October crowds, best week

[chimommy]

thinking about going in October. Wondering if Columbus Day greatly affects the crowd for that weekend and following week. Are the weeks that follow significantly less crowded?

Thanks!

 

[Serenebean]

I think Columbus Day adds to the crowds a bit. Based on that, we booked for the following week (Oct 17-25). October has been heavier with crowds over the last few years in general, so I went with later in the month with the hopes of lower crowds (but still expecting it to be fairly busy and avoiding Epcot on the weekend at all costs!)

 

[PSUGuy]

Avoid Columbus Day, the weekend prior and the day after and any other Oct time should be fine.

Bill From PA

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

Yes, avoid Columbus Day.

And not to be Debbie Downer but - while the crowds do decrease after the holiday, they do not decrease "significantly". Do not go into an October trip expecting low crowds. As many will agree (although I'm sure some will disagree ) October is becoming more and more popular and the crowds are increasing yearly. The combination of greats weather, many schools have fall breaks staggered throughout the month and Food & Wine are making October a great time to be at WDW.

 

[KittyKitty]

Last year, I was at WDW from Oct. 20th till Nov. 4. I found the 1st week of Nov was relatively quiet. The MNSSP had ended and MVMCP had not started. The weather was perfect.

 

[100acreHiker]

Lots of schools that start in summer get an October break (not where I live, as we start after Labor Day) around Columbus day. I distinctly remember the Boards going nuts last year because the crowds at WDW were high and full of school kids on break for the week. I haven't gone in October, but I would personally lean towards the last full week of October (the first week would probably be too hot for me, but I'm a heat wimp!).

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

One of the best indicators for attendance are discounts. There are no dates in October for any bounce back offers. Also, based on last years FD Oct had only two days Oct. 1st and 2nd. Last week of October last year MK opening went to 8:00am with EMH starting at 7:00am. Those are holiday crowd hours. October will be busy!!!!!

 

[Stasieki]

Our fall break is typically first week of October. We went two years ago that week and DH said never again. But we don't mind taking our kids out of school while they are young so now go Labor Day week (we start school beginning of August).

 

[DebbieB]

I was there October 22 to 29 last year. It wasn't bad except for our last day which was a Saturday at MK. Most crowded I've ever seen it.

 

[Sim4242]

Yikes this thread is making me nervous LOL. We are going first week of Oct this year, before Columbus Day weekend, really hoping it's not too miserable with high crowds

 

[RachaelA]

So many people freaked out on the dis last year because October was crazy busy compared to what they were expecting. So many schools have fall breaks now plus it's food and wine and the Halloween parties.

 

[Farro]

We are going 10/25-11/3. Not worried at all. Sure there will be crowds, but it will be fine. Specifically people who want last year during that time-frame had good things to say about it. Go later in the month if you can!

 

[MikeRx]

Have an efficient plan that includes rope drop and resort breaks and you will be fine. We will be there October 7-14 and will have a great time even if it's crowded. It s our Fall break in Arizona. We did it in 2015 and we had a great time. F&W on the weekends was crazy go nuts, so do your best to go mid-week. For what it's worth, the same fears occur on the Disneyland thread as most of AZ heads to Disneyland for fall break and Halloween parties. We were there last year and the crowds may have been worse. We still had a great time using FastPass and getting to the parks early.
Mike

 

[sunshine1]

Have an efficient plan that includes rope drop and resort breaks and you will be fine. We will be there October 7-14 and will have a great time even if it's crowded. It s our Fall break in Arizona. We did it in 2015 and we had a great time. F&W on the weekends was crazy go nuts, so do your best to go mid-week. For what it's worth, the same fears occur on the Disneyland thread as most of AZ heads to Disneyland for fall break and Halloween parties. We were there last year and the crowds may have been worse. We still had a great time using FastPass and getting to the parks early.
Mike

Thanks for this Mike.

I am thinking of changing my trip to do these similar dates - i was meant to be flying out this friday but i think rescheduling the dates is the best thign to do - then i saw that week is columbus day and week.

So i have got to choose between crowds or irwa.

Which would you choose?

 

[PatMcDuck]

We are Oct 15-22, and hoping to miss the Columbus Day crowds and get into he slightly cooler part of the month. Last year we went the last week and went home on Nov 1. MK is very crowded on Saturdays in October, because most other nights it closes early for MNSSHP.

 

[BethanyLynnFit]

Have an efficient plan that includes rope drop and resort breaks and you will be fine. We will be there October 7-14 and will have a great time even if it's crowded. It s our Fall break in Arizona. We did it in 2015 and we had a great time. F&W on the weekends was crazy go nuts, so do your best to go mid-week. For what it's worth, the same fears occur on the Disneyland thread as most of AZ heads to Disneyland for fall break and Halloween parties. We were there last year and the crowds may have been worse. We still had a great time using FastPass and getting to the parks early.
Mike

We will be there the same dates and completely agree with your advice. We went in October 2015 and had a great time! With good planning and a good attitude I think October is a great month to go to WDW! Weather is perfect, MNSSHP....so much fun!

 

[eric84]

I would say the 16 - 20th. Right before Halloween, is the best time to go. Slow crowds.

 

[Disneymom1126]

We've gone a few times in October and while it can be crowded, it's not terrible (we went first week of March this past year and it was worse). I agree with those that say rope drop and have a good plan. Also - we've always had good luck going to Magic Kingdom on party days, even if we aren't staying for the party. MK is really busy on Wednesday and Saturdays during the fall because those days (and Mondays) are the only days that don't have parties. Also, like others have said, avoid weekends at Epcot because of food and wine (locals added to the crowds on the weekends). The only time we've done park hoppers was during the fall because of the parties and food and wine, so if you can afford that in your budget, you might consider them.

 

[Ceilidhscot]

Oh well, arriving on the 7th Oct and leaving on the 17th next year so looks like I'll be hitting the parks right at the busy time but that's when the Scottish kids tend to have their October break so will just have to roll with it I guess.

The way I look at it, I'm NOT A WORK for 2 weeks whoooohooooo!!