Columbus Weekend - FP availability and crowds

[Mrspeaks]

We are going on a Disney Cruise that leaves Saturday on Columbus Day weekend. We are planning to go to MK on Friday. I imagine it will be a mnsshp night, we have young kids and would not care that we would be leaving early for the nonparty guests. I’m hoping the crowds would be lower on a party night, but does anyone have experience with the crowds on this day? Also, if we are only able to book FP at the 30 day window, what has been availability like in the past? I know things change year to year and you can’t predict crowds, Im just looking for others’ experiences. Thank you

 

[mesaboy2]

Crowds are lower during party days, and FP availability will similar to any other time of year. See the Availability post in the FP FAQ for a discussion of what FPs you can expect.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We were there Columbus Day weekend this year. Arrived late Wednesday and stayed through Sunday. Around here, many schools are off Thur-Friday & Monday for “Fall Break.”

My feelings on October, and that weekend overall, are the crowd levels are high, but manageable. That Friday, we went to Epcot during the day and MNSSHP that night, so I don’t have first-hand experiance on MK crowds during the day - but generally agree that MK on a party day is a good strategy.

The 30 day FP thing doesn’t really bother me too much. I’m often planning late/past the 60 day window and never really have any problems. Headliners become harder to get (esp 7DMT) so you just have to adjust your expectations. Heck, yesterday I just moved some FPs around at MK for 12/30 and had very reasonable options (no headliners though).

I don’t really put all my eggs in crowd calenders, but FWIW, on that Friday this year, Touring Plans shows it at a 5 out of 10 on their scale.

Hope that helps!

 

[Delirium]

In 2016, we were at Disney on the Friday you mentioned. And, there was literally nobody in the park. And, I mean literally.

Hurricane Matthew saw to that.

 

[mom2rtk]

In 2016, we were at Disney on the Friday you mentioned. And, there was literally nobody in the park. And, I mean literally.

Hurricane Matthew saw to that.

Just to be clear though, anybody going to WDW the Friday of Columbus weekend (in the absence of a hurricane) expecting a low crowd is likely to be disappointed.

 

[crostorfer]

Columbus Day Weekend coincides with Fall Break for most of the country. I find that weekend to be more crowded than I've ever seen at Spring Break, and I advise anyone who asks me to avoid it when possible. Wall to wall people in the MK, and the last 2 times I've been to Food and Wine during that time were so crowded that it wasn't fun. I'm talking hour waits at the food booths, crowded.
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