So I said when I returned I would post objectively about my October crowd experience...

[KimBean]

Okay checked weather actuals. There was one day high of mid 60s. I remember that day here in Atlanta it was like 45 and felt like winter. But looked pretty close to or over 80 for the rest of the days. I would love mid 60s for day and colder at night but we are going end of nov through first week of December so expect it more and have layers at the ready.

 

[Farro]

Okay checked weather actuals. There was one day high of mid 60s. I remember that day here in Atlanta it was like 45 and felt like winter. But looked pretty close to or over 80 for the rest of the days. I would love mid 60s for day and colder at night but we are going end of nov through first week of December so expect it more and have layers at the ready.

There was an 80 Saturday, then it dropped to a high of 60s, low 70s for a few days where we were in pants/jackets during day, then shorts/jackets, and cold at night. Got warm again near end, but by that time sickness set in.

I'm sure people like it, it's just not what we are used to in October. We wanted to swim. I have never been when it's not warm and it made the trip feel different somehow. That's why next time we will go in late April, early May. Also because I want to see Flower/Garden.

My sister smiling with the hood on like a gnome! Micky and I, me freezing my ears off!

 

[Farro]

Hope you won't stop posting just because you're not going back for a while.

I'll be around, just not as much since not planning anything! But I need to keep up with all the new stuff so I'm ready for the next trip!

Going to DC next year - a different kind of excitement I guess!

 

[Farro]

Wow, I am leaving for the World in 2 weeks. I’d better pack a mix of clothes! We were hoping for some pool time. Bad news for my Starbucks addicted sister. Just how long are those lines?

I am not exaggerating when I say almost 30 minutes every time.

But I do have a picture of me at the one in Animal Kingdom when it was empty! Glorious!

 

[fla4fun]

There was an 80 Saturday, then it dropped to a high of 60s, low 70s for a few days where we were in pants/jackets during day, then shorts/jackets, and cold at night. Got warm again near end, but by that time sickness set in.

I'm sure people like it, it's just not what we are used to in October. We wanted to swim. I have never been when it's not warm and it made the trip feel different somehow. That's why next time we will go in late April, early May. Also because I want to see Flower/Garden.

My sister smiling with the hood on like a gnome! Micky and I, me freezing my ears off!

Definitely don't come down from December through early March. It can go below freezing sometimes. Anyone who went in early December 2010 will know just what I'm talking about . . . For my winter trips I take a jacket I can layer over a hoodie, then a scarf and gloves too. Sometimes I've had to use it all.

I am a little surprised the flu has started so early, but they expect it to be a bad season this year because the vaccination isn't as effective on the strains going around. It's always a good idea to pack at least a two or three day supply of cold medicine per person as you may not feel well enough to leave the room to go to the gift shop, or they could be out if a lot of people are sick. Also, it's a good idea to take something with you to make hot water if you are staying at a resort without a coffee maker. I have one of those little immersion heaters and a glass mug I take. I got the flu at Disney once on a solo trip, and was desperate for a hot drink - and too sick to leave the room. I ended up trying to drink hot tap water (YUCK!). Now I take tea bags, sugar packets, the mug and the heater, and I'm all set.

 

[maxiesmom]

Definitely don't come down from December through early March. It can go below freezing sometimes. Anyone who went in early December 2010 will know just what I'm talking about . . . For my winter trips I take a jacket I can layer over a hoodie, then a scarf and gloves too. Sometimes I've had to use it all.

I was there! Thankfully I had my winter coat along, as I had it on almost all day long. I think I was able to remove it between 1 pm and 3 pm, no joke. I also had gloves along, and at night I did need them.

Honestly I would rather be hot and miserable than freezing like that.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We were there 10/27-11/1. Our two park days were pretty chilly, but it wasn't the cold that bothered me so much; it was the wind!!! Pretty hard to eat at F&W with the wind blowing up to 30 mph! One day we lost most of our bougatsa from Greece in the wind. We didn't think crowds were too bad. As far as getting sick, well--I've been having what I though was gall bladder attacks. They've ruled out gall bladder but don't know what it is. I had gone a whole month without an attack. And guess when it hit me??? Right in the middle of my dinner at Jiko on our first night. After being sick until 1 a.m., I woke at 3 a.m. with my DH in major pain. We had to take a taxi to the hospital because we thought it might be appendicitis. Turned out it wasn't. They weren't sure what it was, maybe onset of shingles but he never broke out. He was on pain meds the rest of the trip so was very dizzy and groggy. Toward the end of the trip, my cough got worse to the point I was coughing all night long the last two nights. Definitely not the most enjoyable trip! But we tried to make the best of it.

 

[quandrea]

Looks like we just missed the cold. We were there oct 16 through 28 and it was the hottest October we remember. The Starbucks crowds are crazy. I'm going in January with a friend and if she wants her Starbucks before the first attraction of the day, we'll be meeting up later. Can't mess with my early morning touring plan!

 

[OB1]

so good to hear that it was clean, people behaved, and you had a good time. Off weather for this time of year. I am in Atlanta area, and we had the cold blast also. It normally does not make it to Orlando. Like today - 47 degrees for a high today, about 78 in O. WE will be 20 degrees warmer tomorrow, but Orlando is usually protected, especially this early in the season.

 

[Hopefully]

We were there 10/22 to 10/30. I agree it was cold and Windy at the end of the week. Mornings and evenings were in the 40’s. I was cold and we never swam either- a first.
I noted that only once over 9 days did I go into a park Ladies Room that didn’t have a CM there cleaning. They were all very clean.
It was crowded but lines were not bad at all

 

[pooh2001]

Did you drink tap water - or just water bottles?
Washed your hands before eating anything ?

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Farro]

Did you drink tap water - or just water bottles?
Washed your hands before eating anything ?

I hope you feel better soon.

We did normal precautions- bottled water. Micky most likely caught it at Disney, he got sick on day 7/8 of 10, pretty sure I caught it from Micky because my fever came when we got home!

It happens, hopefully this means we've paid our dues!

 

[skyblue17]

We were there in the same time frame, and my only complaint about the weather is that it was downright COLD at the Sunday night Halloween Party. Luckily we had brought sweatshirts but my two friends were in dresses as part of their costumes and were freezing by the end of the night. Other than that, I actually like the variety in the weather. It was cooler on a couple days, but then was much warmer on our pool and AK days, which seemed fitting. Since I had a backpack anyway, I didn't mind carrying an extra layer or two, but I'm also from the northeast where 60 degrees isn't going to stop me from shorts in the morning if it's going to be 70 by lunchtime.

I was just soooo glad it hardly rained at ALL (just a bit on our first night at DHS). I'll take pretty much any temp within reason if it means no rain!

 

[disneyfreak202]

I was there just after October, November 1-7 and it was hot. Not unbearable mind you but low 80s. The humidity though was definitely there in the air, but it didn't feel bad. We would wear shorts or cropped workout leggings and be fine. At night we would get chilly and wear jeans or sweats to the park. Good thing was we only had a total of 5 minutes of rain our trip.

 

[TulipMom]

We've already discussed this a bit on the October thread, but thought I'd throw this on for anyone else who is reading this. This is, of course, totally subjective! I think I have realistic expectations, though, and I'm not a crowd-phobic kind of person.

We were at WDW 10/21-10/28. Biggest crowds we saw were probably on Sat 10/21 at MK. It was a non-party night and we went just to ride our 3 FP rides and eat dinner. It was uncomfortably crowded to even walk through Frontierland and Liberty Square (the only areas we were in that evening). We enjoyed our 2-3 hours at MK, but were more than ready to escape the crowds! Touring Plans gave the actual crowd a 8/10.

But, on Sun 10/22, we were at MK from 8am regular open until about 5:30pm. It was a MNSHHP night. The crowds for the first 2 hours were a dream! We felt like we had Tomorrowland to ourselves! As we circled around to Fantasyland, it was very light crowds as well until closer to 11am, at which point we had a couple of FPs, plans for BBB and lunch at CRT, so the increasing crowd made no difference to us! Even in the afternoon, the crowds were very manageable. It was a little busier than we'd choose over in Adventureland around the 2-3pm mark, but not too crazy.

Mon 10/23 was DHS. Park was moderately busy. Nothing that made us feel like it was uncomfortably crowded or lines were too long.

Tue 10/24 was AK. No issues with crowds this day, either! We arrived at 8:45am to walk straight to Na'vi, then used FP for FOP. All other areas of park were totally manageable. Practically walked on EE a handful of times using the single ride line.

Wed 10/25 was Epcot. Bananas getting through bag check. Front of park didn't feel too crowded or have long waits, especially in the first couple of hours. World Showcase was crowded enough to decrease enjoyment of it a little. You could walk comfortably and get through, but not with total ease. Lots of areas with bottle-necking. Waits for food booths, etc. We left Epcot around 4-5pm and headed back to resort. Then park hopped to MK for the evening, arriving around 6-7pm. We had a fun evening at MK. This was a non-party night and crowds felt very present, but also totally manageable. Crowds didn't detract from our fun.

Thurs 10/26 was rest day and MNSHHP. Great party! We thoroughly enjoyed it!! Walked on lots of rides, especially at end of night.

Fri 10/27 was evening at AK. Again, crowds were manageable!

Sat 10/28 was a pool day until flights home.

Our weather was PERFECT! Highs in the mid-80s. We were able to swim every day. It didn't cool down until those last 2 days when a cold front started coming through, which still had us swimming and wearing shorts during the day, and just pants and light jackets at night. Our last trip was in September and the highs in the low 90's were hot enough to tire us out more quickly that trip. This October weather was definitely preferred by us!

But, yes, those Starbucks lines!!!

 

[aviva5675]

I was at HS last Monday and it was hot in the sun. I wanted a nice cold frapuccino but didnt want to deal with STarbucks lines. Tried Joffries, and was glad I did. Recommend it.