Disney World has been operating at a significantly limited capacity since the reopening of the parks.
Magic Kingdom
In October, Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed that the parks were operating at 25% capacity. Now, as we listen in to the Q4 Earnings Call for the Walt Disney Company, we’ve learned that capacity has been increased.
In response to a question from JP Morgan analyst Alexia Quadrani, Chapek noted that Disney World “now has been able to increase to 35% capacity.”
Magic Kingdom
Chapek explained that this increase has been able to happen while still adhering to the 6-foot social distancing guidelines from health and government officials.
Spaceship Earth
Though we were unaware when capacity was increased, we did notice significant crowding in the parks — particularly Magic Kingdom — with the kick-off of the holiday season.
Holiday Crowds
There were times when crowding made social distancing difficult, especially where guests gathered for Holiday Character Cavalcades, or were passing through bottleneck areas. On this day, the rest of the park did seem busy, but guests were able to remain distanced throughout most of the park.
Holiday Crowds
Now, we did see similar crowding during the Halloween Cavalcades, around the time that Chapek confirmed the parks were still operating at 25% capacity. So it is difficult to judge capacity changes based on crowding.
Halloween crowds
As this week went on, attendance seemed similar to what we’ve seen over the past few months, but this increase in capacity might mean that crowds could be more of a common sight going forward. We, of course. will keep updating you on this and we will do our best to share tips to help you have a safe and fun time in the parks.
Pics! Click here to see more of the crowds we saw in Magic Kingdom.
Stay tuned to DFB as we continue to report on the news from the Walt Disney Company Q4 Earnings Report and on crowd levels in Walt Disney World.
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Have you visited Disney World recently? Did it feel crowded? Let us know in the comments below.
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I’m glad that Disney is doing what they can to improve sales etc.. but this capacity increase without Fastpass is going to be soo crazy! The lines are already long enough so I’m seriously thinking after our trip next month (since it’s already paid for) we’ll not go again until they start park hopper and or Fastpass again. The wait times are going to be horrendous to say the least.
I am very upset with the increase in capacity at this time, when the covid virus is spreading again. I’ve been looking forward to this vacation for a while, after having to cancelling twice.
Now, not only are the parks limited in rides and experences, no fast passes, no park hopping no baggage delivery etc. etc., but now you want to put more people in them so it’s harder to stay safe.
I have always loved Disney, but this is a lack of concideration for the safety and experience of guests.
I’m here this week. It definitely doesn’t seem crowded to me. However, it does seem exceptionally quiet. Not really very festive. But I feel fairly safe with the social distancing and the lines move quickly even if they appear extremely long.
My husband and I were in each park mid-October. We found every park crowded and it was nearly impossible to secure a seat on a ride without waiting in lines that were a minimum of 50 minutes.
I think if people are watching you tubers they said the same thing Disney Parks up the crowds .To go or not to go that is the question Disney will not ever tell the truth ! Hopefully a vaccine will make the difference to go and not worry about crowds !
So just curious if the calender openings earlier this week reflect that increase or is it in addition too?
I think they increased capacity a month ago, but are just now owning up to it.
We were there in October and it did seem more crowded than expected. Our best guess as to why is that so many of the shows have gone dark and some stores and restaurants have not reopened forcing the bulk of the guests to stand in ride lines. We did not notice ANY line in AK or HS shorter than we have experienced at peak times during summer. That was very odd since the capacity was supposed to be at 25%, but again when you take away shows, eateries and shopping that narrows down what there is to do to mainly be ride rides. We love Disney, but cannot imagine what it will be like moving forward with increasing capacity.
I just spent four days at Disney- one day in each park. I had been there in February over the holiday weekend and it was VERY crowded then. This week- it was situational. Sometimes there were choke points where it was hard to distance, and there are some areas that just weren’t meant for social distancing (like Gorilla Falls trail in AK). I found it very manageable- and if you ever felt crowded at all, it didn’t last long and all you had to do was go on a ride line and then you had your space back again. Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora were VERY CROWDED .
We were there this past weekend. MK was fine on Friday. On Saturday, Epcot was extremely crowded… I think it was definitely more than 35%. On Sunday, Epcot was OK again but I wonder if they were resting crowds on Saturday.
We just left this morning after spending 4 days and I think the 35% capacity statement is a hoax. We waited in line for over 2 hours for FoP, 90 minutes for Slinky Dog, and secured boarding group 77 at 7am for RoR so basically we didn’t board until 3pm. There is no way the parks aren’t functioning at 50% or higher. Also good luck filling your mobile orders without at least an hour wait after you choose your arrival time, but it’s worth it to sit down and eat with AC and no mask.
Word to the wise arrive in the afternoon, once everyone who believed the 35% capacity statement was true has left the park. Most people are exhausted after waiting in line in the heat with minimal shade (wearing a mask) and just throw in the towel. We rode Jingle Cruise, Pirates, Big Thunder, and Splash Mt all in an hour and did a repeat of Big Thunder (family fave). This miracle took place after 5pm.
All in all we had a good time, but if you’re going during “35% capacity” take fans, water, and a lot of patience.
This was are fourth time going to Disney World since 2016 so this wasn’t our first visit and like others have mentioned we probably will not visit again until we can park hop or get FastPasses.
Went to Hollywood Studios yesterday. Way too crowded already. Big ride lines all over 60 minutes. Spent about 2 hours in Runaway Railway queue waiting outside in the cold since it kept breaking down. ROR also broke down several times. They did give us return “passes” for both which helped greatly.
Sorry Disney, but it’s getting to the point of not being fun anymore. They got to do something about the crazy lines! This is 35% capacity? Who are they kidding?
Seriously thinking of not renewing APs next time.
Seems a bit irresponsible to increase capacity when Covid numbers are rising again. Almost every state has increased Covid cases significantly. Even if a vaccine comes out know one knows how effective it will be, how long it will last or if it will be like the flu and only prevent some cases/strains. Not enough testing has been done to know for sure. I understand they are losing money and think its good that at least some of the staff can still work but they need to keep capacity down until we can get past this. I want to get back to “normal” ASAP but its going to be a process and will take time. These are unprecedented times.