So you know how you hear "October is a great time to visit WDW because the summer crowds are gone and you can practically walk on most of the attractions?"
Not so fast, my friend!
I just spent most of yesterday at the Disney-MGM Studios where Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror had 25 to 60 minute waits in standby all day long, or at least from 9:00 until 5:30 p.m., when I departed to catch my flight. The Great Movie Ride was down until noon for some reason, and when it came online, it had a 45 minute wait the rest of the day. Star Tours had a 25 to 40 minute standby wait all day as well. By 1:30 p.m., the Sci-Fi Theater Restaurant was telling guests walking up that there were no more "car tables" available without a priority seating reservation for the rest of the operating hours.
I asked a couple of different retail cast members over the course of the day about the crowds and was told the last couple of October weekends have been unexpectedly busier than in past years. One reason given by a supervisor at the Tattoine Traders was a reported increase in European guests, particularly from England. Another lady in the upscale clothing store said she didn't know why, she was just grateful because it gave her some job security. Another reason given for Disney-MGM Studios being as busy on Saturdays this month was that Saturday is its early opening day for resort guests. Whatever the reason, the company has to be pleased with attendance there. The street crowd was lined up 4 deep for the 4:00 p.m. afternoon parade.
Not so fast, my friend!
I just spent most of yesterday at the Disney-MGM Studios where Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror had 25 to 60 minute waits in standby all day long, or at least from 9:00 until 5:30 p.m., when I departed to catch my flight. The Great Movie Ride was down until noon for some reason, and when it came online, it had a 45 minute wait the rest of the day. Star Tours had a 25 to 40 minute standby wait all day as well. By 1:30 p.m., the Sci-Fi Theater Restaurant was telling guests walking up that there were no more "car tables" available without a priority seating reservation for the rest of the operating hours.
I asked a couple of different retail cast members over the course of the day about the crowds and was told the last couple of October weekends have been unexpectedly busier than in past years. One reason given by a supervisor at the Tattoine Traders was a reported increase in European guests, particularly from England. Another lady in the upscale clothing store said she didn't know why, she was just grateful because it gave her some job security. Another reason given for Disney-MGM Studios being as busy on Saturdays this month was that Saturday is its early opening day for resort guests. Whatever the reason, the company has to be pleased with attendance there. The street crowd was lined up 4 deep for the 4:00 p.m. afternoon parade.
