Which Park To Go To On Columbus Day

[sarivers]

Have done all the research through Tour Guide Mike and other guides about busiest days, EMH mornings, etc., but we'll be there over Columbus Day Weekend. Actually, we're there Tuesday, October 7 through Tuesday, October 14 (with that Monday being the holiday).

I'm not too worried about crowds on our arrival day through Friday, but starting Saturday, I'm guessing the crowds will be brutal.

What are your suggestions about which parks to visit on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Columbus Day) of our visit.

We can do all the MUST DO things on Wed-Fri. But we don't want to be just sitting around the resort (ASMo) Sat-Mon, especially given that we leave on Tuesday.

By the way, we're four adults and two children (1 and 3).

Thanks for your help....

 

[harperwi]

I've been at WDW the week prior to Columbus Day, but it was in 2001, which was right after 9/11, so my experience is pretty atypical.

I would suggest steering clear of the MK on Saturday and Monday. Sunday is the MK's EMH day, which typically boosts attendance, but I believe the MK is still somewhat slower in the early morning hours, while the locals are still at church.

That said, I think that if you get your MUST DO'S in on the non-weekend days, that you should go to whatever park you want to on any of the days and do the attractions that either aren't as popular, or accept huge numbers of guests per show (like Presidents, Ellen's Energy, American Adventure, etc.) If you're not gung-ho, commando-style tourists looking for one E-ticket ride after another, then I think you'd probably be fine enjoying all the A-thru-D ticket attractions on the busier days.

Another thing to consider, since it will probably be pretty mild temperature wise in October, is to use the busier days to camp out for parades early (while everyone else is E-ride crazy), and enjoy some serious people watching curbside. That way you're not just "sitting at the resort" but you're not stressed out by having to fight lines. Then on the lower crowd days you can forego the parades and shows and hit the bigger attractions.

I'm guessing with your children's ages, you're not planning too many E-ticket rides anyway, right?

Anyway, that's my thought. If it were me, I would do AK on Saturday, MK Sunday morning with a monorail over to Epcot if it gets busy, and then probably MGM on Monday, or maybe a day at Downtown Disney or exploring another resort ???

I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions. I hope this helps!

Jon

 

[Simba's Girl]

Hi Sara!

I actually have no idea as to attendance, but I wanted to say hi because...My family of four (not including the grandparents) DH and I and our 2 dds ages at the time will be 11.5months and 3 years 11.25 months will be there the same time you are! Small world! We will be there the 5th through the 12th! Gotta go because my soon to be 9 month old is attacking the computer!

Heather

 

[frannn]

We'll be there Oct 10-20 with DD, who'll have just turned 1. We plan on celebrating with her every day of our trip! See you there!
(But hopefully not every other person in the free world)

 

[PattnFmly]

We'll be there too! October 11-25! Plan on arrival and shopping Saturday, MK on Sunday, MGM on Monday. Have been there for Columbus Day years ago and it was kinda crowded, that's why we'll pick MGM on Monday. The kids are just dying to see the Playhouse Disney show again!