Oh October, I'm scared of you.

[amg35]

So I do the list for all us October nuts on the happy dance board.

Um, it's HUGE!! I think it's one of the biggest lists out of all the months and it's only June!

Either October is going to be crazy crowded, or we're just a bunch of uber planners who like to see their names on lists.

I looked at the crowd calendars and my weeks are 4/5's and 6 on the weekends, I hope it stays that way...either way, I'll plan my fast passes wisely and be patient.

 

[abidale]

October is our favorite month! Aside from loving the Halloween decorations in MK and going to MNSSHP, the crowds are great. The parks aren't empty, you'll hear people say that there really is no off season anymore, which is true, but they are worlds better than Christmas/New Year's, Easter, spring break weeks, or summer! Plus, the weather is cooler. We only went for about 3 days last year and were able to get all of our top rides knocked out. The weekend we were there was the 17-20, and to put it in perspective, we saw the mountains at MK at 20-30 minute waits consistently through those days. Also were able to get a Garden Grill ressie two days before, at 4:30 pm, which usually books out pretty fast. You'll have a great time!

 

[amg35]

October is our favorite month! Aside from loving the Halloween decorations in MK and going to MNSSHP, the crowds are great. The parks aren't empty, you'll hear people say that there really is no off season anymore, which is true, but they are worlds better than Christmas/New Year's, Easter, spring break weeks, or summer! Plus, the weather is cooler. We only went for about 3 days last year and were able to get all of our top rides knocked out. The weekend we were there was the 17-20, and to put it in perspective, we saw the mountains at MK at 20-30 minute waits consistently through those days. Also were able to get a Garden Grill ressie two days before, at 4:30 pm, which usually books out pretty fast. You'll have a great time!

Thanks! I think I'm just hyper aware of the crowds because I'm (happily) the "list keeper" and I keep watching it grow.

I keep telling myself I had no problem with the June crowds before and hoping that October would not be worse?

 

[wunkmom]

Not to scare you, but last October was much busier than we thought it would be. I've seen lower crowds in both August and February. We got to do everything we set out to do, but I was not at all prepared for the sheer number of people there. We were there the 19th - 25th. It was listed as the 4th or 5th best week to go according to Touring Plans. WRONG!!
Just be sure you have your days planned well and use FP+ wisely! Have a great trip!!

 

[amg35]

Not to scare you, but last October was much busier than we thought it would be. I've seen lower crowds in both August and February. We got to do everything we set out to do, but I was not at all prepared for the sheer number of people there. We were there the 19th - 25th. It was listed as the 4th or 5th best week to go according to Touring Plans. WRONG!!
Just be sure you have your days planned well and use FP+ wisely! Have a great trip!!

Thanks!

I gave up on expecting low crowds a while ago. As long as it's not shoulder to shoulder (not including Food/Wine on the weekends),we'll be okay!

 

[Art 1]

So I do the list for all us October nuts on the happy dance board.

Um, it's HUGE!! I think it's one of the biggest lists out of all the months and it's only June!

Either October is going to be crazy crowded, or we're just a bunch of uber planners who like to see their names on lists.

I looked at the crowd calendars and my weeks are 4/5's and 6 on the weekends, I hope it stays that way...either way, I'll plan my fast passes wisely and be patient.

IMO October was the best month to go to WDW. The last few though have been much busier. The management at Disney is doing a good job of keeping the parks full year round.

 

[luvdisney87]

I'm really worried this year because of the free dining offer and how it's going to affect crowd levels. We started going in October because of the low crowd level but I'm a little worried about this year. And my DH hates crowds!!! Should be interesting...

 

[amg35]

I'm really worried this year because of the free dining offer and how it's going to affect crowd levels. We started going in October because of the low crowd level but I'm a little worried about this year. And my DH hates crowds!!! Should be interesting...

Yes, I was hoping free dining wasn't offered this year. Even though it's not offered the week I'm going, it is for the second week.


Oh well, it is what it is, and what it is is going to Disney, so that's not bad at all.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm looking at easywdw, and Josh is predicting mostly 4s and 5s (with a few 6s and 7s) for October 2014.

I haven't been in October for a few years, but I was at WDW this February when almost every day was a 4 or a 5. I thought the crowds were very manageable. I think you'll be just fine - just get some FPs, rope-drop when you can, and have fun!

PS - I'd also recommend avoiding the F&W Festival on the weekends!! It can be super-crowded. Stick to the weekdays if you can.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

As long as you avoid Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving, weekends at Epcot, and the MK on non-party days, you'll be fine crowd-wise. We've had three amazing October vacations the last three years, and are only shifting to December because the kids decided they wanted to see Disney's Christmas decorations. We are buying AP's, though, because we anticipate switching back to October next year.

 

[amg35]

As long as you avoid Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving, weekends at Epcot, and the MK on non-party days, you'll be fine crowd-wise. We've had three amazing October vacations the last three years, and are only shifting to December because the kids decided they wanted to see Disney's Christmas decorations. We are buying AP's, though, because we anticipate switching back to October next year.

We arrive 10/21 staying until 10/30. We definitely won't be hitting Food/Wine on the weekend.

MK - we are going to do a morning EMH -8 am until 7:00 pm (party day), a Saturday night (non party) that is now an evening EMH, arriving around 6pm or so and staying until as late as we feel like - using our fast passes that evening, and then also attending the party one other night.
I know the Saturday will be crowded but we wanted to experience it at night with and without a party. We'll be happy riding our fast pass rides and then just going on the People Mover, taking pictures and eating!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I know for sure the September list is low because the person who started it has disappeared since April and no one has been added

 

[amg35]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I know for sure the September list is low because the person who started it has disappeared since April and no one has been added

I do go a few days at times without updating, but I try to check in at least twice a week,unless life calls.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

I thought October was crazy crowded last year

 

[agavegirl1]

Well, I picked October because last time I went pre-Thanksgiving in November, it was too cool for the pool. After my obsessive research, I selected October 17-26. I think, maybe, those who obsessively plan are coming up with similar conclusions. ie: October after Columbus Day. With a good touring plan, a good attitude, and a good (albeit not perfect) time to go. I'm still happy with my choice. Can't believe how many schools have October breaks now.

 

[Caboosey]

October does seem like it's going to be busy this year. We were hoping for a good passholder discount on a hotel, but nothing is posted yet... getting nervous that it's going to be very crowded!

 

[tndisneyfan]

I think the last two years we've been in October it's been quite a bit busier than I expected. I've commented to DH that it seemed not much different than our late May/early June trips.

 

[JennyDrake]

Not to scare you, but last October was much busier than we thought it would be. I've seen lower crowds in both August and February. We got to do everything we set out to do, but I was not at all prepared for the sheer number of people there. We were there the 19th - 25th. It was listed as the 4th or 5th best week to go according to Touring Plans. WRONG!!
Just be sure you have your days planned well and use FP+ wisely! Have a great trip!!

DITTO!!

I went October 2011 and 2012 and both times was SHOCKED at crowd levels. Like this poster, I have seen lower crowds closer to spring break. I would put crowd levels at a solid 7 with Epcot on weekends an 8.

 

[agavegirl1]

DITTO!!

I went October 2011 and 2012 and both times was SHOCKED at crowd levels. Like this poster, I have seen lower crowds closer to spring break. I would put crowd levels at a solid 7 with Epcot on weekends an 8.

 

[amg35]

Thanks everyone! I take all this in as well as keeping in mind everyone's idea of big crowds are different....thank god!