Have you been to DW in October??

[V2000]

Hello!

We have our trip booked for October!

Has anyone been to Disney World in October? I am looking for tips during this month

How was the weather during your October experience? Day & Night.
What should I pack to accommodate October weather?

Are there any October events or activities that shouldn't be missed?
We are going to MNSSHP for the first time in MK. Any tips for that?

 

[Mikie]

Well, the smart Alec answer about the weather is "be prepared for everything!" It's less likely to have the summer phenomenon of daily afternoon rainstorms, it's hot enough to wear summer clothes and swim, but early morning and late evening *may* be cool (especially depending on your definition of "cool.). I'd say roughly plan on comfortable summer clothes, but look at the forecast at the last minute to make adjustments. It's Florida, so always pack something for rain.

You obviously know about MNSSHP already, and it will be the Food and ?Wine Festival at Epcot - which should involve you planning some time to go there if the events interest you, or staying FAR away if you,re not interested in those events (very crowded in World showcase evenings and weekends)

I absolutely love Octiber there - much cooler than summer, lower crowds than peak summer, but still enough people to warrant longish hours, two fantasmic showings some nights, etc.

If you're staying onsite, keep your eyes peeled for free dining or room only discounts, which are often offered at least parts of October. If something comes out, you can call to get the discount applied to your booking. Enjoy!

 

[grimley1968]

We usually go yearly in October, and have our next trip then as well. October crowds can vary greatly due to the first 2 weeks of October being Fall Breaks for many schools, as well as Columbus Day weekend, and then not nearly as much going on the last couple weeks of October.

The weather is still usually fairly hot during the day, though not as humid as during summer. Nights are still pretty warm, though it wouldn't hurt to bring a windbreaker in case of unusually cool weather at night. The weather greatly depends on which part of October you go. Swimming is still recommended during the day if possible. Keep in mind that it's still tropical weather season, so watch out for any tropical depressions, storms, etc. The chances aren't high you'll see one, but it pays to be prepared. Ponchos come in very handy if you get a tropical depression with rain but no wind.

MNSSHP is fun, but don't miss the Food & Wine Festival in EPCOT. It gets quite crowded on weekends, but if you can go during the week it's pretty nice.

 

[ktlm]

Yes, it is a wonderful time of the year to go. We have always gone the first half of October, and it is still very warm. It gets hot in the afternoons and is comfortable shorts weather morning and night. The highs are in the mid to upper 80s. If you are going at the very end of October, it can cool down a little by then.

Food and Wine at Epcot is a lot of fun. The decorations at MK are great. We love MNSSHP. Costumes aren't just for kids- a lot of adults dress up too, and it is a really fun party atmosphere. We love wandering around and seeing the adult costumes. There are adults who don't dress up, so you are good either way if you really don't want to dress up. The MNSSHP parade is fantastic. Be aware that the headless horseman rides 10 to 15 minutes ahead of the parade, so you don't want to miss that! If you like characters, there are special characters for the party, including characters in Halloween costumes. Jack and Sally have the longest line- their line is consistently over an hour. People line up for them well before the party so as not to miss party time standing in line for them for an hour or two- and at least last year, they were coming out early. We have seen them the last 2 years and have gotten in line for them an hour and a half before the party. We were not at the front of the line at that time- but were in a position that the wait after they came out was under 15 minutes (probably more like 10). Last year, they actually checked the line to make sure everyone had a wristband and then Jack and Sally came out almost an hour before party start. It was great! I hope they do that again this year. You can look at Kenny the Pirate's website, to see all the characters that were out for MNSSHP and get an idea of who might be out and who you want to see. The Haunted Mansion exterior is spectacular during MNSSHP. The lighting is great. There will also be a ghost on the front lawn- Carlotta or Renatta. Those ghosts can tell some great stories. Definitely worth stopping and listening too. You can also ask Carlotta how she came to be a resident of the Haunted Mansion and she will tell you a whole long tale. We love her!!! There are also magic shots in that area. Right in front of the HM is the ghost carriage and you can get a magic shot with that that will have the ghost driver. There will also be somewhere near the HM that they will be doing magic shots where you have the hitchhiking ghost with you. That spot seems to be in a different place every year, but once the parties start there should be reports of exactly where it is this year.

 

[dixiegirl]

Weather is still fairly warm - like 80s but have had an occasional 90 degree day over the years. I always bring one pair of pants and a sweatshirt or light jacket just in case. It's beautiful in October. As PP stated, the forecast just before leaving is your best asset.

Food and Wine Festival is awesome - just go on a weekday - much, much busier on weekends due to locals visiting.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Hello!

We have our trip booked for October!

Has anyone been to Disney World in October? I am looking for tips during this month

How was the weather during your October experience? Day & Night.
What should I pack to accommodate October weather?

Are there any October events or activities that shouldn't be missed?
We are going to MNSSHP for the first time in MK. Any tips for that?

I love October - in fact we are going this year in October! The weather is fantastic. Of course check the forecast before you go, but generally it's in the 80s and not nearly as humid as September. Great swimming weather. Last time I went the last week of October I didn't even need long pants or a jacket, but I wasn't overly hot either. I'm not saying don't pack a jacket & one pair of long pants, but you probably won't need them.

MNSSHP and Epcot's Food and Wine are the don't miss items for me in October. For the party, unless you want character meet and greets just enjoy the trick or treating and get some low line rides in! If you want front row viewing for the parade you'll need to stake out a space ahead of time and the second parade is always less crowded than the first. If you do want any of the rarer character meet and greets like the 7 dwarfs, be prepared and get in line 45 mins to 1 hour before they appear. We did 7 dwarfs last time we were there for MNSSHP and we got in line 45 minutes ahead and didn't wait much longer after that.

Enjoy!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We've been to WDW (multiple times) in every month except June.
October weather should be great.

The biggest downside of that month, IMO, is all the MK Halloween parties and limited park hours, plus some relatively high crowds at times. (F&W, for one) It slightly depends when in October.

F&W has some fun foods to try! F&W has some obvious drinking, and the conduct that comes with alcohol. (like foul language). It isn't horrible, just slightly different than what Epcot is like the rest of the year. Some booths get long lines, some are short. Depends a little when you try to go. Weekdays and afternoons are better bets for F&W.


For us, we found we like summer better. MK after dark is our favorite part of touring WDW!

 

[rtbreneman]

We are booked for this October 3-11. For our family, this is one of the best times, because the lines aren't as terrible as summer or Christmas, MNSSHP is fantastic, and the weather is manageable. We have done MNSSHP part before, and we usually take that day as our sleep in and pool day, then hit the party as early as possible for full evening's worth of activities. We also think October is a great time for park-hoppers as F&W is great in the evening after a day at AK or so.

 

[V2000]

We usually go yearly in October, and have our next trip then as well. October crowds can vary greatly due to the first 2 weeks of October being Fall Breaks for many schools, as well as Columbus Day weekend, and then not nearly as much going on the last couple weeks of October.

MNSSHP is fun, but don't miss the Food & Wine Festival in EPCOT. It gets quite crowded on weekends, but if you can go during the week it's pretty nice.

Cool! Thanks! We are going October 22nd. I am planning to do MK's MNSSHP on Thursday and going to Wine & Food Festival on Friday. I expect Friday may still be crowded but hopefully less than Sat & Sun.

 

[V2000]

Jack and Sally have the longest line- their line is consistently over an hour. People line up for them well before the party so as not to miss party time standing in line for them for an hour or two- and at least last year, they were coming out early. We have seen them the last 2 years and have gotten in line for them an hour and a half before the party. We were not at the front of the line at that time- but were in a position that the wait after they came out was under 15 minutes (probably more like 10). Last year, they actually checked the line to make sure everyone had a wristband and then Jack and Sally came out almost an hour before party start. It was great! I hope they do that again this year. You can look at Kenny the Pirate's website, to see all the characters that were out for MNSSHP and get an idea of who might be out and who you want to see. The Haunted Mansion exterior is spectacular during MNSSHP. The lighting is great. There will also be a ghost on the front lawn- Carlotta or Renatta. Those ghosts can tell some great stories. Definitely worth stopping and listening too. You can also ask Carlotta how she came to be a resident of the Haunted Mansion and she will tell you a whole long tale. We love her!!! There are also magic shots in that area.

Such great tips! Thank you! A must do for us is taking a picture with Jack and Sally. So you say line up 1 and a half hours before the party and your wait is less? 10-15 minutes depending on how early Jack and Sally come out for the party??

 

[V2000]

Weather is still fairly warm - like 80s but have had an occasional 90 degree day over the years. I always bring one pair of pants and a sweatshirt or light jacket just in case. It's beautiful in October. As PP stated, the forecast just before leaving is your best asset.

Food and Wine Festival is awesome - just go on a weekday - much, much busier on weekends due to locals visiting.

Is Friday okay as a weekday? LOL

 

[PSUGuy]

A few years back we switched from yearly WDW trips in early March to Oct for Food&Wine. The weather in Oct is consistently warmer and more predictable than first week in March which can have cool patches. Our Oct experience is that we'll have several days that are 90 or close to it, we've been lucky as to rain. Food&Wine is great with free concerts nightly Air Supply plays -10/19 – 10/21 and 38 Special - 10/10-10/11 this year. Avoid Columbus Day and the weekend prior if you can, other that those few days we find Oct to be less crowded than March. Also, no WS on Sat unless a sardine experience appeals to you.

Bill From Pa

 

[ktlm]

Such great tips! Thank you! A must do for us is taking a picture with Jack and Sally. So you say line up 1 and a half hours before the party and your wait is less? 10-15 minutes depending on how early Jack and Sally come out for the party??

Jack and Sally are a must do for us too. I'm a big Jack fan! I went back and found my old posts. Last fall we got in line right at 5:30 and were about 8 groups back. I remember that the line started really growing shortly after that- a ton of people got in line around 5:45. They came out right at 6:00 that night and we were done by 6:10 and wondering what to do with our extra time as we had planned on being in line for them until party start. I remember from posts last fall that they were pretty consistently coming out between 6:00 and 6:15. No guarantee they will do the same this year, but I think it worked pretty well for them. In 2013, we got in line at about 5:40 and there were definitely several more groups in front of us that year. That year they came out right at 7:00, and we were done by 7:20. So, I would say if they are a priority, it is definitely a good idea to get in line for them by 5:30. The party night goes by really fast and you would miss a lot of fun if you spent 1 to 2 hours of party time in line for them.

One other tip is to get a picture in the middle of town square in the spot where you have pumpkins on either side of you with the castle in the background- it makes for a great pic!

 

[Dawn68PA]

IMO October is one of the best months to go to WDW! The weather is just lovely. Not too hot, not too cool. Crowds are decently low. Clothing for us was shorts in the day and pants at night. Didn't need a sweatshirt or anything that heavy though. You'll love it!

I have no advice for MNSSHP as we've never attended...

 

[grimley1968]

Cool! Thanks! We are going October 22nd. I am planning to do MK's MNSSHP on Thursday and going to Wine & Food Festival on Friday. I expect Friday may still be crowded but hopefully less than Sat & Sun.

Friday night can be packed at F&W, at least in the World Showcase half of EPCOT. I'd consider swapping MNSSHP to Friday night and doing F&W on Thursday.

 

[ktlm]

If you want to do F&W on Friday, I would suggest doing it starting when WS opens for lunch and afternoon snacking and drinking. Then in the evening when it gets packed, you can do a nice TS ADR, or move over to Future World. We did that and it worked well. F&W is far more crowded in the evening.

 

[dixiegirl]

Is Friday okay as a weekday? LOL

If you want to do F&W on Friday, I would suggest doing it starting when WS opens for lunch and afternoon snacking and drinking. Then in the evening when it gets packed, you can do a nice TS ADR, or move over to Future World. We did that and it worked well. F&W is far more crowded in the evening.

I agree with ktlm - if you want to do Friday, go when it opens for lunch and then get outta there before the after work crowd hits and you'll be fine.

 

[V2000]

Jack and Sally are a must do for us too. I'm a big Jack fan! I went back and found my old posts. Last fall we got in line right at 5:30 and were about 8 groups back. I remember that the line started really growing shortly after that- a ton of people got in line around 5:45. They came out right at 6:00 that night and we were done by 6:10 and wondering what to do with our extra time as we had planned on being in line for them until party start. I remember from posts last fall that they were pretty consistently coming out between 6:00 and 6:15. No guarantee they will do the same this year, but I think it worked pretty well for them. In 2013, we got in line at about 5:40 and there were definitely several more groups in front of us that year. That year they came out right at 7:00, and we were done by 7:20. So, I would say if they are a priority, it is definitely a good idea to get in line for them by 5:30. The party night goes by really fast and you would miss a lot of fun if you spent 1 to 2 hours of party time in line for them.

One other tip is to get a picture in the middle of town square in the spot where you have pumpkins on either side of you with the castle in the background- it makes for a great pic!

Awesome, awesome tips! Thank you!!

 

[staceyrhood]

Cool! Thanks! We are going October 22nd. I am planning to do MK's MNSSHP on Thursday and going to Wine & Food Festival on Friday. I expect Friday may still be crowded but hopefully less than Sat & Sun.

Just a heads up...our locals schools here by Disney have our fall break the 23-26, that Friday-Monday will be extra busy.

 

[ekendall2]

We are going to try october for the first time as well! Going 10/10-10/16.

How are Columbus Day Crowds...i imagine we will want to stay clear of Epcot on that day because of F&W, but any other pointers would be more than helpful. Also going to do MNSSHP at some point.