Lots of questions for October trip

[Jcke]

So this is our first trip where we have a rough daily plan to follow. We are at Universal for 2 days and then we are staying at CBR from 1st - 15th October. So we have our TS credits on our DDP mentally used up, we just need to make the reservations (It is 6 months until we go so dining reservations can be made now.) My questions:

1. We are planning to eat at California Grill on Wednesday 12th October. We chose this day as it is one of the few evenings that MNNSHP is not on. What time should we book dinner for so that we can watch Wishes from the viewing deck?

2. How long until they release Park Hours and EMH? I feel like we can't really plan properly until we know the park hours!

3. Generally, what are the crowds/temperatures like at this time of year?

Thank you!

 

[Alesia]

1. I would choose a party day so I could see Hallowishes. I would book dinner about an hour and 45 minutes before the fireworks.
2. about 3 weeks ago: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_october.pdf
3. moderately crowded: http://www.easywdw.com/easy/calendars/october-2016-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/
Mid to upper 80's

 

[Jcke]

Sorry for replying to an oldish thread but I need to book California grill. I've noticed on that link, it says there is no Wishes on everyday in October? Why is this? The

 

[Nancyg56]

Sorry for replying to an oldish thread but I need to book California grill. I've noticed on that link, it says there is no Wishes on everyday in October? Why is this? The

There are Halloween Parties in the MK during October. On those evenings MK closes at 7 and there are no Wishes. If you want to see a spectacular show, book one of the monorail restaurants known for their view of Hallowishes, the special show during the party, and you will be in for a treat. I usually book Narcoossee, but CG view wil be awesome too. The show has been at 9:30 PM, although I do not know that this is the timeing for this year, so I book dinner for aroung 8 PM.

 

[Jcke]

There are Halloween Parties in the MK during October. On those evenings MK closes at 7 and there are no Wishes. If you want to see a spectacular show, book one of the monorail restaurants known for their view of Hallowishes, the special show during the party, and you will be in for a treat. I usually book Narcoossee, but CG view wil be awesome too. The show has been at 9:30 PM, although I do not know that this is the timeing for this year, so I book dinner for aroung 8 PM.

Sorry I was a tiny bit vague, but we chose the 12th October as it a non MNSSHP evening. But the MK schedule says that there are no fireworks on that night. Would there be a reason for this? We've booked dinner at 9PM that evening at CG.

 

[Nancyg56]

Sorry I was a tiny bit vague, but we chose the 12th October as it a non MNSSHP evening. But the MK schedule says that there are no fireworks on that night. Would there be a reason for this? We've booked dinner at 9PM that evening at CG.

I just went to Josh's website and he has listed the MK hours as tentatively closing at 9PM. Wishes tentatively at 9PM.

I think that Disney has not released all of their hours yet, but am not sure if this is the case. If I was booking dinner hoping to view Wishes, I would move that ADR to 8 or 8:30 if possible. Even if Wishes moves to 10 PM you will be able to have dinner and then watch the show. If you keep the 9PM ADR, and Wishes is scheduled at 9PM, their is no way to make sure you will be seated ontime.

 

[AshleeH]

October is crowded - this year is set to be even more crowded than usual (that's what we were told by a CM when we had a question about our trip in the first week). October is the new summer for Disney travel.

 

[sdsatl]

October is crowded - this year is set to be even more crowded than usual (that's what we were told by a CM when we had a question about our trip in the first week). October is the new summer for Disney travel.

Oh, no! We were there last October, and it was perfect. No rain and few lines. We thought it was better than our trip in early February. I hope it's not the new summer.

 

[AshleeH]

Oh, no! We were there last October, and it was perfect. No rain and few lines. We thought it was better than our trip in early February. I hope it's not the new summer.

Part of it depends on the week. Our Fall Break (and a lot of southern Fall Breaks) usually fall on Columbus week - it's the second busiest week after Halloween. Our break has been bumped to the first week of October and we were thrilled because it shouldn't be as busy as Columbus week - but according to the CM we spoke to, hotels were booking up fast and "It's shaping up to be a very crowded week."

 

[Mikie]

Oh, no! We were there last October, and it was perfect. No rain and few lines. We thought it was better than our trip in early February. I hope it's not the new summer.

If you were there last October, your expectations are probably fine. Oct '14 and '15 had a lot of people here asking "what happened to a slower October?!" Because in 2012 and prior, crowds sure seemed lower. Since you're already comparing to the "new, busy October" and liked it, don't panic! The cooler temps and reduced chances of rain are still unchanged too

 

[sdsatl]

If you were there last October, your expectations are probably fine. Oct '14 and '15 had a lot of people here asking "what happened to a slower October?!" Because in 2012 and prior, crowds sure seemed lower. Since you're already comparing to the "new, busy October" and liked it, don't panic! The cooler temps and reduced chances of rain are still unchanged too

Oh, phew. Yes -- even "new, busy" February and October '15 were better than the wall-to-wall spring, summer, and Christmas breaks of my youth.

 

[sdsatl]

Part of it depends on the week. Our Fall Break (and a lot of southern Fall Breaks) usually fall on Columbus week - it's the second busiest week after Halloween. Our break has been bumped to the first week of October and we were thrilled because it shouldn't be as busy as Columbus week - but according to the CM we spoke to, hotels were booking up fast and "It's shaping up to be a very crowded week."

That was the week we were there (Columbus Day)! We maximized FP+ using rider swap, so I think that helped us a bit. And we avoided the parks on the weekend, opting for DQ. I am planning this year's October trip, though, and already can't find the same ADRs I easily got last year. :/

 

[AshleeH]

That was the week we were there (Columbus Day)! We maximized FP+ using rider swap, so I think that helped us a bit. And we avoided the parks on the weekend, opting for DQ. I am planning this year's October trip, though, and already can't find the same ADRs I easily got last year. :/

Avoiding the weekends - at any time of year - is always a good decision. We are rope drop/midday break/back at night people. The difference in crowds between 2010 and 2014 was insane. 2010 felt like the parks were nearly empty - 2014 nearly hit capacity a few nights we were there.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

Used to go in October around Columbus day and each year it seemed to get busier and busier. With a long trip and the use of your FP+'s, you should have no problem doing what you want to do and taking the "peak" portion of each day to enjoy the resort you are at.

 

[Sugart]

If the free dining leaks are true October is going to be nuts.

 

[Minnie121]

I live on Long Island and many schools here are off for 2 days the first week of October for Rosh Hashana and then again the following week we are off for Columbus Day and Yom Kippur. I know many families that are going those weeks.