Crowds in Oct..

[Gisele]

I agree, for I have stated in the past, that no matter how much planning, and gestimating, in the end, what the weather will be like, as well as crowd levels, will be determined on a daily basis.

 

[abrahamalld]

thanks for all the advice. Still not sure what we will do. Defintely won't go on the 9th and 10th since Ca. has the day off schools. Maybe we will try the Tues/Wed. Guess it's hard to predict..

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I'm painting it just how we saw it last October. The only day that was not ridiculously crowded was Tuesday. Even the rest of the weekdays were super crowded. Considering we weren't even there on a weekend. With fall breaks, people are going to be there all week.

I think some people just don't like to hear the truth, since they have trips planned for this time. I was one of them last year, expecting low crowds. I wish someone would have warned us, so at least we could have been prepared. But if people would rather think it's going to be like low season, that's their business. I'm just telling it like it was last year, and from the sounds of all the events, like it will be this year.

hey, if it's crowded, then it's crowded, and there's nothing we can do about it. But just because it was crowded last year doesn't mean it'll be crowded this year.

There are different factors this year. Attendance is obviously way down, hence the cut backs and the reports of low crowds even in the summer months.

I'm not sticking my head in the sand to the issue,I'm just hoping for the best. I'll be prepared for longer wait times, but just going off of what's happened so far this year, I don't think it's going to be quite as crowded. Why would it? People didnt come during summer vacations, so why would they come in the fall??

 

[abrahamalld]

I noticed all the disney hotels were booked. Is this a bad sign or are they normally booked no matter what time of year?

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I noticed all the disney hotels were booked. Is this a bad sign or are they normally booked no matter what time of year?

no they are not always booked...but as I stated in a previous post, because of the codes and AP7 rate it will make it more crowded plus as the years progress and more and more people hear about what all is done for MTOTP, more people are going which makes it crowded..October has turned into a crowded time of year irregardless what some people want to think

 

[disneegrl4eva]

There are different factors this year. Attendance is obviously way down, hence the cut backs and the reports of low crowds even in the summer months.

I'm not sticking my head in the sand to the issue,I'm just hoping for the best. I'll be prepared for longer wait times, but just going off of what's happened so far this year, I don't think it's going to be quite as crowded. Why would it? People didnt come during summer vacations, so why would they come in the fall??

Im gonna take a flying leap here and guess...uh gas prices????? but you make sure and let us know how "uncrowded" you think it turns out wont ya elf???

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

hey, if it's crowded, then it's crowded, and there's nothing we can do about it. But just because it was crowded last year doesn't mean it'll be crowded this year.

There are different factors this year. Attendance is obviously way down, hence the cut backs and the reports of low crowds even in the summer months.

I'm not sticking my head in the sand to the issue,I'm just hoping for the best. I'll be prepared for longer wait times, but just going off of what's happened so far this year, I don't think it's going to be quite as crowded. Why would it? People didnt come during summer vacations, so why would they come in the fall??

That's true, but since no one has a crystal ball, if someone asks about crowds in October, we can only go by the way it was in the past.

I do think people may come now instead of the summer, because gas prices are lower, and you can sometimes get cheaper deals. Fall can come with that 4th night free, or the Gay Days deals you can get for that entire week is really great. Then there is the locals not being blocked out in Oct like they are in the summer. I also think the Halloween stuff is a huge draw, Miley Cyrus will bring more people, not to mention many people think it's low season. Just to name a few differences between Oct. and summer.

Maybe it won't be as bad this year, I hope not for the sake of those going. But if someone asks about Oct I can only give my experience with it. Just like I would if someone asked about June. I'll also offer my opinion based on what I've heard from people (who wouldn't travel with higher gas prices, and summer peak prices, but will now). I know many people who are travelling now, since they missed out on summer vacations.

 

[Triz]

last week had no more than 5 minute waits. Friday was busier.

 

[jason417]

I apologize if my comment was taken to imply that I thought someone was exaggerating. I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that some people make it sound like the crowds were so horrible that it ruined their trip. I'm not questioning how crowded it was, just questioning if it was really so bad that one would actually wish they hadn't gone.

It's like when people complain about it being "unbearable" and "miserable" when it's 95 in Disneyland. Yes, 95 is quite warm and yes it's not as pleasant as 80... but you don't let it ruin your trip. You just work around it. Rest in the hotel for a couple hours or plan indoor things for those hours. Heck, go stand in line for a ride that has an indoor queue even if it is a 45 minute wait.

Same goes for crowded days. Sure, it's busy in October but there's a reason for that: it's a fun time to go. The decorations make it a different experience so go and enjoy them. Plan around the crowds: use the FP system efficiently, rest in the hotel for a couple hours during the day, etc. I've been during the Christmas crowds and yes it's ridiculously crowded but I still enjoyed the trip.

So again, I'm sorry my comment was taken as though I was accusing someone of lying. I just meant even though it's crowded it's not all negative. I accept that I may underestimate the crowds for Oct, but even if they are a little heavier than expected it's still a lot of fun in Oct. The level of crowds do not make or break a trip... at least, not in my opinion.

 

[oscarkitty1]

Here is the thread I started during my October visit last year, showing how surpised I was by the mid-week crowds.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1607501

My only complaint with the crowds last year was that the park closed so early, and the rides were set up for low crowds. So not all boats were going on POTC, not all logs on Splash, KWIM??

The interesting this is that due to a conference at the DLH that I talked my boss into sending me to, I will be there at the exact same time this year!! So I be able to compare the crowds first hand, and I will report back from the road.

I do see from the schedule that they learned their lesson last year, and the Thursday has extended hours until 11, vs. the 8 pm we faced last year.

Like I said last year, it's still worth it!! But if this trip was entirely on my dime, I would not be going that week, just based off last year's experience.

 

[julw]

Here is the thread I started during my October visit last year, showing how surpised I was by the mid-week crowds.

Yep! We went last year mid October and it was packed mid week. DCA was fairly empty, but DL was very busy. We go each year in October and Spring break because that is when my kids are out of school. October and March are no longer slow times of the year. But, if you are like us, and don't want to go in the summer and that is when your kids have vacation, then it's worth it to go and of course try not to let the crowds bother you and still have fun! Just don't expect rides to be walk-ons, or you will be very disappointed.

 

[abrahamalld]

I think we decided to go to Disney on Oct 7-8th. It's after gay days, but before Utah's UEA.. It didn't seem like a huge convention was going on either. I also read that some schools have off the 9th and 10th so hopefully we miss that too.
With kids in school we are always going to be limitied to school vacations, and hopefully weekdays in October are better than the summer months. If not, we will make the most of it!

 

[Brady's Mom]

I really think all you can do is make the most of it. Otherwise, you can totally sabotage your own vacation! And who wants to pay all of that money to have a totally crappy time???

Use the advice here about going early and collecting fastpass and you can really maximize your riding time. We have also used ridemax successfully. Also, just plan for crowds and then you are prepared and if it is slow then YAHOO!

You probably already know, but it is worth mentioning, that the fireworks and some shows only run on the weekends during off-season.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[TripHHH]

The dates of our trip last year was October 15-18 (weekdays only). The only thing we waited longer than 15 minutes for was Nemo and that was 30 minutes. I had read on this board that it was very crowded the week before we went, so I was prepared for crowds....but never ran into any. I think it very much has to do with local school schedules and we hit it just right with our dates.

I don't think the economy will have a big impact on crowd levels. International vacation destinations might suffer because people can't afford the high airfares. Much cheaper to fly or drive to California. People still need that escape and will find cheaper ways to do it.

And the economy won't stop the locals who have annual passes from going.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I apologize if my comment was taken to imply that I thought someone was exaggerating. I didn't mean it that way. I just meant that some people make it sound like the crowds were so horrible that it ruined their trip. I'm not questioning how crowded it was, just questioning if it was really so bad that one would actually wish they hadn't gone.

I don't think I'll ever regret a trip to DL. It certainly wasn't as fun of a trip as it is when we've gone during times with lower crowds though. We spent a lot more time in the hotel room in the afternoons because it did get miserable when you couldn't walk around good even. We also didn't get to do nearly as many rides as we usually do, when you just get to practically walk on, or with very little wait. That's the way I like my DL!

I wouldn't plan a trip again in Oct though. We feel it's worth our money more to go on as many rides as possible, and we just really don't like big crowds. That's getting harder and harder to find during the year at DL though, since so many schools go year round these days.

You do have to make the most of it when it ends up being that crowded. Which is why my advice was to go early, and use FP. But no, it's not a month we'd pick again to go.