Worried about October Crowds

[princess927]

We are going to be at the ASMo from 10/3-10/9 we have gone in October a few times before the last time being in 2000 and have thought the crowds were much better than any other time we have been. But from reading some of the other throwds its seems like October is going to be really busy.
We have a grand gathering of 27 going, some being their first time and I was really hoping to have small crowds.
So my question is do you think all the conventions will make the parks a lot busier or do you think it will just be the resorts?

 

[DVCJEN]

It's the first week of Food and Wine and the first week of MNSSHP and the last week of free dining. It is going to be busier than normal, no doubt about it. October has been getting progressively busier the last few years but this year with adding free dining I think there will probably be a bigger spike. But even so, don't worry, plan ahead and you will have a great time!

 

[HaleyB]

I think it will be busy, but not increadbly so. Disney changed some park hours for the first weeks of October (just yesterday) but they only extended MK a few nights because of the MNSSHP nights closing it early so often. They did not add second shows of Spectro or Fantasmic! If they expected really big crowds in the parks they would have added those shows. They still might, keep an eye on that. IF they do, that is a red flag. Otherwise I am expecting medium crowds. Easily dealt with by a little planning.

I highly recommend you use either the Unofficial Guide to WDW or www.tourguidemike.com ($21 pay to view online guide book, well worth the price) to help you pick the least crowded park each day and for touring advice.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

We were there in October the last two years, and it was fairly busy in my opinion. Not unmanageable, but much busier than I expected based on things I had read about it. I think busy is a realtive term, but I have been in March, May June and October and it was the 2nd busiest time of year, 2nd of course to June. Hope that helps.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just hope you have ADRs and plans made.

I have always been so surprised at the people that said October was not a crowded time to go. I have found it VERY crowded. (I have been to WDW over 30 times during all times of the year)

I was there a few Octobers in a row and WS was so crowded it was hard to push the stroller. Leaving MK one night, 7 1/2 months pregnant & they told me I could not get on the monorail to my resort!!! The lines were out of control. The CMs didn't even know what to do with the crowds. It became chaos. It was a horrid experience and I will not return in Oct ever again. The Gartner Conference alone brings in about 40,000 people - not including their families!

Just get to the parks EARLY - at opening if possible. I have found that is the BEST time to go and get a lot done. People say it all the time, but it is so true. We are not morning people at all, especially on vacation, but it really will make a big difference if you can get up and moving as early as you can. It may be hot, too. I have experienced 95 degree heat in October. Drink lots of powerade & water.

Good luck, I do hope you have a better time than we did in October. Don't mean to be a downer, but be prepared.

Lives4Disney

 

[ChrisAlli]

When is the Gartner Conference??? Is it always in Oct.

 

[DVCJEN]

Oct 16-24 at the Swan

 

[Violetx3]

I wasted hours obsessing about the same thing last May. I booked the trip thinking it would be a slow time of year, and then all of sudden everyone on these boards was posting that it was going to be really busy b/c of the kick off of the 50th Celebration. I debated rescheduling the trip b/c I noticed all of the WDW resorts were booked up on Expedia. That was the thing that worried me the most. Even the UG site was predicting major crowds. I was really concerned about it--it was almost ridiculous.

Anyway, it turned out fine. We followed a touring plan to avoid long waits, but we probably would have been fine without. We arrived at the parks at opening. They were moderately busy, I'd say. As far as the resorts being booked, it didn't necessarily mean out of control crowds. (I think there weren't as many day-trippers at the parks since it wasn't school holiday season.) I think that these boards can really make you panic.

 

[cyndibelle]

we will be there from sept 30- oct 9 ...hoping that the crowds will be like they are in february...we loved that time of year...

 

[BurkeTribe]

If Gartner convention (Oct 16-20) is truly 40k people attending + some family tagalongs (40k seems a little high), then that is our big problem-- our dates are Oct 13-20. That convention, and so many school systems now having a fall break week around that time, along with F&W, Orlando schools having Oct.13-14 off, and other factors, may be converging to create a near summer crowd.

Ugghhh.

That must be why all of the standard onsite rooms at moderate and deluxe resorts are selling out left and right for our dates, even for a split stay.

Thank goodness we'll have our car. Bus waits may be a nightmare, unless many attendees don't bring family.

Oh well, The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley.

 

[pennst8r]

I think it depends on which week. Holiday weekends are always busy, the golf classic is in Oct, and the Food and Wine Festival is going on. I think there is a martial arts competition, too--and then there may be some conventions. Isn't there a marathon in Oct too? Hmmmmm....after listing all that, there's alot going on!

That said, we've done Oct twice, and still had small crowds to deal with. Hoping this time will be the same.

I think about it this way---we always walk right past all the ropes, bars that weave in and out in front of the rides that are full some months, even tho we might wait 20-30 minutes for the more popular rides. Fast passes are available, and usually within an hour of when you get them.

 

[Jennygt]

I have always been to WDW in the summer until 2003 when I went in Dec, we loved it except that it was cold, crowds were light but still alot of people around the parks. I am planning a surprise trip for 10/6-10/10 and I hope it is not worse than summer, all these posts are making me afraid. I want to go with a good mindset so even if it is a little crowded I won't beat myself up for picking my dates.I think we should all do the same and have a wonderful trip!!19 days to go!!

 

[mickeymousemom]

October is our normal time to go and we have NEVER encountered a problem with crowds. I will say that I think October is becoming more crowded as the years pass, but I don't think(even with everything going on) that the crowds will be at all unmanageable. We went to Epcot and US/IoA last June and I will NEVER do that again! Epcot wasn't bad(other than a horrible storm that lasted for about 3 hours), but then it rarely ever is.

 

[lynx]

hi all
me and my sister went in october a couple years ago for all the halloween stuff and we must have been really lucky because the four days we were there it was completely dead.....we went on splash mountain i think 5 times in a row (of course they made us get off and get back on the ride) and didn't have to wait one extra second, and when we went to universal, we rode the hulk multiple times too without waiting.

don't worry, just remember its all fun, so even if it is a little busy, don't stress about it!!!

btw, i'm leaving in 9 days, we'll be there Sept 25-Oct 2nd. Anyone have any idea how the crowds are during this week????????????

 

[Jennygt]

I have also noticed that MNSSHP is not yet sold out for any nights. I have read somewhere that they are normaly sold out for at least some nights by now so I hope that will reflect in decent crowds not a summer type crowd. Wishful thinking?

 

[Lives4Disney]

If Gartner convention (Oct 16-20) is truly 40k people attending + some family tagalongs (40k seems a little high), then that is our big problem-- our dates are Oct 13-20. That convention, and so many school systems now having a fall break week around that time, along with F&W, Orlando schools having Oct.13-14 off, and other factors, may be converging to create a near summer crowd.

Ugghhh.

That must be why all of the standard onsite rooms at moderate and deluxe resorts are selling out left and right for our dates, even for a split stay.

Thank goodness we'll have our car. Bus waits may be a nightmare, unless many attendees don't bring family.

Oh well, The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley.

OK, I just spoke with my husband. He says about 35K. I was off by 5K.


I do think October used to be slow, so WDW invited all the conventions in for that time of year. I know my kids have a 5 day weekend before Columbus day & I thought it would be a great time to go, but checked the deluxe resorts and there was no availability.

Many Gartner conventioneers don't bring family & Gartner has parties and evening events planned for them to keep them busy.

Lives4Disney

 

[2pirates&2tinks]

Thanks for the update on the big convention. I will think it may work to our advantage and although rooms are full, all those doctors will be in meetings all day ! Let's all just hope for the best and be prepared for a great time

 

[imatoad]

I haven't been to WDW in the summer since I was a kid in the 70's, but I was there last Oct., and I'll tell ya, Oct. crowds didn't even come close to what I remember from June, July, or August.

 

[Jennygt]

Sounds like the first week might be ok, except for the dreaded Columbus day weekend. I will be sure to update all of you going the second week when I get back or if I can from WDW. Can anyone compare first week of Oct to first week of Dec?

 

[lynds2]

We are going the 19-26th of October, any guess how busy that will be? Looks like the Gartner? confrence will be going on during part of it? No wonder we could not book the swan or dolphin for that time!