Let me set the record straight. I’m here at MK right now standing in front of SM. There is ZERO magic. ZERO social distancing. Most people are wearing masks. Good luck staying at least 6 feet from others. Today looks like a normal weekday. I live in FL been coming for 25 years. I’m dissapointed. I felt completely safe at Epcot yesterday as far as distancing goes and had a great day! Here no one cares. Can’t wait to leave in 2 hours. I found a sitting area near Galactic Gateway stage and there is 50 ft for people to avoid me yet they walk within 2-3 feet. All day long....There is going to be massive Corona spikes in Florida in the next 2-6 weeks. Forget waking near it’s a small world or 7 dwarfs you can’t get 2 ft away from anyone.
I was at MK at the same time, but not in Tomorrowland.
Perception, timing, and location makes such a difference when at the parks.
To answer the original question of whether I am concerned about the crowd increase would depend what size - smaller - crowds I had experienced.
I started at WDW in 1998, pre- FP, and non parking hopping. I don’t remember it as too bad. We used to wait nearly 2 hours for rides at Opryland and Six Flags when I was young. WDW didn’t seem that bad. Traveled with a friend, so company while on lines.
Fast Forward to Jan 2020. One day, Park Hoppping among 3 parks (did MK twice, used The Monorail and Skyliner between parks). Didn’t realize it was right after a Marathon weekend. And hadn’t been on a regular day (non-party night) in about 8 years. I couldn’t believe how packed it was. Strollers everywhere. The six-people- across family walking groups. FP and hopping made the difference; I was able to what I wanted. (I even snagged a BG for RotR, but was too tired to wait out the line).
September 20-30. Did 4 days (S-M-T-W) and then waited Til the following Wednesday. Skipped the weekend, based on reports and no availability at HS. Did F&W on the first Sunday.
Honestly I like parks with a bit of crowds. Some livelihood and cheer. I went in 2008 and WS was completely empty. I have pics with 2-3 people in the background. It was nice but I much prefer to have human interaction.
My impression? The crowd level (what crowd?) was great. Enough people to not have that ghost town feel. Check.
Longer wait times than I like (especially as a solo traveler). Sure. But they didn’t seem as long as the appearance made you expect. We used to stand packed in, breathing down each other’s necks, as if that made us get on the ride sooner. Overall, very good compliance with following the floor markers. Which makes those lines look horrendous.
I skipped my most desired ride - 7 Dwarves - on my first day’s visit due to the heat and lack of shade. Got there on Sep 30, midday, and thought the 45 minute wait + ride was doable.
I think the slow forward motion of the long lines is more bearable than the old packed long time duration lines.
... It would take a pretty good increase in crowd size from this week’s attendance for me to be concerned.
I would continue to plan my trips with regard to usual crowd expectations (avoid holidays and summer), weather (I didn’t realize September was so hot) - and now, ticket pricing based on date (I’ve been using old multi-day non-expiration Park hoppers. New
ticket prices are quite an eye-opener!). And wait with fingers crossed For the return of park hopping and FP (with an anticipated upcharge; I’m already willing to pay for hopping, so why not?)
Returning in November. Still not planning on a Friday nor Saturday Park day. It will be interesting to see if I ”feel” the parks are more crowded
They’re selling tickets for park hopping beginning in January. Is everyone expecting this to come back by then?
The Cast Members at the Ticket Sales office certainly sounded like it was happening (and I wasn’t there buying tickets, just asking about ones i already have for November).
They did not believe the Phase 3 relaxation on restrictions would happen at Disney, however.
... Biggest tip / thing I noticed - big swings in lines or wait times. FOP line started on the bridge at 1100. When I got off, perhaps 45 minutes later, the line started inside the marquee with the wait time.
I skipped the safari, thinking it wasn’t worth it to stand in a line in the sun. So I did the Gorilla Trail - and couldn’t find a line!
Sometimes just move on and come back later makes a difference.
[My safari truck had 5 people (4 “groups”, as 3 of us were solo riders) in a vehicle that usually carries 36-45 people. Skipping rows (and plexiglass dividers between rows) and only groups seated together.]
Sadly, though, I realized I may have filled my heart’s WDW cup. Been there, done that. I guess it does happen. Still got some days left on my old ticket to be used several years down the road.
Have fun, everyone. Wherever your Happiest Place on Earth happens to be.
