Columbus Day week?

[antkim]

We have friends that are going Oct.11-18th.I'm booking everything for them.I already saved them 1000.00 from the price AAA gave them!!!Good,huh?
Anyways,now I've got the bug!We have never been with a group of friends so we are thinking about going ourselves.We usually go in early Feb.or beginning of Dec. so the crowds are pretty much non-existent.My concern is that this is Coloumbus day weekend.Do the crowds usually thin out after the holiday or is the whole week crowded?If it is we will probably not go.My DH hates crowds,waiting in line etc.and to be honest if it weren't for the fact that it's his best friends that are going we wouldn't be going back this year-next probably.We just know we will have a blast together.We would be happy waiting until mid week to go to the parks or maybe just come in on Tues.instead of Sat.
Any advice?
Kim

 

[JetMom]

We went to WDW over Columbus Day in 1997 and again in 2001. We did not have any problems with crowds on either occasion. We usually arrive the Friday before Columbs Day and leave the following Sunday (but I am not positive of the days in 1997).

We use EE and Fast Pass to "work the system" a little bit. I am sure that you will have a GREAT time.

 

[antkim]

Thanks so much!Anyone care to comment on the weather?
Kim

 

[Coll0610]

We've been there over Columbus Day the last two years. DH thinks the crowds are a little heavier than other weeks in September/October but I haven't noticed. Weather is great - hot enough to swim but not so hot that you are miserable. We usually don't see much rain either.

 

[auntsue]

We were just there this past Columbus Day for five days. The weather was great! Very pleasant for swimming and not so unbearable walking around the parks. We really didn't find the crowds too bad. We were there from Fri till Tues and we managed to do everything we wanted to do.

How did you save so much money? Care to share some of your secrets?

 

[antkim]

Not too many secrets.AAA gave them a package price including 7 day UPHP.They don't get in until afternoon on Sat. and leave early afternoon on the following Sat. so the absolute most they would need was 6 days is the parks.They decided that they wanted to do 4 days in the parks 1 day in the water park.So they bought the 4 day PHPP.They didn't know this was even an option until I told them.Also saved them on their transfers.Instead of Mears they are getting limo service through Happy Limo with code from Mary.(There are 3 family's going but the savings I am quoting is only for 1 of them!).She also had them in a preferred room which I explained to them was not THAT big of a difference at ASMo.They decided it was not worth the extra $$$ for preferred.I also told them that due to the holiday it might be a bit more crowded which meant the pools could be crowded until later in the evening making it a bit louder.Used AAA discount for the rooms but will change them if a better code comes out.Other than that I did nothing spectacular.Just have a bit more Disney knowledge than them that I was happy to share!And of course I told them to visit here!
Kim