Can i hear about October trip reports

[build2code]

I am thinking about changing my plans from end of August to Sept 30 to Oct 7. Wish to know about park hours, parades, fireworks and crowds. Thanks a bunch

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I went this past October, around the 19th for a week, we found the weather to be very very hot, it cooled down after Hurricane Wilma breezed by though. The crowds are very high as well. Check the Disney Calendar because they do close some parks early at that time of the year.

 

[joanchris]

Park hours were more than adequate for us (we never spent evenings at the parks with the kids, except for the Halloween party one night and MGM another, when MGM had Fantasmic at 7 pm--at the close of regular park hours).

It was VERY hot the week we were there, I think it ran 5-7 degrees hotter than the "average" temps for that time of year.

MK closed at 9 each night we were there, except for the party nights when they were opened til 12.

I've not got much to compare to, since the last time we were at WDW was in 1992....but it seemed more crowded than we had expected during the time we were there. The day before we checked in was the last day to check in and still get free dining, plus it was a long weekend, with Columbus day the Mon after we arrived, and, I heard that local school kids were on vacation during part of the time we were there. All of these things could have contributed to higher than expected crowd levels. AND the food and wine fest was on at Epcot.
I have a friend who went end of August last year and she said the parks seemed empty...........Mind you, the parks were not packed when we were there, but I don't think we'll choose that time of year again, and I'll be more aware that a long weekend in the mix of my plans could alter park crowds, and probably do my best to check if local schools have vacation days during the time I do plan to go! For US, the biggest factor was the heat, it was DD10's wishtrip she had granted, and she does not tolerate heat well, we should have waited until November to go and would have been more assured of getting cooler weather.
I'm sure either time you go will be great!

 

[TallyLassie]

We went last October and crowds were more than we expected. Epcot had the Food and Wine Festival and MK had the MNSHP.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Here's a link to my report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1052236

I went from Oct 4th to the 14th, but just started my report about a week ago, and am updating it daily. PM me if you have any questions, or you can post on my report thread.

 

[Kiger]

There is a federal holiday in October - I can't remember what it is right this minute - but you should watch out for that. We went in Oct of 2003 right before the Food & Wine - we thought that we'd miss the crowds. Oh how wrong we were! It was PACKED packed PACkED PACKED! The weather was nice though.

 

[pepe of ohio]

this past October we were there from the 10th on to 22nd. Got caught up in the Wilma thing and Amrak shutting down extended our stay an extra 3 nights. We used to go in June or August but now have found that the fall months are cheaper, value season, less crowded, but picking up, and the weather is still hot, you can swim and enjoy the Florida heat. Problem is that more people are picking up on this time of year and its getting busier than usual. After Thanksgiving is another good time too till a week before xmas, but I believe thats regular season for room rates. Temps are alittle milder but can get down right cold, we go in the fall to escape the north coldness but play the odds on warm weather. Pool time, the water is heated and the sun does a good job, getting out of the pool is tough when the temps are low. Depends really on what you're looking for in the way of a vacation. But we find the resorts and parks less crowded during certain times in the fall and early winter. Just stay away from holidays or special events and you should be fine.

 

[Sheaboys]

We went October 2nd-8th.
We did the Halloween party on the first day, which if you can do it, do it. The crowds seemed low, characters you never see are out.
There is the Food and Wine Festival. We went on an evening of EMH, I definately don't recommend that if you have a stroller full of kids. We did. Very crowded. Now, if you are just eating and drinking absolutely! We also did Epcot several other times during the week, loved it.
The times that the parks closed were perfect for us. We had a 7, 5 and 3 yr old with us. So we were always in bed at a decent hour.
We also, tried to get to the parks early in the morning. We never made it for opening, but we were there right around that time or with in the first hour. It was perfect.
Prepare for rain. It will rain. Not cold, just rain. Only 1 evening did we have alot of rain, but eventually stopped at 8pm, just as we were leaving dinner.
I would go again during this time. I have been in May, June, early September (Like this time too), and November (the yr I went it was 30's!)
As for the parade times, we missed them all. We did see the Halloween Fireworks and Illuminations.
And the best yet, we had the FREE DINING!