is much like summer crowds, they had to close the parks for capacity etc. I am going for first time ever second week of November.....thinking in future I will revert back to January, its nice to go then and escape from the northern winter....but the other thing is the discounts, 100% of the time I have always had a great discount in January, and not been able to get one for this November.....so anyhow enjoy your proximity to the magic!

 

[KYWDW]

The passed few days, going to the Studios, EPCOT & Typhoon ... There seemed to be a lot of people traveling from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, etc. Not sure if their schools had some sort break or not. There just seemed to be a lot of people from those areas.

Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana have had fall break and it seemed as though everyone was going to Disney World. With most school systems giving fall breaks now it's given families an alternative to the summer rush to visit.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I was going to throw in my complete supply and demand spiel, but I think you two covered it perfectly. So, the sort version... demand can be controlled with price. Currently price is keeping demand, and crowds, high.

My super unpopular opinion: They should have double price weeks every now and then. There is a demand for a non-sardine experience. I would think a very big one.

I have been on record asking for increased prices because I'd be very willing to pay extra for a non-crowded experience.