October Crowds?

[Hollymom1229]

Question for all you experts. DH and I are considering an early October trip. Our last three trips have all been in September when there are no crowds or lines at all. I've been before in May, August, and July. So what should we expect for crowds in October, more like September or more like July? Will we need to use FP or what? Thanks for your help.

 

[Goofy4]

The crowds at the end of October this year were heavier than I expected. And that seems to be a common thought -- many DISers who visit much more often than I mentioned that it was busier than in the past. I'm not sure if it was the food & wine festival, longer Fall breaks or what. I'm sure September is better, but October was still much better than our 2003 August trip.

 

[Robo]

Question for all you experts. DH and I are considering an early October trip. Our last three trips have all been in September when there are no crowds or lines at all. I've been before in May, August, and July. So what should we expect for crowds in October, more like September or more like July? Will we need to use FP or what? Thanks for your help.

Historically, the crowds are LOW in early Oct.

 

[Luv2Travel]

I've been the last 4 years during the first week or second week of October. Last year we were there from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8. I've also been a couple of times at the end of May around Memorial Day and that's what I would compare Oct. crowds to. Oct has gotten more and more popular over the last few years and last year was the worst. I think because of more fall breaks being given in the schools here in the South and also because of MNSSHP and the Food & Wine festival becoming more popular. I think those factors plus free dining made last year's beginning of Oct. a busy time. Now when I say it was busy, I'm comparing that to when we use to go to WDW. We started out going at the end of Nov and beginning of Dec when crowds were non-existant. So it's busy, but not summer season or holiday season busy. Crowds are manageable with getting to the parks early and having a plan. I'll probably be going back again this Oct during Fall break so it can't be too bad.

 

[rkmassa]

We were thinking of going the 11th to 17th of October. Glad to hear it isn't too crowded. Of course we usually go during the summer, and have managed a few before-Christmas trips, so I am hoping October is more like before Christmas.

 

[crisi]

Food and Wine and MNSSHP both start in October. Both bring in crowds. Several schools have long weekends as well. We've discovered the week of Columbus day can get quite busy. October can be really odd as well, in that if you are unlucky enough to follow the crowds it can seem like summer, and you'll come back here to people who were in AK while you were at MGM and say "we never waited in a line."