Confusion about October crowd levels...

[mickey24]

We are headed down to disney in October (so excited!!) and one of the reasons we chose this month was it is supposed to be a lower crowd level, however I am noticing that several of the hotels have no availability left (ex. Wilderness Lodge has zero availability for the week we are going and AKL (where we are staying) only has 2 bedroom club level rooms left.
So I guess my confusion is... will it be crowded? Or do the rooms always fill like this (to capacity)?
Maybe this is a stupid question (sorry!), but I am just curious. We will have fun either way.
TIA!

 

[RMulieri]

Hotel occupancy is not necessarily an indicator of park crowds.It may mean that more people are simply choosing to stay onsite rather than off.October is average crowds.The time around Columbus day weekend and Canadian Thanksgiving does see an increase in crowds.Also many schools have off for Fall breaks in October.October also sees alot of conventions in Orlando and Disney.It is not going to be really busy, but not dead empty either

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

The smallest crowds, in my opinion, are in late January through early February and starting a week after Thanksgiving, until a week before Christmas. You can also judge smaller crowds by looking up when Disney's "Value Season" dates are.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Don't forget to factor in MNSSHP & F&W are a huge draw, particularly on weekends when many FL residents plan quick visits.

 

[im4kycats]

Are you checking availability withe the FD package or without? FD sells out, but the resort still has availability. I just looked up three different sets of dates for AK and they all had all level of rooms available - without FD.

 

[im4kycats]

Well, I found your week - hmm - the Gartner IT Expo is there that week, but AK seems far out for it to be impacted by that, but maybe.

 

[Pakey]

I've been in October the last 3 years (various weeks) and going again this year. I wouldn't consider it low crowd at all. A touring plan will help. It won't be packed but standby times on favorite attractions will be long and if you go to a park on a "worst park" day, you may be surprised at the number of people. I use Touring Plans to select best day parks and we have been happy with our October vacation experiences.

 

[mickey24]

Thanks for the input! I did use the non-FD rooms and even then there were sell outs! We are arriving 10/20... I knew it wouldn't be the lowest crowds (just lower than when we went in May last time!). I have heard it is a great time of year to visit. We are still excited, I guess I just wasn't expecting the resorts to be as full. No big deal, just curious and thanks again for the input!

 

[winthropf]

Thanks for the input! I did use the non-FD rooms and even then there were sell outs! We are arriving 10/20... I knew it wouldn't be the lowest crowds (just lower than when we went in May last time!). I have heard it is a great time of year to visit. We are still excited, I guess I just wasn't expecting the resorts to be as full. No big deal, just curious and thanks again for the input!

As a PP noted, the Gartner Symposium startes on the 21st and runs the entire week. The convention is held at the Epcot resorts conference centers and at this time it looks like all Epcot resorts are full that week. I am planning a trip to stay YC/BC/SW for the previous week and wanted to extend to Monday the 22nd and no rooms are available except suites and club level.

 

[LilyWDW]

The crowds are not really that bad at all. Especially if you do rope drop! We went last year and got everything we wanted done and then some. Though we do wish we had put aside more time for Food and Wine! Your headliner attractions will get decent waits (45-60 minutes for most, more then that for Soarin and TSMM), everything else was a walk on to about 20 minutes.