Advice on Columbus Day week Crowds

[rpk1951]

My son wants to do food and wine in Oct 2015. Columbus Day is on the 16th
He is talking about taking the kids out of school for the week as they have one day off. I was pushing for early October but lost. How bad are the crowds in the park during Columbus Day week. What do the compare with?

 

[CarolMN]

Moved from the DVC Boards

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Mid-October crowds are moderate...it is certainly not a "very busy" time of year, since most schools all over the country are in session. But crowds are not as light as they are in, say September or late January.

 

[Brocktoon]

Actually many schools are going to year-round, and now have a fall break that hits during Mid-October. Year after year I've seen the fall break crowds increase during October. It currently hit the point that Mid-October crowds have become pretty impressive ... at least in my opinion. I expect the trend to continue, and you may notice threads this year again with folks mentioning that October was more crowded than they expected.

It looks like free dining isn't being offered during most of October this year, which is another sign that Disney is having no problem filling the resorts during the month. I still love hitting F&W Fest in October, but I'm already prepared to see pretty decent crowds based on previous trips. The fall break crowds seemed to lessen towards the end of the month.

 

[JennyDrake]

Actually many schools are going to year-round, and now have a fall break that hits during Mid-October. Year after year I've seen the fall break crowds increase during October. It currently hit the point that Mid-October crowds have become pretty impressive ... at least in my opinion. I expect the trend to continue, and you may notice threads this year again with folks mentioning that October was more crowded than they expected.

It looks like free dining isn't being offered during most of October this year, which is another sign that Disney is having no problem filling the resorts during the month. I still love hitting F&W Fest in October, but I'm already prepared to see pretty decent crowds based on previous trips. The fall break crowds seemed to lessen towards the end of the month.

DITTO! NOT "light" crowds IMHO nor even moderate--very close to end of August level. School systems in TN are not on year round school (yet!) but all have a 1-2 week break in October.

 

[drusba]

Been last two years that time. Crowds are heavy, not as large as summer or major holidays but still quite large and stand-by lines for major attractions are well over 60 minutes much of the day. Particularly large crowds in Epcot from about noon on and extremely large crowds at Epcot over the weekend.

 

[PSUGuy]

Three of our last 4 WDW trips in Oct avoided Columbus Day and the weekend before the actual holiday and I found the crowds to be moderate, less than our other usual week, first week in March. Last year our 8 day trip took in that weekend and holiday and the crowds were noticeably heavier in all parks, we're going the 16th through the 25th this year. Regardless of the week, avoid WS all day Sat and Fri night might get busy there, the Food&Wine touring is fine during the week.

Bill From PA

 

[Belleandtinker]

We went to WDW last year during that exact time. My DS missed 3 days of schools and with his days off from school, we stayed 11 nights. It was busier (and hotter) than expected. We were testing FP+ so that helped.

The crowds were awful, but more than previous years (for us at least).

 

[ShannonMB]

We were originally booked for a few days that week. My DD doesn't have a school break that week but has that Friday off. I knew it would be blacked out if free dining came to be (which it did), and sure enough, it was. I moved our trip up a couple weeks to take advantage of the free dining promotion, but also I am very aware of the fact that they blocked that couple weeks off for a reason - because they are already planning on being BUSY! Probably not spring break busy, but busier than I want it to be if my DD isn't even on school break. It's one thing to go at a more crowded time if it means the kid won't miss school. But if the kid's going to miss school anyway, I'm going on a less crowded week! And we will still be enjoying F&W. And MNSSHP.

 

[Jillian]

Ok, I'm honestly NOT trying to be picky - but I think Columbus Day in Monday, October 13th.

Apparently some FL schools are out the Thur-Fri before (9th & 10th). Up here in MN and surrounding states many schools are out the Thur-Fri after (16th & 17th).

I guess my point is; around the Columbus Day time frame-ish is a pretty popular short trip time.

All of this said - I accidentally booked a trip at this time unaware of school schedules two years ago. Yes it was kind of busy - not spring break or Christmas - but busy. But then again, are there any really slow times anymore? Man, I remember going the week after Labor Day and practically being able to do cart wheels through EPCOT. Just seems to be busier in general these days.

You'll enjoy the time, the weather is nice and you'll hopefully miss the love bugs