How crowded are parks during Columbus Day weekend in mid-Oct?

[SueSue]

We have always gone to WDW in July, but are thinking of planning a trip in Oct. We'd probably arrive the Thur. before Columbus Day (Oct.13) and stay until Tue., the day after.

Can anyone tell me how crowds have been the last couple Octobers? Also what kind of weather can we expect?

Thanks! SueSue

 

[anne60]

Hi SueSue-

My daughter and were there this year, Thursday b4 to Tuesday after columbus day. It was unseasonably hot, but not as bad as I am sure it gets in the summer. It was warm enough to swim and sit by the pool in the evening and not have to wrap up! I remember thinking it was hot while we were in the parks a couple of the days, but it was never so hot that we said, "let's get out of here". There were showers a couple of the days. One started about a half hour before Fantasmic and lasted until we left MGM. That was a little hairy with everyone standing waiting for the busses and thunder and lightning all around us! The other was in the middle of the day, we were at Magic Kingdom, and I think it lasted a little over an hour. As far as crowds...it was not as crowded as Easter or President's day, but more crowded than when we went over Veteran's day the year before. Of course, our Veteran's day trip was the year of 9/11, so I am sure that was why it was so uncrowded. I use the "get there early, do all the big rides, and use Fastpass the rest of the day" method of touring and we had no problem with long waits. We stayed at All Star Music, and the bus transportation overall was good. One morning we waited a long time for an Animal Kingdom bus, but we still got there just after the park opened, so we really did not lose any time. We also waited a little longer than normal in the rain at MGM, but that was due to the cancellation of Fantasmic, and the whole park bailing at once! We did the MNSSHP, and that was fun. It is also nice to see MK all decorated for Halloween! Overall, I thought this was great time of year to go, especially if you do not want to miss too much school/work.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It was busy -- but not terrible. We loved MNSSHP.
DH ran the WDW Classic race that Sunday.
Columbus Day weekend did bring in extra people. But I don't recall anything not manageable.
We just lucked out on the rain. When it started, we were going into Boma's. When we left Boma's, it had stopped! But it was pouring buckets inbetween.

 

[SueSue]

Thank you for your responses! I have one question that I hope someone can answer. If you have gone both Columbus DAy weekend in October and during the summer (June, July, August), which time is busier?

I appreciate all your help! SueSue