End of Oct or 1st of Dec?

[maciec]

Right now we have ressies at Grande Vista (free b/c it's my parents time-share) for the first week in December. We have been before at this time and we love the decorations and the light crowds.

However, I am seriously considering changing our travel dates to October 23 - 30. My 4 year old little girl would just love trick-or-treating at MK during MNSSHP. Plus I wouldn't mind going back for the Food and Wine Festival.

The last time that we went to WDW in October the crowds were great but that was in 1999. I seem to be getting the consensus that crowd size has increased. How much is my concern. I really like going to the parks and not having to wait more than 20 minutes for a ride. I think that was the longest time we waited and it was for Test Track.

It will be myself, dh, dd (4), ds (13 mo), my mom (60), and my dad (62).

We have been to WDW enough to know what we want to do and what we don't. We are planning on going to a water park this trip and going miniature golfing as well. Other than that, we will be just doing the main parks. Also, although we will be staying off-site we aren't planning on going to Universal or Sea World.

So my questions are:

1) Is there that much of a crowd difference between the last week in October and the 1st week in December?

2) Is my 4yoa really going to like going to MNSSHP? Are there going to be things for her to do or is this a waste of money?

3) People talked about there being a press event this year during the end of October.....does this happen every year at the same time?

4) Also, due to the FTP and Press Event do you think this past October high attendace rates were a fluke?


Thanks for your help!

Melissa

(ps) I also posted this on the Attractions boards, but I haven't gotten any responses so I posted it here also.

 

[nigel-bigel]

Hi Mellissa-

We were there last year over Halloween. The parks at the end of October are more crowded than December (maybe half again as many people?) but still very acceptable. Just like you, I only remember a significant wait for Test Track.

We went to MNSSHP on Halloween night, and had a great time! However, we would never do it again on Halloween, it was way too crowded! I remember CMs relling us that the closer it got to Halloween, the more crowded it got. If we were there a week before, it would have been much more comfortable.

One thing I didn't understand was how people would wait in line for 5 minutes to get candy (from a CM). They just paid a ton of money to be there, to wait in line for a 10 cent candy that they could buy at the gas station? We skipped all the candy stations, and at the end of the night we were able to just walk up and get the girls candy. There wasn't even a wait to trick-or-treat from the Characters.

However, my personal vote would be for early December. I love the mild weather, the sparse crowds, and the gorgeous decorations. Plus, you can always do MVMCP - that is a fun one, too!

 

[aesalsa]

maciec--

We've gone both times, and early Dec. wins HANDS DOWN!!! It's very magical--Holiday decorations are up, Christmas music everywhere. The weather is great and cowds are basically non-existent (except for Sat. at MK). Dh and I honeymooned @ WDW 12/1/02--12/13/02. Crowds are a big factor in deciding on when to go. We've now decided that this is the only time we will go to WDW--unless someone gave us a free trip ! Some attractions may be down for rehab (Swiss Fam. TH was the only attraction that was down), but BTMRR was down when we went in Oct. this year. The rates are usually better in early Dec., too.

Oct. had WAY more crowds than in Dec. Don't know much about MNSSHP, but I hear that it's always pretty crowded. DH and considered doing this ourselves (kids at heart), but couldn't justify the extra $$. I THINK the press event may have been related to the opening of Mission:Space. Have a ton of fun whenever you go!!

 

[The Duchess]

We've done Halloween week our last 3 trips (including our Honeymoon) and just booked Halloween 2004.
On our last trip in 2002, I didn't think the crowds were bad at all, and we did MNSSHP on Halloween night. There were no lines for rides and the Parade crowds weren't bad either.

 

[Grumpy37]

We've did the first MNSSHP and the first MVMCP this year, both were worthwhile IMO. The MNSSHP was probably more fun for DS5, DW like MVMCP even though it was pretty crowded for the first one (on a weekend).

 

[DemoBri1]

I'd have to put my vote in for early December as well. The decorations are up, the crowds are thinned out and the weather is more cooperative even if it might be a tad cooler (translated mid-70 degree highs).

Also, October is still within range of hurricane season. Now mind you a hurricane may not wreak as much havoc in the Orlando area, but it can bring gobs of rain and wind.

I just returned from a Dec 1-9 stay and enjoyed it thoroughly. We were able to swim on 3 days, and only had rain for a short period of time on one evening. The rest of the days were beautiful.

You can expect more crowds down there at the end of October, and also remember that this year the PGA event was at the end of October. This increases the size of the crowds especially at MK, so you might want to check when the PGA is scheduling their event.

Brian

 

[blondepixieduster25]

I loved it in december 2002. we went the day after thanksgiving. But we had a really bad experiance with the MVMCP it was horrible. I had heard such great things about it. So this year we are going to go in october I figure we will try something new and my 5 year old loves halloween. My advise would be to try something new especially if your daughter likes halloween. Decemeber is unpredictable when it comes to swimming weather that is what made up our minds I want an afternoon to hang by the pool.

Tracy

 

[maciec]

Well call me crazy, but we decided to switch to the last week in October. I'll fight the crowds just to give my dd the opportunity to Trick or Treat at MK. It'll be worth it. Plus for me there is the Food and Wine Festival and my dad wants to go to the last day of the Funai Tournament. I think it will be a good thing.

Also, the search function finally came up and I think that it's almost a 50/50 split as to which people like better.....December winning slightly.

Anyway, now the big decision will be whether to fly or drive from Maryland.

Thanks for all of your input! No I have to go and change my Countdown.

Melissa

 

[blondepixieduster25]

I HAVE TO GET A COUNTER UP!! We drove down in 2002 im afraid to fly, I've never flown we got there in 15 1/2 from southern New Jersey. You live in one of my favorite vacation spots Oc Maryland!! I honeymooned there.

I really liked the drive I had never seen a cotton field before lol.


Tracy

 

[JRoglitz]

We live in Salisbury, Maryland...your neighbors. We went with my DD (3) and went to MNSSHP and loved it. We are planning on going back this year the week of Halloween. We went to the party on a Tuesday night and it was perfect. NO crowds at all!! I wouldn't suggest going on Halloween night or a weekend. I've heard they are really bad. I think they might have other trick-or-treating on Halloween night at the Boardwalk or Downtown Disney. Good luck with planning!

 

[maciec]

WOW! It's hard to find someone on these boards that is from your same home town....well 20 minutes apart. Let alone someone who came here on their honeymoon!

I can't wait to get away from this place! Although there is a Chuckie Cheese coming to the mall I might be tempted to vacation in Salisbury...........NOT!!!!!!

 

[JRoglitz]

Well we actually went to Cancun on our honeymoon. We don't get to OC too often. It's funny because people think since we live so close we go ALL THE TIME. The Chuckee Cheese is going to be great! Salisbury is really getting on the map.

 

[blondepixieduster25]

I know lol . We live only 40 minutes from the jersey beaches Oc Wildwood, etc and we make it there maybe once a year. So I understand. It's not vacation to me if im only 45 minutes from the house I guess.