Crowds the week of Columbus day?

[StrwLady]

Hi Everyone,

I'm planning my trip for October. Was hoping to go Oct 11th coming back the 18th or19th. But reading a few things people started Columbus Day Weekend was very crowded. Anyone have any experiences that weekend or the rest of that week? I would really like go that week since the 15th is my son's birthday. I think it would be lots of fun. But I have been once on Labor Day Weekend and the crowd was horrible!! I can change days a bit maybe fly in on the 13th and out on the 19th.

If anyone has been there Columbus day weekend or the rest of that week and can share their experiences I would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[Magic2000]

We're also planning a trip for Oct 13-18, and getting pretty excited! I also got a little worried with some of the reports of crowds, but we've been several times for the week of July 4th - and it really isn't that bad!!!

Its our first time at MNSSHP - already bought our tickets and we're already making PSs - so Disney here we come!!!!!

 

[lasmickey]

I would be very interested in hearing from those who have experienced the Columbus Day holiday week too. Unfortunately, we won't be able to make it to WDW this year, but are planning to go during the Columbus Day holiday week in 2004. Anyone out there who went during the same week last year have any tips, suggestions or horror stories?

 

[StrwLady]

Magic2000,

I made my hotel reservations for Oct 13th to 19th my MNSSHP for the 14th. Maybe we will run into each other.

I wanted to start my trip on the 11th and have a few extra days but there wasn't any standard view rooms at the Comtemporary available for 7 nights between the 9th and the 21st. So we changed to the 13th for 6 nights. I think all in all it will be better skipping the actual weekend. I don't mind moderate crowds but that labor day weekend (and one Mardi Gras day) it was much to crowded for me.


Take Care

 

[prettypixie]

I'll be there too! I've got ressies at CBR Oct 12-19th and I was also worried about the crowds. I'm hoping that if there are crowds for the weekend then by Tuesday it should be ok. I am considering the MNSSHP on the 14th just so I can get into MK and do the rides with little wait time.

 

[Magic2000]

We're staying at the All Star Movies!

We'll be at the MNSSHP on Oct 14 (already got the tickets and a PS for LTT); and we're considering going again on Oct 16. We'll probably buy the tickets for Oct 16 when we get there, if they are still available.

Hope to see yall there!!!

 

[Epscot]

Count me in!!!

We'll be at ASMo Oct 12-19. Like prettypixie, I'm hoping the crowds will thin out on/after Monday because people have to get back to work & school. Fortunately, our son's school will be on fall break that week. This will be our second Oct trip, but the first one was in Oct 2001 and the place was practically a ghost town.

 

[fiveforall]

We'll be there Oct. 13-19. We were there last year the week after Columbus day, and the crowds were very light. We did not have to wait long at all to ride anything. It's our fall break too, and last year it was just an awesome time to go.

 

[prettypixie]

fiveforall & Epscot

Thanks for the encouragment! I am so nervous about the crowds with the FTP being such a great deal for the fall, I feel a bit better now! We were there for spring break and didn't get to do much because of the crowds thats when I promised DD that we'd come back in Oct.

To bad we don't have fall breaks in metro-Atl that would be so cool! DD will be 1st grade this fall they will have Columbus day and the day after off but I am taking her out for the whole week!

 

[scoobysmom]

We are going Oct 11-18-here in the NorthEast the Kids only have the Monday off. Iguess it is different in part of the country. Ihope it is a good time to go-lasttime we went in October there were tornados !!

 

[KatieKate16]

When does the Halloween party take place? What happens during that event?

 

[TigerLaw]

I have a different take. I went last october and was very disappointed with the crowds. Our trip started the weekend of the golf event and on thru the next week. (this was also the first week of the food and wine festival) Let me give you a couple examples.

1. 30 minute plus line for great movie ride!
2. 20 minuted line for maelstrom (a ride I had never even seen a line for before then!)

I can only imagine it being worse this year due to the extra fairytale bookings. My advice (for what's its worth) is to avoid october during columbus day weekend and the golf tournament.

 

[grover]

We went mid-oct in 2000, the crowds were not bad at all-of course that was our first trip so we had nothing to compare it to!! Last year we went in Nov and the crowds were for sure lighter. We have our next trip planned for Oct 7-21 of 2004. We are going to be married in WDW and have decided that the 11th will be the wedding day, I think that may be a good day to take off from the parks and hopefully the crowds will lessen after the long weekend.
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[KelNottAt]

It was in 2001 and absolutely perfect. Granted, this was only 1 month after 9/11, so it's probably not a true representation.

We stayed at Shades of Green and the Buick tournament was going on at the time...right at our resort! The golfers in our party loved it!

The crowds were light and weather perfect. I think our longest wait was less than 20 minutes for Alien. Other than that everything was walk-on or 5 min tops. AK had a bit of a crowd problem navigating along the paths and through the "lands," but ride waits were nothing...even on the Safari. Walked on to Dinosaur! and the bug attraction in the tree.

The Halloween Party at the MK was fun...not scary at all. Many characters out for photos and autographs. Kids loved staying up late and seeing the park at night.

The only real crowd trouble we had was at Fantasmic. We arrived about 20 min before the show and discovered the whole theatre was full. We had to squeeze in SRO way to the left of the stage. Next time we'll know to go earlier so we can get seats!

Hope that's helpful. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Kelley

 

[joats]

My DH and I went last year for our Honeymoon 10/14-10/25. I don't remember having to stand in any lines at all. The wait for all rides was minimal. If a ride line looked a bit long, we used a fast pass. No problems and great time of year to go. We are going again this October during the same time. Like others have posted I am unsure of how the Fairytale package will affect the crowds, but last year's crowd level was nothing...or was I just in Honeymoon land?