October 2016- Is there a "better" time to go?

[todzwife]

Looking at DH's schedule, November and December are not going to work for him next year (which is when we've always gone.) He said October would work better because it's a long month without any holidays. I'm TERRIFIED of massive crowds.

We'd go for 3 days+ MNSSHP one night. Are Gay Days usually the first weekend? I want to avoid that (not because of Gays but because of the extra crowds).

How's the weather (usually)?

I'm wading through the massive Halloween super thread but I thought I'd ask here because I can't find anything.

 

[starry_solo]

Avoid the weekend of the CHOC walk, which is typically the second full weekend of October. Look around for when Mickey's Halloween Party is and use the party ticket as your entry for that one. Columbus Day is the 2nd Monday of the month as well. Some schools have it off, while others do not.

I would say if you arrive the middle part of that week (after CHOC walk and Columbus Day), it should be good.

 

[Sherry E]

October can be very hot, or pleasant, or windy. There may be wildfires and the air could be affected. It's hard to know what it will be like in 2016.

The party at Disneyland is MHP -- Mickey's Halloween Party. MNSSHP is the WDW event.

Gay Days generally happen on the first weekend in October. October does have holidays (Columbus Day and Halloween!), and there are other events and school breaks that go on (CHOC Walk and UEA, for example).

There is no need to "wade through the massive Halloween Super thread." You can always pop in and just ask a question in the Supethread (that's why it's a "massive" thread - because it's full of good info, answers and specifics)! I even have a paragraph right on page one, post #1 of the thread that is titled "You Don't Have to Read the Whole Thread." Just feel free to jump in any time.

 

[todzwife]

Oh VERY good points, I forget a lot of schools have fall break in October! We don't!!

 

[Sherry E]

Also, keep an eye on figment_jii's 2016 Calendar of Events and School Breaks next year, just to see what else might be going on that could affect crowds in October 2016 - http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3434866/.

And, check in on this post -- http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...hp-nights-now-sold-out.3270919/#post-51326911 -- to see if there are any particular September/October events to make note of, which might return in 2016.

 

[Geemo]

Also, keep an eye on figment_jii's 2016 Calendar of Events and School Breaks next year, just to see what else might be going on that could affect crowds in October 2016 - http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3434866/.

And, check in on this post -- http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...hp-nights-now-sold-out.3270919/#post-51326911 -- to see if there are any particular September/October events to make note of, which might return in 2016.

Since there really isn't a Traditional Slow time for Oct, Nov or Dec, keep an eye on the links above.

Figment_jii's 2016 Calendar is a fantastic way to see when and what is slated for each month. In their thread, the first post relates to Disney. The second post you'll see school schedules for various states and districts. 2016's thread info is evolving, to get a feel for what you might expect, go to the one for 2015 and see what this year lists. Many events fall on or close to the same time each year.
2015 > http://www.disboards.com/threads/2015-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-mhp-and-dlr.3358090/

Since you go in Nov or Dec, I feel you'll really enjoy October. I've been lucky enough to go a few times in October and it's been great.
We ended up hitting Columbus Day once, with the holiday there were more people. But I wouldn't consider the amount of people to be MASSIVE. It might have add 10minutes to the lines.

Make your plans and enjoy your time in the parks.

Geemo

 

[Imdboss]

I would avoid CHOC walk weekend if at all possible. We've gone numerous times that weekend and this year we went in Aug instead in search of lower crowds (which we found). We've always had nice weather at that time, it does cool down at night so plan on jackets and it can get fairly windy. If you can go during the week you'll have much better luck with crowds. Last year we were in the park Wed-Mon on CHOC walk/Columbus Day weekend. Wed was great, Thurs busier but not horrible, Fri we did MHP which was awesome, Sar-Mon were crazy busy.

 

[ZoZo]

I've been on five October trips. Weather in October can be all over the place, even within the same trip. It can be blazingly hot and humid (90's and super-humid every day); "regular" hot and humid; warm and pleasant; and even windy and sort of cold. And remember October is still hurricane season, so you'd be likely to get a brief afternoon shower many days (or couldluck out and have no rain at all). And we were at WDW in 2005 for Hurricane Wilma!

So I recommend to be prepared for very hot/humid weather, and also for rain, and pack accordingly. You may luck out and have wonderful weather, but it's helpful to be prepared for what might happen!