How crowded will the parks be on Halloween week?

[katie111]

We are planning a last minute trip for either October 28th-Nov 4th or November 11-18th. My husband is leaning towards Halloween week but I'm afriad the parks will be really crowded. Also, how scary is the Halloween decorating for 3 & 4 year olds? Is the Not to Scary Halloween Party too scary for them at that age?

Thanks!

 

[madelinesmum]

We are going Oct 28th through Nov 24th and researched it heavily before deciding to go. Here's what I've learned through the boards and through friends and family as well as research on historic park attendance.
The crowd levels are a 4-6 at the end of October and a 5-6 range for the first week in November. We were there in December, where the crowd levels were 10 the entire week so any step down for us is slow.
We were there last May 05, first part of the month, and the levels were 5-6 and I considered that really easy and comfortable with little or no wait on most rides.
I hope my advice helps!
Hope to see you there!
Tomorrow I'm hitting the single digits and can't wait!

 

[FigNewton]

We are going Oct 28th through Nov 24th

Are you seriously going for a month or is that a typo?

 

[lynninpa]

We are going Oct 28th through Nov 24th and researched it heavily before deciding to go. Here's what I've learned through the boards and through friends and family as well as research on historic park attendance.
The crowd levels are a 4-6 at the end of October and a 5-6 range for the first week in November. We were there in December, where the crowd levels were 10 the entire week so any step down for us is slow.
We were there last May 05, first part of the month, and the levels were 5-6 and I considered that really easy and comfortable with little or no wait on most rides.
I hope my advice helps!
Hope to see you there!
Tomorrow I'm hitting the single digits and can't wait!

Sorry to be off topic, but I have to ask, madelinesmum-Are you really going to Disney from October 28 to November 24?! WOW! Or was that a typo?!

 

[devalsam]

Are you seriously going for a month or is that a typo?

I'm guessing she meant October 28 - November 4. Those are our travel dates too!!

 

[princesscj]

That is our dates as well, the week only. How lucky would that be though to be there a month??

 

[eblack0409]

The Halloween decorations are NOT scary at all...very kid friendly! I thought the decorations were absolutely adorable!

All the kids I saw absolutely loved the Halloween party!

 

[Tigger714]

October 17 thru Nov 5 are our travel dates and we have done this week every other visit. I have always felt that the crowds are really low this week and I do notice a difference going into the following week. IMO the last week of October is the better choice. Good Luck!

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Any more crowd reports?

 

[madelinesmum]

FIG NEWTON unfortunately, it was a typo. I'm not lucky enough to be there a month. I guess you guys thought I was gung ho all they way? LOL!

 

[KimWDW]

They both look like good weeks according to the crowd blog.
4's and 5's for Halloween week.
4's through 6's for that November week, except the weekend 11/11-11/12 is Super Soap at MGM so I would avoid MGM those two days.

Have fun!

 

[cybrkitn]

FYI: October 20th and 31st for MNSSHP is already sold out. Don't think any of the other dates are though.

Which ever dates you decide to do make sure you have lots of fun! My DH heads down on Saturday and DS4 and I follow next Wednesday.

 

[STEPHILL]

I'm going 10-28 through 11-4, too. Very last minute trip. DD's teacher wasn't thrilled about her missing four days of school. We usually go during Mardi Gras week, but next year it falls during President's Week. So, we hope it isn't too crowded either. We'll be at MNSSHP on 10/30.

 

[NC State]

I'm also in the Oct 28-Nov 4 club. I can't wait, just 10 more days.

 

[LoraJ]

We're October 28th - Nov 2nd.


ETA:
Funny how some of our tickers say 9 days and the others say 10.

 

[chipndales]

We just got back on October 2nd from almost two weeks. It wasn't crowded at all, ride lines were almost non-existent. My daughter is older, 9, and she found the whole experience delightful. We saw a lot of 3-4 year olds there, and I'm a nursery school teacher. I saw nothing there that was terribly frightening as far as decorations. The Villians might scare them slightly, but that's easily avoidable as they're in the parade and a performance at the castle, though the parade has a fantastic finale for kids with Goofy and a bubble machine, and a ton of Disney workers handing out fistfuls of candy for them. It was an amazing time.

 

[theostwalts]

We went Halloween Week last year and had a great time. It did not seem too crowded, only used Fastpass a couple of times. The average stand by line was 20-30 min. Our dds were 6, 9, and 14 at the time and they loved MNSSHP. It was not scary at all.

 

[Lila95]

I'm also in the Oct 28-Nov 4 club. I can't wait, just 10 more days.

Add us to the club We are leaving in a week to spend a few days in Orlando to do Sea World, etc. then check in at POFQ on the 28th. I am SO excited.

We have gone during this same week before and the crowds were very managable. The Halloween party isn't scary at all, except for maybe the headless horseman. On our last trip the kids in our group were 1, 3, 5, and 7 and they loved the party. It's great for all ages. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Glorydaz]

we'll be there Oct 29 - Nov 3 - can't wait!! we'll be at SSR and attending the party on 10/31...last year we spent Halloween at Universal and it was fantastic! looking forward to spending this one "home"

Michelle

 

[hrt2hrtmomdeb]

Katie111,

We go every year from the last week in october to the monday before thanksgiving. The crowds are usually very managable during most of this time. It was quite crowded in the end of october last year but that was due to Hurricane Wilma and tons of floridians hanging at WDW while their neighborhoods returned to normal.

The only time that I've experienced an increase in crowds is during Super soap weekend which this year is 11/10 - 11/12 I believe. MGM has events with some of the stars from ABC soaps and it draws a big crowd. THis weekend also has the festival of the masters which is more or less an outdoor art show at downtown disney. Then last but not least it is also the last weekend of the Food & wine festival at EPCOT. So it may be a bit more crowded than if you go down on Oct 28th.

As far as MNSSHP it's great for kids and adults alike!!! Last year some of the kids were afraid of the headless horseman but he goes by pretty quickly! We'll be down from October 27th to November 20th. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time no matter when you go!!!

SORRY FOR WRITING A BOOK!!!