I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World since the year it opened in 1971. I have sketchy memories of that first visit because I was just a child. So I can’t tell you how crowded it was. But I do remember a time, about 12 years ago, when you could visit Walt Disney World and find a time of year where you could avoid the crowds.
Now, the Disney message boards and Facebook pages are hopping mad with posters complaining of horrific crowds in October. And September. And March. And…..well, you name the month.
I’ve always said that Disney World is spot on with managing their work force to match park attendance. There have been times when I’ve visited in June and gotten more done than when I’ve visited in early November. In June; the park hours were longer, if an attraction had multiple lines they were all open, more busses and monorails were running and plenty of staff was on hand at restaurants and shops. In November, the park hours were shorter, less lines and attractions were open, less busses and monorails were running and less staff was available to manage shops and restaurants.
About 15 years ago, our family could plan a trip to Disney World during an “off” month and feel like the park was ours. Lines were shorter. You had elbow room when you walked down Main Street. We could get everything we wanted to get done in one park, head back to the resort for a nap or a swim and then hit another park in the evening and get everything done there. A week long visit felt like a luxury.
Now? A week long visit is a necessity.
During a trip in 2002, we noticed a marked difference in the crowds at one of our favorite times of the year to visit: early October. Midway through our trip, exhausted from fighting the crowds, we asked a Cast Member if there was an event, besides Food & Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, going on that we weren’t aware of. His answer? No. Since 9/11 they’d noticed more people seizing the moment and taking their kids out of school and vacationing throughout the year.
Sure, this was a unscientific response to our casual question but it made sense to us. We decided that the crowds would eventually level off with the passing of time.
We were wrong.
So, add to that “fact” population has increased, the popularity of Disney has risen, schools across the country don’t follow the same calendar year, foreign travel has increased, deals like Free Dining are introduced more frequently and (you fill in the blank)? There is no off season at Walt Disney World anymore.
Sure, there are times of the year that are (slightly) better than others. But for the most part, any time of the year you go, you’re going to run into crowds.
What’s a vacation-goer to do?
Plan. Research. Prepare.
There are ways to survive a very crowded day at Walt Disney World. And you CAN lose wait at the parks — in line, that is.
Just do your homework before you go and visit websites like this one to receive tips from veteran Disney nuts like me!
Happy Planning!
