Planning for October 2017

samx57 · Jul 21, 2016

Hi

I need some help with my October planning. I went to Disney world in November 2 years ago for the Christmas events but now would like to go for Halloween.

I would love to know which 2 weeks would be the best to go????

I am taking my boyfriend who has never been before and his birthday is the 16th so would love to be there for that. I am planning to go to Miami for 2 days whilst there and possibly clearwater for 2 days too.

I will be staying offsite in windsor hills as i stayed here last time and really enjoyed it. Also planning to stay in Universal for 2 or 3 days but unsure on this yet.

Could anyone also tell me what happens on Halloween that is different in the parks i hope it is as good as Christmas.
I would also love any suggestions for eating offsite I went to a few places last time and plan to go back to a few but would love some more.

Sorry for the long post. Thnaks in advance

pinklotusflower · Jul 21, 2016

MK is decorated with Halloween decorations from September and we love mickey's not so scary there is a parade & fireworks. We prefer Halloween to Christmas at Disney. Universal also do horror nights which we're going to try this year. We tend to go for two weeks mid September, as it's quieter. Off site we enjoy Sweet Tomato's as we're veggie and you get a lot of veggie options from the buffet.

OldSchoolReasons · Jul 22, 2016

Hey!

Welcome to the October 2017 club. We are going 20th - 3rd which (aside from Halloween) is pretty good for crowd levels.

I'd recommend w/c 13th if you want to be there for his birthday as w/c 6th October has Columbus Day in it and will have slightly higher crowds as a result.

Magic Kingdom is the only park that decorates for Halloween, the decorations go up in September. They also have Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), where the Magic Kingdom closes at 4pm for a special ticketed event which has a unique parade, trick or treating, Hallowishes, unique character meet and greets and fancy dress. It's the only time adults can dress up in the parks.

At Hollywood Studios this year there is Minnie's Hollywood and Dine - a character meal where Minnie and friends will dress up in Halloween costumes but I'm not sure if that will be on next year.

I'm not sure about all resorts, but Fort Wilderness cabins decorate for Halloween.

samx57 · Jul 22, 2016

Thank you for your replies. I'm so excited to be able to start planning as I was unsure whether we would be able to go or not. My boyfriend has never even been to America so to go for his first time to disney world he is so excited. I'm trying to find some things to do to surprise him with, maybe one of the tours but I don't know if any of them are good. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I'm definitely planning to do Halloween horror nights at universal too as that looks so good.

Thanks

jamez2014 · Jul 24, 2016

OldSchoolReasons said:
Magic Kingdom is the only park that decorates for Halloween, the decorations go up in September. They also have Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), where the Magic Kingdom closes at 4pm for a special ticketed event which has a unique parade, trick or treating, Hallowishes, unique character meet and greets and fancy dress. It's the only time adults can dress up in the parks.

So on these days the magic kingdom closes to general ticket holders early? As we will be there about then next year and wasn't going to get tickets, but as I read it on those days or magic kingdom visit will get cut short?

california37 · Jul 24, 2016

on a party night at MK the park 'closes' to none ticket holders at 7pm- whilst you may still be in the park-you will not get on any ride or served at any dining place. You will not be able to join the que for any characters etc... Those with the ticket for the event will have a special wrist band which will help CMs to establish whether you should be there or not. If you choose to try and hang around post 7 pm, you will be asked to leave the park (in a nice way) I don't know anyone who has managed (or tried) to stay past 7 to catch the fireworks or parade etc...

If you hold a party ticket-you technically enter the park at 7pm although for a number of years they have allowed entrance into the park ftom 4pm without general day admission as well. This gives party goers an additional 3 hours and normal ticket holders are likely to see an increase in visitors (and wait times) for those 3 hours etc....

Having done both Christmas and Halloween-Halloween is my fave-the trick or treating is really well done and the characters are out and have a blast! Stuff for the party doesn't start until 7 tho-for example special meet and greets will start at around 7:30 but people start to que much earlier than that!

Adults used to be able to dress up for Halloween but I think they have been more strict on that recently- someone else may be able to give more info-it's been a few years since I last did one!!

Have fun and enjoy the planning!! We went to Miami a few years back and I'd love to go again! We did a 'duck tour' and caught a Dolphins game!

Jon84 · Jul 25, 2016

With 4 nights away from Orlando and the travel time needed, you'll need to be sure to plan in some relax time, else you'll be rushing around like crazy to fit everything in, esp with no magic hours and offsite travel time. Don't expect to get everything in WDW and Uni done on the trip!

samx57 · Jul 25, 2016

Jon84 said:
With 4 nights away from Orlando and the travel time needed, you'll need to be sure to plan in some relax time, else you'll be rushing around like crazy to fit everything in, esp with no magic hours and offsite travel time. Don't expect to get everything in WDW and Uni done on the trip!

Yeah I know it will be difficult but I am a mega planner and have worked out travel time in with it. As long as I get as much done as I an then I'm happy

Thank you

LanaBear-ox · Aug 3, 2016

Me and my DH have booked from the 15th to the 26th but staying onsite. We didn't really know what time we wanted to go but after some research I found that after Columbus weekend the crowds tend to ease off :goodvibes

pickers1982 · Aug 3, 2016

We were in Disney last October during Columbus Day (quite busy compared to what we were used to but not too bad). Lots of Halloween merchandise about but just MK for decorations that I remember . We didn't do the party as are children couldn't stay up too late. To be honest food and wine festival was the best part for us going that time of year so I would def recommend pencilling in an evening at that!!!(this was our second October trip and my fav time of year)

We stayed in Windsor hills before the beach club. Great choice!

Would love to do Horror nights

samx57 · Aug 3, 2016

pickers1982 said:
We were in Disney last October during Columbus Day (quite busy compared to what we were used to but not too bad). Lots of Halloween merchandise about but just MK for decorations that I remember . We didn't do the party as are children couldn't stay up too late. To be honest food and wine festival was the best part for us going that time of year so I would def recommend pencilling in an evening at that!!!(this was our second October trip and my fav time of year)

We stayed in Windsor hills before the beach club. Great choice!

Would love to do Horror nights

Do you know what dates food and wine will be on??
I loved windsor hills last time it's just so relaxing

Horror nights is what I'm most looking forward to

pickers1982 · Aug 3, 2016

I might be wrong but think it's all of October. It's great walking round Epcot trying all the food and drink!!!!

We ll def be returning to Windsor hills!

Harry Wallace · Aug 6, 2016

samx57 said:
I'm trying to find some things to do to surprise him with, maybe one of the tours but I don't know if any of them are good. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Most of Disney's Tours are $$$ but if he's a Star Wars fan I would recommend the dessert party at DHS or the Illuminations dessert party at Epcot.

samx57 · Aug 8, 2016

Harry Wallace said:
Most of Disney's Tours are $$$ but if he's a Star Wars fan I would recommend the dessert party at DHS or the Illuminations dessert party at Epcot.

That sounds great he is a star wars fan. Do you know how I'm book to do this or is it the same as when you make reservations actions and fast pass requests

Thank you

Harry Wallace · Aug 8, 2016

samx57 said:
That sounds great he is a star wars fan. Do you know how I'm book to do this or is it the same as when you make reservations actions and fast pass requests

You can book the Star Wars dessert party 180 days in advance on MDX or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

It costs $69 plus tax for adults (age 10+) and $39 plus tax for children (ages 3-9).
There's more information on it here.

When we went in mid-July it was awesome (even for my mom who isn't a SW fan). There are Darth Vader cupcakes and other SW themed desserts. Worth every penny!

Harry Wallace · Aug 8, 2016

samx57 said:
Do you know what dates food and wine will be on??

Food and Wine usually runs from mid-September through early-November. It's my favorite time of the year at WDW by far. The food is so good! :yay:

samx57 said:
possibly clearwater for 2 days too.

If you're going to go to Clearwater, seeing the dolphins from the movie Dolphin Tale is an awesome way to spend the day!! More info here.

pinklotusflower · Aug 8, 2016

Food & wine starts on the 14th September this year, which is earlier than usual

Planning for October 2017

samx57

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pinklotusflower

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OldSchoolReasons

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samx57

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jamez2014

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california37

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Jon84

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samx57

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LanaBear-ox

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pickers1982

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samx57

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pickers1982

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Harry Wallace

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samx57

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