Anyone going late Sept or late Oct?

[DisneyDreamer08]

My husband and I have decided that our next trip will be in the fall, 2016. Our dates are somewhat flexible so we are hoping to take advantage of free dining should it be offered again. Based on this years free dining dates, that leaves us with the last week of Sept into the first week of Oct, or the last week of Oct into the first week of Nov. I'm curious if anyone is currently booked to travel these weeks, or if anyone has in recent years. Crowd calendars seem to suggest that the end of Oct has lighter crowds than the end of Sept. True? Any other opinions on these two weeks?
The beginning of Sept is out as my daughter will be starting kindergarten and I want to give her some time to get settled before pulling her for a week. November is also out as our last trip was the first week in December in 2014, so this time we are aiming for fall decor/activities and not Christmas/holiday.
I know this year free dining was not offered throughout most of Oct due to fall breaks and whatnot.
Thanks for any help!

 

[Chernaboggles]

My husband and I have decided that our next trip will be in the fall, 2016. Our dates are somewhat flexible so we are hoping to take advantage of free dining should it be offered again. Based on this years free dining dates, that leaves us with the last week of Sept into the first week of Oct, or the last week of Oct into the first week of Nov. I'm curious if anyone is currently booked to travel these weeks, or if anyone has in recent years. Crowd calendars seem to suggest that the end of Oct has lighter crowds than the end of Sept. True? Any other opinions on these two weeks?

We'll be there for the last week of October and into November this year, and we went in early October last year. We stay off-site so I can't give advice about dining, but I think the crowd situation is about even for the dates you mentioned, you should be fine either way. Weather will probably be a bit cooler at the end of October. If you plan to hit MNSSHP on or near Halloween itself, make a note to buy your tickets absurdly early, it's already sold out for this year.

 

[JohnD]

My husband and I have decided that our next trip will be in the fall, 2016. Our dates are somewhat flexible so we are hoping to take advantage of free dining should it be offered again. Based on this years free dining dates, that leaves us with the last week of Sept into the first week of Oct, or the last week of Oct into the first week of Nov. I'm curious if anyone is currently booked to travel these weeks, or if anyone has in recent years. Crowd calendars seem to suggest that the end of Oct has lighter crowds than the end of Sept. True? Any other opinions on these two weeks?
The beginning of Sept is out as my daughter will be starting kindergarten and I want to give her some time to get settled before pulling her for a week. November is also out as our last trip was the first week in December in 2014, so this time we are aiming for fall decor/activities and not Christmas/holiday.
I know this year free dining was not offered throughout most of Oct due to fall breaks and whatnot.
Thanks for any help!

Either is a good time to go. Good weather. Kids in school. Food and Wine Festival. MNSSHP (the last one is November 1).

 

[PoppiesMom]

My husband and I have decided that our next trip will be in the fall, 2016. Our dates are somewhat flexible so we are hoping to take advantage of free dining should it be offered again. Based on this years free dining dates, that leaves us with the last week of Sept into the first week of Oct, or the last week of Oct into the first week of Nov. I'm curious if anyone is currently booked to travel these weeks, or if anyone has in recent years. Crowd calendars seem to suggest that the end of Oct has lighter crowds than the end of Sept. True? Any other opinions on these two weeks?
The beginning of Sept is out as my daughter will be starting kindergarten and I want to give her some time to get settled before pulling her for a week. November is also out as our last trip was the first week in December in 2014, so this time we are aiming for fall decor/activities and not Christmas/holiday.
I know this year free dining was not offered throughout most of Oct due to fall breaks and whatnot.
Thanks for any help!

Two years ago, I went in late September for Food and Wine. We usually take our Disney trips the first week of December and I would consider the crowds to be about the same. The only difference I really noticed was the weather. It got hot every afternoon- to the point of sweating and being uncomfortable. That might be something to consider.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Thanks everyone. We will not be doing the Halloween party so that isn't a factor. My husband and I did it in 2009 and didn't think it was worth the price. Plus our kids are little- they will be 5 and 1, so I know we won't make it til midnight. My only concern with the last week in Oct is if we are there for Halloween. My oldest will want to trick or treat and as far as I know, there are no other options other than the party. And of course, the weather is something to consider too. We have actually been that week before (the time we went to the party), it was Sept 26- Oct 4th I think, and I remember it being REALLY hot. It was upper 80's to low 90's every day. I remember the crowds being manageable but I don't know if its changed at all; it was 6 years ago.
Thanks for the advice, keep em coming!

 

[graphite1326]

going last week of Oct. Doing the Halloween Party. My experience is the parks won't be that busy with the exception of EPCOT with the food & wine festival going on.