UPDATE May 25 - It is no surprise to hear that the Walt Disney World parks continue to be super crowded as guests remain desperate to soak up everything the theme parks have to offer. It also doesn't seem likely that these crowds will subside, especially at EPCOT with the official opening of Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind this Friday May 27.
Things seem to have hit a new high in regards to crowds over the weekend when according to a TikTok video posted by TikTok user @rhianna0327, guests had to be ushered out of the Magic Kingdom after the nightly Disney Enchantment fireworks display through the backstage area. The video is embedded below and certainly doesn't look to be the most magical ending to your Disney Day.
@rhianna0327 We in fact did not have another choice but it was a little sad to see what it looked like behind scenes. #disney #katespadenycabana #FrunktheBeat #TopGunMode #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld #disneyland #magickingdom #dinoland #animalkingdom #epcot #enchantment #disneyland ♬ original sound - caesar
February 15 - January and early February would usually be considered times when you can expect the Walt Disney World parks to be quieter and you can feel more of a sense of space.
Well, based on reports so far in 2022, it appears that this is not often the case, with very high numbers of guests choosing to visit Walt Disney World. I guess this isn't surprising, it has been a long two years with disruptions from COVID-19 and as the Omicron variant continues to subside in a lot of places, people are voting with their feet and heading back to enjoy the Walt Disney World parks.
We asked you about your recent experience in this weeks Big Debate, Crowds, Crowds, Crowds! Is Walt Disney World Too Busy Right Now?
RESULTS
Well, here are the results:
- Crowds are low - 2%
- Crowds are manageable - 13%
- Crowds are high - 22%
- Crowds are TOO high - 63%
So, with 85% of voters saying that the crowds are high or too high, the reports appear to be correct. It is positive that 15% have experienced quieter days where crowds have been manageable.
An obvious reason why we are seeing such busy parks is likely due to the welcome return of nightly firework displays to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT back in October 2021. Disney Enchantment takes place at 8:00PM at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at 9:00PM at EPCOT which are undoubtedly drawing in the crowds.
We are also likely to see another bump in traffic this month as a number of other entertainment offerings come to Magic Kingdom including “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” which opened on February 11 and “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” which will debut on February 25. The popular Fantasy parade will also be returning to Magic Kingdom on March 9, 2022 and will include the iconic fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon float.
But are we just forgetting something, hasn't Walt Disney World always been crowded? Has our perception and expectations just changed since COVID-19? Perhaps we are the ones who just aren't used to it anymore? Capacity Caps due to COVID-19 appear to now be quashed so it is bring on the crowds!
Considering Walt Disney World is already REALLY Crowded we are expecting that it will be absolutely packed as we head into the Summer months especially with Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind opening at EPCOT.
We would love to hear if you have experienced a quieter day in the parks recently as well as if you plan to visit Walt Disney World in 2022 despite the crowds. Let us know by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
Comments
I wouldn’t go to Disney if you paid me. Morals and values are more important to me and my family! No more visits to Disney!!
I personally couldn't be bothered with making a trip to WDW with not only the massive crowds I constantly hear about... but this pathetic new thing where ya have to make reservations. What's the flippin point of paying extra for Park Hopper... to then also have your arm twisted on what park you HAVE TO visit first or else ya can't get into the 2nd park?
So until they ditch reservations... I have no plans on going there. And don't get me started with Genie+... having to stay up till Midnight and then forced to get up at 6:45am HARD PASS!
We planned it for a year and went in February and ended up leaving halfway through our last day. We couldn’t take the lines, the crowds, the genie+ app thing anymore. I’ve seen Disney busy but never like this. We barely got to ride anything. The best day we had was at Epcot when it poured down rain. The crowds were manageable then and we actually got to see and enjoy what was available. This trip also felt totally different in the way that it seemed all about obvious cash grabs. It will soon be too expensive for the average person to go. We’re hoping it was a fluke but if this is the new Disney World I think the magic is over.
The whole atmosphere seems less like a vacation and more like a hang out for Floridians. Our Florida friends have been able to purchase annual prices at extremely low prices, while everyone else has only had one outrageously high option. So wa la, it is no surprise that the crowd size is HUGE right now. When I was there in November, EPCOT seemed more like a giant party and not at all like a family vacation atmosphere. There have been some bad decisions made. The genie system is horrible too with everyone burying their heads in their phone and frustrated about it. I cancelled my March vacation.
Here now. I'm incredibly disappointed. I chose this week because it's supposed to be less crowded. It's absolutely absurd considering what you pay to be here.