October

[MonorailMan]

I've gotten numerous different contradicting answers as to whether or not WDW is actually crowded in late October. AllEars says it's one of the least crowded times of the year to visit, but then I've read posts on DisBoards that say it's one of the busiest times of the year.

So here goes....

Is late October a busy time at WDW?


I'm concerned. Can ya tell?

 

[rosiep]

Rest assured.
I love Disney in October. I was there last year for Halloween and the week before. Wait times were decent and the crowds very doable. Because of F&W Festival I think the crowds are more dispersed.

I'll be there this October 18th-26th. When are you there?

 

[MonorailMan]

Rest assured.
I love Disney in October. I was there last year for Halloween and the week before. Wait times were decent and the crowds very doable. Because of F&W Festival I think the crowds are more dispersed.

I'll be there this October 18th-26th. When are you there?

I'll be there from the 28th until the 1st. The reason I'm making such a big stink about this is because not only do I only get to go every few years, but the person I'm taking with me wants a "true Disney experience" since he's never been before.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

October is not the least crowded time of year, but it's not the worst either. It was very comfortable for both Corey and I last year. Corey HATES crowds, but was fine throughout our stay. You will be fine.

The worst crowds are in the WS area of Epcot Friday & Saturday, Sunday can be managable, but it's still more crowded than a weekday. The FW area of Epcot did not seem to be affected by the increased crowds on the weekends. The other parks were a piece of cake.

Please breathe! It's going to be fine.

 

[MonorailMan]

October is not the least crowded time of year, but it's not the worst either. It was very comfortable for both Corey and I last year. Corey HATES crowds, but was fine throughout our stay. You will be fine.

The worst crowds are in the WS area of Epcot Friday & Saturday, Sunday can be managable, but it's still more crowded than a weekday. The FW area of Epcot did not seem to be affected by the increased crowds on the weekends. The other parks were a piece of cake.

Please breathe! It's going to be fine.

We're both crowd haters too. I've been to WDW in late November and it felt almost empty. Looooooooooved it.

Thank you. I just don't want to mess this up.

 

[padalyn]

Wow - a mini dis get together???? I will be there from 10/14 to 11/3 (I love my job!!)

I agree with most of what folks have said - Epcot is kinda wild on the weekends because of F&W. So, I usually go to other parks on those days. Since I am there for 3 weeks missing a few days of seminars is not a big deal to me.

The Not So Scary party is also happening around that time - so the MK closes early a few nights. The early open and late open are all shifted around because of that. Check the web for the exact days who is open when. (assuming you are staying on property).

Rosie - we should try to cross paths!

I will be at BCV for most of the time - the last week at SSR (added on the week - had to take what I could get!)

 

[MonorailMan]

Does the Magic Kingdom still have fireworks on the nights that the Halloween festivities are happening? (Please say yes please say yes please say yes.) I made reservations at 8:00 at one of the restaurants that overlooks the MK fireworks and the woman who made them for me told me what time the fireworks start for that entire week, but it was a generalization so I'm not sure if she was aware of the Halloween festivities or not.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Does the Magic Kingdom still have fireworks on the nights that the Halloween festivities are happening? (Please say yes please say yes please say yes.) I made reservations at 8:00 at one of the restaurants that overlooks the MK fireworks and the woman who made them for me told me what time the fireworks start for that entire week, but it was a generalization so I'm not sure if she was aware of the Halloween festivities or not.

Yes, and Hallowishes is about 3x bigger than Wishes.

 

[Stitch'sGlitch]

I am really glad that you asked this question. We are going to be down there the 28th-6th and I have always been there either in feb or sept. Then one year went down for new years and hated it. I was hoping the crowds would be manageable. This is good to hear.

 

[MonorailMan]

Yes, and Hallowishes is about 3x bigger than Wishes.

Yaaaaay!!! Thank you, David. This means I don't have to change my reservation.

I am really glad that you asked this question. We are going to be down there the 28th-6th and I have always been there either in feb or sept. Then one year went down for new years and hated it. I was hoping the crowds would be manageable. This is good to hear.

I know what you mean. I've pretty much seen polar opposites as far as park attendance is concerned....
-The last couple days of November/first couple days of December it almost felt like we had the parks to ourselves. It was fantastic.
-Christmas Day: There were spots in the MK where you literally could not move because of the crowds. In most ways it was a nightmare, but on the other hand the decorations were amazing.
-February, if I remember correctly, had very small crowds. However, February was the only time I've ever experienced temperatures below 50 degrees in Florida.
-In mid July.......well......it was my least favorite time for a couple reasons: 1. There were tons of people, and 2. The insanely hot and humid temperatures made the crowds even more unbearable.

I'll be sure to give a personal report on how late October is after I get back.

 

[Tony-NJ]

We've been in October at least 5 times. The crowds are manageable. Though I don't think there is a "slow" time at WDW anymore. Next year we are thinking of going right after Thanksgiving. We went once early December and it was fantastic!

 

[VicP71]

Well I feel a little better now too. Our family is going from Oct. 13-17. We are used to going to Disneyland during the first week of Dec. when it is usually deserted. I know people say that October crowds are "manageable" and "doable" but what does that mean as far as wait time. How long will lines be for the rides? How long for soarin or Everest or any of the other major attractions?

 

[turkygurl]

Lines for Soarin last year during Oct (on a weekend) ran about 75-90 min. You can get a fast pass prior to noon (maybe as late as 2-3pm). EE was running around the same wait 75-90 min but FP's ran out earlier. If you want to ride those rides, go early, or be prepared to wait a while. Getting a FP at Soarin and then riding Living With the Land, Nemo, and Figment usually burn about the right amount of time. As far as EE goes, I got there when the park opened and headed straight there. I got FP's for 10am, AND rode EE twice prior to my FP time.

 

[Jaxpiper]

Yes, just want to reiterate that Friday night and Saturdays at the WS portion of EPCOT are VERY crowded (almost unmanageable) during the F&W Festival. And trust me, I love the festival. Sunday is still very busy, but not to the degree as Saturday, plus the crowd typically builds more slowly on Sunday that Saturday.

We (turkygurl and I) went one Saturday last year during F&W that was also a MK Halloween Party (i.e. early closure for regular guests)...I think it was the only time we ever left EPCOT because of the crowds. It was

 

[rpmdfw]

Yes, just want to reiterate that Friday night and Saturdays at the WS portion of EPCOT are VERY crowded (almost unmanageable) during the F&W Festival. And trust me, I love the festival. Sunday is still very busy, but not to the degree as Saturday, plus the crowd typically builds more slowly on Sunday that Saturday.

We (turkygurl and I) went one Saturday last year during F&W that was also a MK Halloween Party (i.e. early closure for regular guests)...I think it was the only time we ever left EPCOT because of the crowds. It was

That's exactly why we do the F&W festival on Friday Afternoons. (and this year on the Monday after the wedding). Crowds are MUCH more manageable during the weekdays for the festival, if you can manage to do it that way.

 

[MonorailMan]

Uuuuuugh!

See, now I want to reschedule my reservations after reading some of these comments.

 

[MonorailMan]

Okay......I'm going insane here. LOL
I just read 2 reviews for the last week in October:

1. "My family went in late October and it was great. No lines at all, and no humidity with temps staying around 80. It was the perfect vacation."

2. "We just returned from WDW. (The week of Halloween.) The heat made it uncomfortable and the lines were a lot longer than I was used to, but since we love Disney we managed to have a good time. We'll be going back next year but it most definitely won't be during this time of year."


I hereby dub October as "The Flip-Flop Season" at WDW.

 

[padalyn]

Okay......I'm going insane here. LOL
I just read 2 reviews for the last week in October:

1. "My family went in late October and it was great. No lines at all, and no humidity with temps staying around 80. It was the perfect vacation."

2. "We just returned from WDW. (The week of Halloween.) The heat made it uncomfortable and the lines were a lot longer than I was used to, but since we love Disney we managed to have a good time. We'll be going back next year but it most definitely won't be during this time of year."


I hereby dub October as "The Flip-Flop Season" at WDW.

yup! Don't forget to factor in the rain....

Just be ready for the weekend crowd at WS, use the extra magic hours if possible. Last June (silly me...going to WDW in JUNE!!!) I went on the rapids ride at AK with no wait - in fact they were letting people just stay on and ride as often as they wanted during the extra magic hours. The same goes for EE.

Soaring is best first thing in the morning - the line is shorter. We often go during dinner - the building is nice a cool and folks seem to be more interested in eating then riding.

We bring camp stools for the waits for the seminars. I was seriously considering renting mine out We got them at Campmor for 10.00 The best money I have spent in a long time! Takes the weight off the legs, since sitting on the ground just does horrible things to my lower back the stool gives me a lot more patience. I also always take a book to read while waiting. I hold place for 3 and the other two wander close by (folks after us are always asked if this is acceptable before it happens of course). Once the counting starts we all stay in line.

the crowds can be heavy on the weekends at WS, but they are a bit lower at the other parks accordingly. Make your ADR's NOW!! Some places are already booked up. I couldn't get ressies for Garden Grill at all (tried 4 different nights).

 

[Jaxpiper]

Uuuuuugh!

See, now I want to reschedule my reservations after reading some of these comments.

You'll be fine. We are both natives, and this is one of our favorite times to go. Just a little planning and logistics, and you should have no problems. Any other questions, just post them here!

 

[rosiep]

Wow - a mini dis get together???? I will be there from 10/14 to 11/3 (I love my job!!)


Rosie - we should try to cross paths!

I will be at BCV for most of the time - the last week at SSR (added on the week - had to take what I could get!)

Oh! That would be so great! I'd love to meet you. Just remember..I don't really bite.