October occupancy

[LtlTee]

We have a short trip planned for the end of October. We've never gone in the fall -- we've always traveled May thru August. We're staying at POFQ, but I was thinking about maybe upgrading to the WL, so I went online to find out availability. The only resorts with availability for my dates are Caribbean Beach, POFQ and Riverside, Saratoga Springs, and Ft. Wilderness Cabins. Like I said, we usually don't travel at this time of year, but I just assumed that this was a slower time of year. I guess it surprised me that, even at 50 days out, there wasn't more available. Is this normal?
I guess I'm just wondering if the parks will be more crowded that what I assumed they would be for October.

 

[Hoopfamily]

We went last October the same week, and crowds were not an issue. Of course at parade time and such there is a crush, but ride wait times were low.

I think alot of people are there for short stays that time of year, probably to experience the MNSSHP.

 

[LtlTee]

Thanks! I figured the crowds have to better than June!
We're going the last weekend (Thurs - Sun) before Halloween, so maybe that's it -- people wanting to experience MNSSHP.

 

[Destination Disney]

Don't forgte on top of MNSSHP they have the Food and Wine festival going on at Epcot! This is very popular and draws a lot of crowds.

 

[Hopefully]

We always go in October and I have found that each visit is more crowded than the visit before. October is no longer the quiet time of year that it once was, as evidenced by the fact that it is now Regular season, not Value season as it was in the past. Do NOT go expecting low crowds or you will be disappointed. I think Moderate crowds is more reasonable. It certainly is not like summer, but it is not like January either.
As was said before, the Food & Wine Festival draws lots of crowds, including many locals.
Have a great trip.

 

[bmoc_ny]

Don't forgte on top of MNSSHP they have the Food and Wine festival going on at Epcot! This is very popular and draws a lot of crowds.

Was there Late Oct in 2003 Park crowds were on the light side Nothing compared to Aug of 2002. MNSSHP is going on but is a seperate ticket and only a limited # are sold for each Night. As for the Food and Wine Fest it was not as crowded as I thought it would be and seemed to only affect Epcot.

 

[Sammie]

Disney is having record crowds this year and October is a popular month. You will notice the parks will not be as busy as summer but nothing like years past. Disney resorts will be very busy.

 

[michelle1]

I was planning a short trip for the same weekend that you are going and tried to get a AAA discount at POP but there was no availability. I ended up changing my dates to the last weekend in Sept and had no problem. Oct was my first choice because of weather but the same 4 night trip ended up saving me $150 and I got the resort I wanted so I figured it was worth the switch.

 

[LtlTee]

I tried for the AAA discount also, but couldn't get it for my dates. Unfortunately, our dates aren't flexible, so I just sucked it up.
I've always gotten either an AP discount or AAA discount, but got neither this time. That's great that you could get it!

 

[ParrotBill]

Disney has gotten very smart about setting up major events to draw people in during quiet times - Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, marathons, races, golf events, conventions... and some crazy thing called "free dining plans" with package bookings.

Disney's hotel occupancy remains pretty high throughout the year now.

The other thing about low seasons is that park hours are curtailed - which puts everyone in the parks between 9 and 7, so it really never gets below a moderate crowd in the parks.

 

[Destination Disney]

I agree with the above poster.
There does not seem to ba a slow time unless you go mid-late Sept. and the beginning to Mid-January.