October...Best Time to Go?

[js]

Thinking of changing our 2006 November/December trip (Saturday after Thanksgiving) to October. We were at Disney 11/26-12/5 this past year and had a wonderful time. My husband said he rather not go the first week in October??? I know there is Columbus day (week?) in October also.
Other than the first week (which I may just have to change), is there any other better time to go. We went in 2000 during Halloween and that was nice too but wondered if there was even a better week.
Thank you.

 

[kilee]

I would of actually suggested the first week. I've gone the first part of October and the last week of the month too. The second week has Columbus Day-- which is pretty busy over those 3 days. The 3rd week is okay and we did okay the last week.

For us the crowds and weather were good for both weeks. However both trips were planned based on MNSSHP and the F&W fest. We found the crowds at both of these to be lighter early in the month.

 

[ILUVDXL]

We go every year the last week in October to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The weather is always wonderful and , of course, our favorrite F&WF is in full swing.

 

[Matt'sMom]

We were at WDW over the Columbus Day holiday during 2003. The parks were relatively crowded the entire holiday weekend... and AK was absolutely wild with families w. kids on Columbus Day! This was most likely due to the schools being closed for the holiday. The rest of the week was fine though--crowds were moderate, and there were relatively short wait times for most attractions. I have a feeling this is the case most any time there is a National holiday, and the kids are all off from school. A lot of families (particularly those who live close enough to make a 'long weekend' visit practical) take advantage of those opportunities to take their kids to the WDW parks during the 'off season', without having to miss school.

This year we opted to schedule our visit for the first week of October instead... so that rather than dealing with the crowds in the parks on Columbus Day, we'll be using that Sunday & holiday to travel home.

So... you may want to consider the potential for increased holiday crowds (both around Columbus Day weekend & leading up to Halloween), when scheduling an October trip.

 

[js]

hhmmm, then maybe I will have to change to first week in October and then let my husband know LOL
I can go anytime October, November or December so I really don't want to go during Columbus Day weekend. What do you guys think.

 

[crzy4mk]

hhmmm, then maybe I will have to change to first week in October and then let my husband know LOL
I can go anytime October, November or December so I really don't want to go during Columbus Day weekend. What do you guys think.

We've been researching some of these same issues, and based on what I've learned, along with past experience, here's what I've come up with:

One of the previous posters is right. ANY holiday time is going to be crowded, especially on the actual holiday. If the holiday happens to be a Monday (like Columbus Day or President's Day), then the weekend prior is also rather busy.

Having said that, it was our experience around President's Day last year that the Sunday previous was moderately crowded (but very managable with a plan & fastpasses). We actually avoided the parks on Monday (President's Day) and did something else because we heard the crowds would be large. We spent the rest of the week hopping the parks, and the longest we waited for anything, with or without fastpasses, was 20 minutes.

We will be at WDW during Columbus Day week this year because it's when my kids and wife (teacher) are out of school. We'll probably plan something very similar to what I just said, and possibly avoid the parks on Columbus Day. The crowds are likely to be somewhat larger than in Feb. because of MNSSHP and the Food and Wine Festival, but I still can't imagine that it could compare to Spring Break weeks or June-August (been there, done that, YUCK!)

Good luck making your decision. Maybe some of this info helped.

 

[PratersloveDW]

We go every year the last week in October to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The weather is always wonderful and , of course, our favorrite F&WF is in full swing.

Ditto! I know this sounds a bit sad, but part of what determined us getting married when we did is the Food and Wine Festival. This past year we got married and I wanted to make sure that we were there for the Beach Boys and the F & W Fest! We are heading back this year and plan on going back every year here on out. October, IMHO, is by far the best month to go. I think any week, minus the last week, are pretty good. There is still a good amount of people but not over the top! The last week can become very crowded for Halloween. Have a magical time!

 

[fanofdisney]

We went during the food and wine festival, and it was great! Nice weather (I was thinking around 60s-70s?), and it wasn't very crowded at all. Some rides (like test track) we would ride, and go back around and ride again w/no problems.

 

[chanty]

Hey crzy4mk,
We'll be there at the same time as you! We'll be there from Oct 3 to Oct 13 this year for our honeymoon... we are thinking about extending it to the 14th...maybe leaving on the 2nd...we'll determine that later on ;-)

Where are you staying?

Chantal

 

[js]

Oh, when is the FnW Festival? Does this make a big impact on Epcot?
I really wanted my inlaws to experience WS since they have never been before. Out of all the times we have been to WDW, we have never been at WS during the day with the exception of this year.
It was such a big difference experiencing the countries during the day instead of just at night. We let the kids do the kidcot stations (they are 10 and 6) and they also very much enjoyed taking the time to sit and take a break while we took a look around. If WS gets packed during FnW, I may have to reconsider although I think this may also be fun to do. Help!

 

[crzy4mk]

Hey crzy4mk,
We'll be there at the same time as you! We'll be there from Oct 3 to Oct 13 this year for our honeymoon... we are thinking about extending it to the 14th...maybe leaving on the 2nd...we'll determine that later on ;-)

Where are you staying?

Chantal

We have a friend in our church who has a home in Kissimmee that they are letting us use for FREE! Couldn't pass that up, so we will be staying offsite.

Congratulations on your upcoming honeymoon.

 

[twocat]

Oh, when is the FnW Festival? Does this make a big impact on Epcot?
I really wanted my inlaws to experience WS since they have never been before. Out of all the times we have been to WDW, we have never been at WS during the day with the exception of this year.
It was such a big difference experiencing the countries during the day instead of just at night. We let the kids do the kidcot stations (they are 10 and 6) and they also very much enjoyed taking the time to sit and take a break while we took a look around. If WS gets packed during FnW, I may have to reconsider although I think this may also be fun to do. Help!

I wouldn't call it packed. Maybe on the weekend but I always go during the week. Daytime lines at the food booths are much shorter than the evening. But they are never that long. 10 minutes tops on a busy evening at a popular booth. At least that's been my experience. This year the F & W Fest starts 9/30 and goes until the middle of November. I would never hesitate to go to the F & W based on crowds. It's a fabulous event. See allearsnet.com for menus, reviews, etc. Traditionally, Oct/Nov are fairly uncrowded during the non-holidays.