Avoiding the crowds if possible...

JCrane

JCrane

New Member
Original Poster
I'm visiting 'The World' in October and am currently having HUGE fun planning a bit of an itinerary for my first trip in four years (ssssh, don't tell my boss!) and was wondering if the masses of Disney fanatics on these forums can suggest any particular day in which to visit the parks, or indeed avoid them?

I know that Oct-Nov can be reasonably quiet seasonally but, of course, we need to take in to account the Halloween festivities. I know this a rather obscure request but I'm hoping to maximise my time as best as I can and coming from the UK, I'm not privvy to perhaps some of the local information i.e. school days out, cheerleading benefits, local/national holidays etc.

I'm literally looking for anyone's previous experiences across the board from MK, EPCOT, MGM, AK, TL and BB (although I see already that BB closes for refurbishments very early in to my trip). Obviously, it'd be better to avoid weekends where possible but would it be better to hit Epcot on a Thursday? Animal Kingdom on a Sunday?

Thanks guys, any help would be much appreciated...
 
Reccyman

Reccyman

Member
Probably not much specific help, but, my family and I travelled over to WDW in October 2004. All the parks where quiet, the longest we had to wait was about 15/20 mins. It's a great time of year to go.

I definitely recommend getting tickets for Mickeys Not So Scarey Halloween!!! Everyone, adults included, get's in costume. Trick or treat stands are dotted about the parks. Free face painting and family photo.

Just a great night!! :lol:

Have a great time. Only 22 days till I go again, not that I'm counting!:animwink:
 
JCrane

JCrane

New Member
Original Poster
Not counting? How does 118 days sound? Ha Ha

Have a great time yourself...and thanks for the advice. I've been once before at Halloween but that was about 8-9 years ago. Don't remember so much...need to re-fresh my memory!!

I'll be sure to check out MNNSHP...I hear nothing but good things!!
 
barnum42

barnum42

New Member
Not been there around Halloween, but I've made a few October trips from the UK in the past, and generally most days are very manageable. Magic Kingdom was noticeably busier on the weekends, but that was about all I noticed.

Some parks open up early on specific days for resort guest only, so there may be more folk there when the gates open to the regular public, but nothing dramatic.

A good book for planning is the Unofficial Guide to Disney World. You can get it on Amazon.co.uk or pretty much any decent bookshop.
 
JCrane

JCrane

New Member
Original Poster
I have been considering picking up that book for a while...might just have to go for it!

I don't consider myself a novice. This will be my 7th visit and along the way I've picked up a few tit-bits of information but I was looking to grab some insider information from locals who, fortunately, get to visit most weeks/months! I figured weekends would be probably best avoided where I can...although it's my girlfriends first EVER visit. She's not quite the Disney nut I am but I've managed to grind her down and just want to pack as much in as I can in order to give her a great time!!

Still, thanks for the advice my man...
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
From allearsnet avoid these parks on these days.

Magic Kingdom: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Epcot: Tuesday and Friday

Disney-MGM Studios: Sunday and Wednesday

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

The biggest trick I use is get to the parks about 1 hour before they open. Most people sleep in during vacation so the parks are not as busy right at park opening. On many occasions we have done every ride in Fantasy land in less than an hour.
 
Chape19714

Chape19714

Well-Known Member
Avoid parks on Extra Magic Hour Days. Get a park hopper and go into the parks as EMH is starting for evening, or start there and leave once EMH is over for morning. This is because everyone wants to take advantage of EMH, but without Park hopper, they go to the park with EMH all day, causing a bit more crowds. Pick up an EMH guide at disneyworld.com or check-in, and although i reccomend EMH, don't go to that park all day.
 
shoppingnut

shoppingnut

Active Member
Columbus Day is October 9, so that weekend will be a bit busier than others. I went that weekend last year and lines were quite managable. The MNSSHP tickets for October 31 will sell out for that night because it is Halloween, so that party will be more crowded than others because not all parties will sell out, especially ones held during the week. I'm not sure when it is, but one of the first two weeks in November (around the 10th) the State of New Jersey has their teacher's convention, so lots of folks from NJ head to WDW since their kids are off from school.

They always say to avoid MK on Saturdays, because that is when the locals will come as well and the MK tends to be very crowded.
 
JCrane

JCrane

New Member
Original Poster
Luckily enough my trip is between Oct 26th and Nov 9th so I shall miss Columus Day as well as the teacher's convention although MNNSHP may throw a spanner in the itinerary works.

Can someone fill me on the dates for this? Obviously, I'd like to do it too seeing as I'm there for Halloween but, as you say, it might be wise to avoid the MK on actual Halloween itself!
 
Monty

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
JCrane said:
Luckily enough my trip is between Oct 26th and Nov 9th so I shall miss Columus Day as well as the teacher's convention although MNNSHP may throw a spanner in the itinerary works.

Can someone fill me on the dates for this? Obviously, I'd like to do it too seeing as I'm there for Halloween but, as you say, it might be wise to avoid the MK on actual Halloween itself!
Click to expand...

From the Disney site:

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
September 15, 2006 - October 31, 2006
Dress-up in costume and join the Halloween festivities by trick-or-treating in the Magic Kingdom with all your Disney friends.
 
B

banimall

New Member
The best way to avoid lines....go to Universal :lol:

But seriously the tips listed by Master Yoda are very true. I've also heard years ago to do the parks counterclockwise for some reason. Not sure how true that is though.
 
JennyTablina

JennyTablina

Member
I went in October last year and the parks were pretty quiet, on one day in the Magic Kingdom we litterally walked onto Space Mountain twice!

We did also go on a Mickeys Halloween Party day. We didnt do the party because several cast members had told us the events aways over booked and it was the same that year. $15 per person just to be crushed by large amounts of people and a seasonal version of Wishes and a Parade prolly isnt worth it (I kinda feel sorry for people that went that night because thats when Katrina was starting to blow our way and about half an hour after we left the MK once and they closed for the party a downpour started that lasted the whole night just about).

Anyways during the day the park was fine in the morning there were zero queues pretty much. It only got more busy in the afternoon once the people for the party started arriving. A bonus to October also is the weather is less likely to be unbearable

I also equally suggest the Unoffical Guide to WDW, it's good even for regulars and it's chockfull of infomation (it's also available for quite cheap on Amazon ;D)
 
joel_maxwell

joel_maxwell

Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Master Yoda said:
From allearsnet avoid these parks on these days.

Magic Kingdom: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Epcot: Tuesday and Friday

Disney-MGM Studios: Sunday and Wednesday

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

The biggest trick I use is get to the parks about 1 hour before they open. Most people sleep in during vacation so the parks are not as busy right at park opening. On many occasions we have done every ride in Fantasy land in less than an hour.
Click to expand...
i wonder how they compiled this data... attendence figures?
 

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