Which weekend in October would be better?

[Nermel9]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping to go to WDW in October for a quick long weekend trip for Food and Wine, and I've just started looking at flights and pricing things out and all that. I'm trying to decide between the first weekend, 10/1-10/5 and the third weekend, 10/15-10/19. Flight prices right now are exactly the same so that's not a problem (although, they seem very expensive to me, for what I usually pay to get to Florida, but maybe they will come down). I'd probably stay at Pop, and if I go the first weekend, I can get free dining, which, I normally don't think is a great deal for 2 people at a value resort, especially since we would upgrade to the regular dining plan, but it only comes out to about $100 more to do that than get the room discount, so that's kind of tempting. If we go the 10/15 weekend, we can only get the room discount, which of course, would save us money, but again, I like the idea of having the dining plan.

Mostly I'm worried about crowds. I was there the first week of October for MK's 40th anniversary and it was crazy, it was SO busy. This year it's the 45th anniversary, so I'm wondering, is that weekend going to be crazy again? I've never been mid October, so I don't know what crowds would be like the weekend of the 15th, according to crowd calendars, that time is busier than the beginning of October, but it seems like crowd calendars are way off lately, so I don't know how much I trust them. I know Epcot will be busy any weekend, because of Food and Wine, and I know to avoid it at night on Saturday so that's not really a concern. I'd just rather go at whatever time would be less crowded and I really don't know which time to pick.

Thanks in advance!

 

[EagleG17]

We are going Oct 1-5 and used the room discount. We don't find value in free dining. Crowds are a crapshoot.

 

[Nermel9]

We are going Oct 1-5 and used the room discount. We don't find value in free dining. Crowds are a crapshoot.

I know. I like free dining when I'm staying at a moderate resort but the value resorts don't ever save you money. I'm just considering it because it's so close to what we'd pay for the room discount so why not just pay a little more and get the free dining.

I'm just nervous about that weekend because it was so ridiculous for the 40th...we were in MK that night for the special fireworks and you could not move, it was insane. Probably the worst crowds I've ever seen, but I don't even know if they will do anything like that for the 45th...

 

[EagleG17]

No idea on anything special for 45th. F&W will be busy regardless.

 

[Pkltm]

We were there last year for that weekend, Epcot was very busy, but everything was manageable. We are going again this year the 30-5. I am too worried about the 45th, but I am also excited at the same time lol.

I would do the FD and upgrade, you cant eat for $100, no brainer to me. The value in the free dining for you is there if you plan on eating TS, CS each day, snacks can be used at F&W.

 

[Nermel9]

We were there last year for that weekend, Epcot was very busy, but everything was manageable. We are going again this year the 30-5. I am too worried about the 45th, but I am also excited at the same time lol.

I would do the FD and upgrade, you cant eat for $100, no brainer to me. The value in the free dining for you is there if you plan on eating TS, CS each day, snacks can be used at F&W.

I'm not really worried about Epcot, I've been to Food and Wine enough to know when to avoid it haha! I just don't want the other parks to be too crazy. Although, it seems like there's not really a slow period at Disney anymore anyway, so maybe I'll just go when I want to and not worry about it!

 

[EagleG17]

I'm not really worried about Epcot, I've been to Food and Wine enough to know when to avoid it haha! I just don't want the other parks to be too crazy. Although, it seems like there's not really a slow period at Disney anymore anyway, so maybe I'll just go when I want to and not worry about it!

Why not do both?

 

[Nermel9]

Why not do both?

Both weekends? Haha, I wish!

 

[EagleG17]

Both weekends? Haha, I wish!

I know...I wish too...

 

[Vgraves2003]

Heads up! I am going Oct 1-8 and the only value resort available for free dining during that time was All Star Sports...I was hoping for POP too. So don't let free dining be the reason

Also, I think Columbus Day weekend is during your second set of dates....I would think that would make it busier at the parks?

 

[EagleG17]

Heads up! I am going Oct 1-8 and the only value resort available for free dining during that time was All Star Sports...I was hoping for POP too. So don't let free dining be the reason

Also, I think Columbus Day weekend is during your second set of dates....I would think that would make it busier at the parks?

This is true...

 

[Nermel9]

Heads up! I am going Oct 1-8 and the only value resort available for free dining during that time was All Star Sports...I was hoping for POP too. So don't let free dining be the reason

Also, I think Columbus Day weekend is during your second set of dates....I would think that would make it busier at the parks?

I checked for Pop today and it was available but maybe it's not anymore...I really don't care where I stay for this trip, but I'd prefer Pop.

I think Columbus day is the week between the 2 weekends I'm deciding between...that's why that weekend wasn't in consideration, haha!