Sure Josh, but isn’t it the reservation system, genie plus and lightning lane that is creating this artificial demand all around? Before all 3 of these, the parks were not this packed…all….the….time. Nice try Josh, you’re sure drinking the Chapek kool aid.
Looks like same crowd level when we been there in Novembers, before Covid. Don’t see any difference other than that there is a few rides with high wait times but the park app shows little wait times on other rides. So the parks are not that crowded!
Disneys new norm also includes fewer cast members, attractions, shows and parades that helped manage large number of ppl at once that is no longer there. Examples: at MK, 5 years without a train is ridiculous…image the continuous amount of ppl on 3 trains that could be managed. No one sits and plans to see the daytime “calvacades” like they did for the 3pm parade. The 2 nighttime parades b4 and aft fireworks also helped manage crowds, while half the guests waited one of the parades, the other half rode attractions. In Epcot the slow construction should have been a priority. Guardians coaster should have been an addition instead of a replacement of the hi capacity UoE., AK needs their parade back and Rafikis train should circle the park like MKs or at least give you something to do/see when you get to its oneway destination. DS: Toy Story Land is the land of hot blazing sun queues. There is no indoor space that is air conditioned for brief cool relief from the FL sun. Original park designs offered indoor rides and queues for that reason making WDW stand out from other parks. We went July 2021 and escaped to Muppet Vision preshow room to get air conditioning. Cast kept wanting to usher us in, but they finally got that we needed A/C. Commissary and other counter service restaurant were mobile order pickup only, so we could pop in for a cool drink and AC of the blocked off dining.
Why does ITM continually mention how high the crowds are…they really aren’t. Occasionally on weekends. I drive past the parks parking lots daily… this Fourth of July weekend the lots were less then half full, and again you report about major crowds.
What route are you taking daily to drive past the parking lots? What BS. The only lot you can even see without entering is Magic Kingdom and the only way you are going to see that is driving down Floridian Place.
We were there from 7/2 to 7/5. Don’t like the new Disney way of doing things. EVERYTHING and i do mean everything, had to go thru the app including if you want to eat! The My Experience app is not a great app. We wasted 2 hours on the 4th trying to get the Genie + for the day and you must do it quickly the day of the park visit, or you don’t get the Lightening Lane. This is now in lieu of the old Fast Pass. The app would not put thru my order and it was not for user error. I had to call in and 3 Disney employees, including an IT person could not get it to go thru. I had to waste more precious time on the 4th and go to City Hall at the Magic Kingdom to FINALLY get it issued. Then, we could not get in to eat at any of the restaurants without a reservation and there were NO times available. We finally got one, but after trying a million times. Between that and the ride reservations, you find your head in your phone more than enjoying your day at Disney! So much for the “new normal”… Beyond “not impressed”!
I agree with you 100%!! Disney is no longer an enjoyable experience. Went 2 weeks before the 4th and the crowds at each park were heavy.
I don’t like to go on vacation and have to use my phone the whole time! As much as tickets are, some rides you need to pay an additional charge to get in the fast lane. I saw a lady wearing a shirt that said, “I like the old Disney.” Awesome shirt! Times were fun and magical, those times are no longer at Disney parks. Why did they put a small playground in Hollywood Studios? The playground has no shade? Which means everything was too hot to play on!
I was just there and it was packed. Even with Genie + we were unable to get on some rides. If you didn’t have Genie + wait times were well over an hour. Hate what they have done! There is no spontaneity. And to say it’s to keep crowds down is I think a fallacy.
How quickly people forget, previously the lines on 4th July and Christmas were MULTIPLE hours for the popular rides.
I went to Disneyland on the 4th a few years ago and just walked around, soaked up the atmosphere and watched the fireworks. Ride lines were insane!
Everyone should boycott Disney till they handle the overcrowding correctly! This “reservation system” is a complete joke. Way to alienate your customers Disney!
I dont have any plans to return for a few years. I used to get annual passes for WDW and DL in alternating years, attending DL once a year and WDW multiple times during that pass. There are no slow times anymore allowing you to enjoy the parks without long lines. I love the old paper fast pass system. Of the complaints I see of Genie+, I dont see anyone complain that Disneys Genie + charges guests while requiring us to use our personal phone devices while dealing with how we keep battery charged for continuous use throughout the new norm Dosney Park experience. Even Six Flags gives you the Q-Bot device to reserve their fast past system. If this is the future of Disney Parks, management needs to read past minutes of meetings on how their parks previously addressed crowds and created positive guest experiences.
Is it really a reservation system to control crowds. Or is it just simply a better idea for Disney execs to get a better picture of the money forecast for any given day? Just asking for a friend, lol.
It is a way to limit employee hours paid and lower the value of annual passes. Nothing to do with capacity. If it was about capacity, they wouldn’t have different tiers and categories.
All this sounds like these decisions are made from the boardroom. They have no idea of how the parks work with capacity crowds. If they did, they’d change it pronto. I’d like to ask how many times any have visited as a paying customer without the perks of being on the board. I’ll bet none! If people stop going and the bottom line starts slipping, changes will come. Sadly people will continue to go.
We are here now and have been for 4 days. Very light crowds. We are usually here every 4th..not crowded. Only a few rides have extreme waiting and these are ones that you have to pay extra than the genie for.
I go to the parks 60+ times per year as I live near. The parks are very busy and lightning lanes has jammed up wait times. Those that want to get tickets and remain flexible will be very frustrated and most likely not enjoy their time.
I recommend to most of my family and friends to go elsewhere for now.
I so glad that people from all over the country and world are visiting disney…was there on July 2nd…and thank you all…I got covid…if your sick…you shouldn’t be spreading your germs around…STAY HOME IF YOUR SICK…thank you
Customer complaints mean absolutely nothing to the greedy Disney executives. The parks are making their company big money. We have to face facts people, this isn’t the Disney we all knew and loved. The staff cutbacks and the elimination of the treasured Disney express buses to and from the airport were the first tell.
Comments for Guests Take Over Disney Park Due to Holiday Crowd Levels
Brooke
Sure Josh, but isn’t it the reservation system, genie plus and lightning lane that is creating this artificial demand all around? Before all 3 of these, the parks were not this packed…all….the….time. Nice try Josh, you’re sure drinking the Chapek kool aid.
Jerry
Looks like same crowd level when we been there in Novembers, before Covid. Don’t see any difference other than that there is a few rides with high wait times but the park app shows little wait times on other rides. So the parks are not that crowded!
Jeff
Disneys new norm also includes fewer cast members, attractions, shows and parades that helped manage large number of ppl at once that is no longer there. Examples: at MK, 5 years without a train is ridiculous…image the continuous amount of ppl on 3 trains that could be managed. No one sits and plans to see the daytime “calvacades” like they did for the 3pm parade. The 2 nighttime parades b4 and aft fireworks also helped manage crowds, while half the guests waited one of the parades, the other half rode attractions. In Epcot the slow construction should have been a priority. Guardians coaster should have been an addition instead of a replacement of the hi capacity UoE., AK needs their parade back and Rafikis train should circle the park like MKs or at least give you something to do/see when you get to its oneway destination. DS: Toy Story Land is the land of hot blazing sun queues. There is no indoor space that is air conditioned for brief cool relief from the FL sun. Original park designs offered indoor rides and queues for that reason making WDW stand out from other parks. We went July 2021 and escaped to Muppet Vision preshow room to get air conditioning. Cast kept wanting to usher us in, but they finally got that we needed A/C. Commissary and other counter service restaurant were mobile order pickup only, so we could pop in for a cool drink and AC of the blocked off dining.
Neen
Why does ITM continually mention how high the crowds are…they really aren’t. Occasionally on weekends. I drive past the parks parking lots daily… this Fourth of July weekend the lots were less then half full, and again you report about major crowds.
Steve
What route are you taking daily to drive past the parking lots? What BS. The only lot you can even see without entering is Magic Kingdom and the only way you are going to see that is driving down Floridian Place.
Neen
Epcot lot was not even half full the 3rd and 4th. I drive the property daily.
Mar
We were there from 7/2 to 7/5. Don’t like the new Disney way of doing things. EVERYTHING and i do mean everything, had to go thru the app including if you want to eat! The My Experience app is not a great app. We wasted 2 hours on the 4th trying to get the Genie + for the day and you must do it quickly the day of the park visit, or you don’t get the Lightening Lane. This is now in lieu of the old Fast Pass. The app would not put thru my order and it was not for user error. I had to call in and 3 Disney employees, including an IT person could not get it to go thru. I had to waste more precious time on the 4th and go to City Hall at the Magic Kingdom to FINALLY get it issued. Then, we could not get in to eat at any of the restaurants without a reservation and there were NO times available. We finally got one, but after trying a million times. Between that and the ride reservations, you find your head in your phone more than enjoying your day at Disney! So much for the “new normal”… Beyond “not impressed”!
Barbara
I agree with you 100%!! Disney is no longer an enjoyable experience. Went 2 weeks before the 4th and the crowds at each park were heavy.
I don’t like to go on vacation and have to use my phone the whole time! As much as tickets are, some rides you need to pay an additional charge to get in the fast lane. I saw a lady wearing a shirt that said, “I like the old Disney.” Awesome shirt! Times were fun and magical, those times are no longer at Disney parks. Why did they put a small playground in Hollywood Studios? The playground has no shade? Which means everything was too hot to play on!
Titi
I was just there and it was packed. Even with Genie + we were unable to get on some rides. If you didn’t have Genie + wait times were well over an hour. Hate what they have done! There is no spontaneity. And to say it’s to keep crowds down is I think a fallacy.
Dave B
How quickly people forget, previously the lines on 4th July and Christmas were MULTIPLE hours for the popular rides.
I went to Disneyland on the 4th a few years ago and just walked around, soaked up the atmosphere and watched the fireworks. Ride lines were insane!
Pissed Off
Everyone should boycott Disney till they handle the overcrowding correctly! This “reservation system” is a complete joke. Way to alienate your customers Disney!
Jeff
I dont have any plans to return for a few years. I used to get annual passes for WDW and DL in alternating years, attending DL once a year and WDW multiple times during that pass. There are no slow times anymore allowing you to enjoy the parks without long lines. I love the old paper fast pass system. Of the complaints I see of Genie+, I dont see anyone complain that Disneys Genie + charges guests while requiring us to use our personal phone devices while dealing with how we keep battery charged for continuous use throughout the new norm Dosney Park experience. Even Six Flags gives you the Q-Bot device to reserve their fast past system. If this is the future of Disney Parks, management needs to read past minutes of meetings on how their parks previously addressed crowds and created positive guest experiences.
MR.J
Is it really a reservation system to control crowds. Or is it just simply a better idea for Disney execs to get a better picture of the money forecast for any given day? Just asking for a friend, lol.
Steve
It is a way to limit employee hours paid and lower the value of annual passes. Nothing to do with capacity. If it was about capacity, they wouldn’t have different tiers and categories.
Vickie Langley
All this sounds like these decisions are made from the boardroom. They have no idea of how the parks work with capacity crowds. If they did, they’d change it pronto. I’d like to ask how many times any have visited as a paying customer without the perks of being on the board. I’ll bet none! If people stop going and the bottom line starts slipping, changes will come. Sadly people will continue to go.
Noelle
We are here now and have been for 4 days. Very light crowds. We are usually here every 4th..not crowded. Only a few rides have extreme waiting and these are ones that you have to pay extra than the genie for.
Vickie Langley
You really need to pay extra for some rides?!? As high as ticket prices, no one should have to pay more……
Steve
Guardians of the Galaxy is effectively a lottery. The only way to definitely get on is to pay $14 per person.
Steve
I can see the wait times on the app. You’re full of it.
Morem
I go to the parks 60+ times per year as I live near. The parks are very busy and lightning lanes has jammed up wait times. Those that want to get tickets and remain flexible will be very frustrated and most likely not enjoy their time.
I recommend to most of my family and friends to go elsewhere for now.
Tony
I so glad that people from all over the country and world are visiting disney…was there on July 2nd…and thank you all…I got covid…if your sick…you shouldn’t be spreading your germs around…STAY HOME IF YOUR SICK…thank you
Jay
Customer complaints mean absolutely nothing to the greedy Disney executives. The parks are making their company big money. We have to face facts people, this isn’t the Disney we all knew and loved. The staff cutbacks and the elimination of the treasured Disney express buses to and from the airport were the first tell.
Comments are closed.