Worried about 50th crowds for Oct 2021

[Maine_Belle]

I'm itching to plan our family's big Disney trip in the coming years. We went for a brief trip years ago and this will be our likely only other trip to the house of mouse.

Being the planner I am, I'm already budgeting and thinking about how many days we can do (I'm aiming for 8-10 and planning the saving now!) Ideally I want to do early October. We love Halloween, the weather is hot enough for swimming but not sweltering, it's early enough in the school year that it's not interfering too badly, crowds at WDW are historically "lower." So ok, October sounds good.

But the year... 2020 isn't really enough time to save up for this length of vacation (or to prep my eye rolling DH for this kind of trip) so I was eyeing 2021. DS will be 12, DD will be 8- great ages, tall enough for all the rides. However I'm REALLY nervous about the 50th anniversary hullabaloo. We aren't Disney fantastics. Being there for new rides like Tron would be awesome, but we otherwise don't care about the anniversary.

I'd consider a Spring 2021 visit, but school is harder to deal with them and I'd be worried about stuff being closed as they finish refurbishments. So then do I wait until 2022? Because that is sooooo far away and it makes me sad and a 13 year old boy is going to eat even more and I don't wanna wait!

What does the Dis think? Is Autumn 2021 gonna be chaos? Who has the most accurate crystal ball?!

 

[SaintsManiac]

We don't even know what will happen in 2 months when GE opens.

Really no good worrying that far ahead. There could be so many changes, events, etc. You'll make yourself crazy.

 

[skippytx]

October 2021 is going to be nuts at least at MK. There's a lot of hardcore WDW fans that will want to be there for it. The celebration will probably last an entire year though, so the first couple weeks of October when the OMG I have to be there first thing crowd will be there is probably going to be crazy busy. I expect it goes back to normal after a few weeks though.

I went last year the first week of October, into the 2nd week, and the crowd levels were high and the park was not in any way "slower", so you can forget that idea right now. Southeastern States have a week long fall break during the first couple weeks of October, and if the economy stays healthy, they'll be visiting. Just a sea of Tennessee Orange and Kentucky Blue last year. It's also still hot. 88 to 90 degrees the first couple weeks of October. It cools off a bit the later into October you go.

 

[NWOhiogal]

We're planning a big trip for late April of 2021. Will it be crazy then for the 50th do you think?

 

[sponica]

We're planning a big trip for late April of 2021. Will it be crazy then for the 50th do you think?

The upside is that Easter is earlier in April that year. But I don't think anyone can forecast how crowded something will be 2 years out.

 

[Maine_Belle]

...so the first couple weeks of October when the OMG I have to be there first thing crowd will be there is probably going to be crazy busy... Southeastern States have a week long fall break during the first couple weeks of October, and if the economy stays healthy, they'll be visiting...

Blah and double blah lol

 

[skippytx]

We're planning a big trip for late April of 2021. Will it be crazy then for the 50th do you think?

No, the 50th events probably won't start until Oct 1st, 2021, which is the 50th anniversary of the park opening. I mean they could start it early, they started DLR anniversaries a couple months early, but I don't think they'll start the 50th stuff as early as April.

I could be wrong. They might run it for 2 years to maximize merch dollars

 

[BradBeast]

No, the 50th events probably won't start until Oct 1st, 2021, which is the 50th anniversary of the park opening. I mean they could start it early, they started DLR anniversaries a couple months early, but I don't think they'll start the 50th stuff as early as April.

I could be wrong. They might run it for 2 years to maximize merch dollars

I believe Disneyland 50th started in early May (like the 5th if I remember) with a ceremony and an actual celebration on July 17th,2005. I’d expect more of the same at WDW. Not Spring Break, but maybe Memorial Day or earlier.
Why would you wanna be there any day but October 1st? Look for me in front of the castle. I’m the one in the Golden Ears!

 

[V.I.N.CENT.]

If it helps, we went during the 50th to Disneyland, no special day in particular, just during the celebration year. it was noticeably busier. Went the same time the year before and after. people go to see the special decorations and celebrations.

 

[skippytx]

I believe Disneyland 50th started in early May (like the 5th if I remember) with a ceremony and an actual celebration on July 17th,2005. I’d expect more of the same at WDW. Not Spring Break, but maybe Memorial Day or earlier.
Why would you wanna be there any day but October 1st? Look for me in front of the castle. I’m the one in the Golden Ears!

I'm trying to talk my wife into a trip for Oct 1st, 2021. It's weird, I don't really consider myself a huge Disney fan, but I just feel like it would be a really cool experience to be there on the 50th.

 

[Amy11401]

Do you think they will announce the 50th celebration dates at D23 this summer?

 

[indyannamom]

It's hard to predict crowds. Since you mentioned savings...you might calculate the difference if costs if your younger kiddo is still a "child" for Disney pricing. Once you know the difference (although prices will surely go up between now and then) decide if that extra expense is worth planning around. We were in a bit of sticker shock when our two youngest became Disney "adults". It adds up!

 

[tguz]

We hope the 50th stuff happens a couple months before October 1 because my girlfriend is a teacher and it is the busy season at my job. I was tossing around the idea of a Thanksgiving week trip but we will probably go in the Summer.

 

[Amy11401]

I am on the fence whether or not I want the 50th stuff to be going on while we are there.

 

[MadMadamMim1]

More than likely the 50th celebration will go on all year with a big shebang on Oct. 1. Go after that and you'd probably be better off. Or go around then but if you want to avoid chaos go to a park other than MK on Oct.1. I wouldn't put off til 2022 because of it.

At this point I've come to the realization that it is ALWAYS going to be crowded and if you happen upon a day where it's not crazy busy then just consider yourself lucky. I wouldn't and don't plan my days around crowds (other than I wouldn't be caught dead there between Christmas and New Years), just go when you want to go, brace yourself for the worst and hope for the best.