Late September/Early October Crowds & Weather?

[Michelina]

Hi All,
I booked a trip from Sept. 29th - Oct. 8th thinking that the crowds won't be so bad but I just realized that the 9th is Columbus Day. Has anyone ever been during this time? Is it super busy?
I'm also wondering if it's going to be really hot & humid? I'm starting to rethink my plans...
I tried to do a search for Columbus Day but the server is too busy so thanks for any replies!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Hi! I jumped in here because we're leaving September 24 and I just wanted to let you know how much we struggled with the decision of late September verses early October. What made up our minds is F&WF starts Friday the 29th - figured we'd beat that crowd by arriving days earlier. I know it will be hot and humid, may even have to dodge a hurricane, but that's what we're going with. Good luck choosing your dates!

 

[blestmom]

We were there last Septermber 21-October 5. The beginning of our trip was so uncrowded, it was wonderful...up through October 2. Starting on the third, I was amazed at the crowd level! It seemed to triple overnight! We avoided the EMH parks. At least it was the end of our trip and we had done so much, so we just slowed down.

I think, however, no matter when you go, IF you plan right, you can enjoy your trip, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just read up on how to best maximize your time, and enjoy your trip.

Also, I thought it was quite hot, but then again, I really don't like heat. I am from Alaska, after all! But it was bearable. We really loved those water-spray fans.

 

[kellyanne731]

Hi All,
I booked a trip from Sept. 29th - Oct. 8th thinking that the crowds won't be so bad but I just realized that the 9th is Columbus Day. Has anyone ever been during this time? Is it super busy?
I'm also wondering if it's going to be really hot & humid? I'm starting to rethink my plans...
I tried to do a search for Columbus Day but the server is too busy so thanks for any replies!

You'll be there the exact same dates as when we'll be there on our honeymoon. At least, I think those will be the exact dates. We're debating arriving at the end of Sept (value season) and having to contend with hurricanes and Columbus day travel, and later in October. It will cost more, but probably better weather and not as crowded.

 

[conwaym98]

we went in 2003 from 10/1-10/10. The crowds were really light for most of the trip. They did pick up on Thursday due to the long weekend, but still weren't too bad. YOu'll just need to plan ahead a bit. The weather was in the upper 80s/lower 90s and humid toward the beginning of the week, but bearable. It cooled off a bit (83-85) toward the end.

 

[Michelina]

Thanks for all the responses! We were just there at Thanksgiving and managed the crowds very well using the touring planks from the UG. I can't imagine it will be worse than that, do ya think!? Now I'm just gonna pray for no hurricanes - No hurricanes at all for anybody this year!!

 

[eeyore45]

We went last Oct 4 - 11, and right in the middle was Columbus Day. I thought it was extremely crowded, we went to MNSSHP on the Thursday night, it was awfully crowded, hard to walk around crowded - the lines to get candy were rediculous - from the adults wanting something from all 3 lines, pushing dd out of their way more than once - it so wasnt worth it to us!! The 2nd parade - HUGE crowds, I kept expecting it to thin out, never did!!


Went to the F&W it was fine until the weekend crowds came - then you just went with the crowds, and stood in lines... they ran out of FP by noon (cant remember if it was Sat or Sun) at Epcot (soarin, test track)

I'm thinking lots that felt that way are now going the week before as I've been reading a lot of posts going end of Sept to avoid the first of Oct w/ Columbus Day!!

go figure everyone thinks like me!!

They are managable when you have adr (a must!!) and you go at park opening, and follow the tour plans - you can get a lot done by noon - and if you expect crowds, heat, and rain... its that my expectations were so different from that reality...

we paid to do the E-nights, so worth it, low crowds, no lines... but its not that way anymore!! The secret is out - Disney is a wonderful place to vacation!!

 

[mma]

Go the week before you are planning! The weather will be the same either way but you won't have to worry about waiting in line everywhere and crowds everywhere while it is so hot. We went last year Sept. 25 thru Sept. 29 and there were no lines, hardly anyone walking around in the parks and you could eat almost anywhere at any time. It was absolutely incredible. There was not even a crowd at Illuminations when we watched it and you could walk up to the railing anywhere to watch it. It was so nice to be able to actually take the time to just look at everything around you and stay on a ride over and over if you wanted to. On Fri. 29 the crowds started pouring in because the Food and Wine Festival starts that weekend and we were so glad we didn't have to deal with that! Good Luck.

 

[rgf207]

We went Sept 23 - Oct 3 last year. The crowds were pretty much nox existant up until about Sept 28 or 29. The weather was hot. We did not have a problem with hurricanes but there was one there about 2 weeks before and a couple weeks after. We just got lucky. Overall it was a great trip and would definately do it again at that time.

 

[cobbler]

We went Oct 1-8 this past year and did MNSSHP on Thursdsay too. Thursday was madness at that party compared to what we are used to. We only rode 2 rides, didn't watch any of the parades.

We got our pic done, watched the fireworks, trick-or-treated and got a few characters in costumes and that was about it.

It was also very warm. I wore a tank top and shorts most days. My hair was all over the place. My youngest was cranky because it was humid and hot.

It also rained everyday while we were there and we had a few of the outer bands of TS Tammy hit us while down there. It wasn't horrible but you did get soaked a few times.

Would I go again during that time of year - sure, it was fun. But I know now what to expect more.

 

[mommykds]

We were there October 1-10 2005. I took my kids out of school to go to WDW when it wasn't crowded or hot..Well guess what? We got both!

We also did MNSSHP on 10/6. It was very crowded & we didn't get alot done for that reason. The parks were crowded by noon each day & FP were in short supply. I have been to WDW a few times & I have never been when it was that crowded. It rained every day (except our last) & it was very hot & humid. My hair was not pretty also!

We had a good time but the crowds did get to me by the end of the trip. I would go, but just know what to expect & have a good touring plan.

 

[Michelina]

Yikes, I'm really rethinking things now. DH's B-Day is the 30th and I wanted to be there for that... Hmm, maybe Sept 22nd - Oct. 1st? A lot to think about

 

[scoutsmom99]

I went in 2005 Sept 24-Oct 6 and there was a definete surge of guests starting around October 2/3. If you can go earlier I would. Columbus day has become a very popular time to go as of late. Also it will be very hot and humid. I have taken 3 trips in late September/early Ocotber (2002, 2004, 2005) and each and everytime there has been little to no rain and lots of hot humid weather.

 

[dismom9761]

Okay everyone has me pretty scared now.We are supposed to go 10/3-10/9.Part of the reason I chose it is because I have heard wonderful things about MNSSHP and wanted to try it before my oldest is in middle school.How would you compare the crowds next to April?

 

[arizonacolbys]

We love going in September - even after spending part of our trip with Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 . The crowds are pretty low, it's Value Season & it's plenty warm to swim daily.

We are looking at trying to stay for 2 weeks this year & are considering 9/23 - 10/7 - we really want to check out the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot & the MNSSHP at MK. We're hoping that the crowds aren't too crazy at the beginning of October, too! Even in September, the weekends do tend to get busier with locals helping to fill up the parks.

Hopefully, we won't regret this timing decision! Now, I just have to decide what night MNSSHP will be the least crowded - Sunday or Tuesday - looks like Thursday - Friday gets pretty crowded...

 

[scoutsmom99]

Now, I just have to decide what night MNSSHP will be the least crowded - Sunday or Tuesday - looks like Thursday - Friday gets pretty crowded...

Any day taht Florida School kids don't have the next day off is a good day to go...having said that for the time frame you are going I would go to the first Sunday party. I have done that party the past two years and have been able to enjoy everything with minimal waits.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Okay everyone has me pretty scared now.We are supposed to go 10/3-10/9.Part of the reason I chose it is because I have heard wonderful things about MNSSHP and wanted to try it before my oldest is in middle school.How would you compare the crowds next to April?

I don't think it will be Spring Break/Easter/Christmas crowded at that time. But, a lot of schools seem to have fall breaks during this time frame so park attenedance picks up. In the past October was considered a value season, but in the past couple years it has become part of regular season. If you follow a theme park plan or tour and get to the parks when they open the crowds will probably not have much of an impact on you. Also go the earliest MNSSHP you can go to...as you get closer to Columbus day they get more and more crowded.

 

[Michelina]

I think we're going to brave it! We're staying at the Dolphin for the first time ever and I thought it would be really neat to be able to walk over to Epcot for the F&W Festival. We're good with following the touring plans so that should help. Now I just need to figure out which MNSSHP to go to...

I'll probably change my mind three more times before I really decide!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Any day taht Florida School kids don't have the next day off is a good day to go...having said that for the time frame you are going I would go to the first Sunday party. I have done that party the past two years and have been able to enjoy everything with minimal waits.

Thanks for the advice - that was the one I was leaning towards, too!! We can't wait to go

 

[kellyanne731]

We were going to go Sept 29 - Oct 7 for our honeymoon. We're so up in the air with the details we haven't booked it yet. We wanted to do MNSSHP and F&W festival, Plus that till counts as value season. Now you guys are scaring me with talk about how crowded it gets.

Now I'm not sure if we should go earlier in September, or later in October. We don't feel the need to go immediately after our wedding, so we can be flexible. What do you guys think?