Least crowded week to go in October? HELP!

[laurainsem]

Hey everyone,

I haven't been to DLR since I was 14 years old (36 now) and am planning a trip for my good friends and I in October. I have been thinking maybe the first week of the month but i'm not sure if this is a good time to go or not. Please, if your able, I could use all the help I can get. I feel amazingly confident when planning WDW but as i've never done it for DLR I feel so lost.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Kindermouse]

The first week of October is gays days which does get increase park attendance. The last week just seems to be filled to the brim with locals wanted to have some Halloween fun.

If your taking time off work and can pick the time of your choosing I'd go for the second week.

I'm stuck to school break schedules. I'd love to pick the time.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

I would pick the middle weeks. The above poster is correct, I believe Gay Days is around the first of the month. The week leading up to October 31st is always busy. The middle weeks would be a safe bet, with the second week of October probably being the better choice.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wouldn't go the second week because of Columbus Day. Check the thread on this forum that reports school breaks. Choose the week with the least number of schools out.

We were there the last week of October last year. While the weekends were very busy, mid-week was heavenly. I'd vote for the last week. I think most of the breaks are over by then.

 

[figment_jii]

It depends a lot how many days you plan to go and when you want to start your trip (i.e., weekday or weekend day).

As others have said 10/1-2 is Gay Days in the parks, which usually means pretty good sized crowds. They don't necessarily spill over into the weekdays following the the event, so the Mon to Thu of that week might not be too bad.

Columbus day is Monday, 10/10. The weekdays following might also not be that bad. While some school districts get it off, not all do.

UEA Convention is 10/20-21, which means a lot of folks from Utah come to the parks that week. I would anticipate pretty good sized crowds starting the weekend before through. I was there last year during the equivalent time (UEA was about a week earlier) and the parks were packed. They actually extended the operating hours one of the days that week. The line for Hungry Bear was down the ramp about halfway at lunch time! It got progressively busier during the week. I think there are a number of schools that take fall break during that period as well.

October 30 (Sun) will be very busy because of CHOC walk.

So overall, I would avoid the third full week in October if at all possible and focus on the weekdays of the first two weeks of the month.

 

[Kindermouse]

Oohhh I forgot about Columbus Day. UEA weekend (I think it turns into a 4 day weekend for Utah folks) I have also heard is very busy. Probably best to shoot for weekdays the first 2 weeks like figment_jii suggested. Then again is always best to shoot for the weekdays if your trying to avoid crowds, but keep in mind some entertainment isn't available or is diminished on weekdays.

Gosh when did October get to be such a busy time.

 

[DisneylandDarling]

I completely forgot about Columbus day! We're going in October as well and I think we'll be arriving on that day, so that's okay.

We've actually been during UEA and I don't think I noticed any increase in crowds, surprisingly. It could have been an off year (I think it was a couple years ago), but it may be just pure luck on picking days.

 

[tarheelalum]

It's always very crowded in October but it's also my absolute favorite time of the year. Go whatever time works best for you and have a great time. Be prepared to deal with big crowds and you will be fine.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Shoot, end pact has been good for us in the past. I forgot about choc walk.

 

[Imdboss]

We've gone numerous times over Columbus Day weekend, usually Wed-Mon, with one day beign a MHP day. In the past it has also been CHOC walk that weekend but it looks like they changed it this year. That being said Wed has been great for crowds, Thurs a noticeable different, very busy over the weekend as expected and completely nuts on Monday. Most people don't expect Monday to impact the crowds much since it's more of a "bankers holiday" but the last time we went that time of year (2014) it was SO busy, Saturday was less crowded.