What kind of crowds in October??

[Mommytwotwins]

I was planning to stay 2 nights at RPH and then stay at Disney for the rest of the time. But now I am thinking about adding 1 or 2 extra days to my trip and instead of staying at RPH we will stay off property at Floridays, we have 7 of us and it would be much cheaper. I really wanted to try this hotel but for the price differnce I am not sure if its worth it. My one concern is that everyone says the FOL pass when you stay onsite is great and it would be great to have short wait times since we will not be there long. Do I realy need this in October? Right now we will be in Fl 10/18-10/26 and planned on going to US/IOA on the day we arrive,10/18 probally a half day since we arrive at 9:30am,10/19 full day and maybe 10/20 to finish up whatever we have not done yet so probally another 1/2 day and then checkin at disney. Like I said we are playing with the possibility of maybe adding another day or 2 to arrive 10/16 or 17 but would do other things around FL

So would you keep the trip shorter and stay onsite for those 2 nights or add the extra days and stay offsite?? I would save a couple hundred $$ by staying offsite for longer

 

[Metro West]

The main thing to keep in mind about October is Halloween Horror Nights runs every Thursday through Sunday of the month at the Studios. The Studios will close at 5pm on those nights so you'll lose an hour.

If you are considering staying onsite, the resorts will often put a two or three night minimum stay due to the event.

October isn't traditionally busy so you can stay offsite and will still be able to do everything you want to do. I think you should be fine with the dates you've indicated. You won't need to spend the extra money for Express Plus passes.

I'm going to move this over to the main board so more people can respond.

 

[wedance6]

Yes, I was wondering about the crowds in Oct. as well. WE want to go on a Friday in Oct. to IOA, the 21st to be exact.

 

[Melanie230]

We always go in October. The big rides have long waits during October, but the other rides are about 30 minutes. Our last trip The Simpson's had a 65 min wait in the regular line. But you could get on Jimmy Neutron or Shrek in about 20 minutes. It isn't just the FOTL passes staying onsite...it is the convience! We LOVE being able to go back to our room if we need anything. It is really nice. If you can swing it...stay onsite!

 

[purple hippo]

I was planning to stay 2 nights at RPH and then stay at Disney for the rest of the time. But now I am thinking about adding 1 or 2 extra days to my trip and instead of staying at RPH we will stay off property at Floridays, we have 7 of us and it would be much cheaper. I really wanted to try this hotel but for the price differnce I am not sure if its worth it. My one concern is that everyone says the FOL pass when you stay onsite is great and it would be great to have short wait times since we will not be there long. Do I realy need this in October? Right now we will be in Fl 10/18-10/26 and planned on going to US/IOA on the day we arrive,10/18 probally a half day since we arrive at 9:30am,10/19 full day and maybe 10/20 to finish up whatever we have not done yet so probally another 1/2 day and then checkin at disney. Like I said we are playing with the possibility of maybe adding another day or 2 to arrive 10/16 or 17 but would do other things around FL

So would you keep the trip shorter and stay onsite for those 2 nights or add the extra days and stay offsite?? I would save a couple hundred $$ by staying offsite for longer

We are going the last week of October and toyed with the idea of staying on site as well for the EP/FOL but considering the time of year and the advice I got from people here (thanks everybody!) is that we are staying offsite and will keep an eye on the prices of the EP for the week we are going. If they start going up we will by them before they are crazy prices and would still save money compared to staying onsite. It would have been cool to stay on site though! I really love the kids suites but can't justify spending that much money for one night - half my budget would be spend right there! Hope this helps

 

[the Dark Marauder]

When it comes to crowds, Oct = May. The parks are not busy, but not slow. Lines of 30 mins for many of the rides are common, and 60 mins for the super popular rides from 12-5 (especially the water rides) is normal. If the lines are shorter than that, enjoy that aspect!

If you are planning on going to one of the HHN nights....those follow a different set of rules entirely.

 

[Metro West]

If you are planning on going to one of the HHN nights....those follow a different set of rules entirely.

 

[cuches]

Well I haven't been to Universal since '93 and things sure have changed . There were no 'on site' hotels back then so I plan on staying at RPR for the whole experience this October . I am a Disney brat and since we starting staying onsite there I wouldn't ever stay off site again. We prefer not to rent a car down there so on site just works for us. It seems as though Universal can be done completely in 2 days though, unlike Disney where it usually takes us 5 days to enjoy everything we want to do. We usually go to Disney in October and there were times that there were NO lines for popular rides....I remember getting on Buzz Lightyear again and again and we were the only people there, was kind of lonely and I actually missed the anticipation of waiting your turn. I assume that time of year would be light at both parks just because the kids are in school, no major holidays or school breaks (at least up here in NY)

I also have to add a little OT stuff here....SO SAD THEY GOT RID OF THE KING KONG RIDE! I read it was destroyed in a fire. Being a native NYer I always loved the authenticity of that ride....really felt like being in a real NY subway and they even had WWOR playing on the TV's while you waited in line. That is so NY (local channel 9) When we went back in '93 they had just opened Jaws (we were one of the first people to ride it)

Anyway, I hope you come up with a plan that works for your family, sorry I couldn't help, I feel like a newbie since we haven't been there in so long .

Tina

 

[Metro West]

I also have to add a little OT stuff here....SO SAD THEY GOT RID OF THE KING KONG RIDE! I read it was destroyed in a fire. Being a native NYer I always loved the authenticity of that ride....really felt like being in a real NY subway and they even had WWOR playing on the TV's while you waited in line. That is so NY (local channel 9) When we went back in '93 they had just opened Jaws (we were one of the first people to ride it)

Welcome back and hopefully you will have a great time the next time you visit. Kongfrontation was removed to make room for Revenge of the Mummy. Universal Studios Hollywood lost their King Kong attraction due to fire.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Welcome back and hopefully you will have a great time the next time you visit. Kongfrontation was removed to make room for Revenge of the Mummy. Universal Studios Hollywood lost their King Kong attraction due to fire.

And then they fixed it up to make Kong 360m which is on Studio Tour. If you (anyone reading this) have a chance to go to Universal Hollywood, do the tram tour! Kong 360 is great!