Anyone been in October before?

[The Eighth Dwarf]

Think I asked this previously on the main board, but I would like a British take on the crowds, weather , wait times , that sort of thing.
We've been in August, very hot, very crowded, up to 2 hours wait for the POTC.
Then we went in September , bit cooler, bit more rain, and when it rains it rains, like a monsoon. Crowds were more smaller wait times were definitely shorter and the restaurants were less crowded.

So whats October like, is there anything we should know?
Is it cold/hot/humid likely to rain.
What about the crowds, and is there any holidays in the USA we should know about, cause we were there over Labour day last year and it was definitely busier.

 

[Rachey_101]

.

 

[kristieuk]

The weather is a difficult one to be definite on, but generally, October is a lovely month to go, not too hot, but still warm enough for a suntan! It is also much less humid and wet than the summer months can be. Last year, the temperatures were record highs for October I think - it was still very hot!

Officially it is still hurricane season, but we have gone every year for perhaps the last 14 years or so, and never had any kind of problem with the weather. It is still my favourite time of year to go.

We usually only spend a couple of days in the parks, but they are generally quiet at this time of year, last year we queued for maybe 10 - 20 minutes maximum. The end of October this year is 'Jersey Week' when there are teacher conventions in New Jersey so that week can get busier as parents take the opportunity to get away at a cheaper time of year. Also Veterans Day is a holiday on 11 Nov, but I doubt this makes a huge amount of difference over the course of a couple of weeks.

Can't think of anything else! I would definitely give a big to the time of year you have chosen

 

[Disneymad]

Take all the good bits from September and halve the amounts of rain and humidity.

That's October

Though yeah, right at the end of October schools are out and Halloween is popular so can get pretty busy that last week/weekend.

 

[team harris]

We went the middle of October and found it great. The second week started to get a little busier with UK visitors due to Half term holiday. We didn't have a problem with the weather, did all the water parks. Locals thought we were mad a few days when they were wearing fleeces in the theme parks, but we honestly didn't need them, but put that down to us being hardy Brits. Don't remember any horrendous queues, even as parks got busier and of course things start to hot up for Halloween. I would do October again if school half term was longer.

 

[2Tiggies]

October is going to be great this year - I'll be there

Okay, seriously now, I chose October because it was comparable to April weather, possibly a bit warmer (I love the late April weather in Florida). Being able to enjoy the pools and waterparks was important to us. I have never been out of busy season, so although it wasn't a consideration, I think it is going to be a lot quieter than I have ever seen it and that can only be a bonus!

Also, living in Scotland, I want to see as little rain as possible when I go on holiday.

 

[fizz13]

I think October is the perfect time to go, it's hot without being too hot, the rain has calmed down, don't think we had any actually, the crowds are not at peak and definitely manageable, and with food and wine and the Halloween party it's the perfect time to go really, you won't regret it, it's been my fav out of January, august and October

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Will be in WDW for the fourth October this year (touch wood).

We have visited between 15th and mid November in the past and also one trip in February so I can't compare the weather to the Florida summer.

We rarely see rain. Quite often it has rained a bit in the night (especially 2007 when we got the edge of a hurricane) but only once had to wear waterproof jackets.

Generally need a sweater before 9am and after 7pm although last year (check the historic temperatures on wdwinfo.com) it was record breaking temperatures and we never had t shirts or sweaters out of the case for the two females - just wore vest tops and shorts. Also we usually have one day of cropped trousers (linen lightweight) but didn't do that either last year.

Have never needed sweater on during the day (excluding our February trip) and DH and I generally don't wear sweaters until about 10pm at night but the kids do.

Crowds are very low until about the 28th October - if the 31st is at a weekend it seems to make the crowds heavier.

EPCOT F&W festival makes EPCOT busy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from about 4pm to closing as a lot of 'locals' seem to head there.

When we went in Feb 2009 we got a huge shock - EMH at MK in October allow us to do all Fantasyland rides + buzz+ haunted mansion by about 10.30am - in February even with EMH we only did the Fantasyland rides by about lunchtime. We had never seen queues like it (we were there for Presidents day weekend and Mardi Gras).

Love October - in an ideal world I'd just be able to abandon work for longer!

 

[nemmie]

Our all time fave month. The weather is usually hot but starting to cool down by the end of the month into nice balmy evenings. MNSSHP are running all month. Food and Wine Festival which is our all time fave event and Universal Horror Nights which again can be a pro or a con. If not attending park will close at 5pm to non HHN ticket holders. Holiday weekend for Columbus day can busy up the parks. Overall our fave time of year to visit

 

[starrysky]

I could not agree more the rain this summer has been horrible never seem to have two dry days in a row.

 

[2Tiggies]

I could not agree more the rain this summer has been horrible never seem to have two dry days in a row.

You must be in a different county: We rarely get ONE stand alone dry day, never mind 2 in a row. The weather had a seriously negative affect on me this year. Every few years I struggle terribly with the lack of sun and this has been a rough one. I actually love winter because at least my mind accepts that it is meant to be cold. I find summers here very depressing. I wonder if the NHS would pay for a Florida trip on a GP's recommendation as a cure for lack of vitamin D

 

[clareyfairymouse]

October's a great month to go that's why we picked it for our Disney wedding, whoop!
The weathers nice, not quite so hot and not half as humid and much less chance of getting drowned mid afternoon!
Crowds are ok but be prepared for Epcot to be packed as it's Food and Wine, a fantastic atmosphere though and something I'd advise anyone to go to!!!
You will also get the chance to go to Mickeys not so scary Halloween party at Magic Kingdom on selected nights which is soooo much fun! So many characters that you never see in the parks are everywhere on those nights!!
We fly out on the 1st Oct and I cannot wait!!!

 

[callumlukey]

October is a great time to go as all the kids are back at school and the weather is usually nice. Last time we went in 07 it rained only once in the 2 weeks we were there

There is always a lot to do in Oct like Food and Wine which is one of my fav events, MNSSHP is a great night and is a chance to see a different parade and different fireworks. (also the ton of candy they give out)

Off property has some great events to like Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, Busch Garden's Howl-o-scream and even Seaworld's Halloween spooktacular.

We are flying out Oct 6th, Not long people!

 

[starrysky]

You must be in a different county: We rarely get ONE stand alone dry day, never mind 2 in a row. The weather had a seriously negative affect on me this year. Every few years I struggle terribly with the lack of sun and this has been a rough one. I actually love winter because at least my mind accepts that it is meant to be cold. I find summers here very depressing. I wonder if the NHS would pay for a Florida trip on a GP's recommendation as a cure for lack of vitamin D

yup me too but my doc is not having any of it. And i know what you mean about winter its meant to be cold. this summer (i use the term loosely) we have even had to have the heating on its been so cold.

Still at least we have two weeks of sunshine to look forward too.

 

[2Tiggies]

Still at least we have two weeks of sunshine to look forward too.

And the Food & Wine Festival of course! Okay, not that we don't have food and wine here, but I am not used to the luxury of being able to eat outside without worry about getting food on my, ahem ..... thick, warm coat

 

[torsie24]

We went last October, but as previously mentioned on here I don't think it was a good example of normal October weather as it was boiling!! People were telling us all the time that they have travelled in July/August when it's been cooler.

Crownds were great, and MNSSHP was amazing! We had a little bit of rain once.

Big thumbs up for October from us!!

 

[starrysky]

And the Food & Wine Festival of course! Okay, not that we don't have food and wine here, but I am not used to the luxury of being able to eat outside without worry about getting food on my, ahem ..... thick, warm coat

I know what you mean

 

[tinkerpea]

Hi all I am going back to Disney with my family at the end of september (23rd) till the 14th of october this yr for my 2nd wedding Anniversary and that is the date that we usually try and go around give or take a wk
When I was little my parents always choose to go in October normallyat the end as the weather was nice and warm, it was warm enough to go to the water parks and stroll round in the evening with just a little light cardie I have also gone at xmas time spring time and summer as my parents just loved the country and of course DISNEY ( that is why i am now a Disney loon)
when I have been the past few times we try and go every other yr we have had a few days of rain it usually rains in the early hours of the morning and brightens up for when it gets to brekkie time it is defo shorts and tshirt weather and not cold at all !!!!
if it rains during the day which out of a 2 wk holiday we norm get a couple of afternoons of showers by the evening its nice again,we have had a few little storms they are so cool to watch! but i actually love end of september to end of october.Apart from the lovebugs they seem to only live for a couple of wks and its norm in september not october so if you start your holidy at the end of september you might get a day or 2 of them or you could miss them all together.

The parks are never really packed during those months although i have not been during any of the school half terms as my kids are still young enough that i can take them out! we have never que more then about 20 mins for the most popular rides Ie test track space mountian etc and then you can get Fast pass for them and the others are about 10 to 15 mins Dumbo Toy story, Peter pan are always long que's like 40 mins so I suggest you get to them straight away or at least get a fast pass for them Toy Story always runs out of fast passes by lunch time and they dont issue any more after that so run to that ride ...ride it and then get a fast pass so you can ride it again a bit later as you WILL want to do it twice !! and i have seen the Q for it be over an hour. Its definatley warm enough to go to the water parks although when it clouds over it can feel a little chilly (not so bad that we would leave the water park )so we try and go when we cant stand the heat on a really hot day.

I hope this has helped a little god i love talking Disney
and if any body is at Disney the same time as me say hi

 

[The Eighth Dwarf]

Thank you all so much.
Think I'm more excited after reading this than I was already, if that's possible
Going to be a busy 2 weeks, Food and wine , MNSSHP, haunted carriage ride and WWOHP, going to need a lie down when we get home.

 

[irenep]

Another one here who is going yet again in Ocotber

I love going in October - we get a 2 week break from school so don't have to worry about missing any school and it really sets us up nicely for the winter.
The weather is usually really nice, love food and wine, the halloween decorations and the lowish crowd levels.

Can't wait to get there!