Tell me its ok to go in the fall.

[cobbler]

Ok, my family usually goes the week after Thanksgiving and I love how Disney is all decked out for Xmas. This year we bought annual passes and decided that we would use them again next year at the beginning of October to get our $$ worth out of them before they expire.

As we walked out of Epcot on our last night there I realized I am going to miss the Christmas time sooooooo much and am seriously considering going that time again which will mean I will have to either renew my annual pass or just get hoppers since our current passes expire on 11/29. We only used them 6 days this year and would use them 6-7 days next year if we go in October like I planned.

We would go during the food and wine festival and get MNSSHP (both of which I have never done).

I am just worried that I will miss all the Christmas decorations and stuff like that.

So for anyone who has been during the food and wine festival and MNSSHP please tell me about it and tell me it will be ok

Thanks

 

[tiberius]

It's OK to go during the fall. The crowds will be down and you can try out some things like the food and wine festival and MNSSHP whcih you have not done before. If you are really afraid of missing the Christmas season feeling either try to (1) schedule some things you have not done but would really like to do, or (2) go at the end of your annual pass period to catch the start of the Christmas season.

 

[sunny04]

My husband and I have gone in Oct. for two years in a row and LOVE it. First of all, crowds are lighter. It is a little bit of an off season and usually perfect weather. Very warm, but not hot and not too cold at nights either. The Halloween party is AWESOME. We have gone both years and love it. The lighting and trick or treating and storytelling and costumes and headless horseman and parade, etc, etc. It is so much fun. This year was the first time we really saw the food and wine festival stuff and I really enjoyed it as well. We are not big wine drinkers, so that did not appeal to us. However, they had all kinds of options for those who do enjoy it...including wine tasting areas and meeting wine makers, etc. What I enjoyed most were the extra booths set up for this. They had carts everywhere from different countries and you could try all kinds of food. Yummy, yummy, yummy. They also had different musical groups every day or so. We saw a fabulous 80s group when we were there (I love 80s music!). But they had motown singers some days and blues some days, and just all different kinds of things coming in. 2 years ago we went on Christmas, then last year just in Oct. We did miss it some, but still had fun in Oct. Then we got our annual passes, so this year we did Oct. and are doing Christmas again! Whatever you decide, you will have lots of fun.

 

[KLAIT]

I am in the same exact boat...love the week after Thanksgiving and am so spolied by no crowds....

But, looks like October trip for us next year as well. While I am excited to try the Halloween party and warmer time of year, I am worried that I will miss all the Christmas stuff.

Still not sure what I am going to do.

 

[blestmom]

Just saw this post....funny how many of us are in a similar situation! We got annual passes and used them for the first 2 weeks in December. Loved it! But I'd like to get another trip out of the AP's, and am thinking of a fall trip. September is best for us time-wise, but I think it would be too hot and rainy. October and the MNSSHP sounds like fun. November is an option, too. There are 6 of us, so we stay at the Fort Wilderness cabins, and the value season ends 10/04/05, but I may not let that completely determine the dates of our trip. Have fun planning! I always have fun at Disney, but I'm not a fan of either heat or crowds.

 

[MMDRMMBL]

We went Oct. 3-9 this year and loved it. We have never been at christmas time so I can't say which is better. I'm sure it's beautiful that time of year. All I know is that in Oct. the weather is great not too hot in day and perfect at night. There wasn't a drop of rain and a sweater was never worn. We loved the food and wine festival. My husband and I could have spent the whole day there but our 9 & 12 year olds had other plans in mind. We didn't have too many problems with crowds. Waits in line were minimal. Disney World is magical no matter what time of year you go. Give fall a try I don't think you will regret it.

 

[kilee]

We've gone in the fall for the last 2 years. I personally LOVE MNSSHP and the F&W Fest really is entire day worth of events in itself. I for one like mixing up our visits to different times of the year. Disney has so much to offer throughout the year, each time of year brings something new and unique. Changing season's every year or two helps to keep the parks new for us. I have found for both our late September and late October trips the weather to be still quite hot, which you don't alway get in December. We've also planned it just right to have minimal crowds, always a plus.
I think you'll love the change in activities, and you'll still have a wonderful trip. I'd go-- don't let those AP's go to waste.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

This year my husband and I went (sans children) the very end of Sept/beg Oct. We went to the first Halloween party and to the F&W Festival. I thought that it was a wonderful time to go, except it was still hot. I think that mid October would be better--still warm and a person can count on swimming, but not so hot.

I also went with my 5yo the first two weeks of December. I liked the decorations, and the weather cooperated for the most part, but I liked the fall better. I didn't go to the Christmas party, so can't compare the two parties. We liked the Halloween party a lot and the F&W Festival was fun.

Give October a chance--you may really enjoy it!

T&B

 

[ufgator]

We went in Oct and Dec this year but not to the parties. Both are great times to go. If you've never been to the F&W festival, definitely go. My husband and I love going. It's fun sampling all the different food. The weather isn't so hot. You can't go wrong either way! Try the fall if you haven't done it before.

 

[Focusdude]

I spent my honeymoon in Disney in October, 1996, and the best part about it was that there were hardly any lines! I went back in February, 1997, and was amazed at how long the lines were! Fall is a great time to go!

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Don't worry your going to Disney. It will be magical whenever you go.

 

[Dizzy4Dizney]

We just got back from our first Christmas trip to Disney and as always, had a great time. We have been to Disney in Oct for the MNSSHP and Food and Wine festival and I definaletly prefer Oct od Dec. Although Christmas time at Disney is wonderful, I prefer the lower crowds, hotter weather and the "Disney Feeling" to the Christmas crowds and atomsphere. I also loved the MNSSHP 10 times better than the MVMCP. You will love the Food and Wine Festival. We are planning a MG trip this Oct with 17 of us and the kids are already off the wall abou it!

Anytime at Disney is a great time.

 

[blestmom]

Dizzy4Dizney...I love your Mickey Head countdown calendar. How does it work?

 

[LoriMistress]

I went during the Food and Wine Festival in November and it was great! There were a few X-mas decorations up, but the weather was 70 degrees the entire time and there wasn't much of a wait in lines (the longest was a twenty minute wait).

 

[kaabost]

Disney has such a wonderful atmosphere whether it's decked out for Christmas or not. You'll have a great time enjoying Disney in a new season.

 

[Leota]

I have been in the Fall 4x & in early Dec 2x. I love them both for different reasons.
I am, however, a little more partial to Oct. trips to WDW. I love MNSSHP & the F&WF. The weather is absolutely sublime - It's still nice & warm, without being overly hot. But, hot enough for shorts & swimming, where Dec can be hit or miss weather-wise.

I don't think anyone could be disappointed in WDW in the Fall for MNSSHP & F&WF. I would caution against going during Jersey week unless your school/work schedule dictates that you go then. Otherwise, Fall brings low crowds, great Food & Halloween Fun.

 

[KathyFP]

We love the fall. Great weather, low crowds and trick or treating with Mickey is fantastic!

Go for it

 

[cobbler]

Thanks all Sounds like a lot of people like it and I have planned - tenatively - to go October 1 - 7. That way my AP's won't go to waste.

Sounds like everyone loves the F&W festival and the MNSSHP, this thread has helped eased my anxiety and making it a bit more exciting.

Thanks again

 

[eeyore0062]

We went had our vacation this year Oct 2nd through the 6th. It was a great time to go. The crowds weren't bad at all. We went to EMH on Sunday at MK and enjoyed the short lines. In the afternoon we went back and swam in the pool (we stayed at the Poly) and ate dinner at Kona Cafe. That evening we went to a movie at DTD. The next day we got up, went to the pool, then enjoyed the rest of the day at Epcot at the Food and Wine Festival starting in Mexico, eating dinner at Alfredo's (we walked in and got seated!). Tuesday we slept in, then got up and went back to Epcot, starting in Canada this time. That night we ate at Yachtsman Steakhouse (of course, we did have PS for that). Wednesday we got up early and asked for a late checkout so we could go back to MK (we did get the late checkout). We were there for the opening of the park and stayed until noon at which time we took the boat launch back to the Poly and DH packed to go while I did last minute shopping. It was a great time to go. By the next week, the crowds were much more dense, so consider going the 1st week of October. Usually for Florida the chances of a hurricane have diminished by that point.

 

[nursemelis374]

You will love the fall! I just went last October 13-21 and had a great time. The weather was pretty warm, but I like it that way. The crowds were a little larger than I was expecting, but we didn't mind at all and were still able to get everything in. LOVED LOVED LOVED MNSSHP! I am sure that you will too!