Experienced October DISers please help1

[debrapagliasotti]

We are going this next year for our first Oct trip to enjoy MNSSHP and F&W

How do the F&W crowds compare on a Thurs as opposed to a Friday? Trying to figure out which direction we want to go?

 

[Missyrose]

Late October will be the better of your two choices OP. Yes, October has gotten more crowded with each passing year (October '12 will be our third October in a row).

We went October 30-November 5 in 2010 and the crowds were amazing. We went in mid-October this year and it was more crowded but not unbearable. We're scheduled to go Oct. 6-12, 2012 so we can get the trip in before our APs expire on Oct. 13 and we're expecting it to be very, very busy the first weekend and then taper off on Columbus Day itself.

One thing to remember about the first week of October this year, though, is that the 40th anniversary for MK was October 1st. So that brought in a ton of people for that day at the park and the MNSSHP surrounding that date.

But the weather is usually beautiful in October and will make up for any crowds you may encounter. As with any time of year, plan to be at the parks early. Go back to your hotel for a swim/nap midday and return to the parks in the late-afternoon, early evening.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Now granted this is coming from someone who had only been during April and June previously, but October was awesome for us. We went on fall break during Columbus week and during our Halloween party many rides were walk ons. My dd and I were watching the parade while dh and my two ds's were riding Splash Mountain..when they came back dh said they told them they could just keep riding if they had wanted to!

 

[HsvTeacher]

I would pick October 26-November 3!

We went during the last week of September/first week of October in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The crowds are definitely growing, especially with the addition of the marathon weekends. (2012 is going back to the Tower of Terror 10K, so maybe it will be better this year.) Many schools also have Fall Break during the first or second week of October.

In 2010, there were several nights at MK that were shoulder to shoulder people. And, of course, your chances of cooler weather get better as the weeks go on. There have been years when it was miserably HOT!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

When do you think crowds start to pick up for Columbus Day? Right now we are planning to go Sept 27 - Oct 6 and I am a little concerned about the crowds. We also thought about going Oct 11 - 20, but are hoping to get in on any free dining offer. Now I've been having second thoughts about our days.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

When do you think crowds start to pick up for Columbus Day? Right now we are planning to go Sept 27 - Oct 6 and I am a little concerned about the crowds. We also thought about going Oct 11 - 20, but are hoping to get in on any free dining offer. Now I've been having second thoughts about our days.

We've been heading down in October since 2003 and this past October we were down from the 5th to the 16th; Out of the two choices, if I were you, I'd pick the September 27th to October 6th. The week of Columbus day is always busier.

 

[DeaverTex]

You guys are scaring me.

Mrs. Tex and I are looking at going to WDW in early October 2012, in conjunction with a nursing conference she's attending later in the week in Orlando. We would be arriving on Oct 6, staying on-site, with three park days (7,8,9) and no MNSSHP. Is Columbus day going to wreck this? It would be our first ever trip to anything Disney other than the Disney Store at the mall, and our first experience being a madhouse could easily turn it into our last experience.

 

[chimo2u]

I've been Jan 15-23, 2008 first trip over MLK weekend
Sept 1-12, 2009 Second trip over labour day
Feb 5- 11, 2011 mom and son trip with 3 days universal

NOW planning and booked for our first October trip Sept 29- Oct 7, 2012 ..... I was very much looking forward to trying my first F&W and first MNSSHP....along with the whole Halloween/ Oct vibe.

Now I am slightly worried....but trying to stay optimistic...when do you actually consider "Columbus day week" ? If Columbus day falls on October 8 this yr....is the week leading up to it considered the week of? Ie) Oct 1-7
Or the week including the date and after? Ie) Oct 8-15.... I really enjoyed my Sept trip, albeit it was a tad hotter than I would like! But crowds where great....and my Jan trip was beautiful weather, low crowds and even MLK weekend was ok....Feb was fine, but I enjoyed Jan better

I am hoping that I have not made a bad decision with picking the first week of Oct. I am locked into this time now, as airfare is half booked and leave at work is all booked and approved.....I guess we have to go make the Best of it now! I am glad my Universal portion of my trip is at the end leading into Columbus Day weekend ( Oct 4-7) as I can see those express passes being worth their weight in gold!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I've been Jan 15-23, 2008 first trip over MLK weekend
Sept 1-12, 2009 Second trip over labour day
Feb 5- 11, 2011 mom and son trip with 3 days universal

NOW planning and booked for our first October trip Sept 29- Oct 7, 2012 ..... I was very much looking forward to trying my first F&W and first MNSSHP....along with the whole Halloween/ Oct vibe.

Now I am slightly worried....but trying to stay optimistic...when do you actually consider "Columbus day week" ? If Columbus day falls on October 8 this yr....is the week leading up to it considered the week of? Ie) Oct 1-7
Or the week including the date and after? Ie) Oct 8-15.... I really enjoyed my Sept trip, albeit it was a tad hotter than I would like! But crowds where great....and my Jan trip was beautiful weather, low crowds and even MLK weekend was ok....Feb was fine, but I enjoyed Jan better

I am hoping that I have not made a bad decision with picking the first week of Oct. I am locked into this time now, as airfare is half booked and leave at work is all booked and approved.....I guess we have to go make the Best of it now! I am glad my Universal portion of my trip is at the end leading into Columbus Day weekend ( Oct 4-7) as I can see those express passes being worth their weight in gold!

I was talking about October 7th to 15th for 2012 ... usually on the weekend things start picking up and on Columbus Day (October 8th) the parks are very busy with everyone being off. Yes it's not a big holiday but that week still attracts higher crowds than the rest of the fall.

 

[chimo2u]

I was talking about October 7th to 15th for 2012 ... usually on the weekend things start picking up and on Columbus Day (October 8th) the parks are very busy with everyone being off. Yes it's not a big holiday but that week still attracts higher crowds than the rest of the fall.

Ah, I see I guess maybe I'll be ok, as I will be there the week before, and by Sunday, Oct 7, we will be on the airplane headed home ....not that I like my trip coming to an end, but it looks like we may make it out by the time the larger crowds come

 

[nkereina]

We were there early October this year. I realize the MK's 40th anniversary was the first weekend of October this year, but I think the start of F&W and the F&W half marathon, which is always the first weekend of F&W, had a large impact on crowds. It was noticeably crowded. I'd probably go end of October, since the novelty of F&W is probably wearing off, at least to locals, by then. Would you go to MNSSHP? If so, buy your tickets in advance. Parties in late October sell out. We went to a sold out party and found our wait times to be longer during the party than regular hours, so I personally wouldn't go to a party that runs the risk of selling out like the ones in late October do.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We were there early October this year. I realize the MK's 40th anniversary was the first weekend of October this year, but I think the start of F&W and the F&W half marathon, which is always the first weekend of F&W, had a large impact on crowds. It was noticeably crowded. I'd probably go end of October, since the novelty of F&W is probably wearing off, at least to locals, by then. Would you go to MNSSHP? If so, buy your tickets in advance. Parties in late October sell out. We went to a sold out party and found our wait times to be longer during the party than regular hours, so I personally wouldn't go to a party that runs the risk of selling out like the ones in late October do.

They moved the Wine and Dine half marathon back this year and are adding a Tower of Terror 10k. I'm not sure how that will affect crowds. We never buy our MNSSHP more than a 3 or 4 days ahead of time. We don't want to take a chance with the weather. We figure if the party sells out we probably aren't going to enjoy it that much anyway.