columbus day

[edshane]

has anyone had experience with columbus day week-end?
we're looking to visit in oct., and with kids in school were thinking about columbus day weekend, but the reason we are even going in oct. as opposed to our annual nov. trip is because we are finding the crowds in nov. overwhelming, esp. veteren's day weekend. an one know how the crowds tend to be that particular time of year?

 

[CapeCodFam]

we visited during Veterans day week in '02 and '05. Both of those coincided with F+W and super soap weekend. We visited during Columbus day week in '03 and did the halloween party.

I didn't see much difference in the crowd levels between the 2 holidays. But, while busy at peak times, it still was manageable overall for the week. I suspect any school week with a holiday will be busier than normal.

October, in the parks, tends to be busier overall. In between Veterans' day and thanksgiving should be lighter. But, no F+W, Halloween/Christmas parties, nor super soap...

 

[granmanh603]

We were just there this past Columbus day weekend and it was busy, regular crowd(alot from NY, NJ) and day trip from Fla. but managable but the extra hours at MGM on Sun night was a nightmare. They added an extra Fantasmic and it just swelled the crowds. We went to eat at the foods places in front of HM and waited over 45 min to place an order at 8 at night. Plus I'm not sure but I think MK closed for the MNSSHP on Sun night which might have made it worse. They even had to give out fast passes for the rides since RNR and HM are the big draws there. There was a 35 min wait at the Movie ride at 10:30 at night and we gave up.(it was open thil 12AM)

 

[disneynutt1225]

We just went this past Oct 7th-15. It was pretty darn crowded the whole time we were down there. Granted, we're used to going in April when there aren't many lines and the weather is phenomenal. We were really uncomfortable because of the heat this past trip. But, if you don't mind the heat, want to see F&W and MNSSHP, then October is a good time to go. Most nights, we went to the parks with EMH because it was too hot to be in the park for us during the day and that worked out reasonably well. YMMV.

 

[Hibernians]

Disneynutt,

did you say the crowds were not that bad in April ? I've never visited during April but thought w/school vacations it would be very crowded. Did you go during a school vacation week ?

 

[Hibernians]

One thing about November is Jersey Week. We happened to be there this year during Jersey week, which ran into Veternas Day which I believe was on a Friday. Plus the Food & Wine Fest was going on. We were there Nov 6th - 11th and the parks were very crowded. I never heard of Jersey week before, but now I know its best to be avoided.

To Disneynutt - I'm surprised to hear that Apri is not that crowded; did you go during a school vacation week ?

 

[disneynutt1225]

I'd be happy to tell all of you when I went in April...but then I'd have to kill you.... LOL

Seriously, we went April 8-15th last year and it didn't really start getting crowded until the 15th because of the Flower and Garden festival. It was really pretty too, Epcot had most of the topiaries done already for the festival. The weather was awesome, there were no lines....it was truly great. And I guess now that my secret is out that won't be the case anymore, LOL.

 

[Hibernians]

I think your safe w/that week disneynutt ! I'm OK with taking my kids out of school while they're young, however the April vacation week is the 3rd week of the month, so there's no way I could pull them out of school the 1st or 2nd week of April. I guess that explains why its not as busy then.

 

[missymagic]

Disneynutt I have had a post out there asking opinion about April. What is the temp on average when you go that weeK??? I have gone in Dec for the past 4 yrs and now my girls are getting older and they want to do the water parks. Me I need it warm to even consider that. I know people do that in Dec but not me. I was considering long weekend because they have early dismissal due to conferences. Wasted week for them.

 

[bears163]

we were thinking of that weekend also but are going the change our plans. we were just there in dec. mod crowds but with FP we did everything we wanted to
each day with no probelm at all with alot of time to spare.

 

[debbiedoo]

also do not forget that some areas have spring breaks in april which can elevate crowds.

I went Columbus day weekend in 2004 and the crowds were not to bad--

 

[disneynutt1225]

Disneynutt I have had a post out there asking opinion about April. What is the temp on average when you go that weeK??? I have gone in Dec for the past 4 yrs and now my girls are getting older and they want to do the water parks. Me I need it warm to even consider that. I know people do that in Dec but not me. I was considering long weekend because they have early dismissal due to conferences. Wasted week for them.

The weather was really great for us. 70s up to low 80s with no humidity.