October crowds

[boston1029]

We just got back from a week at VWL from 10/8-10/16. We thought that it was very busy. I've been in October before and don't remember the crowds like this. Has it been abnormally crowded for this time of year or have the crowds been normal? We want to take my family in October next year, but are a little worried that it'll be too crowded. Thanks for your input.

 

[empkuzco]

There are several threads on the board put up recently which address this very question. Each has multiple responses which you may find helpful. In short, some thought it was more crowded than usual, others did not. We were there over 10/11-10/16 and while the crowds may have been a little larger than previous Octobers, we found the parks quite workable.

 

[QuickGold]

You can find wait times from last year at http://www.mgmstudios.org/wait.html

 

[xyymom]

We were there Oct.3-8th in the parks and found it practically empty some days (Epcot in particular). Our MNSSHP on the 8th was busy, busy but everything else; including MNSSHP on the 3rd was great I thought! I guess it depends on the week & luck.

 

[kilee]

Between people rescheduling from the hurricane's and Columbus Day (which is always a bit more popular during Oct) it appears the crowd levels were high. October in itself is also becoming a very popular month to go. I know we are trying to pick a week for next year and aren't sure which in October to do.

 

[kupperman]

My husband and I went last year from October 12 to the 19th. It was very crowded. We had to use FastPass the whole time. We both said we would never go around that time again. It was also very humid.

 

[turnerx5]

Anyone else recently back or there now to comment on crowd levels?

 

[ainmama2001]

We were there from 10/3 (sunday) - 10/6 - Wednesday. Wednesday morning the MK was DEAD. We got on Dumbo TWO TIMES! Sunday was very crowded (MNSSHP) and Monday was crowded too, as Mondays tend to be. We go in October also and we find the crowds manageable enough. This year it did seem a bit more crowded tho. I agree...probably because of the Hurricanes. and people rescheduling.

 

[jwfla422]

We were there last weekend (Oct. 14-17), although it was fairly busy I didn't find it "packed". We went to MK on the Friday of our trip. We waited about 45 min. to see Ariel and Cinderella in Toontown as they are together right now while they refurbish Ariel's grotto. And, this is the only place you can "meet & greet" with Ariel. Plus, at that time the skies opened up and people rushed into the tent so i'm sure that had a lot to do with it too. The other character lines were not nearly as long.

Most of the other attractions didn't look terribly busy. The other parks were fine, EPCOT was not real busy. AK and MGM were busy on the weekends. The B&B show filled up the bleacher stands in the back.

We did have PS's for almost all of our meals but the restaurants weren't real crowded.

It was a little busier than I expected (I'm sure many guests rescheduled trips from Sept. to this time too from all of the hurricanes). But, it wasn't uncomfortable, now the first week of June...busy and hot. I would never go back then, I would go back in Oct. again in a heartbeat.

 

[sjreed]

We just got back from doing the land/sea vacation 10/14-10/21. We were at the parks 10/14-10/17. We arrived at the BC Thursday around lunch time and got our room right away, had a quick lunch at Beaches & Cream and headed straight to MK knowing it was closing at 6:00 for MNSSHP. We found the crowds to be pretty low...we walked right on the jungle cruise, and Pirates, 20 min for Splash, 20 min for Thunder MTN, 5 min for Haunted Mansion, 30 min for Space MTN. Friday and Saturday were another story!!! We did MGM on Friday...not too bad in the morning but by early afternoon Rocking Roller Coaster was a 55 min wait and ToT was about 45 min. WE went back into MK Friday night for Spectro and Wishes....what a mistake that was!! The crowds were massive...couldn;t even move. Saturday we went to Epcot...Future World wasn't that bad...But the World Showcase was very crowded because of the Food & Wine Festival. Sunday morning me and DD went back into MK at 9:00 AM because I wanted to see Mickey's PhilHarmagic, we walked right into that...and it was AWESOME!!!! Then we walked very slowly down Main St, had our mother/Daughter picture taken in front of the castle (as we do every time we are at MK) and headed back to BC to get the Bus for the Cruise. This was our very first time doing the Cruise and we absolutely LOVED it!!

 

[Mister Skellington]

Just got back from our trip (10-9 to-10-21)
We found the parks to be very crowded the first week we were there. The CMs told us that people coming back from hurricane cancellations as well as columbus day was the reason for the crowds. The wait times at MGM were pretty long at 60 -90 minutes for TOT and RnR. Thanks to fast pass though we didnt really wait in line. The second week was alot better except for Epcot which is having the Food and Wine festival...they got very busy in the afternoon....The line for Irelands stew was longer than the line for Mission space it seemed like..LOL
All in all we found The "Unofficial Guides" best days to visit the parks list very accurate. We planned our days pretty well with the guide and experienced few waits even on the busy days. The slow days were great...splash mountain had 5 minute waits all day.