Columbus Day, OK or Bad idea?

[Jeri]

I was about to send in my quote request for my trip next October, and checked the school calendar again quick, and my days need to change.

We will now be getting to Disney the day before Columbus Day. Yikes!!
We don't go to any parks our arrival day so I am not worried about Sunday, but what about Monday, Columbus Day? I assume Magic Kingdom would be crazy, but what about the other parks?
Also, what are the crowds like the rest of the week, do they drop off a lot starting Tuesday??

I guess I just want reassurance that we are going to be ok.
The reality is we have to go then since the kids have Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th off here and we won't miss as much school.
Our dates are October 13th to October 24th.

Thanks.

[Dyanna]

We have been a few times Columbus Day Weekend/Week & find the crowds to be manageable. We are actually going again this same time this year! Its a bit more crowded the actual weekend of the holiday & this week is also a little higher in attendance due to it being Jersey Week in which NJ schools have teacher conferences that week so they students & families seem to congregate to WDW for the week. We tend to travel that week as well as we find the crowds still on the lower side than the summer & can't beat the weather! Plan on attending MNSSHP one of the days you are in WDW its not to be missed & well worth the $$!

[SBETigg]

I thought Jersey Week was in November? Right around Veteran's Day? Either way, Columbus Day can be a very crowded time to go. Not high crowds like Easter and Christmas, but busier than at other times in October. Overall, October is a more crowded month than it used to be. I think you could expect a drop the week after, but a lot of schools actually have breaks that coincide with Columbus Day and the week of, especially private schools, from what we learned when we were there at that time last year.

[Dyanna]

You may be right about Jersey week being in Nov. We were there Veterens week also one year so maybe I got my holidays mixed up

I thought Jersey Week was in November? Right around Veteran's Day? Either way, Columbus Day can be a very crowded time to go. Not high crowds like Easter and Christmas, but busier than at other times in October. Overall, October is a more crowded month than it used to be. I think you could expect a drop the week after, but a lot of schools actually have breaks that coincide with Columbus Day and the week of, especially private schools, from what we learned when we were there at that time last year.

[SBETigg]

Thanks, Dyanna. I thought maybe I was mixed up.

Not sure my answer was clear. I wouldn't say it's a bad idea. Even big crowds are manageable with a good plan in place. But, you will probably have a moderate crowd, probably moderate on the high side. If you're looking for a low crowd time, Columbus Day weekend isn't it. Not that there are low crowd times anymore, but there are some crowds in the days surrounding Columbus Day both before and after the holiday and there are less crowded times to visit than around a holiday weekend. If you could swing a week or so later, you might have lower crowds.

[Dyanna]

From what I could find out the crowd prediction for Columbus Day weekend is a 7 out of 10. The F & W Festival is also a big crowd draw on the weekends as well. Tues thru the rest of the week drops back to a 4 or 5 crowd prediction. Not so bad in my book. A day in Disney is better than a day at home

[joonyer]

We have been a WDW on during Columbus Day a couple of times, and while the weekend before may be more crowded than other Oct. weekends, it's still much better (lower) than peak of summer or Christmas. The rest of the week after the Holiday should be moderate to low crowds. No need to worry, Enjoy.

[Jeri]

Thank you all for the info, and making me feel a bit better.
I wish we could move the dates, but I have to do it when the kids have those 2 days off, so they will only miss 7 or 8 days from school. Also it is about the only time my husband isn't too busy with his full time job, and before the snow season. ( he plows snow).

I am glad to hear it won't be too bad. We have been in October before, and I figure if I go into it with an open mind and expect the crowds, use fastpass we will survive.

I agree any day at Disney is a good day