October

[Longhairbear]

We love that time of year there, and go annually. If it rains, we head straight for Animal Kingdom. The whole ambience of the park changes. While some of the animals might not be out (esp the tigers) walking the paths, and taking the Safari takes on a whole different experience.

 

[tea pot]

We are visiting DW in Oct 4-11 for the first time with our kids, and our first visit using DVC. Is this a good time as for temperature, and crowds? We have 3 kids 8, 3, and 11 months at time of visit.

We love to visit in October and in May the weather is usually great,
the crowds are manageable and the if you can get to the parks early
you will just walk on your favorite rides for the first hour or so.
Big advantage is the Flower show in May and the Food and Wine
Festival on October. Flying cost are reasonable. Best Disney Time
Good Luck and Welcome Home

 

[lkenyon]

We have been going in Oct for 9 years now. I can share some real observations with you:

Weather - Almost always hot and sunny - very enjoyable(last year - not so sunny, it rained a lot and at all of the parties)
Crowds - WDW resorts are always sold out in Oct - it is very busy, but the crowds are not too heavy - a lot of adults are visiting during Oct for all of the activities going on!
Disney Halloween Party MNSSHP - The early years were awesome Tickets were under $25 maybe a few thousand people (3K ). Each year the price goes up, the perks go down, and now the crowd is about 50K (whatever a full day's crowd is - that is what is at the party plus some) and the tickets are now $49ish...hmmmmm. We go, but honestly we enjoy Universal's Halloween Party so much more. It is sad that Disney has totally sold out on the MNSSHP - Greed has taken over...The photos are not even free anymore...It was so quaint in the early days and you felt so special with the red carpet treatment...It was like Disney was giving back for all of the $ that you spend - It was awesome....
Wine and Food Festival - Great
Golf - Funai classic is usually going on - the whole town is buzzing
2007 - the traffic was greater than I have ever seen! We rent a mini-van each year, because we like to zip back and forth to Universal, shop, and we eat out every night off property.
Airfare - always great! From Michigan we pay between $76 - $150 round trip! You have to watch for the late night deals (Tues night and Wed)
Car Rental - Very Good rates from Thrifty - $100 - $150 total for 7 days (mini-van)!! Mousesavers.com offers discount codes. Thrifty is always the best deal!!! Once you book - keep checking right up to you leave, because the rates even drop more!! Test all of the codes and sign up for Blue Chip Rewards - No waiting at the airport or the car rental place!!!
We do love October