It's Over! Dissers Oct Secret Is No More!

[blewits]

Holy Smack! We just got back yesterday from a 5 day trip and OH MY at the crowds.

We usually always go about this time because the crowds are so much better but not this trip! I couldn't believe it. I saw 60 and 70 minute stand by times on some attractions. In the past, I never saw anything over 30!!!

It was crazy! Lines for food in Epcot on a Saturday were lllooonnnngggggg. Not even just for the food fest. booths either. I'm talking a 15 minute line just to get a bottle of water!

We have been in October about 3 times over the last 5 years and this was the worst that I have ever seen!

Guess I've got to find another time to go.

For some reason, I saw tons more Brits there than usual. I don't know if they had some type of school break or what.

Wendy

 

[phisigprincess]

It probably has a lot to do with MNSSHP and the F&W Festival. They all seem to be gaining more popularity, which probably contributed to the crowds. That's really surprising for October though!

 

[CathrynRose]

Holy Smack!

We have been in October about 3 times over the last 5 years and this was the worst that I have ever seen!

Guess I've got to find another time to go.

For some reason, I saw tons more Brits there than usual. I don't know if they had some type of school break or what.

2000 was our last October, after having gone 4 years in a row previously. We progressively saw it get more and more and more crowded. It stunk!

1997 - that was an amazing October.

So, we started doing September.... 2002, was really great. 2003 - not too bad.... after that, AND *this* year??? Looked much like October.

So - Im headed to WDW this January to check out the situation. 4 days should be enouhg time to figure out if January 2008 will be our families new vacation slot.

 

[Quinn222]

We were there the 19th - 22nd and didn't wait in a single line the entire time. The only line I even saw was 40mins for Jungle Cruise. We use TGM and it worked like a charm yet again.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Oh, this isn't good! I'm going early/mid december and I hope its not the same scenario. I think its going to be much busier this year. I guess more people are starting to know about the secret times to go!

 

[mom2my3kids]

Yeah we were there last week and it was busy busy. The lines were not to bad other then Soarin and Everest. Other then that itwas 15-30 minute waits on rides. We did use fastpass a few times also. I don't think we will be going back until 2008. I think we are doing Branson next year.

 

[KayleeUK]

This week is one of the school holiday's in the UK - there are a lot of Brits visiting. We won't be there until Sunday though.

 

[izzys4]

I'm getting worried about our trip November 9 - 18....we've gone during this time before but I'm worried now that it will be really packed.

Do you think it will be ? Is the Million Dream thing this much of a deal maker for people ??

 

[pooh2001]

This past June - last week- WDW had lots of people.
Some waits we remember...
2 hours for Dumbo
6 hours for Soarin
1 hour for Kaili River Rapids

Our best strategy - to use FP's and do the early mornings where available.

 

[nyfinfan]

These attendance patterns are quite interesting. Most of us love to go when there are low crowds. If there are now crowds, when there weren't before...does that mean that the normal crowded times are less crowded or are people just going to Disney more. If it's the latter , than DW should be raking in record profits.

And that begs the age old question:

When is the best time to go to DW?




Answer : As soon as possible.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We were there also and I agree with you. We left MGM - my favorite park - early because the lines were so long and it was so hot. With EMH/FastPass we did manage to do RnRC and ToT twice, but TGMR line was just about out the door which was disappointing. We thought MNSSHP was more crowded than last year too, we went the same day both years. Oh well, still had a good time, and hope you did too!!

 

[blewits]

2000 was our last October, after having gone 4 years in a row previously. We progressively saw it get more and more and more crowded. It stunk!

1997 - that was an amazing October.

So, we started doing September.... 2002, was really great. 2003 - not too bad.... after that, AND *this* year??? Looked much like October.

So - Im headed to WDW this January to check out the situation. 4 days should be enouhg time to figure out if January 2008 will be our families new vacation slot.

Looks like we share the same strategy and experiences. I think I'll do sometime between Jan & March next time. I'll just have to bundle up!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

This past June - last week- WDW had lots of people.
Some waits we remember...
2 hours for Dumbo
6 hours for Soarin
1 hour for Kaili River Rapids

Our best strategy - to use FP's and do the early mornings where available.

Who in their right mind, would wait 6 hours for a ride?????

Granted, Soarin' in cool, but it's not that cool!

Can you imagine waiting in that, because you "just have to do it" and in turn miss out on half of the park?

 

[PlutosFriend]

My kids school doesn't get a full fall break, but I know many in my area that do. Also have friends in others states where their kids get fall breaks. I think if our school did get a fall break, I wouldn't go then. I would rather pull the kids out a few days and hopefully have less crowds

 

[blewits]

PlutosFriend: That's something I didn't even think about. I'll bet you that has something to do with it. I'm in Georgia and my kids dont get a fall break either but I know that some of the counties around me do. Hmmmm . . . Something to think about for future planning.

Wendy

 

[saschab]

We've gone in early November for many years. Each year gets more crowded. I remember 9 years back, walking on to almost everything.

I'm seriously considering January for the future if the line are unbearable for our upcoming trip.

 

[slly]

We were there in Oct a couple of years ago. It's true that there is a long (3 weeks, I think) holiday for the British. We spoke with some of them who said they came for the entire holiday period. They also said that they got special discounts on airfare, etc. That may help explain the crowds.

 

[flortlebap]

We were there in Oct a couple of years ago. It's true that there is a long (3 weeks, I think) holiday for the British. We spoke with some of them who said they came for the entire holiday period. They also said that they got special discounts on airfare, etc. That may help explain the crowds.

Actually it's only a week long. Two at most. (Our neice is on a week long holiday at the moment, private schools go for 2 weeks). And we're English.

I must agree about the crowd levels - absolute nightmare. In 2004 it was wonderful, 2006 we went to MK twice and did 3 rides in 5 hours! It was enough to put me off for life, and I was never a big MK fan before (even with kids!)

Next time I think we'll aim for early September - that seems like a better time to go!

 

[tinkertastic]

I am a FL. RES. My parents started taking me to WDW in OCT for my b-day when I was about 7. I remember the year before that, we had gone in July, the heat, long waiting times, crowds, did I mention the heat!!! Anyhow my mom vowed never to go durning the summer ever again! So they decided Oct. might be a better option, the temperature would be a little cooler and the kids would be back in school by then. BOy was she right, back then the parks were EMPTY in OCT. Eyery year since then we have seen in get more and more crowded. And now with the popularity of food and wine at Epcot it's at an all time high. We've switched to the week after Thanksgiving, we get there Monday morning and leave Friday before the weekend crowds arrive, seems to work out well, the temperature is fantastic!!!! WE also enjoy going in Early Feb, crowds are not too bay in early FEB. And my mom, well she has certainly stuck to her vow. She still goes in Oct.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I will we at October on Saturday. I am worried about the crowds now.