Oct a good time?

[jandm]

Is October (towards the end of the month) a good time to visit DL? Wondered about crowds/weather. Also, this may be a silly question, but do you have to worry about wildfires that time of year??
Thanks.

 

[ams1201]

I would also like to know. I just booked us for the 21st through 27th. I am hoping it is a slow time.

 

[lolinmr]

We have been in October a few times. The weather was great (kids in shorts and mom in capris-- hoodies at night) The crowds were good and the parks were open until late--(midnight - ten).
Because of that we could go to the park for the morning, go back to the hotel for a swim and rest for a couple hours then head back to the park for the rest of the evening. I remember our boys sitting on Splash Mountain and riding over and over and over again late one night!! I love walking down mainstreet at night at closing, with the shops all a bustle and the street is alive. 15 MORE SLEEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Weekends will be busy, but midweek will be good. Forewarning: DL will be closing early on party nights (6-7pm), which last year were Tuesdays and Fridays. Fireworks and Fantasmic! only showed Saturday and Sunday, and Halloween fireworks only at the parties. Even on the weekend, I felt crowds were better than summer crowds.

 

[jandm]

Thankfully we would be there during the week (mon & tues) and not the weekend. I would honestly love to go the 3rd week in May (week before Memorial Day) but when I saw the schedule for Grad Nights, it's almost every night that week!

 

[Feej]

I would also like to know. I just booked us for the 21st through 27th. I am hoping it is a slow time.

Amazing - We're booked for almost the exact same period.

I'm hoping the crowds will be okay, but I get the feeling that this time of year is getting busier.

 

[heatherleigh]

I do not think it's a good time. Our last two trips were in Oct., and I refuse to go back that time of year. The first one was bad, but not too bad. Our last trip, was much too busy. I actually waited in several 1 hr + lines (or 2 hrs).

As far as weather goes, it probably is very nice during that time. Our last trip in Oct. had unusual weather for that time of year. One day it was rainy & cold (crowds did not let up that day, despite rain), the other day it was hotter than hell. Like I said though, that was unusual. Usually the temps are perfect that time of year- not too hot, not too cold.

 

[LisaT91403]

October can be tricky with weather. It could be hot. It could be raining. You just never know. I think October has gotten to be a busy month because of Halloween, but that's just my opinion. Don't worry about fires, though...that's not a concern.

 

[jory29]

I do not think it's a good time. Our last two trips were in Oct., and I refuse to go back that time of year. The first one was bad, but not too bad. Our last trip, was much too busy. I actually waited in several 1 hr + lines (or 2 hrs).

As far as weather goes, it probably is very nice during that time. Our last trip in Oct. had unusual weather for that time of year. One day it was rainy & cold (crowds did not let up that day, despite rain), the other day it was hotter than hell. Like I said though, that was unusual. Usually the temps are perfect that time of year- not too hot, not too cold.

Ditto to the not going back again in October, due to the very high Halloween crowds - We were there between the 2nd and third week of October, I believe. Crowds were horrible. Gridlock often. Long wait for rides from morning on. Very tiring days.

 

[crazycatlady]

Ditto to the not going back again in October, due to the very high Halloween crowds - We were there between the 2nd and third week of October, I believe. Crowds were horrible. Gridlock often. Long wait for rides from morning on. Very tiring days.

Was this weekdays, weekends, or both?

 

[nbliss]

We went this last October, a Monday-Friday trip (the 24th-28th). I thought the crowds were awesome, especially Monday-Wednesday. We NEVER waited an hour for any ride. The longest waits were for Star Tours, but we FP'd that. The longest waits I saw were for Nemo, Peter Pan. Weather was wonderful (shorts and t's for us). Thurs and Friday were busier, but still good. I HATE crowds, which is why I pulled my kids out of school to go midweek. True, no fireworks, except for the Tuesday night Halloween party, but you need to buy a separate ticket for that. The biggest dissappointment? Pirates was closed for a 2 1/2 month refurb.

 

[jennilouwho]

Most of Utah has the 18th and 19th off of school. In the past, people have complained about horrendous crowds that week. I've never been during that time to vouch, but I asked about it on here and lots said it was crazy busy.

 

[jory29]

Was this weekdays, weekends, or both?

It was 7 days in the parks - so, both. We would just go back to the hotel for a couple of hours in the afternoon for a break, then head back to fight the crowds.

Edited to add: I looked back to see, it was Oct., 13-19, 2009. We did partake in one of the Halloween parties, and were glad we had a chance to do that, it was interesting. That was the year we were able to ride the Lilly Belle, too, so not all was bad! Coming back in the evenings, using up our fast passes, was a good way to fight the crowds, but it was really noticeably crowded right from the time the gates opened, it seemed. We have gone in Nov., Sept., March., and April before, and we couldn't get over the over-crowding in October.

 

[All American]

Most of Utah has the 18th and 19th off of school. In the past, people have complained about horrendous crowds that week. I've never been during that time to vouch, but I asked about it on here and lots said it was crazy busy.

We're in the Alpine School District and have the 11, 12, and 15th off. My sister, who lives in the Davis School District, has the 18th and 10th off. I just got off the phone with her because our husband's gave us the go-ahead to start planning a smallish family trip. It will be our first one to Disney together in YEARS.

I told her that the only thing you really can't count on anymore are crowds. We've gone during Utah's fall break before, and sometimes the crowds were low and at other times the crowds were pretty thick. Even during the Halloween parties, there were some pretty long lines.

I think the best thing to do is "expect the worst and hope for the best." Either way, a day at Disney beats a day at home.

 

[DisneyPhreak]

We went Oct 15-19th last year and probably wont go back at that time of the year again if we can help it. Weekends were pretty insane and even Mon - Wed was incredibly busy. I knew Monday would be packed especially in the afternoon with the Halloween Party. But Tuesday and Wednesday where I thought it would be pretty light was pretty slammed both days. The busier rides (SM, Indy, etc) all had 1 hour + lines from open till close.

Next time I'm thinking September after the kiddies mostly go back to school. We've also had good success with the beginning of December.

Honestly I think "slow" times are becoming less and less of a sure thing.

 

[tzeitel]

We went this last October, a Monday-Friday trip (the 24th-28th). I thought the crowds were awesome, especially Monday-Wednesday. We NEVER waited an hour for any ride. The longest waits were for Star Tours, but we FP'd that. The longest waits I saw were for Nemo, Peter Pan. Weather was wonderful (shorts and t's for us). Thurs and Friday were busier, but still good. I HATE crowds, which is why I pulled my kids out of school to go midweek. True, no fireworks, except for the Tuesday night Halloween party, but you need to buy a separate ticket for that. The biggest dissappointment? Pirates was closed for a 2 1/2 month refurb.

We were there at the same time and had the same experience Loved it except I was so bummed about POTC!

 

[jandm]

It sounds like the 3rd week was okay for most everyone, so that's good. What about the 3rd week in May? Do you think now that Grad nights has now changed and it's an all day/evening event will make it crazy?