Hey October Veterans! Can you help me answer some questions???

[hygienejean]

Hi everyone!

My family and I are heading back to WDW in October 2004! We are so excited. Of all weeks it will be Columbus day/week and I dread how busy it will be! We have to go that week b/c my sister is a teacher and she isn't able to take herself out of school for a whole week.

I have been in October before but it has been quite a while. My past experience has been great. the weather is wonderful and the crowds have never been too bad. Since reading guidebooks and reading posts here i think things have changed a bit. It seems last year was super busy due to the Fall deals that WDW put out.....What should I expect this year? Would you say attendence is moderate or mobbed? If you feel it is the latter, do you have any strategies i should employ? Should i still stick with the EE park? Avoid it? (we are staying onsite at the BWV's....)

What about MNSSHP? Has anyone gone to this and if so what did you think? We will have two 5 year olds, one 4yrs, and one 2yrs. Are these kids good ages? Will my 2 yr old DD be too sleepy? Which night is best? Sunday or Friday? Oh and when do these tickets go on sale?

Too many questions I know....I love to plan and it is never too early! thanks in advance for your help!

 

[winniedapooh]

For MNSSHP I would go with a stroller. It is so much fun, after going 2 years with just DH and I we are taking our 5 kids back this October. The weather is warm and can get sticky during the day. MNSSHP tickets went on sale last year some time in April. Watch the boards here and you will see! I have been on a Sunday and a Friday and the Friday one was much more crowded than our Sunday one. I think things in general have picked up at Disney in the last few years. EE days you can get a lot done but the park tends to get a bit more crowded as the day goes on. I would suggest going back for a nap and a swim if the parks are open late. Don't try to do commando style and you will have a better time. I am sure a lot of people here will offer you some great advice. Pixie dust to you!

 

[tinaluis]

We were there during the Columbus Day holiday last year and, although the parks were definitely more crowded than usual (we've been in October in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) they were nowhere near as crowded as President's Week. MNSSHP was a blast and we did it with kids aged 2, 5 and 7. Our 2 year old was tuckered out by the end of the night but she slept in her stroller and was fine. I'd recommend bringing your own stroller so you don't have to wake anyone at the end of the night. Also, I'd do the Sunday night party if you can. Fridays would definitely be more crowded. Have fun planning.

 

[Lora]

We'll also be at BWV that week!

I have never been to WDW during the most busy seasons, so I really don't know how my experience will help. The only "mobs" I've seen are for parades and fireworks at MK when they only have it one night during the week, or mid-afternoon when we walked through Fantasyland (yikes).

In 2002, we were there at that time for about 12 days. The busiest time was Columbus Day itself. Our plan almost always includes getting to the parks quite early and leaving as the crowds are coming in. We usually come back to the parks in the late afternoon and stay through one of the evening shows on alternating nights.

I could probably dig up my trip report from that week if you're interested. That may be more helpful than me trying to jog my memory.

Our plan for this year is to get away during the weekend and visit the least popular attractions on Columbus Day.

 

[hygienejean]

Wow thanks for the replies! We will be staying in one of the Grand Villas at BWV and we are sooooo excited. I can't believe we actually got one!

What night will you go to MNSSHP? If we choose the Sunday will it be crowded like a Friday b/c of Columbus Day the next day?

What is it like at night? Can you swim at night or is it too chilly?

Thanks again!

 

[TerriBelle]

We stayed in a BW Grand Villa in Oct 2001. It was wonderful! Our GV was a 2-story unit. We loved watching the fireworks from the balconies every night. Our kids then were - twin boys 3 almost 4 and DD 8.

We went to MNSSHP and had a great time. The kids dressed up as the Aristocats. The day of MNSSHP we did not go to a park, instead we hung around the BW and swam. We had dinner early and then went to the MK. That year they were letting people in early so we walked over to Fantasyland and got on most of the rides with no wait. If you did not have a ticket they were making you leave. This transition time was wonderful! We rode so many rides. Later in the night it was very crowded.

We thought the parks in Oct were more crowded then we expected. We went the year of 9/11 so we had heard it was empty. By Oct all the local people seemed to have returned. There were lots of Florida and neighbooring state visitors especially over the weekends. We also hit a long weekend for Florida school kids.

Happy to answer any questions!

 

[Shooby doo]

We didn't think the crowds were too bad but definately busier in the Columbus weekend,to give you an idea-the previous week you might expect to wait 20-30 mins by that weekend more like 50-60 mins but if you have ever been when it's 120-180 mins then this isn't bad!
We did MNSSHP on Sun 10/05 & would say that this was the busiest MK was on our whole trip but the waits weren't too bad probably because there are so many other things going on as well. We had a lazy day by the pool & then hit the party,I have seen posts where they have been in the park all day & done the party-to me that would just be too much!
The weather seems to be more predictable in Oct so you're less likely to lose days to bad weather,we've been washed out a couple of times in late Sept.
SD