Really want to go next Fall

[HGD24]

Would the parks be very crowded during the last weekend of September 2007 or what about the Wed-Sat following Columbus Day?

I know that the free dining will be winding down the last weekend of September and the week following Columbus Day puts us there for the Food & Wine Fest, but I can't imagine it would be that crowded during the week or is it? We might not be riding many rides as we'll have our 5 month old with us, but I don't want to be walking around with big crowds. Any info and opinions you have would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[bleeps]

We found that the *crowds* (in a relative sense) picked up considerably after Columbus Day -- it seemed as though a lot of people wanted to take advantage of the Monday off in order to spend the week. That said, of course, it's nothing like summer crowds, etc. etc.

Don't know about that last week of September -- who else has experience with that slot?

 

[eeyore45]

It really depends, the year the free dining ended Oct 4 that last week of Sept was walk on, quiet, peaceful.

Last year the free dining ended last of Sept, it wasnt "crowded" per se - I found by reading this the word/concept of "crowds" is very very subjective... if you dont use fastpass and want to ride a popular ride like Soarin, you may state it was soooo crowded... if you want to ride the Spaceship Earth as soon as park opens, and the lines are long, you may say it was crowded...

but using fast pass, and timing the rides, you may say, everything was walk on!!!

That being said, I liked the last week of Sept, weekends are usually always crowded during Food and Wine fest in Epcot...not so much the other parks... (subjectively speaking!!)

and I totally agree the weekend before,during and after Columbus day were heavier crowds!! (I compared it to the crowds of last week of July when we went)

 

[lovethattink]

This year the crowds were particularly up at that time. I had stayed the weekend of the Sept 29th when the food and wine festival started. That weekend started the whole crowd thing. But it was relatively empty the 16th - 28th of Sept this year.

I've gone every weekend in Sept and October this year. The weekends were very crowded. The weekdays were either empty or not bad.

Free dining definately affected crowd level this year more than last year.

 

[whogirl'smom]

We went the week of/after Columbus Day this year, and thought it was a dream! MK got a little more crowded on that Friday after, but it still wasn't bad. Go to Epcot during the week for F and W, and it will not be crowded (at least that was our experience.) So glad we get a fall break at school, to go at this time of year!

 

[all4disney98]

Does anyone know (or have any thoughts on) whether they will have the free dining again next fall?

 

[lovethattink]

Does anyone know (or have any thoughts on) whether they will have the free dining again next fall?

That's a good question. Not sure. I do know there is a new promotion starting at some of the resorts where you can prebook your next trip during your stay for a discounted rate for the time period where they were offering the free dining. However, haven't heard any mention of the free dining.

 

[aksunshine]

I have heard that they will offer the free dining and in fact already have to some.

 

[HGD24]

Thanks all! My husband and I looked at the calendar and have taken all opinions into consideration and think that we'll go 10/17-21 with travel on the 17th & 21st. The baby will be just over 5 months old by then and the weather should still be nice and the crowds will hopefully be tame. Thanks again for your input!

 

[jcemom]

We were there this year from the Friday following Columbus Day through the next Friday. That weekend following Columbus Day was much more crowded than I expected. Crowds tapered off a good bit on Monday. So, if you're choosing October, I'd try to go the next week, not Columbus Day week, if you can.

We were there the last week of September last year (2006) and it was less crowded, IMO. Crowds did pick up the closer we got to the weekend though. There was a noticeable difference in crowds by Friday (the last Friday of September and the first day of Food & Wine Festival).

Something else to keep in mind, if you're staying onsite, September will be Value Season while October will be Regular Season, so you'll save a few bucks in September.

Weather is generally better in October, less humid and less rain. Our October week this year was pretty hot and humid, but it only rained once and the temps were considered above average. I think they went back to normal the day after we left, lol.

 

[Lora]

It looks like you've already made your decision, but I would have recommended Sept. Our October trips have gotten more and more crowded each year. We're following our pattern to go back to Sept. next year, and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[HGD24]

We will most likely start taking Sept. trips too once our baby is older. We just feel that 4 months is a bit young and so we want to give ourselves another month to adjust to life with a baby before taking a big trip.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions!