We're thinking of taking our almost 5-year olds to Disney in October. Any thoughts on if this is a good time of year to go in terms of crowds and any recommendations for going with toddlers? We've been to Disney many times, but this will be our first time with kids. I think the dates we were thinking of include Columbus Day, didn't even realize it because we don't normally get that day off. Now we're wondering if we should change it.
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5 year old and going during Columbus Day
- Thread starter RCTM78
- Start date
Mukta
Well-Known Member
Oct is not a particularly slow time of year. Food and Wine is going on at Epcot, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party is going on at MK.
Weather is still hot and humid, but better than the previous months.
The Unofficial Guide has a section on going to WDW with children that may help you.
http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Gu...ds=unofficial+guide+to+walt+disney+world+2015
Weather is still hot and humid, but better than the previous months.
The Unofficial Guide has a section on going to WDW with children that may help you.
http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Gu...ds=unofficial+guide+to+walt+disney+world+2015
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englanddg
One Little Spark...
Oh duh, it's in the title!
<silly me>
Yeah, for a 5 year old...well...for my kiddo's first trip (she was 5) we went hard to every park, though we rested a lot during the day (Donald's boat, other play areas, restaurants, benches). A lot of families do a mid-day nap, but my kiddo has never needed that, so we never have. I carried her on my shoulders a lot, but we didn't really use a stroller until the last day (when she fell asleep on the Monorail from MK to EP and I had a handful of packages to tote as well...)
<silly me>
Yeah, for a 5 year old...well...for my kiddo's first trip (she was 5) we went hard to every park, though we rested a lot during the day (Donald's boat, other play areas, restaurants, benches). A lot of families do a mid-day nap, but my kiddo has never needed that, so we never have. I carried her on my shoulders a lot, but we didn't really use a stroller until the last day (when she fell asleep on the Monorail from MK to EP and I had a handful of packages to tote as well...)
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DisneyPrincess5
Well-Known Member
If you have flexibility, I would honestly avoid October. Like @Mukta said, it can be hot and humid still and will be more crowded then you'd probably like for your little one's first time. Early May is a great time to go-very warm but not a ton of humidity, the two times we went we experienced some school groups but not major crowds at all, and the Flower and Garden Festival is really beautiful.
Whatever you end up doing, have a great trip with your little one!
Whatever you end up doing, have a great trip with your little one!
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Sparkle1566
Member
I love October..... usually go every year over Halloween. It will be extremely busy over Columbus Day....
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graphite1326
Well-Known Member
I waited until my youngest was 6. We didn't take a stroller. He did very well and rode all the big boy rides. Loved ToT. He always fell asleep on the bus ride back to our resort.
We always went in Oct. and found it to be the best time of the year to go. For us that is.
We always went in Oct. and found it to be the best time of the year to go. For us that is.
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BackOTheLine
Well-Known Member
We've got our 5th trip with our 4 year old coming up in Sept. We usually go in Feb or Sept so I can't speak to crowds and such in October. I will cast a vote for stroller though. We're at a point where I don't think she would need a stroller but I makes life easier when it comes to keeping her moving at a normal pace, not constantly stepping in front of other people, hauling our stuff, and giving her somewhere to get out of the elements a bit. We always get one from an outside vendor. Midday naps are one of those things different for everyone, I think. We will try and forgo naps this next trip but they have generally been a part of previous trips for sure. If nothing else it gets you out of the heat of the day when the crowds get heavy. But then there's a lot of lost time there. Unfortunately she won't nap in a stroller - which would be ideal.
Definitely get your plans together and make all of your Fastpass and dining resssies as soon as you are able. I always feel like every minute standing in line with a toddler feels like 2. Maybe 3 when they're hot/tired/hungry. We tend to flex those plans as we're there. She seems to be "into" different things each time we go. Sometimes she's more into meeting characters so we switch fast passes to meet and greets. Sometimes she is more into rides so we will drop characters for rides. Just kind of go with the flow (as much as you can). Some of our favorite moments are the ones that just kinda happened out of nowhere
We've done a few of the character dining breakfast/lunch/dinners. You can read about all of their virtues online but overall we've found them to be not a great value for what they cost. I'm sure lots of people will disagree but that's where we stand. If I was forced to go back to one it would be breakfast at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom.
If you're staying on property we love Wilderness Lodge for its feel and proximity to the Magic Kindom since we spend more time there than the other parks. Hopping on the boat to get to and from is a way less stressful experience in my opinion.
Lastly - don't over do it. We all want to get the most for our (rather costly) vacation but the last thing I want to be is one of those beet faced parents dragging my crying kid through the park because I'll be darned if we're not gonna ride Splash Mt. This trip!!
That's all the toddler wisdom I could muster this morning. Have fun in your planning!
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Disvillain63
Well-Known Member
After our kids turned 3 years old, we went all day in the parks and no stroller. Now, this was in the 90's when the latest one of the parks was open was 9 pm...unless you purchased an E-ticket from the resort. On warmer days, we would let them play in Donald's Boathouse and other splas areas.
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