So. Many. People.

[KrazeeK120]

I didn't add when we got here. My apologies. LAST TUESDAY. It's been nuts the ENTIRE time. I expected this week to be busier. Not last week. And for all your "welcome to a holiday week" comments shove off. I posted this for people who might be considering coming here that are local.

To be fair, you didn’t put that information in your initial post. You posted at noon during a holiday week that it’s more crowded than June. Well, yes, that makes sense. If your intention was to warn people about the week prior to Thanksgiving, it would be prudent to have included that information from the get-go.

And telling people to shove off? Really??

 

[hiroMYhero]

For everyone here who has opted not to ‘shove off’ and has answered the OP’s question:

Am I here in November or june????

!!

In the spirit of ‘giving thanks,’ please continue in a civil manner.

 

[lovethattink]

We went to MK yesterday from 1pm til 7pm and had a truly wonderful time, aside from being pushed and kicked. The cms we encountered were the best.

The crowds on the other hand were the largest I've ever encountered at Thanksgiving time, both MK yesterday and DHS on Saturday. Also the largest number of rude guests I've encountered. We were pushed, kicked, etc.

FP line for IASW ended at Mento Mori's at one point. The snack carts in Liberty Square had lines to Columbia Harbour House.

But the highlight of our day was the Castle lighting. We were at the Castle forecourt and everyone sat! We had perfect viewing!

 

[bladiator]

For everyone here who has opted not to ‘shove off’

To be fair, the "shove off" comment was the most exciting part of this thread.

 

[KTwiegs]

Making me nervous for my “week after thanksgiving” trip coming up in 4 Days....

 

[adelaster]

We went to MK yesterday from 1pm til 7pm and had a truly wonderful time, aside from being pushed and kicked. The cms we encountered were the best.

The crowds on the other hand were the largest I've ever encountered at Thanksgiving time, both MK yesterday and DHS on Saturday. Also the largest number of rude guests I've encountered. We were pushed, kicked, etc.

FP line for IASW ended at Mento Mori's at one point. The snack carts in Liberty Square had lines to Columbia Harbour House.

But the highlight of our day was the Castle lighting. We were at the Castle forecourt and everyone sat! We had perfect viewing!

View attachment 284510

Do you have any suggestions on how to handle the violence? I experienced that on my trip last year and am nervous to go back in December.

 

[CAS239]

Do you have any suggestions on how to handle the violence? I experienced that on my trip last year and am nervous to go back in December.

Follow them onto a ride, preferably a dark ride..then proceed to sit in front of them and record the entire ride with an iPad or repeatedly take pics with the flash on

 

[lovethattink]

Do you have any suggestions on how to handle the violence? I experienced that on my trip last year and am nervous to go back in December.

I wish I did. We're taking my mom in a couple weeks, and her skin is so thin that any significant scratch or bump ends up needing stitches. We've already decided we aren't taking her to MK. And we'll surround her when we walk.

Most of our being kicked were by children in strollers. And it wasn't intentional. At the parade, I was stepped on twice by an adult. She apologized each time. In line for Jingle Cruise, a toddler kicked my chest. Parent carrying didn't notice and I didn't say anything.

But the pushing in lines or while walking through bottlenecks was annoying. We ended up telling people it looked like they needed to get there before us, so by all means go, go, go.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm confused. Am I here in November or june???? This place is PACKED! This trip has been very disappointing. Even the staff seem overwhelmed and understaffed. Most of our encounters have been with cranky cast members that are as confused as I am. So sad.

We're here now and I disagree with most of this. I do agree it's busy, much busier than it was when we were here for Thanksgiving 2015. FP+ choices are much more limited for same day stuff, but so be it. Crowds are large, especially around the more popular rides. However, I strongly disagree with the comments that the staff seem overwhelmed and understaffed. Frankly, our experience is the opposite. They have lots of CMs all around, and we have yet to encounter a single one who is "cranky". All of the CMs we have come across have the same they usually do...especially in the presence of ever increasingly rude and ignorant guests. That, I've seen a lot of...nasty guests.

 

[b2k1121]

I was there last week through this past Sunday. Although crowds were more noticeable Friday - Sunday, it was NOT packed. Anyone who thinks this has never been to disney when it is actually crowded. We got all three tier one FP at Epcot on Saturday. Give me a break with “crowded”.

If not being able to move for minutes at a time trying to move through the hub is considered 'not packed' I'd like to see what packed looks like.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I agree with PP who praise the CMs. They’ve all been great. We are currently waiting for the bus to MK. I’ll report back on the crazy!

 

[Klayfish]

If not being able to move for minutes at a time trying to move through the hub is considered 'not packed' I'd like to see what packed looks like.

We were there Saturday night and had little trouble moving through the hub. Yes, it was packed with people, but there are clear walking paths all around and it's no problem getting through. It's moving pretty slowly at times, but never at a complete stop for extended periods. Sure, I suppose if we tried to cut through the middle of the crowd, that's an issue, but there are many options to navigate through the hub.

 

[b2k1121]

Is going to MK on a party/event day to catch a lower crowd level a myth?

No, we went Saturday the 11th, non party day and could barely move. Went the next morning on a party day and the first 2-3 hours most rides were a walk on. Went again the 15th, non party day and only the first hour was slow. By 10 it was pretty crowded.

 

[Mac30188]

We were there last year the week before Thanksgiving and it was very bipolar. There were periods and parks that were very busy (9-10 type crowds), and there were times that were very low (3-4 type crowds). Park Hopper was our friend and we were able to have a good week by planning and staying away from the crowds. I remember one day in particular was silly busy at MK, but we hopped on a monorail to a largely empty Epcot. IIRC we went from debating a 30 minute wait for Prince Charming Carousel or hour wait for Merrida to a 12 minute wait for Anna and Elsa and 2-3 people lines for food and wine booths.

 

[b2k1121]

We were there Saturday night and had little trouble moving through the hub. Yes, it was packed with people, but there are clear walking paths all around and it's no problem getting through. It's moving pretty slowly at times, but never at a complete stop for extended periods. Sure, I suppose if we tried to cut through the middle of the crowd, that's an issue, but there are many options to navigate through the hub.

We attempted to use the taped off walk ways to get around the crowds of people waiting for Happily Ever After, but at least the route we took was a complete stop because people either didn't understand or care that it was supposed to be a walkway and chose it as their spot. When 100s of people do that it takes awhile for CMs to clear them out. I understand that can be expected before a show, but that doesn't mean it wasn't crowded.

 

[slpeters]

Posting from MCO after being here for the last week. It was my first trip so nothing to compare it to but we were pleasantly surprised by the crowd levels. The parks seemed more than adequately staffed and dh was amazed at the amount that we were able to get done. As far as bad behavior from other guests the only thing we encountered were the rabid stroller pushers. I'm 6'4" and a somewhat brawny guy. If you didn't notice me you just aren't watching where you're going.

 

[Dakota731]

I’m scared for our first December trip! We’ve gone in the summer eight times and are used to riding everything several times back to back with no waits so I’m nervous!

 

[Klayfish]

We attempted to use the taped off walk ways to get around the crowds of people waiting for Happily Ever After, but at least the route we took was a complete stop because people either didn't understand or care that it was supposed to be a walkway and chose it as their spot. When 100s of people do that it takes awhile for CMs to clear them out. I understand that can be expected before a show, but that doesn't mean it wasn't crowded.

Never said it wasn't crowded. It definitely was...very much so. It was packed. It was slow going getting through, but never at a full stop. And yep, some people ignore the rules and just want to stop wherever they want. I don't take kindly to that.

I’m scared for our first December trip! We’ve gone in the summer eight times and are used to riding everything several times back to back with no waits so I’m nervous!

We're long time summer veterans too like you. Definitely change your expectations. You will NOT ride everything several times back to back. Simply not going to happen. I'm a big time WDW optimist, apologist, lover, whatever, and even I would say that it's not going to be like it is in summer. You can still get things done and have a wonderful time, but just change your mindset. We are having a great time here. Yesterday we were in Epcot. Lines were long. We did our 3 FP+. Only standby ride we did was Grand Fiesta Tour. We just spent the rest of the time strolling the World Showcase and watching the performers, which we normally don't do during the summer.

 

[anomamatt]

I’m scared for our first December trip! We’ve gone in the summer eight times and are used to riding everything several times back to back with no waits so I’m nervous!

You definitely need to adjust your mindset before you go. Talk to everyone going with you... it won't be anything like you are describing. Although I have gone in mid-May with a crowd level 2-3 and never experienced back to back rides with no wait. Unless you are talking about magic carpets. =)

 

[BeachPrincess]

Never said it wasn't crowded. It definitely was...very much so. It was packed. It was slow going getting through, but never at a full stop. And yep, some people ignore the rules and just want to stop wherever they want. I don't take kindly to that.



We're long time summer veterans too like you. Definitely change your expectations. You will NOT ride everything several times back to back. Simply not going to happen. I'm a big time WDW optimist, apologist, lover, whatever, and even I would say that it's not going to be like it is in summer. You can still get things done and have a wonderful time, but just change your mindset. We are having a great time here. Yesterday we were in Epcot. Lines were long. We did our 3 FP+. Only standby ride we did was Grand Fiesta Tour. We just spent the rest of the time strolling the World Showcase and watching the performers, which we normally don't do during the summer.

So true, having a good attitude and adjusting your mindset for the situation, makes all the difference in the world! Granted, this can be hard to do, even for the most optimistic person, but knowing all this going in will help. Expect the worst, hope for the best, enjoy either way! As someone else said, being in a crazy crowded Disney park is better than being at work any day!!