October trip - Halloween, 2Bed avail, weather, etc?

[jjohns]

We just had our first DVC trip (OKW May 13-21) and it was just way too much fun! So, we're now planning our next one (or three).

We're thinking of bringing a grandparent along for an Oct/02 trip to BWV. But, I have a few questions...

1) What's the weather really like in mid/late October? One choice for the trip is around the week of Oct 14. A second choice would be around the end of the month, say the week of the 28th.

2) One reason for considering the later week is for Mickey's Halloween party. For anyone that's been, just what is it all about? At that time we will have kids aged 7 1/2 and 5 1/2 - since its Disney I'm thinking there will be plenty for them, but any specifics?

3) With the kids and the grandparent, we will be getting a 2 Bedroom, and we would like to be at BWV. However its not our home resort, so we will only be able to book using the 7month window. Any idea if 2Bed at BWV in October is a tough ticket with only 7 months advance?

4) Also, what about relative crowdedness of the parks. We've just been (mid-May) and on one night (Monday after 7) MK was almost deserted, but another (I think it was an e-night) it felt very busy. Is October generally better/same/worse than May?

5) One last thing - does October have more extended park hours and more fireworks/parades at MK and DS than this past May did? Or less?

Thanks for any/all advice and help,
Jeff

 

[KMarie]

We are grandparents and we took our kids and grandkids to WDW for four days last Halloween. We were in a 2-bedroom at BWV, (actually it was a one bedroom and a studio with a lock off door) which is our home resort. We booked the trip nine months out.

The weather was great -- highs in low 80s during the day, and occassionally needed a sweater at night. We had no rain.

The grandkids were taken out of school for this family trip, and we were surprised at how many people did the same thing. The last time we were at WDW was during prime season -- June -- and although the parks at Halloween time were not as crowded as then, there were more people there than we thought would be. Nevertheless, by using early entry and fast pass, we were able to walk right on our favorite rides with virtually no waiting. The parks were not open as late as they are in summer.

We went to Mickey's Not So Scarey Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. We used the party for our only visit to MK during this trip. The park was cleverly decorated in Halloween costume. There were stands scattered throughout the park where you could get free candy. A neat parade with Halloween costumed characters ran twice during the night and there were fireworks, too. There also were live bands playing music in the park and other performers and characters did "revues" at the Castle Fourcourt and at Diamond Horseshoe Saloon. There were Boo to You Kids Parades in different areas of the park. We'd guessed about 50% of the kids and grown ups attending were in Halloween costume. We were able to walk on every ride we wanted to go on and ride multiple times. The longest lines were visiting characters and at the race track ride.

Our grandkids were young teenagers, and had the most fun riding the rides several times in the dark of night and stopping at the trick or treat stations for candy. They liked the parade and the bands, too. But, there was a Halloween party at the Boardwalk that we missed by going to the Mickey Party, that apparently included a band, treats, and some activities. Other posters may be able to tell you about that. Our kids were sorry they missed it.

We stayed at the Mickey party from begining to end. It was after midnight by the time we got back to BW. It made for a very long day since we had been up for early entry at another park. Many parents we talked to said they wished they and their kids had taken a nap so they'd be more rested for the party.

I still have the maps and info from our Halloween visit, if you have more questions.

Hope this helps!

 

[juju]

We always go at this time of year and find the crowds fine, the MNSSHP was so much fun, be sure to wear a costume to add to the fun. A lot of families wear costumes as a group, last year there was one that were all characters from Peter Pan, even the grandmother, it was so cute (think the dad was Wendy).
As the other post said there were a lot of activities, we also had a fortune told and there were areas where they would take your photo, and give you the opportunity to buy extra copies but believe it or not, even if you did not buy any they send you one, about 5x7 that was free!

One other thing, end of October and beginning of November is the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, this is our favorite event of the year, the grandma might enjoy the cooking demos with free samples!

We were there two weeks and the weather was perfect, encountered rain only one time, a downpour about 7PM for 10 minutes. Don't believe there were extended hours except for the special events, the parties and Enight.

 

[Bennet]

1) Weather is great!

2) Our MNSSHP Info Page

3) You can try, and keep trying

4) Hey it is Disney there are always crowds but they were managable.