Does Columbus Day Affect Crowds?

[Haley]

Does Columbus Day weekend in October effect crowds much? I think I've been at that time before but I can't remember

We are trying to determine when to go next year-- taking my mom and step dad, who hates crowds.

Is it worth avoiding that weekend, or not really a big deal (we've been in the summer/memorial day so are used to those crowds).

Thanks!

 

[autismmom1]

I think it definitely affected the MNSSHP the Thursday before Columbus Day last year. I kept hearing about how low the crowds were on a weekday, so I was looking forward to a leisurely paced party...I was in for a SHOCK! Packed, I tell you!

We left the next day, so I can't tell you with certainty it affected the regular park hours.

 

[ars0525]

I think they are busy. Not super crazy Spring Break type of busy, but it's growing. We went in '08 & '09 for that weekend & were told MK had record setting attendance (whatever that would be?). If you did RD, took advantage of EMH & had a plan, you could make it work ok (we commando tour). It was also fairly warm still. Like ice cream melting before you could eat it warm.

For 2010, we went the last week of October. Easier crowds. Still pretty warm a few days, but I can tolerate it better if not in a mass of people.

 

[Polydweller]

It does a bit, but it's not overwhelming. It's also Canadian Thanksgiving so more of us head down to F&W that week.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Yes, Columbus day does very much affect crowd levels. Been there the last dozen or so Columbus days and it's pretty crowded. Now we usually use that day to play golf or go fishing or just hang at our pool.

 

[jnfr2424]

This will be our second time going Columbus Day weekend - I was expecting it to be as busy as July4th or Christmas - Not At All! It was not that bad otherwise we would not be going again this year. We went to both MNSSHP on Thursday and Friday and found the Friday party not that bad.
With that being said F&WF was busy but like the PP stated not overwhelming. I do expect it to be busier this year due to Free Dining.

 

[funhouse8]

We will be there too! Whatever it is it is..We are in WDW! YAY

 

[loveysbydesign]

Anyone been to EPCOT on Columbus Day? We'll be there for our 1st park day, so I;m hoping it;s not too crazy!

 

[jfugina]

We've never been during Columbus Day or the weekend before. But DD's fall break starts on Columbus Day this year, so that's when we're going. When we first started planning the dining stuff 6 months ago, the crowd levels (according to Touring Plans) were crazy low for the whole week - 2s to 4s most days for the individual parks. And, the park hours were short. AK closed at 5 daily, and DHS was only open till 7 most nights. EMH night only went until 10pm.

However... Touring plans has updated the crowd levels for each park to numbers that are toward the higher end, and a recent glance at park hours has parks open much later than they were last time I checked. The week following the holiday is back down to the earlier closing times. This leads me to believe that the holiday will definitely have an impact - not just for the weekend but for the entire week to follow.

I'm not a fan of crowds, but we're looking forward to just being on property.

 

[Finally08]

Ah well if it's crowded we'll just roll with it. We'll be in the parks starting the Friday before Columbus Day, and then Columbus Day is our last park day (and doing the party again that night). Our kids don't get a holiday for that, but they are off the previous Friday (10/7) for a local fair we have. We decided with one free day, we could pull them out for another 2 days and not get stoned too badly.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would expect the park to be far busier the weekend of Columbus Day more than Columbus Day itself. People taking long weekends use Monday to travel home. Don't do the MK that Saturday. There are very few days without a MNSSHP and everyone tends to go on those days to see the night parade and Wishes. Being Columbus Day weekend makes it even worse.

 

[Pakey]

Touring Plans shows all parks pretty busy on Saturday with Epcot being the worst (the other 3 have similar crowd predictoins).

I was there Columbus weekend last year and everyone was complaining about how crowded it was. We followed Touring Plan's advice and didn't think it was horrible. I'd stay away from F&W Festival over that weekend though; the crowds were terrible last year on that Saturday and Sunday. We were staying at BC and thought we'd hop in for a bite or two but both days, the lines were terrible and we decided we'd wait until mid-week.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We have always went around Columbus day in October and I have found it too be fine.....Planning for 2012 too.....This is the first October I won't be there and it makes me sad....

I find Epcot is great during the day for F&W , but come evening OMG!! It is packed, but I think F&W is like this all the time...Lots of locals come out for the evenings and last year weather was spectacular!! Love October at Disney...

I say go and have fun...Just get too the parks early and use FP..Get what is important too you out of the way first so you can just relax and enjoy the rest of the day...

We have found the MNSSHP is much less busy than MVMCP in our experience no matter what night we go..So fun!

 

[joell51868]

We were there in 09 during the week of Columbus Day. I dont remember it being overly crowded. We did HS on Columbus day and were able to hit every ride. I do remember Epcot being more crowded during our stay due to F & W. But overall, I wouldnt say the crowds are bad.

 

[Ro Z]

Any holiday that kids have a day off from school will effect crowds. Parents take advantage of these days so the kids don't miss too many days of school. My DSis is doing just that this Oct! Her kids will only miss 2 days of school for their 6 day vacation!

 

[mackenziefaith]

We went to MK on Columbus Day two years ago. NEVER AGAIN. While I realize it probably wasn't as crowded as many other holidays, as someone that has gone 5 years in a row during including a few free dining weeks in the fall and Pop Warner week in December, it was by far the busiest we've experienced. We happened to be taking my in laws with us that year and they were miserable until later in the week when the crowds slowed down a bit. I would HIGHLY recommend the week following Columbus Day week though. That's hands down the best week we've gone so far. You get MNSSHP, Halloween decorations and beautiful weather with very low crowd levels.

 

[vinotinto]

We did Columbus Day week in 2009 and we just did Memorial Day weekend/first week of June. I think they were both about equally crowded, with Columbus Day weekend at Epcot being the busiest I've ever seen a park. I think the TP predictions for both of these were between 6-8 depending on the day of the week. Not 10's like Christmas, but not low or moderate crowds.