Park Crowd Question

[disneyfreak202]

Hello all,

I just booked our hotel, FINALLY, for our next trip. We will be going to Disney World in October. We plan to arrive on the 9th and leave on the 16th. We don't think we will be doing Universal and if we do we will add an extra day. I have only ever been during Halloween either the first week or the last week of the season.

Will our dates be super crowded? I am concerned about the Halloween parties, but I might try to participate in one this year. We are a little bit flexible of arriving a little earlier or later in the week. However, with our work schedules we are kind of stuck going in October.

Any tips or tricks would be helpful. We are rope drop to park close type of people with a midday break. We will have park hoppers so can hop around.

Thank you all!

 

[UrsulaTime]

Hello all,

I just booked our hotel, FINALLY, for our next trip. We will be going to Disney World in October. We plan to arrive on the 9th and leave on the 16th. We don't think we will be doing Universal and if we do we will add an extra day. I have only ever been during Halloween either the first week or the last week of the season.

Will our dates be super crowded? I am concerned about the Halloween parties, but I might try to participate in one this year. We are a little bit flexible of arriving a little earlier or later in the week. However, with our work schedules we are kind of stuck going in October.

Any tips or tricks would be helpful. We are rope drop to park close type of people with a midday break. We will have park hoppers so can hop around.

Thank you all!

Not a tip or trick, but a thought: Since you're concerned about crowds AND you're 'park close' people, I would definitely consider doing the Halloween party. There'll be less people in the park than usual, and, as park closers, you'll be sure to use every last minute of that less-people-than-usual time.

I was in a bit of a similar position a couple years ago, decided to purchase MVMCP tickets, and I'm happy to report it worked out wonderfully. We did limit our party-exclusive events to one item (the Christmas parade), but we still got the "feel" of the party and were able to tour the park with greater ease.

Have fun!

 

[Disneymom1126]

We've been within that time frame the last three years. I think there is a general sense that fall is more crowded now than it was in the past (more schools have a "fall break," etc.), but we've enjoyed our trips. With the number of days you have planned, being able to park hop, and being rope drop to park close people, you'll be fine. I thought our March trip was busier than our October trips have been and we just took a trip during New Year's week and even that was manageable (though very busy) with a good plan. Avoid MK on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays and be mindful of when you decide to go to Epcot because of Food and Wine. The weather is great that time of year as well. You'll have a good time!

 

[BobbyDukes]

Halloween Party at MK will be a huge crowd. If you are not going to the party avoid the MK those nights. A) the park Crowd grows significantly and B) if you do not have a party pass you get booted out around 4-5pm.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

B) if you do not have a party pass you get booted out around 4-5pm.

This is not entirely accurate. MNSSHP nights have traditionally had a 7pm park closing time for non-party guests. It is speculated that Disney may switch to a 6pm park closing time for MNSSHP nights in 2018, like they did for MVMCP in 2017.

Yes, party ticket holders can enter the park starting at 4pm - but non-party guests do not get 'booted' until park closing time.

 

[BobbyDukes]

This is not entirely accurate. MNSSHP nights have traditionally had a 7pm park closing time for non-party guests. It is speculated that Disney may switch to a 6pm park closing time for MNSSHP nights in 2018, like they did for MVMCP in 2017.

Yes, party ticket holders can enter the park starting at 4pm - but non-party guests do not get 'booted' until park closing time.

Aren't you limited into the park though?? I know they "rope off" say the back ring of the park for MNSSHP guests?

 

[Nancyg56]

Aren't you limited into the park though?? I know they "rope off" say the back ring of the park for MNSSHP guests?

I doubt it, although I would not say for sure. There are restaurants that have had an earlier hard close for those without party tix, but in general, folks are welcome until the park officially closes, although I cannto see teh draw of going in for an hour.

OP- I go in October and have found that there is a difference is how I plan my park days. If you want to be in the MK on an non party plan on a good plan. There are usully limited evenings when you can experience the evening entertainment so those nights are really crowded. I book my FP in advance, and I plan dinner inside the park. I know that it is going to be busy so I pack my patience.

Epcot is busy on weekend nights, so a Saturday night during F&W is also crowded. Overall, October is no longer that "walk on" expereince that I remembr from ten years ago.

 

[pitpat]

Halloween Party at MK will be a huge crowd. If you are not going to the party avoid the MK those nights. A) the park Crowd grows significantly and B) if you do not have a party pass you get booted out around 4-5pm.

MK is more crowded on non-party nights since most people want the longer hours and/or to see Happily Ever After. We've had good luck with lower crowds on party days.

 

[Nancyg56]

MK is more crowded on non-party nights since most people want the longer hours and/or to see Happily Ever After. We've had good luck with lower crowds on party days.

Absolutely. We always plan at least one RD morning on a party night so we can take advantage of the lower crowds levels. I am a firm believer in at least having a good plan if you travel when there are parties scattered throughout yur week.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

So the last time I went in October, it was during the Hurricane in 2016 where Disney was closed for a day, so that might change what I experienced. We were there for about a week. After the Hurricane hit (Friday), the weekend was packed with people, though weekends in any season are normally much more crowded. But when I was there Monday-Thursday, the crowds were not bad at all. I never waited more than 5 minutes with a fastpass, more than 15 minutes w/o a fastpass, and we were able to pickup Fastpasses almost whenever. Epcot was a bit busy because of the Festival they had going on though.

 

[KittyKitty]

Aren't you limited into the park though?? I know they "rope off" say the back ring of the park for MNSSHP guests?

Day guests can ride/see/eat anything in Magic Kingdom till park closes, 7pm last year MNSSHP. Actually websites are suggesting going to MK on a party day, as the crowds are smaller(kind of) than non party days. Difference is day guests won't be able to see fireworks.

OP. Since you are a park closer you could just use the party ticket as MK lets you in at 4pm without having a park day ticket.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Aren't you limited into the park though?? I know they "rope off" say the back ring of the park for MNSSHP guests?

No, this is not how things work with the parties - day guests can do anything until park closing; party guests can do anything as well once let in at 4pm. I think I’ve read that years ago they did do some sort of corralling of day/party guests, but that hasn’t been the case in more recent times.

 

[dreiwhit]

MK is more crowded on non-party nights since most people want the longer hours and/or to see Happily Ever After. We've had good luck with lower crowds on party days.

Us as well. In fact, we prefer to go to MK when they are having party days. With a good plan and FPs, we get everything we want done, and then some, by the time 4pm rolls around.

After 4pm, MK gets crowded quickly. It can be hard to walk down Main Street against the flow of all the people coming in.

 

[SarahC97]

We went that week in 2016 and it was the most crowded I've ever personally seen it in October. So, plan for crowds and then be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't meet your expectations. And the Halloween parties are a real bummer that time of year because MK closes early to other guests several days a week. I'd definitely do at least one party, it's really fun. And I would make sure to get park hoppers so you can get the most from your visit.

 

[disneyfreak202]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have been looking at the touring plans calendar and it made me freak a little bit as there isn't a day where one park is below a 5. I am considering a party, but as of now nothing is set in stone. I am trying to plan out which park which day of my trip so I can start looking at where I want to dine. So far I am thinking of doing a MK day on a party night even if we don't do the party and then just head to MK on a non party night solely for the entertainment.

It's hard because I have been multiple times to WDW and therefore don't need to see every nighttime show or parade, but my dad is accompanying me and has never been so I don't know what he wants to see or would be willing to skip.

 

[sponica]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have been looking at the touring plans calendar and it made me freak a little bit as there isn't a day where one park is below a 5. I am considering a party, but as of now nothing is set in stone. I am trying to plan out which park which day of my trip so I can start looking at where I want to dine. So far I am thinking of doing a MK day on a party night even if we don't do the party and then just head to MK on a non party night solely for the entertainment.

It's hard because I have been multiple times to WDW and therefore don't need to see every nighttime show or parade, but my dad is accompanying me and has never been so I don't know what he wants to see or would be willing to skip.

Welcome to the new normal...

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have been looking at the touring plans calendar and it made me freak a little bit as there isn't a day where one park is below a 5. I am considering a party, but as of now nothing is set in stone. I am trying to plan out which park which day of my trip so I can start looking at where I want to dine. So far I am thinking of doing a MK day on a party night even if we don't do the party and then just head to MK on a non party night solely for the entertainment.

It's hard because I have been multiple times to WDW and therefore don't need to see every nighttime show or parade, but my dad is accompanying me and has never been so I don't know what he wants to see or would be willing to skip.

I seldom see a 5 any more. If my days are 6 or 7 I figure I have lucked out.