Is there still hope that Oct crowds will be lite?

[schnare]

We arrive next week Oct 2-8 and were hoping the parks are not too crowded.

Here's our plan. Up at 7am, coffee.
Be at the bus stop with cofee in hand at 7:30.
Did I mention coffee!

Early openings at each park each day, 8am.

Future world or Boardwalk for lunch.

Back to YC to relax enjoy the pool and peple watch.

4-5 pm we head back to the park.

In bed by 10pm.

Yes were to old farts, 60 years young.

 

[DISPOP]

I saw that new attractions are Mission Space, Philharmagic and Wishes. I've read about Mission and Phil. What is Wishes?
Thanks!

 

[johnsonet]

The new fireworks display at Mk - heard it is longer but know nothing else...

 

[MrsMud]

FallDisney:

Of course with Epcot closing early that week, it's going to be heavier in the other parks.

Why is Epcot closing early? I thought the Food and Wine Festival started later in the month? I have Epcot planned for 10/10 (Sat) night. Will the Festival be going on then?

 

[DebbieB]

Epcot will be closing at 3:00pm on Oct 9 because of a private party for media attending the Mission Space Opening (I was driving home today and the local talk show host was talking about broadcasting some shows from WDW next month). Rest of the month, normal time (FW 7:00pm, WS 9:00pm). Food & Wine Festival runs Oct 18 to Nov 16.

 

[holcomb-mania]

As a result of Epcot closing earlier, MK will be open until 10pm and MGM until 9pm with two shows for each park scheduled, IIRC.

 

[Barb A.]

I'm out of touch!!! What is FTP?

 

[Alice28]

Barb- FTP is the Fairy Tale Package Disney offered for this fall. I believe it was pay the cost of 4 nights (incl park passes) and you get an additional 3 nights free. Pretty good deal, and I think many people took advantage of it during the time of Epcot's Food and Wine festival which runs from mid Oct to mid Nov. It looks like the combo of those two things are what is filling up the resorts!

 

[Barb A.]

Oh yea, I remember hearing about that package. Couldn't figure out what the abbreviation meant to save my life! Thanks!

 

[candleonwater]

Okay, for anyone who has been there in October and around Christmas time... should I expect Christmas type crowds in late October?

 

[KFISCHER]

The Christmas crowds are some of the heaviest, if not heaviest of the year.
I'm talking the week between Christmas and New Year's.

There's no way the Halloween crowds come close.

 

[Miscrapper]

I am still hoping the parks aren't too crowded! We arrive the 4th. I just checked website and there was still availability at both moderate and deluxe level for 4th - 8th and even some at Music and a few deluxes later in week (8th - 12th) I realize that the crowd level will pick up as week progresses - probably Thursday the 9th (media day) through Saturday will be crazy! Hopefully by then we've seen most of the major attractions are in a relax and take in the entertainment mood! It will help if it cools off a bit - even lower 80's would help! I personally wouldn't mind some rain - might make touring cooler and less crowded.

1 more day until the single digit dance!

 

[brendaroo]

I just read that some schools are on break for 2 weeks on the 26th of sept? Oh no..... We are arriving on the 27th! I planned it this way BECAUSE the kids are in school. Oh well, I hope that this does not mean that the crowds will be too much heavier. We are going for the FTP also and staying on-site. That package made it happen for me. All I had to do was tell DH that instead of waiting & paying full price next year, Why not go now. I was only joking but he said YES!!! We stay 7 nights & 8 days and only pay for 4 nights.
We leave in 2 days, 44 min..... I CANT WAIT!!!

 

[rlduvall]

brendaroo:

That bites a big one!!!! (about schools being out for two weeks) The only reason I don't totally think that's accurate (and I know that's what you have heard) is that most schools haven't been back in for very long. Of course, could be year round school. (I'm doing stream of consciousness typing here) Oh man, hope it's not true. A lady there on 9/23/03 said the crowds were really bad that day. wahhhhh

 

[madge]

Originally posted by rlduvall
brendaroo:

That bites a big one!!!! (about schools being out for two weeks) The only reason I don't totally think that's accurate (and I know that's what you have heard) is that most schools haven't been back in for very long. Of course, could be year round school. (I'm doing stream of consciousness typing here) Oh man, hope it's not true. A lady there on 9/23/03 said the crowds were really bad that day. wahhhhh

I can assure you that my children are out of school for 2 weeks, starting on 9/26. We live in Kentucky and there are several schools in the area that follow the same schedule as we do. Our first day back (after summer vacation) was on August 5--my boys have been in school for 6 weeks already.

A lot of the schools in the South go back in early August--

Our schedule has been like this for 5 years, we find the crowds at WDW light to moderate. The closer you get to Columbus day, the more crowded it is.

 

[2boysnme]

I am in TN and some schools are out here too. THey do a 9 on and 3 off schedule. School started here in July. A lot of people love it and go to Disney during the 3 off weeks. All of the schools are not, only the ones that are on the year round schedule. Maybe 25% of the schools. HTH
Gwen

 

[LaurenS]

Our county schools will also be out for two weeks, from Sep 29 to Oct 10. Our city schools have one week off, Oct 6 to 10. I'm hoping the first week, Sep 29 to Oct 3, will be much less crowded. Take a look at my countdown below and guess which shools my kids go to!

See you at Disney!

 

[brendaroo]

I am too excited either way and I planned to be a little more relaxed & laid back on this trip (with no children). No crowd is going to burst my bubble! I really hope it wont be too bad because that is why folks like me plan this time of year. But I agree that if they had no crowds at all, I would be concerned about the company's financial stability.

1 day, 17 hrs, 5 min to go!!!! I cannot SLEEP.....

 

[frndshpcptn]

Hi DebbieB--you said that some talk shows in your area will be broadcasting from there, so you know which ones?

Thanks!!!

 

[polkadotminnie]

LaurenS- Are you from the Huntsville area? Our area schools are out for a week or two depending on the system. We are going the 4th-9th. A lot of the state is off for Fall break on different weeks during Oct.