October trip - what weeks to avoid

[DarthVader]

I'm at the beginning stages of planning our 2020 vacation and on our short list is the month of October.

I vaguely recall seeing something about New Jersey having something either in the beginning of Ocotber or November and I should avoid that time frame. Southern schools also have a fall break don't they? What week is that typically?

Everything is still fluid but the week of 10/18 (sunday) through the 24th (satuday) is the time frame I'm thinking.

I understand there is no slow periods at disney, but I do want to set up for success and any feedback will be appreciated. I'm looking at the crowd calendars and they're helpful as well but sometimes first hand opinions are more helpful

 

[LeighM]

I've been twice the first week of October and the crowds were high but not unmanageable. I think the Halloween parties and the Food and Wine Festival were a bigger factor in my trip than school breaks. Also, both fall trips were impacted in some way by a hurricane - and the oppressive heat . The threat of hurricanes is decreased somewhat later in October. But then you get the crowds trying to do the parties on, or close to, Halloween. I read somewhere that October is now one of the more crowded months. And I can believe that based on the crowds I've experienced in both October and March

 

[DarthVader]

I read somewhere that October is now one of the more crowded months.

That's not good

The undercover tourist has the middle of september being a bit better but you have to contend with the heat as you mentioned, and the higher risk of hurricanes.

Ugh, maybe November might be a better option, i don't know.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

That's not good

The undercover tourist has the middle of september being a bit better but you have to contend with the heat as you mentioned, and the higher risk of hurricanes.

Ugh, maybe November might be a better option, i don't know.

If you're going in October to avoid the heat, you run the risk of being severely disappointed, especially if you're going from a northern state that has an awesome October.

Regarding the crowds, extend to 8 nights if time and budget allow. Spacing it out lets each day of the vacation breathe and buys you extra pre-booked FastPasses as well.

 

[DisneyJoe]

"Jersey Week" is based on the NJEA Teacher's convention, which is Nov 5-6, 2020 (Th-Fri) - many schools will have off most, if not all, of the days leading up to those 2 days - even if the schools are not completely closed, many families take much of the week to go to WDW.

 

[DarthVader]

If you're going in October to avoid the heat, you run the risk of being severely disappointed, especially if you're going from a northern state that has an awesome October.

We've been to WDW in october in the past and found it less oppressive then September which is our goal

 

[JohnD]

Well, Columbus Day is October 14. Then Halloween is on a Thursday, so obviously the most popular MNSSHP will be that night. There is also one on Friday 11/1.

 

[Marianm]

I went in October in 2015 and it was SO hot and crowded. I can’t rrmember the exact date but it wasn’t during Columbus Day or Halloween- sometime the middle of the month

 

[DarthVader]

which is Nov 5-6, 2020 (Th-Fri)

That's what I was thinking of, and its October. Thank you so much. It doesn't impact the October trip but it was on my mind.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We've been to WDW in october in the past and found it less oppressive then September which is our goal

Understood. My only point is that it's not a "sure thing" like November through March would be. I've had 90+ weeks in October and I've had 90+ weeks in April.

 

[Master Yoda]

That's not good

The undercover tourist has the middle of september being a bit better but you have to contend with the heat as you mentioned, and the higher risk of hurricanes.

Ugh, maybe November might be a better option, i don't know.

There really are no more slow times at WDW. Your average day starts somewhere between manageable and busy and works its way up from there. There are periods that are worse than others, but the days of almost having the parks to yourself and walk on past 10 AM are long gone.

About the best you can really do these days is to just avoid school vacations and holidays.

 

[Master Yoda]

Understood. My only point is that it's not a "sure thing" like November through March would be. I've had 90+ weeks in October and I've had 90+ weeks in April.

To add to that...it nearly cracked 88 in Orlando yesterday.

 

[DarthVader]

About the best you can really do these days is to just avoid school vacations and holidays.

To that end, when does the fall vacation occur? Columbus day?

 

[Master Yoda]

To that end, when does the fall vacation occur? Columbus day?

I think it is typically mid October, but it can vary. Not every state has the same school breaks. To make matters worse, they can vary by county as well. We had one year where each of the 4 counties in north Florida had spring break on a different week.

The main thing you are looking to avoid is when most schools are out (June-Mid August last 2 weeks of December) It seems like every other time of year has a holiday somewhere that makes people come to WDW.

If you look at the seasonal breakdown for room rates on Moussavers, value season tends be your best bet.