October Planning Advice

[Muddy Rivers]

We are planning a trip for October 2017. We want to include the Food and Wine Festival as well as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We will be staying at POR, in case that makes a difference and probably flying United or JetBlue.

Our dates will be either 10/12 - 10/22 or 10/19 - 10/29.

This is where I need help. Do either set of dates have clear advantages vs. disadvantages?

I realize the first set is on the tail end of Columbus Day week but the 2nd set of dates is closer to Halloween. Any experiences anyone can share would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[Babsy]

I would choose the later week because I like the cooler temperature that you get later in the fall more than the potentially warmer temps in the earlier week. Also, it is nice to experience MNSSHP closer to Hallowe'en closer to the end of the month. Again, just my opinion.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would avoid Columbus Day Week, personally.

Either week, expect pretty good crowds. Last October was quite busy all month. 17 of 29 days at MK were crowd levels over 8.

 

[Muddy Rivers]

That's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure about the crowds and likelihood of dining or hotel discounts.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There won't be Free Dining in October. Count on that. There will be some room-only discounts, but their inventory will be quite limited.

 

[JohnnyB2]

We've been going in Oct. for many years now. This year the 15th to 24th to avoid the week of Columbus Day. As mentioned in previous posts Oct. attendence has definately been on the rise as the popularity of the F&W and the great weather has brought more people, and yes even a few Hurricanes. Have fun and have a great trip

 

[Muddy Rivers]

Thank you everyone for all of your advice! I really appreciate it!

 

[Josieriz]

We are going the week of Columbus Day this year. We have to fly down to Naples for a family wedding and figured why waste the flight to Florida without seeing the Mouse! My parents are joining us and we will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary! Please tell me we won't be miserable (weather and crowd wise, that is)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We are going the week of Columbus Day this year. We have to fly down to Naples for a family wedding and figured why waste the flight to Florida without seeing the Mouse! My parents are joining us and we will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary! Please tell me we won't be miserable (weather and crowd wise, that is)

All you can do is hope. The week is fairly crowded, and it's hurricane season. It could be lovely or awful. If you have a good plan, avoid Epcot on weekends and do MK on party nights (leave by 5), you can get a lot done.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I would also avoid Columbus Day Wknd if that's an option. It used to be a pretty quiet time, but not in recent years.

 

[4Hawks]

Sorry to piggyback.

How about right before Columbus day weekend? Should we expect heavy crowds?

 

[rosiebean]

October has gotten more and more crowded each year. Check past and predicted crowd calendars and plan accordingly.

I've done most of my trips in October (though went the first week of December 2016 as October had gotten too busy for us). My tips for October trips:

1) When visiting Epcot for the F&W festival, avoid going Friday afternoon through Sunday. Our party had great times at F&W by going to Epcot during the week (Tue-Thur was best) to sample the booth offerings. After one miserable Saturday at Epcot during F&W, we only go on the weekend as early as possible and to go to very specific booths...or go late for an ADR (with a visit to a F&W booth for a drink or dessert).

2) Ask yourself before you go to MNNSHP if you are there to enjoy the rides more or the events (such as parades). If you want quality ride time, skip the early parade and shows and hit the rides. The crowd for the first parade is HUGE and by skipping it, you can ride ride ride, take a rest during the later parade or shows, then ride some more. Crowds for rides early in the party are light and get very busy after the first parade. This has been the best strategy for my family (but we go to MNNSHP because we love walking onto rides that we usually have to wait for). That said, the MNNSHP parade and shows are fantastic and worth seeing, so if that's your main reason for going, just go see what you want to see...my family takes in later events to rest. Trick or Treating during the party (in our experience) gets better closer to closing time. More than one visit, the trick or treating stops had barrels so full of candy so close to midnight that the CMs were giving out handfuls to everyone, especially kids (one called mine back four years ago and said "WAIT! I HAVE MORE!" before giving them three more double handfuls of chocolate). My kids were in in awe and still talk about it.

3) October is 'mild' for weather in Florida but can still get very hot and very humid. It sometimes rains, hard, though not as much as in summer. Planning midday events inside (ADRs, rides, hotel naps) are great even though you are visiting in 'fall'.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I would choose the later week because I like the cooler temperature that you get later in the fall more than the potentially warmer temps in the earlier week. Also, it is nice to experience MNSSHP closer to Hallowe'en closer to the end of the month. Again, just my opinion.

This!! I totally agree with this about the temperature. Weather in Oct is amazing. I'd definitely stick to the end of Oct. Plus mnsshp would be nice closer to halloween. And lastly, i'd avoid the Columbus day holiday at all cost.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Sorry to piggyback.

How about right before Columbus day weekend? Should we expect heavy crowds?

I'd definitely avoid it if you can. its always more crowded just before or after Columbus day weekend.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Last year, right before Columbus Day was when they closed for the hurricane. So it wasn't crowded...

(but until that point, it was.)

 

[JohnnyB2]

We were there Sept. 28th to Oct 7th ( plus the stay to the 8th as Hurricane Matthew arrived on the 7th ) and we thought the crowds were manageable with your FP !