Is it really crowded if we go Columbus Day week?

[PaulaMurf]

I am trying to decide when to go - DH agreed we could go again either October or November -

SO - i am thinking Columbus day week (probably the 4th - the 11th)

Is that weekend really crowded?? Would I be better to go over Vetrans Day in November??

TIA
Paula in CT

 

[barrie]

I went on Columbus Day once and will never do it again. It was extremely crowded. Barrie

 

[offkilterfan]

We were there last year and it was quite crowded, especially MK. Many schools have their fall breaks around Columbus Day.

 

[DSTPDISNEY]

the school breaks are they the days before columbus day or after? and for how long a long weekend or a week, going Oct 2-8 and was hoping to avoid crowds of any huge size when in 2005 mid march and it was CRAZY...

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

DH and I celebrated our 18th Anniversary there last October during that week and the crowds were mostly found at the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. BUT, we found that it is definitely more crowded at Easter time than Columbus Day. The weather was humid with on/off showers, but we had a really great time!

If you go, you should get tickets for MNSSHP.

 

[gigi1313]

oct 4th is yom kippur, a jewish holiday, that gives a lot of schools (predominently in the northeast i believe) a three day weekend... we are heading down because we can combine the long weekend with free dining... so, why not?!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

My school calendar says Yom Kippur is Oct 2 this year. I am not Jewish so I don't know if that is a mistake or not.

I am going Columbus Day week. I hope it's not too bad. We are hoping more people are at F&W...we're staying at VWL. I didn't have any trouble making a few ADRs, just on Monday. But I didn't make the ADRs for Epcot restaurants.

 

[discraz]

We went Oct 2003 Fri-Tues. Fri was great but only because we went to MNSSH for the evening.
Sat was ok expect MK that night was bad. We were fortunate that night because just after the fireworks(shoulder to shoulder on Main Street) a heavy downpour came clearing a larger number of people out. Then they announced they were canceling the parade, so there went all the parent with young kids. We put our ponchos on and stopped our way through the puddles. The rain was a god send for all of us that don't mind wet soggy shoes. I don't think we would have been able to ride many rides if the rains hadn't come.
Sun, We went to MGM. I remember it being crowded but not that bad. With fastpass were able to ride most of the rides.
Mon, We went to AK (early entry day). Morning was crowded but not horrible until about noon. Then it was hard to get around all the people. We left and didn't get to do all the stuff we wanted to do.
Tues, Went to Epot early when the park opened. We were only planning on staying to 1:00 because we were to go home that afternoon. We headed straight for test track and were able to ride two times in a row and then again later with a fastpass. The park didn't feel crowded but by 10:00 it was a 20-40 wait on most of the popular rides. We didn't make it back into the world showcase because we had to go.
If you plan on going over Columbus weekend, try to bump your schedule for the later part of the previous week or arrive on Mon and stay the days after.

 

[DSTPDISNEY]

okay so let me see if I get this right. I checked the calendar and it says Yom Kipper is October 2nd, so do you think the school break is that whole week? or is it just a one day off from school. I guess what I am trying to figure out to anyone who might know is what week will schools be on break Oct 2nd or the week following the actual Columbus Holiday Oct 9th. I am stressing a bit wanting this trip to be better than our last...

 

[ms.ojo]

okay so let me see if I get this right. I checked the calendar and it says Yom Kipper is October 2nd, so do you think the school break is that whole week? or is it just a one day off from school. I guess what I am trying to figure out to anyone who might know is what week will schools be on break Oct 2nd or the week following the actual Columbus Holiday Oct 9th. I am stressing a bit wanting this trip to be better than our last...

Chiming in from NE here.... they don't close the schools for the week. But some, do close for the Jewish holidays, which means if parents took that week, their children would only be missing a couple of days of school versus 5 and they gain the Monday for Columbus Day as well. So...Disney would probably be most crowded 10/2-the weekend would be my guess. Also b/c a lot of people booked the free dining and are starting their trip 9/30 and going to Columbus Day weekend. If you went the week after, I'm sure you'd find lesser crowds.

That being said, we went this time in 2003 and had no problems in the parks. Also did MNSSHP on the Fri night of Columbus Day weekend as it was the only one that fit our schedule and that was no problem either. Had a great time.

 

[shellbelle]

We were there last year from Oct 4 - 10. It was more crowded than I expected. However, did NOT even compare to the trips we've taken in June! Some FastPass machines weren't even open because the lines weren't long enough. I wouldn't worry about the crowds. Just make a good plan and enjoy!

 

[debelfish]

I was there the week of Columbus Day last year and I was surprised that it was so crowded. I chose October because it is supposed to be low crowds however, we didn't see any. We were at MK on Columbus day and it was packed!! It may have been due to EMH at MK that day and the day before and after were MNSSHP. That forced people who didn't do MNSSHP to MK on Monday.
We only did MK and AK for 4 days but I definitely wouldn't say that it wasn't crowded, we utilized FP which helped. This year we are trying the week before Thanksgiving. Probably won't be any better!
Elizabeth

 

[DSTPDISNEY]

We were there last year from Oct 4 - 10. It was more crowded than I expected. However, did NOT even compare to the trips we've taken in June! Some FastPass machines weren't even open because the lines weren't long enough. I wouldn't worry about the crowds. Just make a good plan and enjoy!

Shellebelle

Thanks, I have been reading too many of these discussion boards, helpful, yet also make me wish I had read some before booking my trip. I too thought October was less busy, it falls on my daughters birthday thats why we picked that week. Well I guess you just make the best of it....

 

[mommykds]

We were there last October 1-10. I took my kids out of school to avoid the crowds but it ended up being very crowded. I was surprised. We had fun but it was way more people than we had ever experienced.

 

[shellbelle]

Shellebelle

Thanks, I have been reading too many of these discussion boards, helpful, yet also make me wish I had read some before booking my trip. I too thought October was less busy, it falls on my daughters birthday thats why we picked that week. Well I guess you just make the best of it....

I know what you mean. I am obsessed with reading about Disney. I can't get enough information.

My best advice for making your trip great is get to the park early and know your "must do's". Enjoy yourself and take in all the magic you can!

 

[gigi1313]

my bad... yom kippur is 10/2... our return date from wdw is 10/4, so i obviously had it on my brain...

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

Oh now, now I'm really starting to freak out.
I have a feeling this Columbus Day weekend is going to be a disaster. I too will be there this year from October 5-10th. DTwin and I were there last Sept 30th-Oct 4th, and that was horrible enough with the size crowds that were there, so I don't even want to know what it's going to be like on Columbus Day weekend!!! I mean I knew what I was getting myself into booking a trip during a long holiday weekend when schools are out, but since we went last year NOt during a school recess and experienced excessive crowds, I was kinda hoping that holiday weekends WON't be as crowded (however much sense that makes).
And now to top it off, serioiusly like the day after I booked my trip, this whole big Year of a Million Dreams Promo was announced, starting about the same time we'll be there!
YIKES!!!!

 

[gigi1313]

realize that last year you were getting in on the tail end of free dining... this year it will have ended before you arrive (although i'm sure there will still be a few guests who checked in on the 30th still there, but for the most part, the free diners will be gone)...
touringplans.com has your week at 5s and 6s w/the occasional 7... not horrible, imo...

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

That' true too, didn't think of that. There will be a lot of people there the week before tkaing advantage of that Free dining experience, so maybe that will ease the crowds for the next week.
Thanks for amking me feel a little better!

 

[Keyana]

OK, OK, so now I am way anxious. We have been planning for over 2 years and am going the 30th-Oct 8th. I guess we will make the most of it!
Keyana