Is there still hope that Oct crowds will be lite?

[frannn]

On my previous calls to ask about AP rates for the AS, the CMs told me that all of the AS are "booked solid, even at regular rate, no rooms available". Now I call, and although there are no AP rates available for my stay (10/10-10/20), there are still rooms at AS Mu and Sp, both reg and preferred, at rack rate. Sept seems to be not so crowded as per most of the trip reports I'm reading (although there were no AP rates then). It seems the FTP did not cause massive Sept crowds- could it be the same for Oct? I know a lot of people from these boards are going in Oct, but I'm sure a lot were going Sept as well. Maybe Isabel scared the locals away? This would be wonderful news, because one CM told me that Oct crowds would be as bad as the summer!

 

[onecoolmama]

I am expecting the worst. I have called several times to upgrade my DM from CBR to Luxury..there was one room avaiolable at AKL..but Poly, Contempo, GF, WL, and all of the moderates had no rooms available (of course this was under the FTP). So I am thinking the worst is in store. But you are right, from what I read, the crowds were really light in Sept. So maybe there is hope...

 

[johnsonet]

remember there were no AP rates for September. Also kids are just starting back to school plus it is hurrican season and people are really wisening up to that. B/W Fall breaks, FTP guests, AP rates (that's when the rooms filled up!) I think it's going to be packed but maybe the off-property resorts won't be packed and therefore there won't be massive crowds everywhere. I'm hoping for the best but I'll take Disney anyway I can get it!!

 

[holcomb-mania]

I am expecting the worst. Last Friday I hit Disney's site and checked on availability for our dates (Oct 4-11). The only resorts with rooms were all three All-Stars and Beach Club. I have a hunch that going farther into Oct will only be worse, with the Food & Wine fest, the golf tourney, and the UK school holidays. We were there last Oct 19-26 and the crowds weren't unreasonable, but take those crowds and add the FTP people...

Disclosure: I'm one of those FTP people.

I see the posts of those who just got back, with no waits for rides, and I wish I had scheduled in Sept. Live and learn.

My goal is to go in with a flexible plan and use FastPass wisely.

 

[johnsonet]

My advice: if you really want to see the parks GO EARLY! It is amazing the difference it makes!

Also, I am very happy for the September people but remember, Isabel could've taken a different path and their vacation would've been ruined. September is a real gamble.

 

[3for Me]

I, too am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I don't know about rooms, but I have found that in trying to tweak my PS's they have not been that easy to get!!

We are used to going when crowds are relatively light - so I think I may be in for a shock.

I am going to stick to the hope that the off-site hotels may not be as crowded due to all the great on-site offerings (FTP and AP rates).

Guess we'll be using lots of FastPasses!!!

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

I'm still hoping that at least it won't be extremely crowded. October was best for our schedule, the F&W and the MNSSHP are extra pluses.

Either way, I'm planning on the worst, and hopefully we'll be pleasantly surprised. But even if there are *bad* crowds, at least we'll be at WDW! Which is far better than not being at WDW, IMO.

Yippee!!! Less than a month to wait! I'm already getting excited.

 

[FallDisney]

Originally posted by holcomb-mania
I am expecting the worst. Last Friday I hit Disney's site and checked on availability for our dates (Oct 4-11). The only resorts with rooms were all three All-Stars and Beach Club. I have a hunch that going farther into Oct will only be worse, with the Food & Wine fest, the golf tourney, and the UK school holidays. We were there last Oct 19-26 and the crowds weren't unreasonable, but take those crowds and add the FTP people...

We're going the same dates you are and after all of the posts, I was concerned as well. Did some checking a minute ago and I believe it's going to be light through the 9th. Only the Boardwalk is sold out and that's not surprising given the three openings that will occur that week. (Mission Space, Wishes and Philharmagic) The 10th is another story, but I believe that's because quite a few people are getting a jump on their vacation because of the Columbus Day holiday. I expect lighter crowds through the 9th, picking up in attendance on the 10th and 11th. Of course with Epcot closing early that week, it's going to be heavier in the other parks.

We're FTP people too, taking our first Disney trip!

 

[holcomb-mania]

Excellent point. I hadn't thought of compressing my dates. Columbus Day will have an impact, IMO. The web-site probably just looks at my 4-11 dates and says "the 10th and 11th are packed" and spits that out.

You have given me hope! How 'bout a virtual hug?

[holcomb-mania left arm]FallDisney[/holcomb-mania right arm]

 

[FallDisney]

Hugs right back at ya!

After checking again, I'm relaxed and assured that the crowds should be manageable! See ya in Orlando!

 

[karebear1]

Can you please tell me exactly where you are checking this info from??? THANKS!

 

[holcomb-mania]

I checked the disneyworld.com web-site under Reservations and Tickets/Book a Fast Package. It probably isn't as scientific as calling, but it may give a good estimate.

 

[MickeyMamma]

When you are checking for availability for October, remember that on Oct 8 they are doing Grand Opening Festivities for a few attractions at the parks. That night, I would think that just about all the Disney rooms would be booked up so if you are going around that time or pricing rooms for then, that might make things look artificially crowded.

Just a thought.

 

[rangebob]

The crowds are light right now. On Sat I spent most of the day at Magic Kingdom and really didn't have too bad of wait on anything.

 

[KFISCHER]

While I understand that a lot of people like to navigate through the parks when they're not elbow-to-elbow, I wouldn't be upset if crowds are heavier.

Just another perspective: heavier crowds mean more people willing to travel, more people willing to vacation, more people willing to spend money.........and a rebound in our economy.

While I completely understand those of you who want shorter lines and smaller crowds, I think that so close to 9/11, it'd be nice to see WDW attendance back to what it was....

 

[steve_rob]

Hear, hear! I totally agree.

The last time I was there was in October 2001 (about five weeks after 9/11) and it was so quiet, at some points it was almost spooky. I have photos of places that are normally busy, like Main Street with not a sole in site. While that was nice in some respects - I could get the photos I wanted without people in the way and the rides were never longer than a 20 minute wait, there were drawbacks.

First, the atmosphere just wasn't there. Partially the lack of people, partially the fact that you could see that people's minds were elsewhere, and that's very sad (usually being in 'The Magic' is enough to take anyone's mind off other worries). Secondly, the hours were so short that there was no chance of fireworks, Spectro or anything special being on. And lots of attractions or restuarants were closed when they normally wouldn't have been, so you didn't feel like you were getting the whole park.

I'm going again in two weeks and I'm HAPPY that it'll be crowded. A packed Disney is a Disney that is making money, and a Disney that is making money, is one with less cutbacks and more attractions planned for the future.

And it also goes to show that the American people have bounced back and landed on their feet again stronger than ever, and that's a good thing too.

 

[Alice28]

I'm hoping for low crowds, but I know it won't be empty. I am hoping that since I am going the first week in October (we leave the 9th-before F and W Festival that we won't be elbow to elbow with folks. I don't mind waiting 20-30 minutes in line for the big rides, like ToT or RnRC or Splash. We plan on hitting the parks on their EE days, doing as much as we can do, and then switch off to a non EE day park in the afternoon. You really can get a lot done (IMHO) on EE days with a plan in place.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Put me down in the "crowds won't be that bad" group. A lot of people just can't 'decide to go in October' - school and work schedules just don't allow that much flexibility. I'm figuring that the main effect of the FTP in October will be to upgrade people who were already planning to go anyway. Some, like us, will be staying Concierge for the first time, and I bet that a lot of off-siters will be trying on-site for the first time. So while the WDW resorts will be busier, the parks really won't be.

And I'll be there in 8 days to see if'n I'm right or if'n I'm wrong!

 

[madge]

One thing to consider--in late September/early October many school in the South have "Fall Break". Our children get out on September 26 for 2 weeks, as do several schools in our area.

Do I think it is going to be more crowded? I don't know. Our last week-long WDW vacation was in May 2002. We went for a day trip last October and found the crowds at Epcot to be very manageable, if not a little low.

I agree with the other poster that the crowds will build as October goes on, starting with the Columbus Day holiday. Crowds are soooo subjective, though. You have to remember what might seem crowded to some might seem empty to others...

 

[luvpooh]

I just checked Disney's website for availability during our trip, October 22-27; all 3 All Stars, Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge were all available. NOTHING else at any of the deluxes or Coronado.
I had a very hard time getting an AP rate, but eventually did at PO-R. There's the golf tournament, MNSSHP and the F&WF during our stay so there's definitely going to be crowds but I hope they're not too too bad. I just want to go to MK for EE and not have it be too crowded and be able to enjoy the F&W Fest !