October or May?

[two*little*birds]

Which would you say is better for crowds and weather? Or are they about the same?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[TheBum]

Found this on line: //**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Disney-World-Crowd-Calendar-2-111.jpg (Apparently not enough posts to post a link. Put "http:" before.)

October is definitely the least busy.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

go the first week of oct
wasnt bad at all an all the new openings should be open.

 

[two*little*birds]

Thanks!

Our kids have two weeks off in October, after the Canadian Thanksgiving - so it would be the perfect opportunity for us to go.

 

[two*little*birds]

Found this on line: //**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Disney-World-Crowd-Calendar-2-111.jpg (Apparently not enough posts to post a link. Put "http:" before.)

October is definitely the least busy.

This link is for DW not DL, but thanks for trying.

 

[Sherry E]

October is no longer an off-peak month in terms of crowds. The Halloween Time festivities have increased crowds and made it a peak time to go. It used to be considered off-peak season a few years ago, but since 2008 the crowds have been steadily increasing. I think last year was the busiest Halloween Time season thus far.

Plus, any new attractions or shows will drive the crowds up substantially. World of Color debuted in June 2010. By all accounts, the crowds for the rest of the year were quite substantial. Some folks even said they would not go during October again because it was too crowded and annoying to try to navigate around. This year we have both the opening of the new Little Mermaid ride and the new Star Tours. Next year will be the opening of Cars Land.

Honestly, I don't think this coming October will be any 'less' crowded than May of this year.

The only thing that may work would be to try to go during a less crowded time of October - if such a thing exists now. Traditionally, the first couple of weeks of October are busier than the middle portion of the month, due to various school breaks, a couple of conventions or special events and Columbus Day holiday weekend.

When mid-October (after Columbus Day) rolls around, things quiet down a little bit, but then they pick up again in the few days leading up to Halloween.

Weather-wise, October is very unpredictable in SoCal. It can either be extremely hot and dry (like as high as upper 90's or low 100's) or it can be cool, breezy and overcast. It may also be rainy. It may be a nice pleasant, sunny 70 degrees. The worst combination is dry weather + heat + wind. That results in wildfires, which can then pollute the air. I have experienced all of these weather conditions in Octobers past - I never know what I'm going to get when October rolls around!!


May will probably be more likely to be sunny and warm because it's less unpredictable than October is.

Overall, I would pick October as the time to go just because Halloween Time is festive, fun to experience and should be enjoyed at least once. But I would not count on light crowds during that time - especially if it's any time before Columbus Day.

 

[taaren]

I can't decide so I do both the last couple of years! But this year, with the Star Tours and Little Mermaid announcement of soft opening May 20/grand opening June 3, you're either going to miss it or be fighting the "have to see the new thing" crowd in May, so October might be a bit better.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

Agree with much of the info that was already posted. As for crowds.. it's always pretty crowded! I think you are safe as long as you don't go right in the middle of a holiday or universal break/vacation. The more events happening at the park the bigger the crowd.

As for weather.. definitely MAY! As mentioned .. october can be pretty unpredictable.. you just don't know. May is when it's starting to heat up for summer so rain and bad weather are not real concerns.

Just from previous experience .. May due to summer just about to start and nice weather is probably going to be more crowded than October. As long as you don't go smack dab in the middle of all the Halloween festivities leading up to the 31st. Early October should be fine!

 

[melbarkwith]

We have visited DL in both early May and late October, and would choose May every time. The weather was great and way smaller crowds (I'm comparing May 07 to Oct 09).

 

[Boo Bear]

October because the Haunted Mansion is worth it all!!!

 

[jory29]

I agree strongly with everything SherryE said. We have been to DL in October and it was so crowded we didn't care for it the way we usually do.

 

[camouseketeer]

May is better for both weather and crowds.

But this year the new rides and parades will not be open until the very end of May, and at that point crowds will rival or surpass October crowds (which are big).

To make this decision, you will need to figure out your priorities beyond weather and crowds, including rides, theming, and hours.

May:
Better crowds and weather
No new rides or parades
No Halloween themed rides or decorations
Shorter hours during the week

October:
Bigger crowds and hotter weather
New rides
Halloween theme throughout park
Longer hours throughout month