Columbus Day Weekend Crowds?

[disnerdsarahg]

We are staying at the Poly from the 10/8 (Thurs.) - 10/12 (Mon.), which happens to be Columbus Day weekend. Are the crowds bearable? We were thinking of going to MK on the first park day (Friday), AK & HS on the Saturday, MK & Epcot on Sunday, and still undecided on which park to visit on Monday. Also, any tips on beating the crowds? Thank you!!

 

[crostorfer]

I think the Columbus Day crowds are worse than Spring Break. A lot of the country has Fall Break during that time. The MNSSHPs during that time frame will sell out. Expect long wait times at every park, and very large crowds both Sat and Sunday at EPCOT.

 

[rstamm]

Party on Friday so the park will close at 7 unless you stay for the party and purchase a ticket.

 

[Disneylover99]

Sunday at Epcot will definitely be better then Saturday if you're interested in the Food and Wine booths. I would imagine Monday would be even better.

 

[alvernon90]

I looked into this very question and decided to end our October trip on the Thursday before Columbus Day weekend and move over to Royal Pacific at Universal. It appears that crowds will be horrible all over Orlando, but at least staying onsite at Universal gives an unlimited express pass. I have no desire to tangle with WDW crowds on that weekend.

 

[crostorfer]

I looked into this very question and decided to end our October trip on the Thursday before Columbus Day weekend and move over to Royal Pacific at Universal. It appears that crowds will be horrible all over Orlando, but at least staying onsite at Universal gives an unlimited express pass. I have no desire to tangle with WDW crowds on that weekend.

We went so far as to move our trip up a week, with the decision to pull out daughter out of school for three days, in order to avoid the Columbus Day crowds. Last year was so crowded it wasn't fun.

 

[pooh4evr]

We will be there, October 9-18th. We have done that week twice before. It is more crowded than we would like for sure, but for us, it is our best option any more. I would prefer to go at the beginning of December (did that twice too and it was PERFECT) but it is what it is. We plan to rope drop, eat lunch later, and plan fastpasses for noonish or so, fingers crossed at least!

 

[Wenny]

We went Columbus Day week four years ago and had zero crowds. The following two years were so bad we vowed to never try it again. I wouldn't quite compare it to spring break - we did that once and it was insanity. But it was close enough to drive us away for good. We went the first week of November last year and it was better.

Now we've moved our trip to August to avoid pulling DD out of school. Hoping to make the best of it.

 

[tndisneyfan]

I don't think it's as bad as spring break, but it is crowded. It feels more like June that October. More and more schools in the south (and maybe nationwide) are getting a fall break, usually around Columbus day. DS has a short fall break around Columbus weekend, not a full week, so we are doing a short trip for Food and Wine. I'm sure it's going to be crowded.

 

[DisMama5]

I have a question to add to this-

It sounds like many people say Columbus Day weekEND is too crowded but not the full week? What if we went Sunday-Sunday so the Sunday before Columbus Day to the following Sunday, so a week stay. Would we miss the "insane" crowds and feel like October again or is it really that bad all weekend. Most the posts I see seem to be long weekend related to Columbus Day just
Prior to and leave on the holiday or the day after? not the actual week of it??? Please fill me in. We are looking for a good option for our 2017 Disney wedding without the kids missing a ton of school but summer is not an option. We love October so Columbus Day week seemed perfect but if crowds are through the roof...........

TIA

 

[DisMama5]

^^ bump bump

 

[tndisneyfan]

I have a question to add to this-

It sounds like many people say Columbus Day weekEND is too crowded but not the full week? What if we went Sunday-Sunday so the Sunday before Columbus Day to the following Sunday, so a week stay. Would we miss the "insane" crowds and feel like October again or is it really that bad all weekend. Most the posts I see seem to be long weekend related to Columbus Day just
Prior to and leave on the holiday or the day after? not the actual week of it??? Please fill me in. We are looking for a good option for our 2017 Disney wedding without the kids missing a ton of school but summer is not an option. We love October so Columbus Day week seemed perfect but if crowds are through the roof...........

TIA

Three of the last four years we have went around Columbus day weekend. We tried doing like a Monday-Friday before Columbus weekend and a M-F after. Of course we've also been there for the actual weekend. We have found that the week before and after Columbus day is busy. Weekdays may not be as busy as during the weekend but it's going to be crowded. As I posted above, not like spring break or Christmas but more like June. Lots, and lots, and lots of southern schools are getting a full week fall break either the week of Columbus day or the week before. It has made the parks very busy because we've all read that October is a great time to go.

We went last year the last week in October. Though not as busy as earlier in the month it was still busier than I would've thought. October just isn't a slow time anymore.

Good luck with your trip

 

[kydisneyfans]

If this means anything, there is not one single DVC room available of any type at any resort for Friday night heading into that weekend. We have visited over fall break and find that as the week gets closer to Columbus Day weekend, the crowds get bigger.

 

[princessjadesmom]

We went during that week two years ago. It was pretty crowded. The MNSSHP that we went to was sold out.

 

[DisMama5]

Aw man everyone's catching onto the secret of October lol

That's ok, all good to know info though!! We love October and the many events Orlando offers during October so maybe we will lean towards the end instead. We'll see! Thanks all