Those who experienced Oct 2016 I have questio

[yeheyprincex2]

I have been researching taking a WDW trip during October this year for a few reasons.
I want to attend during a different time of the year than our usual visits, I want to take my family to the MNSSHP, FOOD AND WINE festival, my four year old tells me every day he wants to go to Disney(killing me softly) and I don't know if I can wait till summer 2018.
tentative dates are Oct 5-11 main reason is the kids school schedule. I have read reports of crowds increasing during this time of year, and I slightly worry about weather.
For those of you with experience during October and Columbus day how was your experience? Manageable crowds or swarms of people?

 

[highlander4]

In the past we have always done the first week of Oct.. This year we are doing the 2nd week which is Columbus Day week. The first week was still crowded but manageable and the temperatures(around 85 degree and less humidity) are great compared to summer heat. Night time can get chilly around night.

 

[Pkltm]

We have gone many 3 times now in October and will be there October 2-11 this year. We like the weather and do not find the crowds overwhelming. Plus we love MNSSHP and F&W!!!

 

[Faceoff445566]

We have been every October for the last three years. We love that time of year! The decorations are great, the weather is perfect for us, but the crowds increase each time we go. It is manageable but we found it to be more crowded in October 2016 than we saw July 2016.

 

[bootlord9000]

We went the first week of October last year and didn't have to deal with hordes of crowds. The weather was weird last year, so I think it was hotter than October usually is (we hit mid-90s several times). We also had the luxury of losing two days to the hurricane. The crowds were slightly lower than early December; the only time we saw hordes of people was during F&W on the weekend.

 

[Disnsyncey]

We usually go nearer to the end of September, but we had to change due to schedules, and we are going Oct 19-24, and am actually kind of scared about possibly larger crowds than we are used to....even 2 Septembers ago, the nights at MK with Wishes were PACKED to the gills, so we were basically riding the train and people mover, so I am bracing myself for larger than usual crowds....

 

[Bunnylicious]

We celebrated Halloween at Disney 10/24-11/2 last year. We had incredible weather and found the parks busier than past trips but completely manageable. DH was amazed at how much we were able to do. We took advantage of 7am EMH at MK and totally did everything we wanted to do multiple times. The only time we felt a bit overwhelmed was the night we attended MNSSHP (10/24). Not sure it was so much the crowds as me not knowing what to expect and no solid plan in place. Epcot F&W can also be rather crowded on the weekend.

 

[Micca]

We did tail-end of September/early October last year. It was plenty hot and Epcot was busy due to F&W, I'm sure the MNSSHPs are crowded too. I would def. go, but not because of the weather or light crowds.

 

[KimBean]

I have been researching taking a WDW trip during October this year for a few reasons.
I want to attend during a different time of the year than our usual visits, I want to take my family to the MNSSHP, FOOD AND WINE festival, my four year old tells me every day he wants to go to Disney(killing me softly) and I don't know if I can wait till summer 2018.
tentative dates are Oct 5-11 main reason is the kids school schedule. I have read reports of crowds increasing during this time of year, and I slightly worry about weather.
For those of you with experience during October and Columbus day how was your experience? Manageable crowds or swarms of people?

Were you planning to stay onsite? If so you better book soon. Only seeing three places available. Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge, and Caribbean Beach.

 

[KimBean]

Take that back. When I click on AKL and WL there is nothing. Caribbean beach - pirate room - enchanted resort offer $251 a night is all there is for those dates through disney online. Maybe some of the other sites have rooms like orbitz, etc.

 

[VAtink]

We did an end of September/beginning of October trip last fall and loved it. We were shocked at how empty it was! Definitely spoiled us...we found the crowds on our trip at the beginning of May to be horrible comparatively! Plus MNSSHP is awesome, as is Food and Wine! Highly recommend that time of year! Just avoid Epcot on Saturday, we learned that the hard way

 

[CAS239]

What about the weather worries you? It's going to be warm and slim chance of rain

 

[KimBean]

What about the weather worries you? It's going to be warm and slim chance of rain

Maybe hurricanes? My dh was there last year in October with hurricane Matthew. That was at the exact same time.

 

[CAS239]

Maybe hurricanes? My dh was there last year in October with hurricane Matthew. That was at the exact same time.

Very very slim chance, not enough to be worried about it unless you were there and it was on the way.

 

[KimBean]

Very very slim chance, not enough to be worried about it unless you were there and it was on the way.

Oh I agree. That's why my husband went there thinking it would be no big thang. And the hurricane was nothing the experience was a lot. Lol.

I wasn't saying they should be worried just saying maybe that is what they are referring to as weather.

 

[SarahC97]

Last year, on the Wednesday of Columbus Day week, there were 70,000 people in MK. It was a madhouse. We didn't ride anything we didn't have a FastPass for because the wait was so insane. At one point, the wait for It's a Small World was like 2 hours. We'll never go back in October again, truthfully -- and that's the worst week of the month to go for sure, in my experience.

 

[DWillowBay]

It's our favorite time to go....October crowds are lower. Weather is gorgeous! Sorry that SarahC97 had such a negative experience, but that has NEVER been our experience in 4 years of going in October. It is what you make it, IMHO. Make sure you have FP. Remember you cannot do it all. Choose your most important rides/ events and pace yourself. It's Disney. Just enjoy.

 

[SarahC97]

It's our favorite time to go....October crowds are lower. Weather is gorgeous! Sorry that SarahC97 had such a negative experience, but that has NEVER been our experience in 4 years of going in October. It is what you make it, IMHO. Make sure you have FP. Remember you cannot do it all. Choose your most important rides/ events and pace yourself. It's Disney. Just enjoy.

We've been in October a couple of times before, just never Columbus day week before. I would say other weeks in October we found the crowds to be manageable, but last year Columbus Day week was pretty insane. Maybe last year was a fluke.

 

[SaintsManiac]

If you read the DIS during Columbus week last year you would have thought the entire world was at WDW

 

[Delirium]

We've been several times in October. Some observations:
- We've been in October several times. And, the crowds have increased significantly over the years. But, you can get a lot done with a good plan.
- Buy hoppers. You do not want any part of MK on a non-party day unless you hop over late. While the crowds are much lower on non-party days, the park closes too early and you'll want to hop to Epcot, AK, or HS for nighttime entertainment. Then, on non-party days, when everyone without hoppers would go to MK, we would wait and hop over to MK super late. On the Wednesday of Columbus Day week that someone mentioned above, we hopped over to MK about the time of Wishes. The crowd thinned afterwards and the park was open until 2 a.m. We did a whole lot of stuff between 11:00-2:00.
- Weather is generally good. Last year with the hurricane was the exception. We've been in October multiple times where we did no get a drop of rain and the temperatures were very pleasant.
- If you do hop, use fastpasses at the second park most of the time unless you are just hopping for fireworks. Mornings are still manageable everywhere except Epcot. There just are not enough choices at Epcot to disburse the crowd. Meanwhile, say for instance you start out at MK, you can generally ride about what you want (except mine-train) at rope drop on a party day. Secure your fastpasses for your second park so you don't have to wait in line for the headliners there.