Another look at DHS "super crowds"

[Kevin42565]

I was there today. It was soooo crowded. We had problems with our boarding group (daughter left off group) so had to wait 5 minutes to talk to GET, then waited an hour to get on ROTR only to get half way through and get escorted out when it broke down. We did eventually ride with a FP. We were able to get 4th + fastpasses for smugglers run, toy story mania, star tours. We left at 5:00 to escape the crowds. It has made us seriously consider coming back. Maybe this is just because Star Wars is so new, but I fear this might be the new norm, at least for awhile.

6 fastpasses and ROTR?! That sounds like a great day!! On our last visit, the only 4th FP left was the Little Mermaid.

Granted, the early arrival time for getting a boarding group adds a lot of stress to the day and makes it easy to feel exhausted by the afternoon. We tried to make it to 8pm on our HS day, but bailed after dinner at 6pm.

 

[FeaturePresentation]

I was also at HS today. I have never seen it this bad. Shoulder to shoulder in Toy Story and Star Wars lands. Nearly shoulder to shoulder everywhere else.

This was day 1 of 8. This is the first trip where I'm struggling to look forward to the rest of it. Hoping this isn't the new norm for the other parks, but it sounds like Epcot is awful too.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I was also at HS today. I have never seen it this bad. Shoulder to shoulder in Toy Story and Star Wars lands. Nearly shoulder to shoulder everywhere else.

This was day 1 of 8. This is the first trip where I'm struggling to look forward to the rest of it. Hoping this isn't the new norm for the other parks, but it sounds like Epcot is awful too.

We had a similar experience on day one of our Thanksgiving trip. It got so much better the next day. Have faith!

 

[SteveH]

And, something I didn't specifically mention.

We could not count on Disney Transportation to get us to DHS in time for the early park opening.
The number of guests waiting in the bus line for DHS an hour before opening time was staggering.

Interesting. We were at WDW 2/8-16 staying at POFQ, I was very impressed with the bus service, a few times while we were there the CM managing things in the morning called for additional buses, or either MK or DHS. We used the bus both days we went to DHS from our resort.

 

[hertamaniac]

I'm looking forward to going next Wednesday on MMRR grand opening day. The weather is supposed to mid to upper 80's. I've got our FP's, but doing RotR isn't a must do.

Note to self: Eat/drink outside HS when possible as I'm not standing 45 minutes for quick serve.

 

[wilkydelts]

I haven't been to HS lately but will be there on 3/30 during spring break madness. I do not want to down play peoples feelings but I just don't think people are realistic enough regarding Disney. Disney is expensive but Disney does not cater to people but many people act as if their money spent means Disney owes them something. If you have these thoughts you will leave extremely disappointed. Yes there are things that Disney could do to alleviate crowd levels but right now they are not so you have to plan accordingly.
If you are going to treat HS as an amusement park and just there for the "big" rides you are going to be beyond disappointed and spend countless hours in line. You have FP+ properly, you have to refresh, most importantly you have to do non-headliners and just be willing to walk the park and take in the scenery.
I am expecting my HS day on 3/30 will rank as one of my worst in my personal Disney history but that will still be around a 6/10 because I am still in Disney. Also thinking that way means it won't be worse then I am nervously fretting over right now. I may leave a bit hallow but I know my kids won't and that is most important in the money I'm spending. I will report back on my day after it happens and will be completely realistic but I don't think it will change much from my expectations because I enjoy Disney but am totally accepting of Disney at this point which makes it simpler to have fun.

 

[minnierocks]

It’s part of the reason we purchased park hopper passes for the first time since 2004. DHS has always been a favorite for us and we want to see Galaxy’s Edge, but I don’t want to have to spend all day there if the park is busting at the seams. Last year, we could hardly get through Toy Story Land.

 

[Pnflkc3]

Please let either of my two DHS days next week (Tues and Fri) be even a little better than this. Just found out that shows don’t start until 10am. Original plan for our family of 3 (5 year old) was to get there by 8 for ROTR bg, then take in Lightning McQueen racing academy along with a couple other shows prior to our TOT fp around 10:30. Any insight as to why shows don’t start park opening, at least ones that don’t involve human actors? Wouldn’t it alleviate some ride lines?

 

[Sarahslay]

Out of curiosity, were you there for a 7am or 8am open?

The chatter seems to be that things have gotten decidedly worse since the 8am opens have started. Considerably more people think they can make it in time to get a RotR group at 8am than 7 and are overfilling the park from the moment it opens.

Both now, and there were more people there to get a boarding group at the 8 am, but overall I didn’t find the park crowd to be any worse than the 7. I happened to be there when they stopped doing the 7 am opening so I had both on my trip, unfortunately wasn’t trying to get a BG at the 8 am because I was meeting a friend later who had to work and wouldn’t be able to get in a BG so I can’t speak to that.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Please let either of my two DHS days next week (Tues and Fri) be even a little better than this. Just found out that shows don’t start until 10am. Original plan for our family of 3 (5 year old) was to get there by 8 for ROTR bg, then take in Lightning McQueen racing academy along with a couple other shows prior to our TOT fp around 10:30. Any insight as to why shows don’t start park opening, at least ones that don’t involve human actors? Wouldn’t it alleviate some ride lines?

This is the question of the moment. Not only are they not running shows like McQueen and Muppets, which require lower staffing than a full live show, but they also aren't opening Olaf, Mickey, TSL characters until an hour after park open. Of all the places to be trying to cut costs, the one with the crazy crowds and few rides seems like a bad choice, but it's the one they're making.

Of your two days next week, the Friday is 2 days into operation of Runaway Railway, so you won't have enough time to have a sense of how crowds will change in the park with another new attraction.

On Tuesday, your best bet to kill time before things start at 9 is probably to start your morning at Swirling Saucers. If you're there ready to go at 8, you should be able to ride that and get to Toy Story Mania before the line there gets bad. If things look really nuts, you'd have to pick which one you want to start with. Then, probably grab some breakfast and head to the character of your choice that opens at 9. Or, Star Wars characters are the only ones opening right at 8, so you could do launch Bay while you wait for the rest of things to get going.

 

[NickC]

Our trip isn't until August, so we have a bit of time for things to calm down. Still, we aren't 100% confident that will happen.
We've done GE and MFSR last trip, and RotR would be fun to do, but it isn't a must-do for this trip.
How realistic would it be to get a FP+ for MMRR, RD RnRC then ToT, have lunch at Sci-Fi, then beat it for a swim at the resort and dinner at DS?
I would be happy if we could at least do that.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Our trip isn't until August, so we have a bit of time for things to calm down. Still, we aren't 100% confident that will happen.
We've done GE and MFSR last trip, and RotR would be fun to do, but it isn't a must-do for this trip.
How realistic would it be to get a FP+ for MMRR, RD RnRC then ToT, have lunch at Sci-Fi, then beat it for a swim at the resort and dinner at DS?
I would be happy if we could at least do that.

You should be able to do that. Is HS going to be at the end of your trip? It's your best chance to get MMRR at an early time.

 

[westie55]

What has everyone's experience been with shows? Are you able to get in those or are they all full to capacity and you have to wait a long time to get into the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Jr. Dance Party?

 

[NickC]

You should be able to do that. Is HS going to be at the end of your trip? It's your best chance to get MMRR at an early time.

That's good news. Thanks. We will be there on our last day, yes. But we also planned to be there one other day earlier in the trip. Even if we don't get FP+ for MMRR, we won't be too upset. I really don't go to WDW for the rides. I've always just loved being there with my family. There was still magic there when we went in November, and we will keep going as long as we feel the magic...even if we can't ride all the rides.

 

[DisSurfer878]

I'm definitely frustrated. We are not interested in GE as we are CA Disneyland Locals who have been there and seen that.
But now it's like, what, we can't rope drop at HS? Because it will be miserable? And sure we could just schedule all of out FP for the afternoon, but since we can't get more until we use our 3, what are we gonna do all morning?
We could go to another park and hope for the best, but meh. World Showcase at EPCOT isn't even open until 11. It's a damn hike to Animal Kingdom but at least it has a decent amount of stuff to do without lines (shows, trails).
We have two days PLUS A THIRD DAY with evening EMH to see and get all our HS Fast passes.
It just blows that ROTR crowds for BG are ruining the park experience there.

 

[FeaturePresentation]

I haven't been to HS lately but will be there on 3/30 during spring break madness. I do not want to down play peoples feelings but I just don't think people are realistic enough regarding Disney. Disney is expensive but Disney does not cater to people but many people act as if their money spent means Disney owes them something. If you have these thoughts you will leave extremely disappointed. Yes there are things that Disney could do to alleviate crowd levels but right now they are not so you have to plan accordingly.
If you are going to treat HS as an amusement park and just there for the "big" rides you are going to be beyond disappointed and spend countless hours in line. You have FP+ properly, you have to refresh, most importantly you have to do non-headliners and just be willing to walk the park and take in the scenery.
I am expecting my HS day on 3/30 will rank as one of my worst in my personal Disney history but that will still be around a 6/10 because I am still in Disney. Also thinking that way means it won't be worse then I am nervously fretting over right now. I may leave a bit hallow but I know my kids won't and that is most important in the money I'm spending. I will report back on my day after it happens and will be completely realistic but I don't think it will change much from my expectations because I enjoy Disney but am totally accepting of Disney at this point which makes it simpler to have fun.

Yes, it's always been important to manage expectations. The difference now is that even Disney vets who are used to planning need to drastically adjust their expectations. A random Wednesday in February at HS is now as bad as the holidays of the past few years.

There was a 15-minute wait for popcorn. POPCORN.

 

[KateKJ]

I think another factor here is that HS is the only park open from 8-9 a.m. If all four parks were open at 8, it might disperse crowds a little as people would have to choose. As it stands, people can show up at HS, grab a boarding pass for ROTR, RD a ride or two and still get to another park for its opening.

 

[Pnflkc3]

This is the question of the moment. Not only are they not running shows like McQueen and Muppets, which require lower staffing than a full live show, but they also aren't opening Olaf, Mickey, TSL characters until an hour after park open. Of all the places to be trying to cut costs, the one with the crazy crowds and few rides seems like a bad choice, but it's the one they're making.

Of your two days next week, the Friday is 2 days into operation of Runaway Railway, so you won't have enough time to have a sense of how crowds will change in the park with another new attraction.

On Tuesday, your best bet to kill time before things start at 9 is probably to start your morning at Swirling Saucers. If you're there ready to go at 8, you should be able to ride that and get to Toy Story Mania before the line there gets bad. If things look really nuts, you'd have to pick which one you want to start with. Then, probably grab some breakfast and head to the character of your choice that opens at 9. Or, Star Wars characters are the only ones opening right at 8, so you could do launch Bay while you wait for the rest of things to get going.

Thanks for the advice. We're already planning on trying to rope drop MMRR on that Friday; wish us luck. As far as the Tuesday is concerned, Swirling Sacuers might be a good call. We have fp+ over the course of the two days for both SDD and TSMM. We might try RNR single rider as well as it's a little too intense for our 5 year old (and he might be too short).

 

[DisSurfer878]

I think another factor here is that HS is the only park open from 8-9 a.m. If all four parks were open at 8, it might disperse crowds a little as people would have to choose. As it stands, people can show up at HS, grab a boarding pass for ROTR, RD a ride or two and still get to another park for its opening.

That's not ENTIRELY true. MK lets guests in at 8. Many take advantage and grab breakfast, shop, and pictures before lining up for rope drop. However I suspect the number of people who actually utilize this time is extraordinarily small by comparison.

 

[erc]

This is all going to change soon when RotR goes FP+. Except for the fact that people will have to RD the Tier 1 attractions that they could not get a FP for.

I still have to laugh that 3 years ago people were skipping DHS when they planned their weeks. What a difference new development makes.