Whatever it is, we also know that not everything is open and available, especially the "people eater" attractions and options - shows, full dining options, nighttime entertainment, etc. Things are slowly coming back online, but we are not there yet.
You know, I keep hearing this (bolded), but for the life of me I can't figure out what those may be? I'm not picking on you jbish because I see this all over these boards. What exactly are these "closed" people eaters and "other things" not available (EPCOT excluded because it is just a mess although its crowds are far more easily navigated).
For example, at Studios: B&TB, Indiana Jones, Frozen Sing Along all back as well as modified character visits and cavalcades. Does missing Fantasmic! at night really account for the massive crowds in the morning and early afternoon?
I don't believe there are any restaurants closed at Studios and if any aren't open--it is probably seasonal and intentionally closed. If something other than restaurants is currently closed--it is probably intentional and Disney won't be reopening it. We have also dined at many of the restaurants (full service) pre and post-pandemic. While in October 2020, there were definitely fewer dining in--I can assure you that in October 2021 and February 2022, those places were full to capacity and we did not eat at prime dining times.
The gift stores were all open when we were there at the end of February along with everything but Fantasmic! Admittedly, the stock in October 2020 was more limited, but we did not appreciate the same limitations in February 2022. The stores were packed with shoppers on both recent occasions.
I am over Disney's blame the pandemic game when there are still those CMs out there claiming to be "furloughed" and not recalled. ToT is working at half capacity due to some "technical issues" and park rides are down nearly every day for lengthy periods. Deferred maintenance or overwhelming capacity--who knows what is the cause.
The crowds, however, have been much larger since October 2020 (our first post-closing visit) and have grown with each visit (May 2021, October 2021 and February 2022). Early 1/2 hour for resort guests is a joke and rope drop is the most crowded I have ever experienced since we began going in 1993 (for many years during the busy summer months and from 2010 to present at least May and October with a third trip thrown in here and there at other times). Disney can swear that it is limiting capacity (and the whole reservation system and 2:00 p.m. hopping is all about what benefits Disney and has nothing to do with crowd control), but I didn't buy the 35% of capacity claim in October 2020 and I certainly don't buy the "limited capacity" claim at present.
Pre-pandemic, crowds were becoming increasingly intense and we took note of it at the time. The quiet season wasn't so quiet (May and October for us), but manageable for those of us who had years under our belts. In days long gone, you could rope drop a park, have a minimal wait to get into the park and knock out several (and maybe more rides) before 11:00 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the parks began to fill and by 11:00 a.m., when we typically departed the parks; we were salmon swimming upstream with the masses pouring in.
I haven't used
Genie+ yet and from what I have read, we seem to fare as well as and better than some who do--but that is another topic.
Presently, if you aren't at the tapstiles at least one-half to three quarters of an hour PRIOR to opening (ETPE), you are at the back of the pack and will be waiting. Buses from resorts (with folks waiting prior to 6:00 a.m. to be on the first bus) was pretty much unheard of just a mere three to four years ago (especially in the aforementioned quiet times).
I use Studios as an example because it seems to be the worst of the four with regard to crowds (and frankly, I don't have the time to go further in depth for each park), but the same applies to MK, AK and EPCOT (what is closed there was the same pre-pandemic [but for Space 220--which finally opened after years of speculation
] and intentional).
Disney removes a Lauau (and HDDR's return is in question) to put up a monstrous DVC tower which will add more people while overcharging those on property and forcing others to less pricey digs off-site. Those off-site folks still arrive in droves and adding hotel rooms does not help an overcrowded park situation.
So, I ask again, what exactly are these mystery people eaters and unopened areas that are going to magically take care of the overcrowding Disney itself has created. I don't begin to have an answer, but I sure do not believe Disney does either--it is merely seeing $$$$ and will continue to add rooms and deny capacity issues for as long as it is able and we continue to support it.
