***OFFICIAL*** October 2011 - Updated 10/08/11

[OhThePain]

We are heading down to our first F&W and MNSSHP this coming October! Booked it last night in honor of my girlfriends birthday which is today. Her gift from me was the deposit for 8 nights, AKL-CL. It's soooooooo far away. Oh, the pain!

 

[dansyr2514]

Just booked - 10/1 -10/8 SSR.
Can't wait! Hmmm...what can I start planning lol.

 

[FigmentChick]

So very sorry to hear of your accident but glad it was not serious, with time it sounds as if you will be back to normal which is all one can hope and pray for.
Have a Happy New Year and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Thank you for your good wishes and prayers. They're needed, unfortunately. My back is worse than I though (I'll probably spend most of the trip in a wheelchair, but at least I'll be in Disney! and my right hand is getting stiffer and harder to use. I'll figure something out.

I'm working on updating the first post now. Sorry for the delay, but someone took vacation last week and I was doing their job plus mine. Oh, the joys!

 

[exwdwcm]

OK, I did it - booked POFQ for October 15-22 with the AAA discount. Very excited! Now if a GP or AP discount comes out . . .

woo hoo!!

We are booked for the same dates- October 15-22nd in a studio at BLT. Our second DVC stay at home! We had a one bedroom in December and loved it. This time it is just the 3 of us, me, DH and our son, who will be turning 4 on October 30th, 2011. So this is a birthday trip for him, plus a chance to do MNSSHP and Food and Wine. I am hoping I can be pregnant with #2 by this trip, but we will see (It took IVF to have our son). So i might not get to partake in the 'wine' portion, but that's okay.

Looking forward to a more relaxing trip this time. It will be our first time with just the 3 of us. We went in Dec 2009 with my family of 15. Then this Dec 2010 with us and my MIL and niece. So looking forward to just us and being able to do what WE want, when we want. Not having to wait on anyone else. We might try and do a water park this time (I've done both, but it has been ages). My son loves water parks (we have a season pass at one in Dallas and he is in year round swim lessons). We might even consider a day at the beach or something too. So looking forward to October- it will be our first October trip.

I've done early December multiple times, August, May, April etc. But never tried October. Should be fun.

 

[Zife]

We're booked for Sept 29 - Oct 6 (booked it in August, so we got Free Dining).

I'm a bit worried that it'll be crazy busy, since Free Dining ended Sept 29, and the current promotion ends Oct 1, so I can see a lot of people doing hat we did and going around the same time to get on of the discounts.

Counting the days until April 2 so that we can make our ADRs!

 

[FigmentChick]

Welcome to exwdwcm and Zife!!!! I'm going to add you guys to the list as soon as I finish saying hello.

@exwdwcm - I wish you the best with trying for #2. And October is so sun! My husband and I really enjoy the Food & Wine Festival; we love to try all the different foods. Our experience has been hotness and humidity in October, but I hear that is usually not the case. Let's hope so because I want perfect weather for this year's vacation (we need it in so many senses of the word!).

@Zife - I am so jealous! I wanted to stay at AKL, but was overruled by my family. Go figure. But, at least we can drive down and check it out.

Have a great day!

 

[exwdwcm]

Welcome to exwdwcm and Zife!!!! I'm going to add you guys to the list as soon as I finish saying hello.

@exwdwcm - I wish you the best with trying for #2. And October is so sun! My husband and I really enjoy the Food & Wine Festival; we love to try all the different foods. Our experience has been hotness and humidity in October, but I hear that is usually not the case. Let's hope so because I want perfect weather for this year's vacation (we need it in so many senses of the word!).

@Zife - I am so jealous! I wanted to stay at AKL, but was overruled by my family. Go figure. But, at least we can drive down and check it out.

Have a great day!

Thank you! I just got off a December thread like this where i managed our 'list'- it got pretty long, but made lots of great new online DIS friends and even tried to meet a few while down there! Can't wait to try F&W! We might get a sitter one night (or send him to the kids club, i think they take 4 and up, right?) so we can really enjoy.

We've done August a few years back, just DH and I with free dining and yep, it was hot. Even then, just two adults, we took a midday break to cool off and change clothes. it helped. We are in Dallas, so used to the heat and humidity, but it was bad. Hopefully October won't be as bad as August, but i know it will be warm. We just returned from Dec 4-11 and had that wild cold snap- it was in the 30s a few nights. We didn't even get to try out the pool, so looking forward to that in October!

anything else that shouldn't be missed? Any tips on F&W? we don't like dealing with crowds and refuse to wait in lines more than 20 minutes. So should we do F&W on the weekdays in the morning right at opening and avoid the weekends at Epcot if possible? What are the hours like in October- late closing?

 

[FigmentChick]

Thank you! I just got off a December thread like this where i managed our 'list'- it got pretty long, but made lots of great new online DIS friends and even tried to meet a few while down there! Can't wait to try F&W! We might get a sitter one night (or send him to the kids club, i think they take 4 and up, right?) so we can really enjoy.

We've done August a few years back, just DH and I with free dining and yep, it was hot. Even then, just two adults, we took a midday break to cool off and change clothes. it helped. We are in Dallas, so used to the heat and humidity, but it was bad. Hopefully October won't be as bad as August, but i know it will be warm. We just returned from Dec 4-11 and had that wild cold snap- it was in the 30s a few nights. We didn't even get to try out the pool, so looking forward to that in October!

anything else that shouldn't be missed? Any tips on F&W? we don't like dealing with crowds and refuse to wait in lines more than 20 minutes. So should we do F&W on the weekdays in the morning right at opening and avoid the weekends at Epcot if possible? What are the hours like in October- late closing?

I'm not sure about late closings....most of the time, my family don't do late EMH. We're early risers and are usually all alseep by 9pm. LOL

As for when to go, I've heard horror stories about the weekends, but we've never had a problem on Friday or Saturday evenings. We usually end up at EPCOT everyday because our kids love World Showcase (and so do we). Obviously, you know about Fastpass so that will help you avoid being in line for more than 20 minutes (we try to stick with that rule too, but Peter Pan is so awesome, we'll stand in line for 40 minutes to ride it!). I will admit, though, the last two times we've gone during this time, there has hardly been a wait at all for any rides and shows.

One thing I would do is keep a lookout for when the F&W Festival kiosk listing comes out. I'll post when it becomes available and people can IM me for more info (I'll probably make a PDF of the darn thing! ). My family and I go over the listing and see what appeals to us; this helps us out when we're walking around World Showcase. And if we're eating something when we pass another country that we wanted to stop at, we make a mental note (or sometimes an actual one) and come back to it later during our travels (sometimes the same day, most of the time not....like I said, we end up at EPCOT practically everyday).

Have fun planning!!! I've got to start getting my binder in order and "shopping" for rental car deals (although, I can usually get the best deal and week or two before the trip).

Talk to ya later!

 

[exwdwcm]

Great thanks for the additional info! We love Epcot as well. We probably spend almost as much time there as we do at MK, which is a lot considering we have a 3yo.

Yes, I'd love to see the kiosk menus so we can make a plan of attack. I am not an adventurous eater, but DH is. So it will hlep us select what to skip and what are must do's. I've seen food porn and menus from past years. I've read up on the party for the senses and things like that too. Not sure when those are though.

great to hear the crowds are not that bad either. looking forward to that. Our last 3 trips were in December i think and even though it was early December and not Christmas, it was still getting more and more crowded every year.

Funny you mention the rental car thing.....i usually book with National, just my preference since i use them for business travel from time to time. so i have the emerald aisle card (I believe it is free). I had booked with them like 6 months out, found a good coupon and rate- but still was pricey. best full size deal i could get was like $225 for a week. I checked back, thanks to another DISer friend of mine who said she got a better deal, same rental co., same car, the rates just went down if you cancelled and rebooked the same thing again. so i did, it went down to $200. then found another coupon and ended up getting the full size (impala) for a week for $150 just the week before. i guess it does pay to look last minute!

I'm not sure about late closings....most of the time, my family don't do late EMH. We're early risers and are usually all alseep by 9pm. LOL

As for when to go, I've heard horror stories about the weekends, but we've never had a problem on Friday or Saturday evenings. We usually end up at EPCOT everyday because our kids love World Showcase (and so do we). Obviously, you know about Fastpass so that will help you avoid being in line for more than 20 minutes (we try to stick with that rule too, but Peter Pan is so awesome, we'll stand in line for 40 minutes to ride it!). I will admit, though, the last two times we've gone during this time, there has hardly been a wait at all for any rides and shows.

One thing I would do is keep a lookout for when the F&W Festival kiosk listing comes out. I'll post when it becomes available and people can IM me for more info (I'll probably make a PDF of the darn thing! ). My family and I go over the listing and see what appeals to us; this helps us out when we're walking around World Showcase. And if we're eating something when we pass another country that we wanted to stop at, we make a mental note (or sometimes an actual one) and come back to it later during our travels (sometimes the same day, most of the time not....like I said, we end up at EPCOT practically everyday).

Have fun planning!!! I've got to start getting my binder in order and "shopping" for rental car deals (although, I can usually get the best deal and week or two before the trip).

Talk to ya later!

 

[Zife]

Funny you mention the rental car thing.....i usually book with National, just my preference since i use them for business travel from time to time. so i have the emerald aisle card (I believe it is free). I had booked with them like 6 months out, found a good coupon and rate- but still was pricey. best full size deal i could get was like $225 for a week. I checked back, thanks to another DISer friend of mine who said she got a better deal, same rental co., same car, the rates just went down if you cancelled and rebooked the same thing again. so i did, it went down to $200. then found another coupon and ended up getting the full size (impala) for a week for $150 just the week before. i guess it does pay to look last minute!

I'm with National too, Emerald Club (it's $50, but free through Mousesavers). Right now I have a Standard Size car (Ford Fusion) booked for 12 days for $279.82. My Travel Agent says it's an awesome price, but that doesn't stop me from constantly looking

The only question I have about it is that it's not giving me Emerald Reserve like I think it should. It has me listed as Counter Service. Is that because of the coupon I'm using (AMEX Double Upgrade)? I'll probably just wind up calling them a few weeks before I go to see if they can change it.

 

[tarzanjanedoe]

So it is 10 years since we were at WDW and very excited. We have always gone the first 2 weeks of Dec or the end of Jan but found that too cool for the water parks. So decided to go in Oct this year, but are unsure of how the long the lines ups are going to be for the attractions.
Also in our 50's and want to book a character breakfast - still kids at heart.

 

[exwdwcm]

I'm with National too, Emerald Club (it's $50, but free through Mousesavers). Right now I have a Standard Size car (Ford Fusion) booked for 12 days for $279.82. My Travel Agent says it's an awesome price, but that doesn't stop me from constantly looking

The only question I have about it is that it's not giving me Emerald Reserve like I think it should. It has me listed as Counter Service. Is that because of the coupon I'm using (AMEX Double Upgrade)? I'll probably just wind up calling them a few weeks before I go to see if they can change it.

strange.....that is weird on the counter service thing, i am guessing maybe the coupon? can you try calling them to ask maybe? Or try booking it again and ensure the # is in there and see if it comes up the same or not (and then just cancel). I swear i booked and canceled so many times- at least they make it easy to do that. i would book one rate, then see a better one, rebook and cancel the first. btw- did you know National is also now on the FIRST floor of the garage? used to be it was on the second, we would have to lug all our luggage up the elevator to the second floor. Well color me happy when i walk out and see they moved National to the first floor, no elevator ride! made it a little easier. I guess with all the other companies they moved on site, like hertz, they must have rearranged the parking garage for the rentals.

So it is 10 years since we were at WDW and very excited. We have always gone the first 2 weeks of Dec or the end of Jan but found that too cool for the water parks. So decided to go in Oct this year, but are unsure of how the long the lines ups are going to be for the attractions.
Also in our 50's and want to book a character breakfast - still kids at heart.

wow, 10 years! so much new to see and experience.

i hear October is not too bad in terms of crowds, except of course food and wine at Epcot. Also, i think with good planning (checking out touring plans, using fastpass and making rope drop) you can do everything you want to.

 

[FigmentChick]

Hey, there (again! )!!!

My mother-in-law was shocked when we went in Sept/Oct 2009. We had warned her ahead of time that there are waits for rides, info about the queues, etc. Well, all we kept telling her was "It's not normally like this." LOL Because we were walking on ALL the rides (expect Peter Pan & Kilomanjaro Safaris that I can remember). We just kept laughing and telling her she was good luck. But I did notice when we went in October 2007 that the lines weren't that bad. I just wanted to have my MIL prepared because I knew it was free dining, so I figured the parks would be busier.

 

[lumpydj]

Thank you! I just got off a December thread like this where i managed our 'list'- it got pretty long, but made lots of great new online DIS friends and even tried to meet a few while down there!

And you did a great job at it too! I think we were at WDW at the same time in Dec. Looks like we'll just miss each other in Oct.

 

[taramoz]

And you did a great job at it too! I think we were at WDW at the same time in Dec. Looks like we'll just miss each other in Oct.

I think there are several of us from the Dec 2010 board here on the Oct 2011 one! Great minds...

 

[exwdwcm]

And you did a great job at it too! I think we were at WDW at the same time in Dec. Looks like we'll just miss each other in Oct.

well thank you, so kind! and boo on us just missing each other this time too!

I think there are several of us from the Dec 2010 board here on the Oct 2011 one! Great minds...

woo hoo- yes, we do! We've done early Dec in 2009 and 2010 and then a few years ago too. So i figured it is time to branch out!

So here are some basic questions I have on October for you pros:

• is there a best night for MNSSHP- we typically did MVMCP on tuesdays but this last one we did ended up being sold out!
• does everyone dress up? adults too?
• does he need to bring his own trick or treat bucket?
• are there any other special events or longer hours around F&W
• is there anything else fall/halloween related in early/mid October at the parks (or outside)? i see they offer the trick or treating at DTD on the 30/31st- anything else before that though?
• i haven't even looked at the historical weather for mid October- what's your experience- super hot still? comfortable?
• Water parks- are they crowded in October? We want to do one- which one is better for a toddler (4 when we go)- he is in swim lessons and we do the water park season pass at home. he loves the slides etc.
• do they tend to offer any discounts in October and if so, what and when? I know it is different each year. I like to avoid free dining when i can since we are staying DVC. I would mind seeing an AP discount though to try and get a one nighter somewhere.

Another question- not really October related. We are booked Saturday, October 15-Saturday, October 22nd in a studio at BLT. My crazy commando ambition got the best of me this last trip- we had a 6:20am flight on saturday to MCO. Which meant a 3:30am wake up time on Saturday to start our vacation, which ended up being a really LONG day for our first day, plus we couldn't get in our room until exactly 4pm and we were dying by then for a nap/rest.

We are considering coming in the night before- Friday night and staying off site somewhere or getting a room elsewhere on property for our first night if there is a good AP rate. We are first time AP holders this year- just activated in December. If we did a friday flight in, it would be late, so that we could both work that day though. Meaning we would get into MCO probably 9-10pm or later.

So it isn't like we would have time to enjoy the resort that night. which makes me think, if we could get a great AP rate for say the Poly, maybe we would even change our ressie and do friday and sat night at the Poly, then 6 nights at BLT instead of 7, making it a split stay. That way we could actually enjoy the Poly some on Saturday, check out the pool etc. Then check into BLt on Sunday. How hard is a split stay? are AP rates common in October- are chances of getting the poly good? Are we killing ourselves attempting to do a 2 night AP rate Poly stay and then move to BLT? Never done the whole split stay thing. Anyone done this?

We aren't in a rush this trip- it will be more laid back, checking out new things, taking it slow.

 

[shortchange1026]

We are planning on going either October 21st to the 28th or the 22nd to the 29th for our 8th wedding anniversary. We haven't booked anything yet, it depends on airfare (it's cheaper if we leave on a Friday). We are hoping for some sort of a discount or free dining ourselves. We were going to save some money and try and stay in POP but we love POFQ so much, we can't switch! We went 3 years ago for our 5th anniversary and the weather and crowds were perfect! It is a great time to go. Can't wait to book and start planning!

 

[RachelC]

Hi all!

We will be doing the 3 day Disney Cruise October 20-23.
Then we'll be staying at the Carribbean Beach Resort from October 23-26.

We are all very excited as this is our first Disney trip as a family! My kids (at the time of travel) are 8, 5 and almost 2. Ahhhh!!!

 

[02AggieGirl]

Howdy! We are planning a trip for Oct 23-29 at Fort Wilderness!! It's still tentative as my DH has to get the dates cleared with his work (please send some pixie dust my way that it works out). I am so excited! We've never been in Oct. or stayed in the cabins.

 

[snykymom]

I think there are several of us from the Dec 2010 board here on the Oct 2011 one! Great minds...

Me, too!

well thank you, so kind! and boo on us just missing each other this time too!
woo hoo- yes, we do! We've done early Dec in 2009 and 2010 and then a few years ago too. So i figured it is time to branch out!

So here are some basic questions I have on October for you pros:

• is there a best night for MNSSHP- we typically did MVMCP on tuesdays but this last one we did ended up being sold out!
• does everyone dress up? adults too?
• does he need to bring his own trick or treat bucket?
• are there any other special events or longer hours around F&W
• is there anything else fall/halloween related in early/mid October at the parks (or outside)? i see they offer the trick or treating at DTD on the 30/31st- anything else before that though?
• i haven't even looked at the historical weather for mid October- what's your experience- super hot still? comfortable?
• Water parks- are they crowded in October? We want to do one- which one is better for a toddler (4 when we go)- he is in swim lessons and we do the water park season pass at home. he loves the slides etc.
• do they tend to offer any discounts in October and if so, what and when? I know it is different each year. I like to avoid free dining when i can since we are staying DVC. I would mind seeing an AP discount though to try and get a one nighter somewhere.

It looks like we'll be there at the same time!

Now, about some of your questions -
MNSHHP - No, not everyone dresses up, but enough people, including adults do, so you won't feel out of place either way. Your kid doesn't need to bring his own trick or treat bucket; they give out bags. And you can get as many as you want.

F&W - I understand that there are seminars and such at F&W, but they may be extra. All that will be made public when the dates are announced.

I don't know the answers to the rest of your questions, but will be closely!