October vs May

[ShookieJones]

Hey Guys -

Been away for a while, I got some bad news a month or so back with a ton of unexpected bills. I won't bore you with the woe is me story but it looks like after paying off the bills we won't have enough for our May trip.
I've been too sick about it to even come on the boards...now that I'm out of my funk a bit I thought I'd reach out to my friends for an opinion or two..

So tossing around a few options in place of canceling all together...including staying less days, driving instead of flying..and then the idea to postpone and go later in the year came up....

We've gone ever year for the last 6 years ( I guess I shouldn't complain right? ) the first week of May - we love it. perfect weather.
moderate crowds....etc.

So the month of October came to mind...far enough away for us to get on our feet, and save some dough, plus when my wife and I were dating we hit WDW in October a few times back when there was actually an "OFF SEASON" and we loved it...................I won't date myself....BUT that was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.....and my how things have changed at the World.


So I turn to all of you....What's October like and I would especially love to hear from folks who have gone at both May and October and that could give me a good comparision.


Thanks!

 

[real mad hatter]

Hey,Go For October.

Well friends of mine went in May for two weeks,their verdict,awesome,my old workmate went last year in October,his verdict,awesome.So we go every two years and if I had the option of May or October,hey it's Disney were off to,who gives a hoot,your lucky that you can go every year.Enjoy what only some families dream about.:wave:

 

[MagicKat103]

First off, sorry your health hasn't been all that great. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
About going in October..I have been once before and we are going again this year. It is a wonderful time to go. I didn't find the crowds to be all that bad (the exception being the weekend due to the Food and Wine Fest). The Food and Wine fest is amazing, the weather is great. Mickey's not so scary halloween party is wonderful too.
We are driving in March to WDW, but flying in October. Driving isn't so bad, as long as you can handle it. We drive straight through, and we take turns with the driving, so it's okay for us. Looks like we come from the same area, so as you know, flying out of bradley is never cheap.
I've been in both May and October, and October is by far one of my favorite times to go.

 

[ShookieJones]

Thanks for the info guys...

Yikes I just reread my post...I guess I must have made it look like I got sick and that's why I have bills and can't go...

I should rephrase - I got a bunch of unexpected bills - that's why we can't go. I'm "sick" to my stomach and sad that we might not be able to go and I've been unable to even stomach coming onto the boards to see talk about Disney...

Sorry guys I didn't want anyone feeling sorry for me...It's just money.

Again thanks for the great info. I'd love to hear from more people with infor about October

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

October is our fav time to go!! The weather is actually better, we think, than in May, warm days, cool nights. Plus, you have the food and wine festival (which is why we go in October! :slurp: ) The crowds vary, weekends are kinda busy but that's pretty much all year. Hope all works out for you, and you and yours have a fabulous time this Fall! :wave:

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I have gone in May the last few years as well - we love going that time of year. Although last year was so much hotter than I am used to.. Crowds have been moderate - certain days were more crowded than others, like the Pixar 25th at Epcot last year.

I'm also considering moving my trips to October, since DD was born in October. I like the idea of taking her for her birthday's in the future. In my research, I'm finding that the crowds are similar. You've got Flower & Garden vs Food & Wine. And in October you have Halloween decorations. I'm also going to assume it's cooler in October than it is in May - or at least last May.

So I have decided you can't go wrong with either week. I visited DL in October, but never WDW. But we loved DL in October, as the crowds were great & the Halloween stuff was awesome. Looking forward to seeing the decor at WDW at the same time. So with cooler weather, but still nice - moderate crowds - Food & Wine - Halloween - I think you should try to go for it.

 

[ShookieJones]

I have gone in May the last few years as well - we love going that time of year. Although last year was so much hotter than I am used to.. Crowds have been moderate - certain days were more crowded than others, like the Pixar 25th at Epcot last year.

I'm also considering moving my trips to October, since DD was born in October. I like the idea of taking her for her birthday's in the future. In my research, I'm finding that the crowds are similar. You've got Flower & Garden vs Food & Wine. And in October you have Halloween decorations. I'm also going to assume it's cooler in October than it is in May - or at least last May.

So I have decided you can't go wrong with either week. I visited DL in October, but never WDW. But we loved DL in October, as the crowds were great & the Halloween stuff was awesome. Looking forward to seeing the decor at WDW at the same time. So with cooler weather, but still nice - moderate crowds - Food & Wine - Halloween - I think you should try to go for it.

Well that's really good news and I would love to catch MNSSHP...plus October 24th is my birthday so happy birthday to me...

We love May...it's always been warm in the sun cool in the shade...except as you mentioned this past May (at least the first week of May) which was extra hot. That was a fluke though...as all the other years have been great.

How's the swimming in October? Is it comfortable which for us Northerners is anything above 45 degrees...:animwink:

 

[Disneydreamer23]

october for sure

 

[popsicletrees]

I am actually going during the first week of May this year, and I'm really hoping for some light crowd levels.

My last trip to WDW was this past October, and it was crowded! I believe a lot of it was due to a large amount of schools in the southeast taking week long Fall Breaks. There could have been other factors involved, but we met a lot of families who were there because of school being out. That being said the weather was perfect. There were even some days that we wore jeans to the parks. Plus, the F&W festival is one of my favorite things that WDW has to offer.

 

[SuprDav]

I think Oct. would be a great time. The crowds should be low and the weather would be awesome. I hope things keep turning your way!

 

[vjgraham]

We usually go in May, but have been once in Oct. We enjoyed October because of the milder weather and smaller crowds. We did have a couple of cool days but several days were even warm enough to go swimming. May is always warm enough for swimming. Due to school schedules, we cannot go in Oct. any longer, so it's always mid-late May that we go now. Other than Memorial day weekend, the crowds in May are much more manageable than in June and July. It rains less often in May also. Hope this helps.

 

[pixiesteno]

We were there last year at the end of May - first week in June and it was quite hot and humid, but I understand from the locals it was about 10 degrees warmer than usual. We also went for the last two weeks of Sept in 2010 and it was very nice. I don't think we put a jacket on at all and we were in the pool every day. I really enjoyed all the decorations for halloween. We did leave just before the F& W festival started, but got to see them putting up the extra booths. Crowd levels were very low on the Sept trip.
To the OP, you touched my heart - see we are also, like so many other, having financial "stuff" to deal with. We are in the middle of dealing with a business deal gone bad. We thought we had come to an agreement but alas it appears that we will have to declare bankruptcy after all. I too have been avoiding the boards and just "sick to my stomach" too.
At any rate, we doing some work for the new landlord on the small rental area for our little business, so that we can move on and survive, that involves demoing old shelving. Last night while I was swinging a hammer and taking out some frustrations, I was doing some praying and trying to let things go. My hubby came up to me and handed me a small plastic Mickey head, like one of the zipper pulls, that he had just found between the brick and shelving. I know this is going to sound strange, but it was a reminder to me that Walt himself had to declare bankruptcy and look what he built after. Not that I am in anyway saying that we are Walt, but a reminder that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, this too we shall survive.
So best wishes to you for moving through your situation and may you find your "hidden Mickey"

 

[ShookieJones]

We were there last year at the end of May - first week in June and it was quite hot and humid, but I understand from the locals it was about 10 degrees warmer than usual. We also went for the last two weeks of Sept in 2010 and it was very nice. I don't think we put a jacket on at all and we were in the pool every day. I really enjoyed all the decorations for halloween. We did leave just before the F& W festival started, but got to see them putting up the extra booths. Crowd levels were very low on the Sept trip.
To the OP, you touched my heart - see we are also, like so many other, having financial "stuff" to deal with. We are in the middle of dealing with a business deal gone bad. We thought we had come to an agreement but alas it appears that we will have to declare bankruptcy after all. I too have been avoiding the boards and just "sick to my stomach" too.
At any rate, we doing some work for the new landlord on the small rental area for our little business, so that we can move on and survive, that involves demoing old shelving. Last night while I was swinging a hammer and taking out some frustrations, I was doing some praying and trying to let things go. My hubby came up to me and handed me a small plastic Mickey head, like one of the zipper pulls, that he had just found between the brick and shelving. I know this is going to sound strange, but it was a reminder to me that Walt himself had to declare bankruptcy and look what he built after. Not that I am in anyway saying that we are Walt, but a reminder that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, this too we shall survive.
So best wishes to you for moving through your situation and may you find your "hidden Mickey"

Thanks for the very kind words. Keep your chin up and hold onto your mickey head (zipper pull) as a talisman. You're right about Walt everything was not a bed of roses for him, and there's nothing 'strange' about using a story like his to get you through some tough times and to the light at the end of the tunnel .

 

[durangojim]

They both can be great. October is usually cheaper, has the Halloween Party, and Food and wine, but the weather is hotter and more humid.
May can have wonderful weather, but there are no parties or events (which can be good things) and is more expensive.

 

[disneygirl1]

We are actually going in May this year... This will be our 3rd time going in May. We have also been in October twice. Both are excellent times to go to Disney in my eyes. You will definitely me able to swim in October. I love that in October that it is warm in the day and cool at night.

 

[MadMax11]

You will love October! My favorite time of the year to visit...and given the crap you're dealing with, this trip will feel even better, I'm sure. Prayers and best wishes for you and your family! Here come better days....

 

[GMRO]

SJ,

Good luck with the October trip! Nice thing is that the WORLD will still be there awaiting your arrival. It will be worth the wait.

And let us know how your trip goes. Wife and I have thought about trying October for the decorations and party. Never been. We did opt out of our comfort zone 2 times. Once went in the last week of April that spilled into May. And the 2nd time we went the 3rd week in Dec. The Dec trip was awesome! April...well not so much...we missed our May trip alot. We enjoy the 3rd to 4th week in May usually.

October has always been on the back of our minds to try but not sure we could wait to get away that long in the year. We look forward to the trip for sure. You sort of need it these days - that is a heavy dose of the MAGIC!

Anyway, hope you get it all sorted out - catch up on your finances and plan/save for your next trip!