Let's talk about how the opening of Galaxy's Edge will affect crowds at OTHER parks.

[BabybetterDisney]

A lot of people are panicking, but some claim that the increase in crowd level will be minimal outside SWGE. What do you think?

 

[mom2rtk]

A lot of people are panicking, but some claim that the increase in crowd level will be minimal outside SWGE. What do you think?

I think they're delusional.

 

[Justplainchy]

SW:GE has capacity issues. Disney is great at managing crowds, but there will inevitably be more people that want to get into SW:GE than can get in in a given day. The idea that those people, once they can't get in will just go back to their hotel rooms is nonsense. They are going to go to other parks. And yes, while there are three other parks to absorb extra crowds, it will make those parks more crowded. In addition as people vacation specifically to see SW:GE, they aren't just going to come for one day and spend the entire time at HS: they'll want to see other parks too. So you now have an influx of people who are vacationing at a time when they wouldn't be usually. I don't know if it'll be as busy as Christmas or Spring Break, but September will not be as low-crowd as it was in the past and those crowds will not just stay at HS.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I really don't think you gave much to be worried about, yes you might not get into Galaxy's Edge easily, but the rest shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially if you get FP+ before going and make sure you have an ADR at Hollywood Studios on the day(s) you want to go there, just in case they do a phased closing.

My thoughts exactly and since I have an AP the only phase I have to worry about is phase 4.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I actually read an article the other day that said it's like one ride opening and that's it. Is that true? If so, I can't imagine the park will be that busy for ONE ride. *fingers crossed* I'm hoping most people will wanna wait until the ENTIRE area is open.

It is only one ride at first but don’t think for a minute that SWGE is just about the 2 rides, it’s so much more. It is going to be a very immersive land and that is what will be drawing the crowds. It’s definitely going to be a lot better theming then TSL and dare I say Pandora. It’s going to be busy.

 

[Disneylover99]

A lot of people are panicking, but some claim that the increase in crowd level will be minimal outside SWGE. What do you think?

I think it will be minimal at the very least, but if there are phased closings at HS, those crowds will need to go somewhere. It could be consistently bigger crowds dispersed amongst the other parks each day for the first month or so. Only time will tell. Nobody knows at this point. It’s difficult to predict.

 

[cvjpirate]

I was going Oct 8-14 with the new of SWGE opening I added two more days at the start so now going Oct 6-14. At this moment my plan is to get there early unless they do some kind of Hard ticket event. Far as how early I'll wait and see what happens in Sep with crowds. I was hoping for an Oct opening but did not expect it so this is great news for me. With being there a week I am hopeful that I'll be able to get in a couple of times. I have not seen TSL so hope to get that in as well.

Far as crowds at other parks. As no one really knows how this will affect them I'll toss my useless thoughts on that. With only thing we have to compare this too is Star Wars Weekends. Your die heart SW fans will not be planing on going to other parks so they will not impact crowds anywhere but HS. Now you will have family's that go as a vacation and include the new land with their plans but the other parks should be able to handle them without any issues and your true Dis person will not have any issues with then as the new people will not understand the need for planning like the Dis person does. Then you have the Disney nut that is also a SW fan. This will take me out of other parks in the morning that I was planing on doing and put me at HS. I plan on doing other parks in the evening but not sure if or when I'll make it as I know I'll go back next year and know we will have new stuff happening.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think they're delusional.

Me too.

 

[Spaceguy55]

I'm going to go against the majority here ..
Based on the abundance of discounted and non discounted rooms still available during opening week and thru September..it might turn out to be only a little bit busier than normal at the other parks during this slower time frame. I still expect DHS to be packed from locals and people that will drive in from around the southeast for a chance to see SWGE as soon as it opens.This might change as we get closer ...

 

[Mom2Stitch]

It is only one ride at first but don’t think for a minute that SWGE is just about the 2 rides, it’s so much more. It is going to be a very immersive land and that is what will be drawing the crowds. It’s definitely going to be a lot better theming then TSL and dare I say Pandora. It’s going to be busy.

I'm wondering how the immersive part is going to go if it's elbow to elbow, shoulder to shoulder crowds? If they limit the number of people in so that you can actually see it all and interact with it as intended, then doesn't that make the capacity even less?

I'm hoping that Disney has a really good plan for this part of it.

 

[KNovacovschi]

I'm wondering how the immersive part is going to go if it's elbow to elbow, shoulder to shoulder crowds? If they limit the number of people in so that you can actually see it all and interact with it as intended, then doesn't that make the capacity even less?

I'm hoping that Disney has a really good plan for this part of it.

I hope so to. I’m hoping they learned from Pandora and TSL.

 

[ellbell]

I think that the people who didn't already book "late fall" in anticipation of the opening specifically waited for the opening day announcement. They are now booking specifically to see GE and will spend as much time as needed in line to get in. I don't even think the rest of HS is going to be impacted to badly.

With all that said I had already booked August 24th to September 2nd and my HS day is currently planned for August 30th. If I'm able to get a SDD fastpass for earlier in my trip I will be avoiding HS after the opening.

 

[Lewisc]

Guests who are making a trip to see swge may wind up spending hours, maybe even the better part of a day waiting line. The impact on other parks may be less then we think.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Wanted to throw my 2 cents in here... I think there are a couple of considerations here... I don't think wait times will increase dramatically at other parks until the holiday season for a few reasons.

1. Most people that visit Disney plan far in advance and/or visit at peak times... the vast majority of these people have children and will do their best not to pull kids out of school for more than a few days. Peak Times at WDW: Race Weeks, Summer Vacation, Christmas-NYE, Spring Break, Thanksgiving.

2. Many people have put off their Disney Trips to wait for SWGE... I have to believe that the average guest will plan trips around school and work schedules... Virtually all schools are back in session by late August/ Early September and most people take vacations during the summer, not early fall (thus all of the discounts)

3. A die hard Star Wars Fan is going to take time out of school/ work regardless, but not likely for a full-blown weeklong vacation. I would guess maybe a long weekend 2-4 days. They will line up as early as possible and devote as many as 2-3 days just for DHS.

4. Most Disney visitors go for only 1-2 days which means they visit Magic Kingdom and one other park... obviously they will choose DHS, some will wait it out, some will get discouraged/ turned away and head to another park as a late arrival in the middle of the day (most Disney guests are stubborn and do not arrive early enough or plan ahead) This is what happened when AK opened and when Pandora opened... wait times at AK went up, DHS and Epcot times went down or stayed flat.

5. Once weeklong vacationers DO show up everything WILL be more crowded... Im thinking Thanksgiving, Christmas-NY, and Spring Break 2020 we will start to see property-wide increases in crowds as families and long term vacationers line up to see the new land. Hopefully Disney bumps up ride staffing to meet demand so that peak crowds have peak operational staffing to move people on to rides... Often during "slow times" when people complain of longer than normal waits, this is what is actually causing them, not higher crowds alone.

Conclusion: If you did book a trip in September or October hoping to avoid GE crowds I wouldn't cancel... You may not notice a difference and its only going to be worse If you put off your trip. All of 2020 and 2021 will be packed. Also prices will go up and there isn't much relief in sight.

 

[mamamelody2]

I didn't vote in the poll, because my opinion is in between the two options. I think crowd levels will rise some in the other parks, but not ridiculously so. Definitely not spring break levels.

 

[Dug720]

I'm going to go against the majority here ..
Based on the abundance of discounted and non discounted rooms still available during opening week and thru September..it might turn out to be only a little bit busier than normal at the other parks during this slower time frame. I still expect DHS to be packed from locals and people that will drive in from around the southeast for a chance to see SWGE as soon as it opens.This might change as we get closer ...

I'm guessing that over the next week or two we will see those diminish greatly. I don't know too many people who can just book a trip at the drop of a hat - people need to put in for vacation, get their transportation to Florida, and then book the room and tickets and stuff.

 

[RedWolf95]

I actually read an article the other day that said it's like one ride opening and that's it. Is that true? If so, I can't imagine the park will be that busy for ONE ride. *fingers crossed* I'm hoping most people will wanna wait until the ENTIRE area is open.

While I am not buying into the doom and gloom, there was only two rides in the area to begin with so one ride is significant and all the other aspects of the area... theming, restaurants, shops will be ready so you can’t look at it as only a single ride. That being said I still think the impact at other parks will be minimal.

 

[rpb718]

If weekends (Fri-Sun) at EPCOT during F&W are any indication, I think weekends at HS are going to be ridiculous for a long time.

 

[Cygnus 2112]

It will be insanity. So we think. But it may not be as bad as projected.....people have to travel, find accommodations etc. And with the surprise early openings, this may be a benefit.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

If weekends (Fri-Sun) at EPCOT during F&W are any indication, I think weekends at HS are going to be ridiculous for a long time.

Doesn’t F&W opening weekend coincide with SW:GE opening too?