Those who experienced Oct 2016 I have questio

[Delirium]

A lot of strange things contributed to the crowds during Columbus Day week last year as well. The Electrical Parade had it's last run the Sunday night before Columbus Day. The hurricane wiped out park days for half of Thursday and all day Friday that weekend. As a result, it FELT more crowded because everyone was stuck at the resort on those days, and the food courts were overwhelmed. And, some people that talk about the crowds just don't follow good touring strategies. You should avoid MK on non-party days except for hopping over late. You should avoid Epcot on Friday and Saturday nights because of the Food & Wine Festival. You should avoid all parks on EMH hour days unless hopping over late. This is especially true of HS because it simply cannot handle large crowds at this time.

 

[Newsies]

The first two weeks of October seemed to be pretty manageable this past year. It was really only after Halloween that the crowds started truly picking up.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I was there last year the week before Columbus Day. Worst weather I ever experienced at WDW thanks to Hurricane Matthew. The parks seemed very crowded, but I think that was due to the Studios and AK having little to offer at the time. It made MK and Epcot seem slammed with guests.

I took trips during similar dates in 2010 and 2012, and did not have any weather problems or experience crazy crowds. It was just bad luck in 2016, which wasn't my luckiest year in any event.

I'm going mid September this year and crossing my fingers we get better weather than last year. I can handle the heat. Hours of rain, not as much.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

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.

Yes we would be on site.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

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

I have and they did make it sound ridiculous

 

[yeheyprincex2]

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

Hurricane, tropical storms season is my worry. Even though I have read not to let that stop from going during that time of the year.

 

[firefly_ris]

We booked an October trip through Orbitz a while ago. It's a brief trip for just my husband and I (4 nights, I'm almost done saving up for a 3 day hopper pass) -- I looked again last week to see if prices had changed at all and it seemed like there was still some availability for some of the moderates.... but I guess it depends on dates and stay duration and all that. We're staying at POFQ for $199/night.

I read some of the horror crowd stories about last October after I already booked everything. It's just the 2 of us without our 3 kids, and we are staying mid-week and leave Friday afternoon so I'm hoping that coupled with a good strategy we can avoid some of that.

 

[OhhBother]

We were there first week of October last year. It was far more crowded than when we were there first week of June last year. I do all the "right" things for smart touring -- I've been doing this a long time. Even with good strategy, it was just super crowded. And miserably hot. And then there was a hurricane. Not our best week at Disney... We ended up going back Nov. 15-20, and that was a much better trip -- lower crowds and better weather.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

A lot of strange things contributed to the crowds during Columbus Day week last year as well. The Electrical Parade had it's last run the Sunday night before Columbus Day. The hurricane wiped out park days for half of Thursday and all day Friday that weekend. As a result, it FELT more crowded because everyone was stuck at the resort on those days, and the food courts were overwhelmed. And, some people that talk about the crowds just don't follow good touring strategies. You should avoid MK on non-party days except for hopping over late. You should avoid Epcot on Friday and Saturday nights because of the Food & Wine Festival. You should avoid all parks on EMH hour days unless hopping over late. This is especially true of HS because it simply cannot handle large crowds at this time.

Thank you for the info. I know from my research to avoid EPCOT on the weekend and We will have hoppers to max out time in the parks.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

We were there first week of October last year. It was far more crowded than when we were there first week of June last year. I do all the "right" things for smart touring -- I've been doing this a long time. Even with good strategy, it was just super crowded. And miserably hot. And then there was a hurricane. Not our best week at Disney... We ended up going back Nov. 15-20, and that was a much better trip -- lower crowds and better weather.

We have been three times second week of November and really enjoyed our trip.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Hurricane, tropical storms season is my worry. Even though I have read not to let that stop from going during that time of the year.

It is rare to have a tropical system that late in the season, especially one that affects Orlando. That was a fluke last year and thankfully not much happened with it.

 

[Farro]

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.

Almost our exact dates! Great to read, thanks!!!

 

[jeremeyp]

We were there October 12 to October 17 last year. The crowds were manageable, but MNSSHP seemed to be busier than it was for us in 2015. I wouldn't hesitate going again in October. It's still one of my favorite times to go. The weekends at F&W tend to be much busier than the weekdays, so plan accordingly.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Last year was our third beginning of October trip. The crowds have gotten worse and worse each time. They are manageable but you do need to plan.

We were there for Hurricane Matthew, but I would not hesitate to take another fall trip. It just doesn't happen that often.

 

[MooksterL1]

We go every year, around the 2nd week of October. It is my favorite time at the parks. The weather is nice and even though MK is crowded for MNSSHP, we hit the rides during the first parade. We walked on most of them.

 

[CAS239]

Hurricane, tropical storms season is my worry. Even though I have read not to let that stop from going during that time of the year.

Yea don't worry about it at all. Hurricane season is June 1st-November 30th. No need in worrying about half a year for what might be

Very rare that a hurricane will come *knock on wood*, then add to the fact that WDW is in the middle of the state and not on the coast so chances increase some more.

Going in October/Nov you might not even see any rain

 

[KimBean]

Yes we would be on site.

And you already have a room then?

 

[anniemae]

Go and have fun. It's a great time of year, weather is beautiful. I would not worry about hurricanes.

 

[bettybooplove]

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?

Don't worry about the weather. October is a wonderful time to visit because the humidity decreases significantly and the nights are cooler.

It is very rare to have a hurricane or tropical storm during that time of the year.

The weather won't be your issue.

The crowds may be because October is a very popular time to go to Disney, ironically because of the beautiful weather. As you've already stated there are also major events that occur as well as Free Dining and that draws in the crowds. Now that most schools have a fall break, yes you will see crowds.

But it seems guests would rather deal with crowds in mild October weather rather than hot summer days.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

We've had to go in October due to my DDs school schedule for the last few years.

All I'll say is I'm glad we can now go in November again. October is simply becoming too busy for my comfort level. Definitely get Park Hoppers!

And I have to echo a pp, if you don't have a room booked for an on property stay you'll find yourself quite limited in remaining availability at this point.