Mid-End of October...Super Busy?

[firegurl]

Although I have not been in October, I would strongly recommend staying away from September, especially with a little one. We went once during the last week of September and it was HOT, like walking on the surface of the sun hot. Showering twice a day, pouring sweat just from blinking hot. I am used to heat in the summer, typically in my hometown it is about 90 in the summer. The coolest day that week was 95, most days were over 100. It wasn't a busy time but I didn't want anyone within a 100 foot radius of me. We had a fantastic trip but we were all a little extra grumpy from the heat. I don't know how people do it that go in the summer. I couldn't handle it at all.

 

[DisneyDahling]

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.

We are going next year and most Likely the last week of the month

 

[DisneyDahling]

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)

Yay October visits! Thanks for the tips!

 

[Narawen]

I've gone on two week-long trips in late October and two weekend trips in mid October. Typically in the longer trips, we visit the recommended parks and enjoyed fairly low crowds. Last year, we went over Columbus weekend- EPCOT on a Saturday during F&W and MK on a pm EMH night when they were open until 3am.

The crowds were worse than previous years when I've gone in October, but still very manageable. I don't think we waited longer than 25 minutes for anything. There was a period when the MK wait times were getting too high and we couldn't get another FP, but we took a break at about 3:30, rested at the hotel, then had dinner at the Poly. Back in MK around 7 and the waits grew shorter.

 

[Gottahavemorecowbell]

Although I have not been in October, I would strongly recommend staying away from September, especially with a little one. We went once during the last week of September and it was HOT, like walking on the surface of the sun hot. Showering twice a day, pouring sweat just from blinking hot. I am used to heat in the summer, typically in my hometown it is about 90 in the summer. The coolest day that week was 95, most days were over 100. It wasn't a busy time but I didn't want anyone within a 100 foot radius of me. We had a fantastic trip but we were all a little extra grumpy from the heat. I don't know how people do it that go in the summer. I couldn't handle it at all.

I don't know what year you are referring to but the last week of Sept. 2012 was our first and last September trip. The heat and humidity was just brutal.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Although I have not been in October, I would strongly recommend staying away from September, especially with a little one. We went once during the last week of September and it was HOT, like walking on the surface of the sun hot. Showering twice a day, pouring sweat just from blinking hot. I am used to heat in the summer, typically in my hometown it is about 90 in the summer. The coolest day that week was 95, most days were over 100. It wasn't a busy time but I didn't want anyone within a 100 foot radius of me. We had a fantastic trip but we were all a little extra grumpy from the heat. I don't know how people do it that go in the summer. I couldn't handle it at all.

I don't know what year you are referring to but the last week of Sept. 2012 was our first and last September trip. The heat and humidity was just brutal.

I concur!!

We went to WDW in September 2000 and we were miserable. Back then my DH worked in a steel mill very close to 2000+ degree blast furnaces and he couldn't handle the heat & humidity during that trip! He's be drenched in sweat within minutes of walking anywhere. Also, the first day there it rained heavily because a hurricane was making landfall in NW Florida.

That said, we did go back in September 2002 (to get another year out of my AP) and it wasn't as bad. Still hot, humid and rainy but not as bad.

Now October weather is BEAUTIFUL! As for October crowds --- they are still not bad but each year we go (we've been several times in October) we find that the crowds get bigger and bigger. Just avoid EPCOT on the weekends because of F&WF!

 

[DisneyDahling]

Now October weather is BEAUTIFUL! As for October crowds --- they are still not bad but each year we go (we've been several times in October) we find that the crowds get bigger and bigger. Just avoid EPCOT on the weekends because of F&WF!

I think that if we can go while F&W is going on, we will most definitely do it during the week. My In-laws have already expressed an interest in hitting Epcot and I am trying to convince FIL to Drink around the world with me. Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyDahling]

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)

My biggest worry as far is line-waits is with my son. He will be 4.5 at that point and I'm hoping to take him to some smaller local amusement parks this summer and next summer, to get him accustomed to waiting. But I am working on being of the mindset that if we don't get to experiencing something, that will not break our vacation. We are Disney Vacationers and I know this will not be our last trip. I am basing a lot on his personality right now, which in a year will most likely change ( hoping for MORE patience and not LESS) .
Thanks for everything!

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Sounds like our Oct 22-31st will be busy the 22nd-26th, then quiet down the 27th-31st, would that be accurate?

We have our park days planned:
Wed 22: arriv
Thur 23: Epcot
Fri 24: MK
Sat 25: DHS
Sun 26th: do what we feel, and then MNSSHP arriving at 4 (possible MK before that)
Mon 27th: DHS
Tues 28th: US
Wed 29th: MK
Thur 30th: EP
Fri 31st: MK then leave at 4 to get to M.E for airport :O(

 

[Frozen2014]

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.

First trip to Disney and so excited This is the very week we are going...booked originally based on research on crowd levels and weather (heat and precipitation). From what I now hear, it's busier than it used to be...and am just learning of US fall breaks. But what you say here makes total sense. And if you want to hit the Electrical Parade or stay later than 7pm without attending the party, then non-party days would be busier.

 

[Stephaniesue]

Our first and only trip to Disney was in September 2011. It was so hot, I was miserable. I almost passed out in Animal Kingdom on our first day. That being said, we still enjoyed ourselves.

We are going down for fall break this year (like the rest of the country it seems). We will arrive Oct 18 with our first park day on Sunday October 19.

I don't like it but due to us only being there 4 days we will do Epcot on Sunday. I know F&W is happening then, but we don't have a choice this time. We are not doing park hoppers, and DH HAS to see Wishes in MK. The only night that week we can do it is Monday due to MNSSHP.

Our days are:
Sunday 19/19 Epcot
Monday 10/20 MK
Tuesday 10/21 AK
Wednesday 10/22 HS - we will be arriving late and leaving early to head to the beach

I'm worried about crowds, but I have planned my FP+ attractions and we will make the most of it. I actually thought about cancelling the Disney portion of our trip all together, but the kids would kill me. So here we are, planning and hoping for a magical time. It is Disney afterall, I'm sure we will be ok!