Strategy when off property so no early entry

[Kelldy]

We haven’t been since 2019 and are planning a trip first week October 2025. Our strategy in the past was to rope drop, choosing the park with no early entry for on property guests. That’s not possible now . Any tips? Are the lines going to be crazy long when we finally get into the park?

 

[networkpro]

We haven’t been since 2019 and are planning a trip first week October 2025. Our strategy in the past was to rope drop, choosing the park with no early entry for on property guests. That’s not possible now . Any tips? Are the lines going to be crazy long when we finally get into the park?

For starters, you need to look at Mickey's not so scary Halloween party schedule (aka MNSSHP) and decide if you want to pay extra to attend (2,5,7 and 9th of October) if not, your park day will end at 6pm. Those days will also typically lower crowd days. Magic Kingdom will always be busiest on the weekends and Monday (aka straggler day), Food and Wine will be going on at Epcot daily while you are there, so weekends and after 4pm you will get the locals crowding in for food. No one knows what the impact of Epic Universe will be on crowd levels, it opens in a few days from today.

 

[Kelldy]

For starters, you need to look at Mickey's not so scary Halloween party schedule (aka MNSSHP) and decide if you want to pay extra to attend (2,5,7 and 9th of October) if not, your park day will end at 6pm. Those days will also typically lower crowd days. Magic Kingdom will always be busiest on the weekends and Monday (aka straggler day), Food and Wine will be going on at Epcot daily while you are there, so weekends and after 4pm you will get the locals crowding in for food. No one knows what the impact of Epic Universe will be on crowd levels, it opens in a few days from today.

We will be doing MNSSHP. Right now thinking we will do MK the same morning to take advantage of the short lines. We will plan time in the afternoon for sit down meal and rest before the party starts.
Our plan right now - based on crowd levels from Touring plans.
6th - HS
7th- AK
8th - MK & MNNSHP
9th - rest day
10th - Epcot
11th- TBD, most likely HS