Yesterday at MK, today at AK until mid day/early afternoon. Back at the resort now so that 8 yr old can rest up, possible Illuminations tonight.
1. The CM's are being a lot more bossy and snappy if guests don't do what they are "supposed" to do. It's obvious that the increasing crowd levels are stressing the staff.
2. Speaking of crowd levels...Ain't no way this is a low attendance time of year. Even with the understanding that this is a pre-holiday weekend, these are moderately heavy to heavy crowds. The two concurrent special events (
MNSSHP and Epcot F & W) coupled with the nice weather, the upcoming Halloween...it's a perfect storm.
3. Plus to having the MagicBands while they are still in "test" means that we have been able to utilize having the three per band FP+, plus use the KTTW for a paper FP, and for the four out of five in my group with AP's, use that as well; at one point yesterday we had four FP+ 's and eight paper FP's. The downside is that the FP line is no longer any real benefit. Yes, I do understand its origins, and intent that "You get to do your 'waiting' for the attraction while enjoying something else," but with the burden on the system, the FP itself is the wait for your assigned time PLUS an additional 30 minutes +/- in the queue.
4. The weather is PERFECT.
5. The characters are making the magic happen. Had incredible times with Stitch, Rapunzel, Dug & Russell, Pooh & Tigger...everyone is playing around, interacting wonderfully, basically making it worth the time it does take for autographs and poses.
6. There are little changes everywhere that seem to be not very guest friendly, with the challenge of crowd dynamics and attendances at obviously record levels. This environment certainly was big enough to absorb and manage 90s levels of crowds even at its 70s construction design, but it no longer handles what's being thrown at it.