Mid-End of October...Super Busy?

[DisneyDahling]

Hi Everyone!
My husband and I are planning our first trip back to Disney since having our son almost 4 years ago. We are bringing my darling In-laws, who definitely do not have the same vacation mind-frame as we do ( GO DISNEY ALL DAY LONG). We normally go towards the middle or end of October and have NEVER experienced any issues with crowding. In our mind, this is the perfect time to go... or was until I recently started to read trip reports from around October of last year and people were saying wait times were outrageous.

SO in your opinion, Dis-ers who get to go way more often than I, is the middle to end of October a low crowd time to go or should I change my dates? We are all flexible with our vacation, so I was thinking maybe mid September might be better? I just don't want my in-laws to have a bad time AND going to Disney with a 4.5 year old for the first time..... I want it to be as stress-free as possible rotfl

Thanks everyone!

 

[AmyB2006]

Typically, yes, it's been considered a low crowd time. This last October however, there were tons of reports of people saying how much more crowded it was this year. We were there at the end of October as well, and personally, I didn't notice a difference in crowds. But that's my experience. I think if you stay away from Columbus Day week/weekend, you'll have the best luck.

 

[Beast2Prince]

We were there the last week of October last year (doing the same week again this year) and had no issues with crowds, other than Epcot on the weekends. However, we did talk to friends who were there the week before us and they did complain that the parks were more crowded than they expected. Hope this helps.

 

[PSUGuy]

I think if you stay away from Columbus Day week/weekend, you'll have the best luck.

This. Last Oct we arrived the Thurs before CD weekend for an 8 day stay and it was busier over that weekend. The previous 2 Oct trips we avoided CD and crowds were moderate at worst, less crowded that our other usual week in early March.

Bill From Pa

 

[kmb584]

We've always visited during late October (usually traveling on the 3rd Tuesday of the month and coming home sometime the following weekend) and I've noticed an uptick in the crowds. They're a far cry from those during summer/peak season but I wouldn't classify them as low either. Think of it as more of a mid-level crowd season (5-6/10 on crowd calendars) compared to the 2-3/10 of yesteryear.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I went in oct 2008 andnit was fantastic....even over Columbus day weekend, but LOTS has chang3s since then. I watched the wait times via mde app last Oct to get an idea of what it would be like for this Oct (that's when I figured I'd be back). The wait times the first 3 weeks were quite a bit longer, but the last week seemed to die off some. It sounds like more schools are moving to a year round schedule and have a week off in Oct. Also, last Oct FP+ testing was really moving forward...not saying for sure it had an affect but maybe so. From what I understand Mid Sept is still really low crowds but have heard others post "it's hotter than the sun". Something to think about with a little one and older ones. Sometimes heat can be bothersome.

 

[Haley]

I agree- I have been just about every time in Oct and I think it's getting more crowded, too. But not too bad- still a nice time to go. Easywdw rates the end of Oct as a 4, 5 and some 6's.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I've gone the last week of October the last five years and always find the crowds to be manageable. There are reports from last year that indicate that middle of the month is more crowded than it used to be, but the end of the month is still quite pleasant.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

Late October/early November was quite crowded in 2012 due to some problem with a DCL ship and interrupted travel plans courtesy of Superstorm Sandy. Our vacation started out nicely enough but by the end we were getting irritable due to the bigger than expected crowds.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We usually go at the end of spetmeber beginning of October and did not notice an increase in crowds. A lot of people said that it was more crowded during the middle of the month. Seems like more schools are adding in a fall break. IIRC that time frame also coincided with some big MM+ roll outs that may have caused some FP issues and affected wait times.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We were there October 19-26th last year and found it to be less crowded that week than it was when we were there the week before in 2012 and 2011. I think it's all about perception, but also about picking parks "correctly." With MNSSHP going on so many days during the week, the MK is extremely crowded on non-party days because people tend to avoid the days with shorter hours. And the other parks tend to be crowded on party days because people are going there instead of to MK. So if you insist on going to MK on non-party days, then yeah, you're going to feel like the crowds are out of control. Meanwhile, those of us who are zagging while everyone else is zigging are walking on to all of our favorite rides in 10 minutes or less.

ETA: I also think that Columbus Day has become a bigger and bigger holiday, with more U.S. schools letting out for it, and combined with Canadian Thanksgiving (which falls at the same time) days around that weekend make for bigger crowds.

 

[DisneyDahling]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the responses. Now to hope for Free Dining for the end of October! Fingers crossed!!

 

[fitzperry]

One reason crowd levels have increased in October is the trend toward "year round" or "balanced" school calendars that involve fall breaks that are anywhere from 1-3 weeks long. Fortunately fall breaks tend to be spread throughout the month, unlike winter break, which is usually the same two week period wherever you are (give or take a day or two depending on when the holidays fall). But as long as schools are closed for a week or two at a time, crowds will flock to WDW.

 

[Hopefully]

We've gone in October for the last 10 years. Each and every year was more crowded than the year before. October is no longer a slow time of year. As far as crowds go you will be much better off in September. If you are worried about your in laws I would seriously consider switching to Sept. But as mentioned by a PP, it is still hot in Sept.
The October crowds are not as big as summer/holiday crowds, but they are not low

 

[Legendteri]

I have heard that crowds are average. Not high, not low, just average. However, if you go to the MK on a day that it DOES NOT host the halloween party; then yes it will be very busy.

We were there the third week of Oct in 2012. I remember at night I would come on these boards to see what other guests were saying. I remember there were a lot of posts saying how crowded it was. I found this to be surprising because it wasn't that way to us. I think our average wait time was 10 minutes and the longest we waited was maybe 30-35 minutes for Dumbo. That was when I realized 1. that the word " crowded " is so subjective. Some people gauge crowds by looking at the walkways ( which are always crowded) while others gauge crowds by how long they waited in line. 2. We planned our days according to Josh's blog. This is one month where crowds can vary greatly depending on the day. So for us the MK on a party day was just fine and very managable, whereas someone going on a non party day would see very high crowds.

 

[PSUGuy]

We went the week before Columbus Day 3 timesprior to last year and we found crowds to be moderate at worst when compared with our usual time, the first week in March. Avoid CD and World Showcase on Saturday and you'll do fine. Last year we arrived the Thurs before CD weekend, never again. That weekend and CD itself were crowded. This year we'll do 9 park days starting on the 16th.

Bill From PA

 

[smitch425]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the responses. Now to hope for Free Dining for the end of October! Fingers crossed!!

Are you going this year or next year? Free dining for this October has been out for months. Covered check in dates are Oct. 1-3 and 26-31 for the public offer and Oct. 1-3 and 19-31 for the PIN code offer.

 

[nkereina]

Are you going this year or next year? Free dining for this October has been out for months. Covered check in dates are Oct. 1-3 and 26-31 for the public offer and Oct. 1-3 and 19-31 for the PIN code offer.

This. The fact that most of October is not included in the public free dining offer is indicative of the increase in crowd level predictions for that time of year. With Fall breaks, cooler temperatures, and the increased popularity of MNSSHP and Food & Wine (and I think a Run Disney event or two), October has shifted from low crowds to moderate/high crowds.

 

[scard192]

we were there last October 19-26 and waited an hour just to board the DME; way busier than we expected which is likely why that week was not included for the GP FD offer this year.

 

[amg35]

OP, I am going this October, arriving 10/21 and I was nervous too. But I've read a bunch of opinions and it seems it depends on what your perceptions of crowds are. (I know, big help)

The only days that are higher than a 5 on all crowd calendars are Epcot on the weekends, but I expected that.

For me, a level 5 and under is perfect! And if it's 6 or 7, so be it, I've got my fast passes and then I don't mind waiting 20-30 minutes for a ride.

I've also been told that if I didn't think the first two weeks of June were crowded (I didn't, thought crowd levels were great then), then October should be no problem.

Sooo, don't expect all walk-ons, but don't expect shoulder to shoulder crowds either. A happy medium. (avoiding Epcot food/wine on weekends)