October vs. May... Any thoughts?

[JiminyandTink]

Hi All,
I'm thinking about a trip in the month of October, but I usually go in the beginning of May.

I'm wondering what the crowds are like the month of October with MNSSHP and the Epcot Food & Wine fesitval going on that month.

Is this a good time to go?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Weekdays aren't bad considering most kids are in school the entire month. Weekends tend to get a bit more crowded, especially in Epcot due to food and wine. However, with all the great extras that go on in October, I think that it is definietely a great time to go.

 

[LowesChevy]

October is my choice of time to go. We have gone several years in May, but October has always been my favorite. The Food & Wine Festival and MNSSHP are the highlights. The Columbus Day weekend and Halloween week would be the weeks to avoid-the crowds are insane. Many schools have their fall breaks and many people like to hit the MNSSHP around Halloween. Do avoid Epcot on the weekends as the op mentioned, other than that the weather and crowds are probably similar.

 

[ml123_9]

We were there the last week of September and part of October in '09 and the crowds were nonexistant. The longest line we had was just over an hour on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Other than, the lines weren't usually any longer than 15-20 minutes, except we fastpassed Peter Pan. Even RnR and ToT were short. Weather was beautiful too. Only one day in the 90's and zero rain. We're going back in a couple of weeks so I'll have more to gauge my opinion on, but I would definately do late September early October again.

 

[JiminyandTink]

This is great info so far, very helpful.

Being from Canada I wasn't even remembering the Colubus Day weekend (that's our Thanksgiving Weekend so I may have even targeted that weekend without thinking about it).

And the comments about the end of September sounded positive as well.


My only other consideration was late November through early December but I dont know much about crowds/weather during that timeframe either.

 

[disneynut4u]

October - hands down!! We've been both months. We went the 2nd week of May and it was nice, but was HOT! October had much more pleasant weather. As for special things, May had the flower festival, and October had the fall/halloween theme. October had less crowds.

 

[pescador1f]

This is great info so far, very helpful.

Being from Canada I wasn't even remembering the Colubus Day weekend (that's our Thanksgiving Weekend so I may have even targeted that weekend without thinking about it).

And the comments about the end of September sounded positive as well.


My only other consideration was late November through early December but I dont know much about crowds/weather during that timeframe either.

I have done late Sept & while the crowds were not bad the weather was, hot, humid, hot, sticky. I just recently did 2nd week of November at it was awesome, nice weather , light crowds (going Nov. again this year).
Did 2nd week of December as well couple years before & was good as well, all the Christmas decorations, Osbourne Festival of Lights is cool. I would say there are perks in Oct, Nov & Dec.
enjoy!!!

 

[JillC LI]

We were there last October 18-24. The crowd levels were quite low except on the weekend, and even then they were quite doable, especially early in the day. The F&W Festival is not to be missed - such a treat. If you get the dining plan, you can use your snack credits at the booths. With good use of our time and FPs, we never waited more than 20 minutes for any of the big rides with the exception of Toy Story Mania which was worth the hour wait to see the non-FP queue. Also in October you have MNSSHP which was lots of fun. Our family of four all went as Hitchhiking Ghosts. The weather was beautiful in October. I highly recommend that time of year. :wave:

 

[majorrfb]

October a great choice

October - hands down!! We've been both months. We went the 2nd week of May and it was nice, but was HOT! October had much more pleasant weather. As for special things, May had the flower festival, and October had the fall/halloween theme. October had less crowds.

The weather, the events during this time make October a MUCH better
choice to visit the World. :wave:

 

[ShookieJones]

When my wife and I were dating we used to go in October and loved it. The weather was great and the crowds were minimal until one year we got hammered by the Brazilian Tour groups...wow...I don't know if that's the case at that time of the year anymore but we've been going in May with the kids and it's been great. Warm but cool in the shade and moderate crowds very nice.

 

[cinderellafan6]

October is awesome!!

 

[Chezman1399]

In october you have the Halloween Party, Food and Wine Festival, crowds aren't bad at all, EPCOT gets bad on the weekends, but every place else is fine. The only less crowded time I've ever been to Disney before is late January.

 

[Edeyore]

October has always been my favorite time to go. Usually the second or third week. Weather, crowds, entertainment all seem a little more relaxed. October vs May, I'd take October.

 

[moonchild925]

Hands down late september- early october is the best time to go. Since going for the Food & Wine 3 years ago, it is THE ONLY time I will go. crowds are light, even at epcot at weekends it still never seems as bad as summer peak times. The festival alone is something that shouldn't be missed, if you've never been. Have Fun!