Disney World in October

[wad2k]

I am planning on visiting DW sometime between 10/15-10/30/11 to celebrate my kids 8th & 13th b-days. Has anyone been there during that time? I'd like to know what the crowds are like, park schedules and any other details you can provide during the 2 weeks before Halloween. My kids do not like the "scary stuff", so is it worth going then? Thanks!

 

[dmccarty]

Oct is a good time to visit because of Food and Wine at EPCOT. If you like food to eat that is.

Parks are not really crowded at all. I think the highest crowd ranking we had was a 4 or 5 with a few 2's and 3's. Very nice. Not at all like a Spring Break 9/10 crowd.

We paid extra for MNSSHP events on our first trip and have not done it since. The kids were too young, 4 and 7 to be up that late and it was not really worth it. We have looked at going again but the price has gone up since then and it is not worth it for us. Frankly, I would rather spend the money on a fireworks cruise.

The weather can be all over the place in Oct. We have been lucky in that the weather has usually be perfect. Not too hot and not too cold. Our first trip we had some high temps in the mid/upper 80s but low humidity so it was nice. One day the humidity kick up and it was not so nice. We have had only one raining/windy day and that was when we were going on a Fireworks cruise at EPCOT. The wind was so bad they were not running the bus boats. I thought our cruise, which was a big surprise, was going to get canceled but about 60 minutes before we got on the boat, the wind died. Perfect.

On the other hand a trip or two back it was COLD for a day or so. Not cold enough to wear our heavy winter coats but cold enough for sweat shirts and light jackets. It had been hot and humid before the front passed and Disney had to scramble to put out warmer clothes.

We really like Oct trips. Generally good weather. Lighter crowds both in WDW and on the trip down. F&W Festival.

Later,
Dan

 

[wdwscout]

Welcome to the DIS!

We love going in October, and will be going again this year.
We totally enjoy the Food & Wine Festival in Epcot's World Showcase.
And we very much enjoy Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. The tickets are expensive, but if you do not buy a park ticket for that day it works out OK. Instead, you can plan to use that morning and early afternoon to enjoy your resort's pool, do some shopping in Downtown Disney or explore other resorts. Then, with your party ticket, you can get into the Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm and stay until midnight.

You said your kids didn't enjoy the "scary stuff"- well you're in luck! That's why they call it the NOT SO SCARY Halloweeen Party- nothing scary at all. Stay away from Universal - that party is terrifying.

Crowds are fairly low, and the weather is usually warm but not too hot or cold. Of course you can never really predict the weather, but it's usually nice.
Halloween itself is much busier- and the MNSSHP usually sells out quickly for that night. Since Halloween is on a Monday this year, I would also expect that weekend right before to be pretty busy too.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Great time of the year to go!

 

[exwdwcm]

We are booked Oct 15-22 and can't wait- our first October visit. Planning on MNSSHP too and F&W. Our 3yo son managed to make it until 11:30 at the MVMCP the last two years, so I think he can stay up for MNSSHP---we just make sure he has a long, nice nap in the afternoon before we go!

 

[aprincesswannabe]

We love going to WDW in October! Be prepared for anything when it comes to weather, though. We usually go sometime near the end of the month; one year we were delayed because of Hurricane Wilma, twice we have had incredibly warm weather (2010 was record tying/setting high temperatures). Crowds have been generally light, and we LOVED food and wine last year (our first time to try it). MNSSHP is also fun with very few lines for rides, a great parade and very cool fireworks!

 

[bcvdreamer]

October was our favorite time to go before our oldest ds entered high school. Food and Wine, mnsshp and we always had great weather. Love WDW in Oct. We always managed to get cheap airfare too.

 

[dansyr2514]

Oct is now our fav time. We went last and will be returning the same week this Oct. We went 9/30-10/7 and only found crowds a food and wine on the weekends to be heavy. Nights are a little busier too. If you go early in the day, lines were basically non existent.

This yr we're going 9/30-10/8. That way we can do food and wine, halloween 5k, mnsshp and swan and dolphin classic.

Hope we're as lucky as last yr with the weather. It was absolutely gorgeous!

 

[FireDancer]

When I was living in Florida October was my favorite month. The weather is still nice and not too hot, the nights are more mild, hurricane season is pretty much over (though not technically), the kids are in school so tourist traffic is less, the snow birds aren't all down yet so that mess hasn't started, and at Disney you have food & wine.

Have fun.

 

[SoScary'09]

Um....you probably couldn't tell, but I like Disney in October too. Best time to be there!

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

We are crazy folks and will be there for 1 night just to go to the F&W Festival. Plan is to meet my mom down there Fri. morning (she's cruising the 16th - 20th), do Epcot that night and then Disney Quest for my nephew's 7th bday on Sat. with my bestfriend and her kids and then head home Sat. night. Crazy I know considering it's a 13 hr train ride.