Visiting in October

[TxAnn]

We'd like to visit Disney in early October. I"m looking for info from anyone who has been during this time. How crowded are the parks? I know it's still hurricane season. What happens as far as park closure etc. when there is a hurricane? Also, what's the weather like? Is it still warm enough to swim? Are they water parks still open?

Thanks for any information!!

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Plug your dates in here for recent weather history:
http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

October crowds range from moderate to the low side of moderate. Weekends are busier than weekdays. One of the water parks will usually close for refurb around the end of the month.

As for hurricanes, Central Florida is inland and the chances for a severe hurricane coming through the WDW area are quite slim. In the 37-plus years that WDW has existed, the parks have closed a total of about five days due to weather conditions, and almost all of those days were in the same year--2004--when three hurricanes of varying intensity came through Central Florida. If you are still nervous about hurricane season, have a look here:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/hurricane-policy/

 

[fussymonkey]

We were at Disney during Hurricane Wanda in 2005! It was really nice before the hurricane, low 80s and sunny, and it was cold, highs in the upper 60s after. The parks closed the day of the hurricane, but it was over by early afternoon and DTD reopened, along with most non-park attractions (restaurants, malls, etc.) Granted, that was a softball hurricane by the time it got to Orlando.

The crowds were nice, we never waited more than 20 min for anything other than Soarin. We're actually planning another trip (God willing) for this coming October.

 

[Darcy03231]

I was there the week of October 18, 2007. We had great weather! Sunny and warm every day, except Friday when we had some drizzly rain. Nothing really bad. It would drizzle for a bit, stop, drizzle for a bit, stop. Most nights it stayed warm. We had a couple when we needed a light jacket or a sweater.

Crowds were moderate. It certainly wasn't dead, but it wasn't packed either. I found getting to the parks early and using the fast passes worked great. We really didn't stand in line for anything (except to see Cinderella at MNSSHP which my niece wanted to do).

 

[bellebud]

we were there around oct 10 (about 5 years ago), and the weather was 94 every day. we were told it usually isn't *that* hot, maybe 80's is normal? I remember asking my friend who lives in florida about the weather, and she said october is still summer down there, so i'd just assume it won't be chilly.

 

[Leajess99]

We'd like to visit Disney in early October. I"m looking for info from anyone who has been during this time. How crowded are the parks? I know it's still hurricane season. What happens as far as park closure etc. when there is a hurricane? Also, what's the weather like? Is it still warm enough to swim? Are they water parks still open?

Thanks for any information!!

We were there last year at this time and will be there this year as well. It did get busy at times but still not as bad as I expected. We also had at least 1 downpour a day but you can still swim and it was still warm. One waterpark was being refurb'd when we were there but we don't do waterparks anyway. My kids would rather just swim.

 

[justwinnie]

We often go in October and enjoy it. It can be pretty hot and humid-- high 80s usually. Definitely hot enough to swim! The crowds are ok. If you go around Columbus Day, it's busy.

We love the Halloween Party and the Food and Wine Festival, so October's a great time to go!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

Awesome info! We are planning a trip for 9/25 to 10/6 for this year. Can't wait!

 

[TxAnn]

Wow! Thanks for all of the great information!

This board rocks!!

 

[disneymarie]

we were there around oct 10 (about 5 years ago), and the weather was 94 every day. we were told it usually isn't *that* hot, maybe 80's is normal? I remember asking my friend who lives in florida about the weather, and she said october is still summer down there, so i'd just assume it won't be chilly.

We were ther in Oct 06 and it was 99* everyday until the last day. Broke records for the week. No hurricans though. The last day, it was 40* the night before and 54* when we left. I was so cold with no jacket. I had left it at home the morning we left.

In Oct 08 the week of the 24th ish we went and it drizzled everyday a little, and some days heavier ran for a few hours. These periods the parks did lose the crowds, but a pain with a rain cape on and wet feet.
We swam in 07 but not in 08. The pool was heated but we had a rental car and went off property a lot at night or DTD and pit stops for water and drinks.

It is certainly a time of the year you have to pack half and half, take a jacket and some real cool outfits if the unusual hot weather is there. We always like that week to do, and YES it is crowded on the weekends!!!
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