Planning Oct. 2005 trip

[kidsicet]

Can anyone please tell me how the crowds are in October? We're planning our trip to WDW from Oct. 15-22. I can't wait! It's been a year and a half since we've been there, and I think I'm more excited than my kids to go back! Is the weather warm at that time? We usually go in January when it's pretty cool there.

TIA for your help!

 

[kilee]

First, WELCOME TO THE DIS!!! You found the perfect place for all the Disney planning info you could need.

I have been twice in Oct (2004 and 2003). I think it's the PERFECT time of year to go. The weather is still warm (it does cool down at night). We've seen little rain on both trips. There's also so much going on w/ MNSSHP and the F&W Fest. As for the crowds, if you go right around Columbus Day it gets busy. Other than that, it's great for most of the rest of the month.

 

[DisneyDar]

It can get very busy at Epcot World Showcase on weekends during the Food and Wine Festival, but not so much that you won't enjoy yourself. It can also be downright hot and humid at times, so be prepared. Normally though, it's just beautiful.

 

[pewing]

Tagging along

I love the first week in December, but that week off from school is tough. Thinking about taking advantage of our fall break.

Carry on

 

[mickeymom55]

We went in October 2004 - Columbus Day weekend. Weather was amazing (not too hot and only 1/2 day of rain). Even though it was a holiday weekend, the crowds were very manageable. MNNSHP sold out the night we attended so that evening was crowded. I'm sure things slow down after the holiday. Epcot (World Showcase) was very busy due to the Wine and Food Festival - but again, not so that you couldn't get around and enjoy. I think it was a great time of year to head south!

 

[kilee]

If possible, the Food and Wine Fest runs 7 days a week-- go on a weekday. It's less crowded. Many of the local folks pop in over the weekends to enjoy the festival.

 

[MinnieM21]

Have fun planning your October trip! We're going to be taking our second trip to WDW and this time it's going to be in October (the 1st time was in December). We're really excited for our trip too!

 

[kidsicet]

Thank you for all of your replies. Not to sound ignorant, but what is MNNSHP? (I guess I should hone up on my terminology!)

 

[princess lovers mom]

MNSSHP=mickey not so scary halloween party...a hard ticket event held several nights during October where the character dress in "costume", trick-or-treating, special parades and fireworks...NOT TO BE MISSED...cost ?$35/adult??? not sure on that

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GRRR! I knew it was stupid to book our October trip before I knew the school calendar. Now it looks like we may be there the same week as you all - Oct. 14-22! Of course this means I will have to call the AAA agent and change ALL of our stuff, and I will have to look at the flights and decide if we are going Friday after school or Saturday. NEVER assume that you can look at last year's school calendar and use it for planning purposes!

Anybody know if it is warm enough for water parks in mid-October? Because I may need to seriously re-think those Plus options on our park passes!

 

[rkmassa]

We were there in late December and there were people going to the water parks. October is much warmer than December, so lots of people go to the water parks.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I guess it all comes down to the question of how hearty are we when it comes to cold? And I am a big old wimp. I took DS to a water park the summer before last but we went in JULY. It was probably between 90-100 degrees.

I talked to my boss this morning and it looks like Oct. 15-22 works out best, so we lost a day from our original itinerary. The whole reason for going back was we felt like we rushed through all four parks. We want to do the Family Magic Tour, and we want to do MNSSHP (which I wasn't planning to do, but DH thinks it would be fun). I kind of think we won't really have the time or the energy to do the water parks, and if you don't use at least two Plus options then you don't save any money. And I am a big wimp when it comes to cold! If it turns out to be really nice weather then we can take DS to the resort pool. No big deal.

 

[KTink14]

We were there October 17th last year through maybe the 25th. The weather was hot, not hot and humid like summer, but we wore shorts and tanktops durning the day the whole time, nighttime was amazing you can get by with capris, a short sleeve shirt because it still is pretty warm. Let me tell you, I dont enjoy Animal Kingdom at all, so we went at like 11am because we have never seen the parade, I never enjoyed this park so much, we walked on everything and i was dying of heat, in shorts and a tank top i was comfortable!

As for the crowds, im not going to lie it was pretty crowded,in the MAgic Kindom durning the day,but nothing like the summer crowds. Also I heard alot of people saying that the European countries were on their "break", so it was probably more crowded because of that. We used fastpass a couple of times and waited on anything that said 20minutes or under cause it usually went quicker than that. Animal Kingdom was walk on everything, MGM we waited maybe 15 minutes for Rockin Rollarcoaster, Epcot wasnt bad either considering it was the wine and food festival, we walked on all of those rides too. Magic Kindgom durning the day was a little rough.

The best tip i can give to you, Is go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, we walked on all the rides no waits whatsoever, we had Magic Kingdom done in a night, all the rides were open pretty much,i dont think there was one ride that was closed that i wanted to go on, it was wonderful! I'd recommend doing it twice if you dont mind spending the money, it was well worth it!