Current Crowds?

[marmermea]

I'm so confused. I read reports that the current crowds are worse than ever for October and then I read that they are light. This is our first October trip and we arriving on October 18. What are them most recent crowd reports, please?!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Epcot was busy but that is probably due to the Food and Wine Festival going on. AK wasn't that bad a week ago but a little busier than normal for October.

 

[Kay1]

We went over last weekend (Thursday through Saturday) and thought it was pretty crowded. Our schools have a long weekend every mid-October when lots of educational conferences are held. I usually won't go at this time because of crowds, but since DH and DS were in D.C., my younger son and I grabbed a last-minute room from Priceline and went over.

Thursday at MGM was not bad. Friday at Epcot was a little busy. We attended the AP sneak preview of the Nemo ride and were shocked by the long line. After lunch we visited the MK. We only rode Pirates which was very crowded and Stitch, which had a small line, then saw the parade - not crowded. Saturday, the AK seemed a madhouse to me. We'll just have to see what happens now schools are back in session.

 

[rstamm]

There is a different definition of crowded for everyone. Some people think 10 min. wait is crowded others think 60 min. is not crowded. I think if the major rides are 30 min. or less it is not crowded. I have been there at Christmas and Peter Pan is 120 min. and they close the park by lunch time, thats packed!
It is so hard to evaluate how crowded the parks are because of the different definitions.
If some report ride times first thing in the morning thats deceptive because their all walk ons or 5 min. The best judge is the afternoon thats when it seems to be the fullest.

 

[javaonline]

Hi...

I just came back from DW last Friday.

If you are an unofficial Guide reader, I think they define the crowds that we saw last week between 4-6 on their scale of 1-10.

The longest posted wait I saw for any ride from 10/6-10/13 was 60 minutes on Space Mountain. During peak levels of the day, average wait times were approx 40 minutes on average for headlining attractions.

The longest we ever waited in line for any attraction was 20 minutes.

If you use your fastpasses wisely and watch shows or ride less popular rides while you're waiting for more fastpasses, you'll rarely wait for anything.

 

[dreamalittledream]

My parents were there Sat/ Sun at Epcot and said crodws were heavy. I told them it was their own fault for going on the weekend. They had originally planned for next Thur/Fri but since they are expecting temps in the 90's then, they changed their plans. It was nice in the 80's this weekend. They rode Nemo and said they enjoyed it.

 

[The Mick]

I went to AK/MK on Saturday and Epcot on Sunday. Crowds were indeed heavy at EPCOT, and moderate-heavy at AK/MK.

Sunday afternoon at EPCOT in the WS was INSANE. Mostly due to the Beach Boys playing Eat To The Beat at the American Pavilion. I have literally never seen any part of EPCOT so swamped before. People were lining up for the Beach Boys show at 2pm....and the first show started at 5:45!! By the time the show started, the line stretched back out to the AFRICAN OUTPOST. I couldn't believe it. And while they were playing, you couldn't move through the the walkway...I've never seen it so insane there. The bottleneck was between the Hops & Barley Market and the food stands directly across from it (popcorn, preztel stand). Even with the crowd though, it was still a great time.

 

[marmermea]

Oh no, I am scheduled to go to AK on Saturday and Epcot on Sunday, just like your post. I might have to quickly rethink my schedule. Thanks for the info!

 

[The Mick]

Oh no, I am scheduled to go to AK on Saturday and Epcot on Sunday, just like your post. I might have to quickly rethink my schedule. Thanks for the info!

Well, check who's playing Eat To the Beat next Sunday when you go. The fact that the Beach Boys were playing is a big reason why World Showcase was so crazy yesterday.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

This will be our first October trip. We are planning to avoid Epcot altogether on weekends because of F&W. I have read too many posts here about how popular it is with locals. We'll hit Epcot on a Wednesday, and hope for the best with the other parks Fri-Sun.