The Official October 2013 Trip Planning Thread

[SAT887]

Thank you! It's absolutely insane! We still cannot believe it. We almost moved to Fargo, ND 2 months ago for a potential job for DH. Things fell through with that company. I am beyond thankful he didn't get that job! Ha! This is just beyond anything I could have ever hoped for!

We have realized many things in the past year. We've realized that money isn't everything and that it's more important for our family to be happy. DH was an electrical engineer for 10 years and hated every single second of it. He quit that job in November of 2011 to start his own business. It's been a very rough year, but we're pushing through to Florida since things are finally picking up. He's been such a happier person without being chained to a desk.

Umm Fargo ND... So glad you didn't! I imagine a artic tundra similar to my back yard (which hasn't gone above -1 today...) This is great, I am so anxious about selling our house and moving out of state (again!) and makes me hopeful! Do you have any areas that you are looking into? I lived in Sarasota which was pretty nice. Good luck! And way to go on transforming your life - making these changes is so hard!

 

[teetee830]

Hi, I'm all booked for October 14-20th @ Beach Club. It will be my DS (6) and I. I'm pretty excited we've never stayed at the Beach Club, or even deluxe, before. Normally we stay at POFQ. This will also be our first trip for MNSSHP!

 

[L-Harper]

Umm Fargo ND... So glad you didn't! I imagine a artic tundra similar to my back yard (which hasn't gone above -1 today...) This is great, I am so anxious about selling our house and moving out of state (again!) and makes me hopeful! Do you have any areas that you are looking into? I lived in Sarasota which was pretty nice. Good luck! And way to go on transforming your life - making these changes is so hard!

We're looking at Seminole County or a little beach town on the Gulf Coast... still not sure. We're trying to weigh being really close to either WDW or the beach plus having an A rated school district. The school is of #1 importance to us. Where are you moving to?

Hi, I'm all booked for October 14-20th @ Beach Club. It will be my DS (6) and I. I'm pretty excited we've never stayed at the Beach Club, or even deluxe, before. Normally we stay at POFQ. This will also be our first trip for MNSSHP!

to the group! I have you added to the first post. How awesome to get to stay deluxe for the first time. I'm still dreaming of that!

 

[SAT887]

We're looking at Seminole County or a little beach town on the Gulf Coast... still not sure. We're trying to weigh being really close to either WDW or the beach plus having an A rated school district. The school is of #1 importance to us. Where are you moving to?

to the group! I have you added to the first post. How awesome to get to stay deluxe for the first time. I'm still dreaming of that!

I hear you on the school. We moved from NJ to NH- no kids, not thinking about schools, and they are horrible . Thankfully my oldest is 3 and we know this now... Now we are looking into the Raleigh area, it will really all depend where DH gets a job, there is about 10-15 locations he can transfer to if they have a management position open. Ideally we want to stay on the eastern side to be closer to family and the beach Do you know anyone in FL? We are definitely going to rent at first just to see what we think of different areas.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I'm so jealous. Especially this time of year with the cold. I hate winter. The only good thing about winter is it's six months away to summer.

And when you get to be my age, winters just seem longer. In fact, I think the calendar now exists of: nine months of winter and one month of the other three seasons.

We're looking at Seminole County or a little beach town on the Gulf Coast... still not sure. We're trying to weigh being really close to either WDW or the beach plus having an A rated school district. The school is of #1 importance to us.

Totally agree with you. Most important thing is the school district. You may live in the prettiest community, but if the school district is horrible, then it's not worth it.

 

[piratemamaof3]

I have you added to the first page. Most of October isn't busy.

I highly recommend an actual Disney Travel Agent rather than AAA since they know a lot more about WDW. They can't help with flights, but they can make a vacation plan suited specifically for your family and can make all of your reservations.

Thanks for the tip. I am actually on the first page twice now. LOL Our current plan is to say at POR I will be 40 (part of my reason for wanting to go) and the rest of our visit is just b/c we haven't been in a while and want to go before the boys get any older.

Congrats on the move, good luck

 

[Macavity72]

We've got our surprise trip for the kiddos set for Oct. 5 - 11 at AoA.

 

[IowaTater]

DH and I will be headed to WDW October 3-10 (anticipated).

I'm thinking we will either be staying at Art of Animation or Pop. We are having a meeting with our friends on Saturday to start ironing out the details.

DH and I will be celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary

We had originally planned on WDW being our honeymoon but since we paid for our wedding ourselves, we didn't have as big of a honeymoon budget as we would have liked. So I guess you can call this our 2nd honeymoon!

 

[SEASONK]

I just wish our school district would release our school calendars. For the past 4 years we have had a week off in October, but I have not heard if they are going to continue it for the next school year or not. I am ready to book and start really planning things. We have already decided on where we want to eat if we go. We will have 2 little ones (who have never been to WDW)with us, so we are doing mostly character meals. We have narrowed it down to Chef Mickey's, Hollywood & Vine, Crystal Palace, Coral Reef, & Boatwrights.

 

[Macavity72]

I just wish our school district would release our school calendars. For the past 4 years we have had a week off in October, but I have not heard if they are going to continue it for the next school year or not.

That's what we were waiting on, as well. They finally released the preliminary one, so we went ahead and used it to schedule our trip.

I figure if the final calendar changes at all, we'll have plenty of time to modify our reservation.

 

[WDWfanatic2]

Ha! That's too funny! Well, I haven't shared this news yet on this post.... but our plans have changed in a HUGE way! We've been working on moving to Florida for quite some time and now we're actually moving in June! I'm still going to keep this thread up because I'm sure I'll be at WDW at least a few days in October. I still can't wrap my head around it, but it's going to be so amazing. We haven't picked a location yet. DH and I don't have to worry about job commutes since we both work at home.

Just let me know when you have your dates confirmed and I'll get you added!

That's Awesome!!! I can't believe you're moving to Disney. I am so jealous. If we end up in Disney at the same time we will definitely have to try and catch up at some point

 

[baylie666]

I have started the spreadsheet of doom/organisation. Luckily I only have to plan 2 weeks worth as when the rest of the family leave my sister and I we planto just do things as we fancy....apart from the odd ADR and MNSSHP.

I am finsing it really hard to find information on park opening times this far in advance but with 7 people to consider and one of them being in a different time zone it will take me an age to check with everyone at each tiny plan change.

 

[shenaniganzz]

Hey everyone

We are considering a trip for 2013 and I have a few questions. We've been the last two years and stayed from appx. the 7th - 14th both times, with FD.

I am considering any time on/around October 30th (so we can be there for my niece's bday) or mid-November. I really, really want FD.. we like our character and signature meals so well worth it for us, I think.

I am a bit concerned about the crowds due to F&W if we go around the end of October. Epcot is our fave park. How busy can we expect it to be. We've been pretty spoiled at the beginning of September.. low wait times, walk on for rides, etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice to offer?

TIA!

 

[baylie666]

Hey everyone

We are considering a trip for 2013 and I have a few questions. We've been the last two years and stayed from appx. the 7th - 14th both times, with FD.

I am considering any time on/around October 30th (so we can be there for my niece's bday) or mid-November. I really, really want FD.. we like our character and signature meals so well worth it for us, I think.

I am a bit concerned about the crowds due to F&W if we go around the end of October. Epcot is our fave park. How busy can we expect it to be. We've been pretty spoiled at the beginning of September.. low wait times, walk on for rides, etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice to offer?

TIA!

Last time I went it was October as was fairly quiet, but that said it was 15 years ago and before F&W was about and they didn't have MNSSHP!
I have been told F&W only really effects Epcot on the friday, saturday and sunday and does not effect crowds in the rest of WDW.
I've also been told it is one of the low season times to go despite F&W and MNSSHP.
*fingers crossed*

Happy planning

 

[shenaniganzz]

Thanks baylie666!

 

[Sorcerina]

wanted to say that last October the sundays were low at EPCOT

 

[SEASONK]

Hey everyone

We are considering a trip for 2013 and I have a few questions. We've been the last two years and stayed from appx. the 7th - 14th both times, with FD.

I am considering any time on/around October 30th (so we can be there for my niece's bday) or mid-November. I really, really want FD.. we like our character and signature meals so well worth it for us, I think.

I am a bit concerned about the crowds due to F&W if we go around the end of October. Epcot is our fave park. How busy can we expect it to be. We've been pretty spoiled at the beginning of September.. low wait times, walk on for rides, etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice to offer?

TIA!

We have been there in October 2008 & 2012. Crowds were definitely heavier last year than in 2008, but nothing compared to summer crowds. (I think the difference was, here in the south fall breaks are becoming popular with the school systems.) We walked on or had little wait times on most rides. The ones with longer lines, we got fastpasses. We did avoid World Showcase on Friday and Saturday night since we knew it would be crowded. The other nights of F&W were enjoyable.

 

[piratemamaof3]

We have been there in October 2008 & 2012. Crowds were definitely heavier last year than in 2008, but nothing compared to summer crowds. (I think the difference was, here in the south fall breaks are becoming popular with the school systems.) We walked on or had little wait times on most rides. The ones with longer lines, we got fastpasses. We did avoid World Showcase on Friday and Saturday night since we knew it would be crowded. The other nights of F&W were enjoyable.

Thanks thats helpful. We don't have a week long break in Oct so we are pulling out of school so good to know how the crowds are, and where to avoid on the weekend.

 

[SAT887]

So I was told the ToT 10 miler is Oct 5th- we would be arriving Oct 6th. Does anyone know if things are closed or anything going on after the race? Also how many days do the crowds usually stick around?

 

[shenaniganzz]

We have been there in October 2008 & 2012. Crowds were definitely heavier last year than in 2008, but nothing compared to summer crowds. (I think the difference was, here in the south fall breaks are becoming popular with the school systems.) We walked on or had little wait times on most rides. The ones with longer lines, we got fastpasses. We did avoid World Showcase on Friday and Saturday night since we knew it would be crowded. The other nights of F&W were enjoyable.

Thanks!! I think We're going to aim to go around the end of October then. We're spending one day in Epcot and I think we'll aim to get there at 11, enjoy WS and the F&W and later in the afternoon we can head over to FW once it starts to get busier.

Another question..

I know that after October 31st, they roll out the Osborne lights in MK. Does anyone know how soon after the 31st they do this? I've never seen them and I would love to... so I might shift our timing a bit if I have to so that we can see them.