Crazy to plan to go in October now?

[k5thbeatle]

For years we have visited and stayed at WDW during October. Several reasons we did included; always enjoyed that time of year, F&W festival, it worked better with our schedules, and the crowds were low amongst a few other reasons.

Our last Fall trip was in 2014 and we thought it was changing and starting to get a little crazy (crowd-wise) even back then. But now I've been reading how this time of year (Oct. mostly but entire time of F&W festival) is transforming to one of the busiest times of year.

I spoke with a friend and casually mentioned considering going in October and her reply was that it was crazy to now visit in October.

So I thought I'd pose the question here; Is it crazy to plan a trip for October now? (Never mind the rising cost of F&W fest and talk of it going downhill which is another topic for another thread)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Not crazy but plan for larger crowds.

 

[Farro]

We went in 2014 at end of October and again last year in end of October. We found it a bit more crowded than 2014, but totally manageable. Never felt stressed.

 

[verleniahall]

I don't think its that bad -

 

[dakotix]

We went in November in 2014 and it was a madhouse in terms of crowds. We totally thought we were being slick by going in mid-November thinking the crowds wouldn't be an issue. Boy, were we wrong. Now we go Feb or early March. Seems like whenever you go now it's busy.

 

[Delirium]

We've been several times in October. And, despite the increase in crowds, the short MK hours because of parties, and even the hurricane that shut the parks down for a day and a half in 2016, I would take an October trip over virtually any other time of the year. Despite the occasional hurricane, the weather is ideal. The fall decorations are only topped by the Christmas decorations. The food & wine festival, especially the eat to the beat concerts, are among our favorite things to do. And, party days are among the best to tour MK. We use hoppers to hop to another park mid-afternoon. And, then are able to hop to MK on non-party nights for the fireworks and nighttime touring (there are typically some 1-2 a.m. park closures on non-party days that have emh).

In other words, the crowds are manageable if you have a plan. The people that complain about the crowds in October generally do not have a good plan.

 

[Thiago Acquaviva]

We're going this October and I was very afraid of this because of the many reviews saying October now is insane.
but otherwise some people are saying it's crowded but not THAT crowded so... Idk guess we'll find out soon lol

 

[wfjny]

So, we were there about a week and a half ago, a trip planned 11 months in advance, with 10 people.

This morning, my wife and I are now planning to return for a very quick weekend, on Friday. As in, the day after, the day after, the day after tomorrow...

So, planing a trip in four days, October is like a lifetime away...

 

[PSUGuy]

We're there Oct 18 - 27 this year, probably the same or a week later in 2019. We avoid Columbus Day and the weekend prior and other than that we have no issues with crowds. We skip WS on Saturday but hit F&W every other day.

Bill From PA

 

[Meriweather]

We've been several times in Oct. It is fine. Lots going on, so it will be crowded.
We are going this year though.

 

[Mome Rath]

If you know the ropes it's no big deal. During that time of year it's about how to manage higher than normal crowds mainly in EPCOT WS and in MK Fantasyland, and perhaps Pandora now. If you can manage those things, it's great, IMO.

Just for the record I don't think anyone is crazy for going at any time of year (everyone notice how many people ask that? lol), I don't think short trips are crazy, or long trips, or Christmas trips, or on the spur of the moment/let's wing it trips or I-have-a-whole-binder-full-of-plans trips. The main thing that would be crazy is going not knowing what you are doing, like trying to show up and get a specific Disney hotel on the day of arrival, or thinking you are only going to wait 15 min in FoP standby. So, it's all about what you know and basic things to do.

 

[SarahC97]

I went the last two weeks of October in 2016 and I don't think we'll ever go back during that time. It's just more crowded with fewer discounts to help offset the cost that time of year for us. We've now shifted to end of August/beginning of September and while yes, it's hot, I'd rather have more manageable crowds and get Free Dining or some other cost-saving incentive - but that's just me.

 

[Dumbo7]

It’s crowded but well staffed. Go for it. It’s so much fun!!

 

[Thiago Acquaviva]

@Mome Rath said it all! lol
awesome post! 100% agreed!

 

[rachdawn26]

I'm planning a trip October 14-18 and Touring Plans just had major drops in their crowd calendars for those days! Hoping they're right! It will be the first trip for my sister and niece and nephew.

 

[bb32]

So if the key is coming prepared, what does that mean?? I’ve read that crowd calendars aren’t as spot on as they used to be. If you were to come prepared for dealing with October crowds what would you do?

I’d guess the usuals:
-FP
-Rope Drop
-avoid EMH if staying off property

What else??

 

[Farro]

So if the key is coming prepared, what does that mean?? I’ve read that crowd calendars aren’t as spot on as they used to be. If you were to come prepared for dealing with October crowds what would you do?

I’d guess the usuals:
-FP
-Rope Drop
-avoid EMH if staying off property

What else??

That's it. Be prepared for crowds, (avoid Columbus week if you can) have your fast passes made, rope drop when you can, be able to go with the flow and have a good attitude going in and you'll be great! And most of all, avoid all the horror stories.

Honestly, the end of the months is great in our opinion. Like I said, yes there are crowds, but nothing crazy at all.

 

[DCLPrincess]

Okay, can I just, say something crazy?
I love crazy!

 

[TIME4DIZ]

It’s not crazy to go in October, in fact many will tell you it’s the best time of year because you get MNSSHP and F&W with a bit more comfortable temps.

It’s also not crazy to plan a trip with just 2 months to lead time.

 

[Mome Rath]

If you have the money to spare, part of the planning, for me, is park hopping. When there are crowds they tend to migrate together, and if you can hop, you can get out and go somewhere else if they congregate. And with a hopper, you can hit morning EMH and then take off to another park. Part of the plan is that it just takes longer to do things because of the crowds; for example, even grabbing a QS meal can take a lot longer and be more hectic than other times, so, IMO, you have to plan more to do the things you really want to do and be willing to go with the flow on the rest of it. With the dining example, you may get sick of the crowds and where you normally would just grab QS, a TS would really give you a lovely break, so that means you have to have done your ADR's early because, again, more people.