Another date change! Sept/Oct weather & crowds

[StormyCA]

So, nDH (non-Disney Husband) has now decided that we need to go at 'a different time' than we've gone in the past (late Apr-early May). BUT the weather needs to be 'better' and the crowds need to be 'not too bad'/

So I've googled around and come up with the possible range of mid/late Sept - late Oct 2023.

I've looked at the temps and mid-late Sept still seems to be in the 90s then Oct starts tapering down to the low 80s (or cooler) by later in the month. So far so good, yes? But how is the humidity? That seems to be his real concern. Where we live it can easily get into the upper 90s to 100 degrees in Sept, but it's that 'dry heat' and very easy to tolerate. Neither of us do well in extreme humidity.

And yes, I know, hurricane season. But I'm NOT going there with nDH!!!

As far as crowds what I'm seeing online seems to be all over the place from 'weekdays fine/avoid weekends' to 'UGH!!!'. I know that HalloweenTime impacts DisneyLAND terribly and crowd level is a real crapshoot even mid-week. But how are the crowds at WDW in Oct? We'd want to avoid Halloween week (I assume) and since we have no interest in any parties, we could schedule MK on non-party nights (assuming there are non-party nights!).

Help! I don't want to go and have nDH be so miserable he says 'never again'. I need him to tow the trailer!!!!

 

[team bradfield]

October is one of the busiest times at WDW

 

[CaptainAmerica]

September is still basically mid-summer. Hot as hades and miserably humid. I would get as late into October as possible, but November would be my preference.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We spent much of last fall in Florida and weather was pretty hot and uncomfortable until about October 20-something.

 

[StormyCA]

@team bradfield That's what I was afraid of.

@CaptainAmerica Towing from Calif, Nov is a wee bit late in the year. Plus I'd think the holiday crowds would have started by then

@Wendysofftoneverland Late Oct is doable weather-wise, but I expect it'd be crowded so close to H'ween.

I'd originally suggested going early next year, late Feb/early Mar but it doesn't work with nDH's flying hobby plans.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

@team bradfield That's what I was afraid of.

@CaptainAmerica Towing from Calif, Nov is a wee bit late in the year. Plus I'd think the holiday crowds would have started by then

@Wendysofftoneverland Late Oct is doable weather-wise, but I expect it'd be crowded so close to H'ween.

I'd originally suggested going early next year, late Feb/early Mar but it doesn't work with nDH's flying hobby plans.

Parks are crowded ON Halloween, but the periods before and after aren't too bad. Early November is usually very light. Holiday crowds don't show up until Thanksgiving week, then disappear again early December.

 

[team bradfield]

Parks are crowded ON Halloween, but the periods before and after aren't too bad. Early November is usually very light. Holiday crowds don't show up until Thanksgiving week, then disappear again early December.

icksnay on octoberay (see my signature)

 

[Teamubr]

I went Sept/Oct 4 years in a row. This year we went for 2 weeks in January because DW hated the heat. It was cool to nice. Certainly not hot. Anything within a week or so of Halloween is already booked for as far out as you can book at the Fort. It is EXTREMELY busy around the holiday at the Fort.

Mid-January to before when ever Spring Break/Easter falls is one of the best times. Temps and humidity aren't too bad. Flower & Garden will draw weekend crowds at EPCOT, and there are some RunDisney events that will pack a few weekends, But nicer overall than any other time of the year.

j

 

[StormyCA]

Thanks, guys!

So now I'm thinking (weather-wise) last week Oct-1st week Nov. As far as crowds, avoid MK on party days and have Halloween as a 'down day' to relax.

Wheels are turning......

 

[StormyCA]

I went Sept/Oct 4 years in a row. This year we went for 2 weeks in January because DW hated the heat. It was cool to nice. Certainly not hot. Anything within a week or so of Halloween is already booked for as far out as you can book at the Fort. It is EXTREMELY busy around the holiday at the Fort.

Mid-January to before when ever Spring Break/Easter falls is one of the best times. Temps and humidity aren't too bad. Flower & Garden will draw weekend crowds at EPCOT, and there are some RunDisney events that will pack a few weekends, But nicer overall than any other time of the year.

j

We'd originally talked about early 2023, but then we ended up planning a big RV trip this year in Aug & Sep, 3 National Parks. We'll need some time to 'recover financially' before we splurge on WDW lol.

 

[bama_ed]

Halloween 2023 (October 31) is on a Tuesday so the travel pattern is that the Fort will be packed from Friday of the preceding weekend until Wednesday morning (November 1). On November 1, however, HALF (or more) of the guests will pack up and roll out towards home. (been there, seen it). The Fort will appear very empty.

So you can make your arrival day Nov 1 and when you get to the Fort (and get there early in the day to request a specific site you might want even if you have to wait for it), it will be yours for the taking.

When Halloween is close to a weekend, those guests are tempted to stay over. But with H being mid-week as it is, it will empty out.

Bama Ed

PS - I rode my bike up to the check-in lanes/building on the morning of November 1 after 11am (on my only Fort Halloween trip) and watched a slow, continuous line of trailers, trucks, rv's, and cars roll up from the hitch/un-hitch end and turn for the side exit in front of the Outpost Bus Depot. The slow roll must have lasted for over 20 minutes as people had stayed as long as they could before departing. It was a solid line of traffic headed out.

 

[StormyCA]

Halloween 2023 (October 31) is on a Tuesday so the travel pattern is that the Fort will be packed from Friday of the preceding weekend until Wednesday morning (November 1). On November 1, however, HALF (or more) of the guests will pack up and roll out towards home. (been there, seen it). The Fort will appear very empty.

So you can make your arrival day Nov 1 and when you get to the Fort (and get there early in the day to request a specific site you might want even if you have to wait for it), it will be yours for the taking.

When Halloween is close to a weekend, those guests are tempted to stay over. But with H being mid-week as it is, it will empty out.

Bama Ed

PS - I rode my bike up to the check-in lanes/building on the morning of November 1 after 11am (on my only Fort Halloween trip) and watched a slow, continuous line of trailers, trucks, rv's, and cars roll up from the hitch/un-hitch end and turn for the side exit in front of the Outpost Bus Depot. The slow roll must have lasted for over 20 minutes as people had stayed as long as they could before departing. It was a solid line of traffic headed out.

I hear what you're saying. Problem is we tow from California and it takes us a week to get there. Arrive Nov 1, stay 11-12 nites (our plan), then a week (minimum) to get home and we're now getting home a couple of days before Thanksgiving. That's not going to work for us since we host the family. The very latest I'd want to be home would be around Nov 12, which puts our arrival at FtW around Oct 15th-ish, so no avoiding H'ween weekend and still the chance of heat and humidity, UGH!

I hate to say it, but we may just have to delay the trip until Feb/Mar 2024 since nDH is pretty adamant about a 'different time of year' and 'not hot/humid'. Personally I loved when we usually go (late Apr-early May) since the crowds have always been very manageable. It's just that 2021 the heat was really bad compared to the 2015 & 2019 and left a bad taste in nDH's mouth. Even I had a hard time with it and I'm usually pretty good about pacing myself.

Back to the drawing board. Again.

 

[friendofeeyore]

We prefer Jan or Feb. The weather is perfect & no crowds. Our last trip late Oct into Mid Nov. 2019 was great also. Low crowds except Halloween week-end & the weather was good. Nov 1st everyone was leaving to go home. Not hot nor humid.

 

[morrik5]

Call down on the 499 day window for Halloween 2023??

 

[StormyCA]

Thanks for all of your replies and advice. We've pinned down a couple of arrival dates. Now just have to wait for the window to open.

Question, O wise ones! If I book a site-only reservation @ 499 days, can I convert it to a package when the 2023 package rates are released? I know I know, 'better' to book separately, BUT when you tow cross country and are 'older', the package cancellation policy can't be beat since you cancel site AND tickets. Booking separately we would be 'stuck' with the tickets. 'At our age' we never know which WDW trip may be our last.

 

[morrik5]

Thanks for all of your replies and advice. We've pinned down a couple of arrival dates. Now just have to wait for the window to open.

Question, O wise ones! If I book a site-only reservation @ 499 days, can I convert it to a package when the 2023 package rates are released? I know I know, 'better' to book separately, BUT when you tow cross country and are 'older', the package cancellation policy can't be beat since you cancel site AND tickets. Booking separately we would be 'stuck' with the tickets. 'At our age' we never know which WDW trip may be our last.

We deal with CAA for that reason. When the package deals come out she spends the time on the phone to Disney and gets it changed and the price difference is applied then. Good luck and have fun (from a 66 year old Disney fan).

 

[StormyCA]

We deal with CAA for that reason. When the package deals come out she spends the time on the phone to Disney and gets it changed and the price difference is applied then. Good luck and have fun (from a 66 year old Disney fan).

We're about the same age, so I know you really 'get' the need for a good refund policy!! lol

 

[jaredjohn4]

We are going to try the September / October time frame this year also. We've never been there that time of year, but have endured the 4th of July crowds and heat before. We are just doing a lot of experimental trips this year. We're just not looking for a hurricane.