October trip need advice?

[Malin]

Myself and a friend are looking into visiting Orlando next year starting from the 8th of October for two weeks. Is this a good time of the year to visit for crowds and weather?

 

[orangetiggs]

We flew out 19th this year and found it to be busy, epcot on some days was very. Usy due to food and wine, the waits for some of the rides was very long, we have been in feb, jan, nov/dec and sept before and these are lighter crowds.

Weather wise was cold a few days, had to go and buy trousers for my daughters as only took shorts out there for them and was a bit chilly at night, when we left on 2nd nov it was 92 so maybe a bit out of the norm for that time of year. We wouldnt go that time of year again, i would get there in nov as crowds seems to drop after halloween

 

[~Piglet~]

Hopefully that will be a lovely time weather-wise as it its when we are going

If you google the average weather for Orlando in October that will give you an indication of temperatures etc, but obviously just because it might have rained this year it doesn't mean it will the next year too

 

[scottish mum]

We went on 7th Oct 2010 and had a brill time, crowds were quite low apart from the first weekend when it was an american holiday. Epcot was very busy at weekends and evenings due to food and wine festival.
Weather wise it was hot and we had no rain at all, it cooled slightly in the evenings but we were still just in shorts and vests right up to park closings. It was round about late 80's low 90's everyday.

Our only slight negative was that we found the parks shut quite early, we have been in july a few times, parks are open really late then, and found that the parks shut quite early, HS was around 7pm.
Also MNSSHP is on loads in October so that also makes the MK shut early on several nights. MNSSHP is great though

Hopefully when we go back next it will be October we go in again

 

[irongirlof12]

We love going in october, the weather is good, food and wine at epcot, halloween at mk, we have been in june,dec and jan and find oct to be the best time to go.it does get dark early and quickly but we planned some evening meals etc so didnt really notice

 

[higgy66]

We flew out on 8th october this year and the weather was fantasic. Arrived to rain but within 12 hours it cleared up and only had one other evening with light drizzle. The last couple of days the temp did drop and we needed fleeces but after speaking to other people I was under the impression this was not the norm for that time of year.

I believe the cold spell lasted a couple of weeks and then picked upagain.

Crowd wise we found it Ok. On some occassions we did make use of the fast passes for the popular rides and this worked realy well

We were on the DDP so already ADR's so all our evening meals were booked so never had issues there. I don't think I would hace liked to have trried a walk up as they did seem pretty busy at most places

Have to agree EPCOT was very busy on an evening around the world showcase with the food & wine but this tended to be worse on a weekend - however, it all adds to the atmosphere!

In previous years we've always gone last week Sept/first week October and this is by far our favourite. Low crowds, fantastic weather and still able to enjoy the Halloween celebrations

Next year we go even later - 19th October due to school hols so I expect the queues to be worse and the weather a little cooler but so what - we'll still be in Florida!

 

[Invisable89]

October is still a great time to visit WDW but you have to be aware of certain things.

1) The Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT is extremely popular especially during Fri-Sun so avoid it on them days.

2) 'Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party' at Magic Kingdom is on several nights a week so unless you have tickets you'll have to leave the Park at 7pm. & That also means there's only a few nights a week where you can watch the Parade & Wishes Fireworks so make sure you check the Park hours etc.

October is definitely not as quiet as it was 4+ years ago but it's still very manageable. You should be fine. This past October was abnormally busy because of Magic Kingdom's 40th Anniversary (& a few other things) so i wouldn't compare it to more 'normal' Octobers.

& The weather in October is pretty much perfect to be honest unless you get a cold front which is unusual in early Oct. The temps are usually mid 80's to late 80's.

 

[dixonsontour]

We've been last 2 Octobers and booked for Oct 2012.

2010 weather was perfect - warm, sunny no rain.

2011 - slightly cooler but no rain until the day we left.

8th is columbus day think crowds spike slightly but you will be travelling that day anyway.

We found crowds v manageable - I use touring plans.com best day guide.

Agree avoid Epcot fri/sat and sun due to F and W.

Non disney parks this year were really quiet.

I've recently done a trip report in the trip reports section on UK DIS called Everything but disney for our Oct 2011 trip. If you look at the pics you can see what I was wearing and I mention the weather/temps.

 

[flortlebap]

October is an awesome time to go. F&W at Epcot does get busy towards the middle of the month but it doesn't hugely impact if you plan properly. It's nowhere near as bad as August (even late August or early Sept). We are trying June this time but I have a feeling well revert back to late sept/early oct for our next trip

 

[Malin]

Thanks for the response

I have taken all feedback and passed it on to my friend. Personally I'm up for visiting at this time. Always wanted to check out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Food and Wine Festival and Universal Horror Nights. So this all sounds great to me. I will need to convince them about F&W but if we're visiting Epcot anyway it'll do no harm to check it out for an hour while we in World Showcase.

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for the response

I have taken all feedback and passed it on to my friend. Personally I'm up for visiting at this time. Always wanted to check out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Food and Wine Festival and Universal Horror Nights. So this all sounds great to me. I will need to convince them about F&W but if we're visiting Epcot anyway it'll do no harm to check it out for an hour while we in World Showcase.

Midweek food and wine was fine - we had a lovely afternoon strolling around world showcase sampling in 2010.

 

[Beep]

We've been last 2 Octobers and booked for Oct 2012.

2010 weather was perfect - warm, sunny no rain.

2011 - slightly cooler but no rain until the day we left.

8th is columbus day think crowds spike slightly but you will be travelling that day anyway.

We found crowds v manageable - I use touring plans.com best day guide.

Agree avoid Epcot fri/sat and sun due to F and W.

Non disney parks this year were really quiet.

I've recently done a trip report in the trip reports section on UK DIS called Everything but disney for our Oct 2011 trip. If you look at the pics you can see what I was wearing and I mention the weather/temps.

Absolutely agree! We did the Disney parks the most in October and with a bit of planning it was fine. We actually went in MK for a few hours when the halloween party was on as it was quiet with everyone leaving.

It did get cooler the 2nd week we were there (flew out on the 8th) but normally it is lovely and warm. My parents came out with us in October 2010 and they found it too hot for them on some days.

We are going out again next from 29th Sept for 3 weeks

ps dixonstour, just finished reading your TR on another forum and loved it.

 

[dixonsontour]

Absolutely agree! We did the Disney parks the most in October and with a bit of planning it was fine. We actually went in MK for a few hours when the halloween party was on as it was quiet with everyone leaving.

It did get cooler the 2nd week we were there (flew out on the 8th) but normally it is lovely and warm. My parents came out with us in October 2010 and they found it too hot for them on some days.

We are going out again next from 29th Sept for 3 weeks

ps dixonstour, just finished reading your TR on another forum and loved it.

Thanks

 

[PFlo]

Hi. I'm new to the board. Just to say we've been twice in October and loved it. Weather can be variable. So it's good to be flexible eg head to the water parks as soon as you get a really warm day as some days can be cooler. Our family loved mickeys Halloween party which made the trip extra special.

Have fun whatever you decide to do.