How will Food and Wine change my Boardwalk experience?

[DanenRox]

We're September travelers historically, typically staying at the BW/BC area for the ease of park entry to HS and EPCOT. We deal with heat, love bugs, hurricane threat, good air/hotel rates and low crowds. We are considering changing up our old habits and heading to WDW in October 2014. Because we would still be staying at the BC or BW, I just wonder how much busier adjacent resort areas and parks will be? I have a picture in my mind that an easy evening September stroll though World Showcase will be a chaotic, crowded, overwhelming experience in October. I could be wrong. Am I?

 

[smcabee]

If you stroll during the week you will be ok. Weekends it will be much much more crowded.

 

[jambo5564]

Also be sure to get your reservation in asap.. boardwalk sells out quick in october.

 

[MinnieLee]

Staying at BWV/BCV makes it so convenient to just walk over and be right in WS so you might be spending a bit more money to try all the kiosks but that is not a bad thing!

This is our 17th F&W Halloween trip. As long as you stay away from F&W on the weekends (it is packed) you'll be fine. There are no love bugs, summer heat. Illiminations was cancelled one night last year due to the winds of Hurricane Sandy but no rain. If the crowds get too bad, just walk back and enjoy BW. No hassles with a bus. Overall, in the other parks, crowds are mangeable.

Both BCV and BWV book really quickly so do it as soon as you can.

 

[lorie13]

We went to F&W last October, first two weeks, staying at BCV, this year we were back mid Sept staying at BWV.

There is a difference in crowd levels. IMO it was about 25-30% busier at MK, HS, AK, at Epcot it was more like double. And the weekends at Epcot were crazy busy.

As for the resorts, to me they were the same with the amount of guest walking around.

 

[rowlands57]

EPCOT on the weekends is more hectic for sure during F&W. It has been worse over the years as more folks get in on the action. I will avoid it on weekends from here on out.

 

[n2mm]

We're September travelers historically, typically staying at the BW/BC area for the ease of park entry to HS and EPCOT. We deal with heat, love bugs, hurricane threat, good air/hotel rates and low crowds. We are considering changing up our old habits and heading to WDW in October 2014. Because we would still be staying at the BC or BW, I just wonder how much busier adjacent resort areas and parks will be? I have a picture in my mind that an easy evening September stroll though World Showcase will be a chaotic, crowded, overwhelming experience in October. I could be wrong. Am I?

I would guess that you own at BWV or BCV. If not getting into either at the 7 month window is frustrating and sometimes impossible. I bought my BWV contract with October in mind and have always had to book at the 11 month window. If you don't own at either, just have a back up plan. It really depends on what size unit you book too. BWV standard studios are generally gone the first day the 11 month window opens, but 1 bedrooms are easily to get, esp. pool view. BCV studios are tough to get. Actually my BFF has been waitlisted since the 7 month window and has only 3 weeks to go. Plus if you drive, you'll find parking extremely tight at both, Thursday thru Sunday, with extra guard staff stationed at the entrance of the parking lot in addition to the normal kiosk. We find the resort to be at capacity so if you don't like your room, there is little chance to change (been there). Other than that, and maybe a convention or two that we've run into in October, I love my BWV/October trips!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Ditto what everyone has said. But I will again reinforce the statement about booking at the 7 month window. Unless you own at either BW or BC it's really rough getting something. I own at the BW and waited too long one year and had to stay at SSR; which I do love and own at also. But staying that distance from Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival wasn't the same as being right there!

But this time of year is definitely my favorite.