Trying to decide on October 2022 and November 2022. Please help.

[G00fyDad]

I am looking at past years crowds in October and November (not 2020 or 2021) and it looks like the crowds are less in October (Our typical time to visit) and a lot heavier in November. We are looking at going the weekend after Columbus Day in October versus our current booked trip of November 11th. What does everyone recommend for lower crowds, historically speaking. What does everyone expect next October to be like? I know, it is a big question with a lot of variables. Just looking for opinions.

 

[JIMINYCR]

October draws in the Halloween crowds so how buzy after Columbus day will depend on how Disney plans out the events. I'm thinking November as usual will be the busier draw of crowds between the two due to guests wanting to book getting in on the prime holiday times, the dual decorations and events. Both of our previous Oct and Nov. trips were heavier crowded than past ones as Disney drew more people in.

 

[Dory71]

Guess it will be hard to estimate post Covid but temperatures will probably be cooler in November vs October. Last time we went in early October is was still pretty warm.

 

[G00fyDad]

Guess it will be hard to estimate post Covid but temperatures will probably be cooler in November vs October. Last time we went in early October is was still pretty warm.

Yeah. The temp was not an issue for us. Our biggest concern is crowds.

 

[eliza61nyc]

I'm going to vote October. Last time we went in early November the Jersey crowds swelled the numbers

 

[G00fyDad]

I think I am leaning toward October now. TP has 2019 numbers at a 1-3 for crowd levels during the same week we would be going and 8-10 for the November week I have booked right now. I know that is not a true indicator for 2020, 2021, or even 2022 but it is all I have and I may have to go with that data.

 

[Dory71]

I'm going to vote October. Last time we went in early November the Jersey crowds swelled the numbers

Forgot about Jersey week. When is that again?

 

[G00fyDad]

Forgot about Jersey week. When is that again?

The first full week in November.

 

[Bullseye1967]

I am looking at past years crowds in October and November (not 2020 or 2021) and it looks like the crowds are less in October (Our typical time to visit) and a lot heavier in November. We are looking at going the weekend after Columbus Day in October versus our current booked trip of November 11th. What does everyone recommend for lower crowds, historically speaking. What does everyone expect next October to be like? I know, it is a big question with a lot of variables. Just looking for opinions.

No question October will be much smaller crowd levels if you stay away from the last week.

 

[G00fyDad]

I just rebooked last night and I moved it to 10/7/22-10/13/22 and then realized that is during Columbus Day weekend. Oh well, still likely lower crowds than mid-November. Hopefully.

 

[DisneyDelirious]

We have consistently found the week after Thanksgiving crowds to be quite manageable. We arrive on a Sunday as folks are leaving from the long weekend and stay for 10 or 12 days. Things are nicely decorated for the holidays, catch MVMCP, and enjoy the pool and much warmer weather than we have back home.

 

[RoadiJeff]

We have consistently found the week after Thanksgiving crowds to be quite manageable. We arrive on a Sunday as folks are leaving from the long weekend and stay for 10 or 12 days. Things are nicely decorated for the holidays, catch MVMCP, and enjoy the pool and much warmer weather than we have back home.

How long ago since you did this? We planned a WDW trip for the first week of Dec. in 2019 based on a somewhat older Disney planning book that said the three weeks after Thanksgiving and before Christmas weekend were the least crowded of the whole year. It had worked for us 10 years earlier but in 2019 it seemed as if everyone else had read that book, too. The MVMCP was especially packed the evening we were there and it was even raining much of that time. I can't imagine how crowded it might have been if the weather had been nicer.

 

[ArmoredRodent]

Pretty good indicator that @RoadiJeff is right: Table Service reservations the first and second week in December 2021 are very scarce, even in Epcot, all day long. If you're organized, can hit the 60-day reservation window, and know what you want so you can move quickly as the reservation window opens (meaning, within a few minutes), you can get some nice TS slots, but after that, there's slim pickings. And at least this year, with international guests likely to arrive then, the parks probably are not going to be "the least crowded of the whole year." Far from it.

 

[yensid1967]

My personal feelings...
Between October or November 2022

Nowadays I would not count on the crowd calendars, because they use last years numbers. For me, it would come down to if I wanted to be at the parks for Fall/Halloween or for Christmas. I would choose Christmas(November) The parks look amazing during Christmas! I would go and just enjoy the parks and deal with the crowds

 

[DisneyDelirious]

How long ago since you did this? We planned a WDW trip for the first week of Dec. in 2019 based on a somewhat older Disney planning book that said the three weeks after Thanksgiving and before Christmas weekend were the least crowded of the whole year. It had worked for us 10 years earlier but in 2019 it seemed as if everyone else had read that book, too. The MVMCP was especially packed the evening we were there and it was even raining much of that time. I can't imagine how crowded it might have been if the weather had been nicer.

Sadly I think 2018 was the last post Thanksgiving trip. Covid and life has gotten in the way of taking two lengthy trips a year. It’s gone to one lengthy trip and a couple shorter ones.