Columbus Day Monday - how bad will the crowds be?

[disneygrandma]

So we've never been this time of year, but now that the grandkids are older, we work our vacations somewhat around their schedules. I can imagine that the weekend of Columbus Day would be pretty busy, but what about Monday? If we do go to the parks that day, which park would be best? We have hoppers, so could do 1 park in the am and 1 in the pm. We just don't know what to expect and would appreciate any help you could give us in putting together our park plans.

Thanks!

 

[Mikie]

Well, I was surprised when I looked at EasyWDW.com's crowd calendar and see that he predicts an overall crowd level of 5 and any park except AK is recommended for that day.

Magic Kingdom has a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party that evening, which means the park closes to regular guests at 7 pm and the park will be uncrowded compared to other days. I agree with the recommendation to go there during the day and then hop to the park of your choice after 7. Actually, I'd go before 7 because Main Street and the whole entrance/exit plaza gets crazy crowded right around that 7:00 switch over. I'm just surprised that the overall crowd level is predicted at only 5. When I was there that weekend in 2014, it was more like 6-8 and people on DIS seemed to say crowd levels were higher than 5s last October as well. I'd say prepare yourself for higher than "average", but not packed like Christmas or the peak of Spring Break, and then be happily surprised if it feels even less crowded than that!

 

[disneygrandma]

Kids think it will be crazy, but we're hoping that people might be heading home on Monday. Thanks for the advice!

 

[AshleeH]

Crowded. Crowd calendars have been off every single year we've gone. Is it Christmas crowded? Of course not, but I would rate it an 8, on average.

 

[tndisneyfan]

Crowded. Crowd calendars have been off every single year we've gone. Is it Christmas crowded? Of course not, but I would rate it an 8, on average.

I agree. The first couple of weeks of October have become very crowded. Not as bad as Xmas or Spring Break, but every bit as busy as a busy day in June.

 

[Hopefully]

Well, I was surprised when I looked at EasyWDW.com's crowd calendar and see that he predicts an overall crowd level of 5 and any park except AK is recommended for that day.

Magic Kingdom has a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party that evening, which means the park closes to regular guests at 7 pm and the park will be uncrowded compared to other days. I agree with the recommendation to go there during the day and then hop to the park of your choice after 7. Actually, I'd go before 7 because Main Street and the whole entrance/exit plaza gets crazy crowded right around that 7:00 switch over. I'm just surprised that the overall crowd level is predicted at only 5. When I was there that weekend in 2014, it was more like 6-8 and people on DIS seemed to say crowd levels were higher than 5s last October as well. I'd say prepare yourself for higher than "average", but not packed like Christmas or the peak of Spring Break, and then be happily surprised if it feels even less crowded than that!

Josh of easywdw has stated that he is not doing October 2016 recommended park calendar until more info on Ro: amd the Epcot Frozen events are released. The calendar Hours are posted, not the daily recommendations

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Several years ago we went on Columbus day week (2009) and it was more crowded than I expected.

If you're tied to that week, expect high crowds (like maybe an 8?), but hopefully you'll end up with lighter.

I agree that you'll probably do the best with MK in the morning and then a park of your choice that night.

 

[a742246]

It will be crowded, make sure you have your Fast passes in order. The weather should be ideal!

 

[disneygrandma]

Unfortunately, we're stuck with Columbus Day week. We're planning on doing a couple days at Universal & HHN mid-week. What we're left with for F&W would be either Monday (Columbus Day), or the following Saturday (Oct 15). We need to pick 1 of these days, and then we'll have the following Monday (Oct 17) for our 2nd day.

So which would be better? Columbus Day Monday or Saturday Oct 15th?

Thanks!

 

[Mikie]

Josh of easywdw has stated that he is not doing October 2016 recommended park calendar until more info on Ro: amd the Epcot Frozen events are released. The calendar Hours are posted, not the daily recommendations

I only skimmed his October page, but it looked like the calendar is out, just not the day by day write up. I guess that means all the green & red park listings on the calendar grid are meaningless for now?

 

[Mikie]

Unfortunately, we're stuck with Columbus Day week. We're planning on doing a couple days at Universal & HHN mid-week. What we're left with for F&W would be either Monday (Columbus Day), or the following Saturday (Oct 15). We need to pick 1 of these days, and then we'll have the following Monday (Oct 17) for our 2nd day.

So which would be better? Columbus Day Monday or Saturday Oct 15th?

Thanks!

I'd definitely do Columbus Day !Monday for Food & Wine! Even if parks overall are crowded that Monday, weekends at F&W are the busiest because they draw locals as well as travelers.

 

[disneygrandma]

We're leaning towards that Monday. Thanks for the info

 

[weidnt]

We were at Epcot on Columbus Day 2015 and it was insanely busy! Food and Wine booths had crazy long lines. Personally, I would look at Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom that day.

 

[AshleeH]

Columbus Day at F&W is just as busy as the weekends. Columbus Day at any of the parks is like a typical weekend day because that's what it technically is.

 

[OKW Lover]

Before moving to the area we've visited WDW over the Columbus Day weekend many times. Crowd levels are still very manageable then, even with the quasi-holiday.

 

[minijeanie]

oooh yuch.. I am going first week in October. My granddaughter has off for jewish holidays and she will only miss 3 days of school. I thought this would be a great week weather wise and crowd wise. Maybe I should of rethunk this... My only other choice was Jersey week

Did I make the right choice?

 

[vinotinto]

We usually go at this time. Columbus Day is not as bad as the Saturday and Sunday preceding it. Josh and Touringplans has the weekend at a 7-8 level. Last year, in the "how did we do?" Commentary, TP put the weekend at an 8.

The Tuesday following Columbus Day, you will see the crowds drop off.