halloween crowds...WDW/cruise

[SoleilLoca]

I'm curious to know the crowd levels at both wdw and on the cruise the week of Halloween. I'm sure there's a lot of kids, but is it tolerable? I want to go to MNSSHP the sunday we arrive (providing they're having it that night) with my fiancee (well, he'll be my DH then!) for his birthday, maybe..just wondering if the kiddie crowds will be worth the hassle for 2 kids at heart..

 

[WorknFires]

I think I'm following you! LOL

Do MNSSHP on the Sunday night. We did and it was great. Even if it's a little crowded initially it will thin out after the 1st parade.

I don't know if the end of last Oct was "normal" or not. I think everyone who didn't get to go in Sept due to 9/11 went in Oct. The crowds weren't bad but way more than I had expected after doing Sept the previous year. There were a fair amount of kids but they never bothered me until late at night on the bus going back to our resort. They were loud and obnoxious... oh wait those were the parents... the kids were just loud!

Like you, we followed up with the cruise. It was great. We had done the cruise the year before and seldom saw any kids at all (they love to stay with the yellow people) and last year we were traveling with my uncle and his family. Unless we went out of our way to see my 6 yr old cousin, we wouldn't have seen her at all. She too, was lost to the yellow people.

You'll have a great time. And congratulations in advance,
Cheryl

 

["Ginger"]

We did both last year and had a ball. The crowds at WDW were lite, except on the nights fo MNSSHP. Sold out everynight but as Workinfires stated the crowds did die down after the first parade.
We cruised on the Magic, it to was sold out. There was a very group of folks who were holding some kind of meetings, not sure. Anyway the ship seemed empty except for meals time and show times. There was 600 children sailing but we never saw them. Mickeys pool was empty, a rare site. The kids club kept our daughter so entertained that she never wanted to leave. As soon as she would see us coming in the doors she'd start yelling "I'm not ready to go, come back later, I'll page you".

It was a blast, we can't wait to do it again.

 

[Lavne]

We spent a week at WDW in 1998, flying in to Orlando on Halloween, and did the 3-day park/4-day cruise in 2000 starting 11/2. Both times the weather was terrific and crowds were minimal. In fact, in 2000, there were so few people at the parks that my DH and DSs were able to ride Test Track 3 times in a row, where I had been reading here on the boards that you were lucky if you could even get a fast pass! It was wonderful both times, and I would recommend this time of year to anyone!

Enjoy!

 

[abitjaded]

We were at WDW last year during late Oct. It was very strange (this was the week early entry went up in smoke and the parks started opening much later). The crowds were very light at MNNSHP and in all the parks in general. The year before, though, the crowds were still very light. If you want to see the Headless Horseman, line up early for the parade, other than that, it really is true that even if the crowds are heavy and sold out they thin after the first parade, kids are exhausted. It seems most of the groups attending are just one or two little kids and about six adults (you know, the first grandchild and all the aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents come along to 'pretend' they are doing it just for the kids) so really there is not an overabundance of kids. Why not get tickets for MNNSHP on another night then go to Pleasure Island on Oct 31 for a more adult party? Just be sure you are aware of the costume restrictions, no gory or offensive or overly done. Adults dress up mildly or not at all at MNSSHP. Plus it is a real pain to ride the rides if your costume is complicated.

Do not forget the other wonderful thing that goes on in this period (hopefully still this year), the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Check the official web site constantly or call group sales and get first crack (after the Florida dining group) at a wonderful wine dinner! Great way to extend Cruise pigging out.

Carla