Originally Posted By disneykid90 In the midst of a massive construction blitz of hotels and new DVC resorts the number of visitors to the WDWR is booming. Along with that boom of new incentives and on property lodging the parks are not gaining in size nor major expansions on the existing parks. As I have been browsing through these forums and observing all of the new threads about DVC being added here and there new lower end resorts the number of people visiting the park is soarin'. To the eye of someone free of statistics on attendance it would seem that it is causing a massive influx of people into the parks. That in tern is creating ever long lines, crowded parks. I understand that Disney is a business and is going to do whatever is within its parameters to grow. Number one solution would be keep people from staying outside of the Resort area but inside of it. You have people contained in Marriott, Hilton, and various other time shares that obvious are going to continue in the usage of their property there. A lot of people who will ONLY stay within the Resort are certainly discouraged when no reservations are available but will now come as the lodging capacity increases with the new construction. I have visited the parks from Virginia throughout my 20 years countless time, more in the past year as I temporarily lived in West Palm Beach and it was a couple of hours away. The past few visits I have had there has been new vacancies with the rise in capacity of lodges. The parks have been unbearably jam packed to the point that I would leave and find other things to do. Me being a "regular" that is very discouraging. Disney has had great promotions and I understand that has added to the increase in guest visits also. Some things like the Dining Plan do not so much bother me since there are typically always an opening at the dining establishments I love. Buy X number of nights at the price of Y has let me go down with friends without dipping into my family's DVC points (that I will note we have had for YEARS). I am in a position now to purchase into DVC and would use it other places around the globe; but mainly at WDW. Every visit the crowds are seemingly higher and make for a drastic decrease in the enjoyment factor. Has anyone else had any of the same thoughts that I am having and if so what are your thoughts on the situation. The times I am saying when I go, I have always visited in the past and the crowd has been low. I do not mind driving ten hours to get there, that is nothing. I have done several different times in the past couple years and they all seems to be crowded as the resortark ratio is ever increasing.
Originally Posted By disneykid90 Mid September, first or second weeks in December, beginning of November, beginning/mid October, late winter, and other random two-three days during the year. All of those listed 5 years ago would be deadtimes, nobody there, but not it is insane with the high crowd.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I don't know what you call "insane" then. Because I know those are still considered dead times. And I've been there in October the past few years, and it has been dead. So yea...I don't know what you consider crowded.
Originally Posted By disneykid90 When you feel like you are constantly elbow to elbow, some not so popular rides are 60,70+ minute wait. What week in October are you going? I might be willing to make a couple day getaway and try it
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper First or second week. And honestly...I work there seasonally. I really don't know how you're seeing those crowds at the times you listed. September, October, and the beginning of November are always pretty slow, and rarely do you see 60-70 minute waits at those times. There is no true down times any more due to a ton of different reasons such as free dining and discounts, but still, those times are the least crowded and far from what I would call "insane". But hey, people have different interpretations.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I would disagree about there being no down times. Friends were at EPCOT this past Sunday and the place was near desolate. I know load levels at a few of the resorts over Labor Day weekend were very low. Disney doesn't want to have an off-season anymore ... and they largely don't ... and I don't blame them. But the idea the parks are packed year round just isn't accurate ...
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << But the idea the parks are packed year round just isn't accurate ...>> Agreed.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I agree with the feeling of crowds since Disney has been so aggressive in building more resorts on property and is actively pursuing worldwide youth sports. ANd Disney wants us to believe the special parties will be a guaranteed lower capacity and more fun to attend when in reality it is still crowded for the popular locations during any parade or fireworks performance. SO every individual will have a different feeling about crowding. I know to be in the parks for the open or plan to stay really late but the parks certainly felt crowded inbetween those times. ALso WDW is not very user friendly as they keep removing benches on Main Street or turn viewing areas into seating for special groups. Also more strollers and electric wheelchairs take up more walkways along with all the foodcarts popping up.But I truly believe Corporate Disney is happiest when the parks are full to capacity.
Originally Posted By Manfried I think Disney should deal with its transportations at the WDW resort. Instead of buses and traffic signals, how about some of that forward thinking again. Wish there were more monorails and peoplemovers around the place. I would also nuke Downtown Disney or whatever they call what used to be Lake Buena Vista Village and start over.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Wish there were more monorails and peoplemovers around the place<<< I do too. But, to have that, you need to have a working Monorail system. Which we don't have ATM.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 It would seem an obvious fit to showcase some kind of futuristic public transportation system at WDW. Heck, we get excited on the tram (not sure technically what it counts as) at the Orlando and Denver airports! Just sort of adds to the mystique and future world feeling like the monorail does. Buses really do suck the magic. I imagine, though, that there are all kinds of reasons this would be difficult. I would just like it to not be all about money! It would be a plus on the level of adding an attraction to have fantastic tranportation. And I think it would draw more folks on site. Guess it's too pie in the sky. But wasn't the monorail that way when it was new?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Great topic. I'm not going to fault the Disney Company for building more DVC ( they are not building more resorts ). In fact half of Pop Century lies vacant and untouched. DVCs are WDW cash cow right now. It's the big ticket item. WDW already has it's theme parks as a draw as far as the Disney company is concerned they don't need do any major additions to any of the parks. Perhaps we will see new movies and updated equipment in refirbs but thats about it. Meanwhile expect more major DVC monstrosities on the horizon as AK DVCs and BLT get sold out. There is nothing new with this plan, it's been going on for decades now. And to some extent this is what your typical guest wants, they don't want to see many of the rides removed. What the typical guest doesn't realize is just how much space is available in each park for more rides and attractions. Even the MK has unused space. As far as moderizing, standardizing and updating Disney transportation, I don't see that happening. Put it on the back burner, WDW has more pressing matters. I also want to add that in my opinion Disney does need to do some major rehabs to it's current parks which includes adding additional rides and attractions to each park. There is space there, fill it. Add more countries to the World Showcase. Heck, there are countries that would like to have a presence in the World Showcase. I think it's easy for your typical guest to get the preception that things are stagnant in the parks or worse that WDW better days are behind it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I think it's easy for your typical guest to get the preception that things are stagnant in the parks or worse that WDW better days are behind it.>> That's not perception. That's reality!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom LOL... I knew you would say something like that Spirit..... But at least give me some credit for posting that statement.
Originally Posted By -em >> DVCs are WDW cash cow right now. It's the big ticket item. << Last I heard there was still 3 resorts being sold at WDW right now and that sales are pretty flat... >>That's not perception. That's reality!<< Agreed We were discussing what to do for the halloween pumpkin this year and someone asked what was new this year... We had no answer
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Disney parks are definately in their decline (except for perhaps Hong Kong - which like DCA, is all about making up for previous mistakes). But when you read comments like Leemacs about management not wanting to be in the theme park business or the focus on being a distribution channel rather than innovator, I know Iger has killed the business. Hence why I am a Disney historian.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Hence why I am a Disney historian.<<<< I'll join you in that respect.. But I hate to write off the parks in decline...Sure, they are changing, but I don't think that it's a definite thing. Call me a optimist.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 We were discussing what to do for the halloween pumpkin this year and someone asked what was new this year... We had no answer you meaqn a carving of Bay Lake Tower won't suffice
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom When talking about WDW; if we are talking about the parks then they are either stagnant or in decline. If we are talking about DVC.... heck... all that land undeveloped! The sky is the limit! -em, For DVCs still selling I can think of Animal Kingdom DVCs and BLT. Which one am I missing? Last I heard SSR is all sold out. And for the record I don't have a problem wth Disney building more DVC. I just would like to see more emphasis on the parks and the parks not so neglected.
