Why is it So Crowded??

[mjaclyn]

DH and I arrived Sunday Oct 4th and will be here until this Saturday the 10th. I am SO surprised at how crowded it is!! We almost always come to WDW in September/October and usually the crowds are much lighter than this. There are 25 to 30 minute waits for rides like Snow White and the Tea Cups when in the past we've walked right on! It also took us an hour just to get ON the monorail tonight after the fireworks at MK and we left right after they ended. Does anyone know if this is normal for this time of year? I realize that Food & Wine is going on as is free dining, but like I said, in the past we've come around the same time and we've walked right on most rides. Also, WHAT is up with the 90+ degree weather and 90% humidity?? I remember wearing a sweatshirt at night last year and now I'm in a tank top at midnight!

[Greenlawler]

Welcome to the wonderful new world of Fall Break! With Tennessee, Kentucky and numerous other states going to the 2 week Fall Breaks and the Free Dinning your seeing the results. It is true many people come down for the Food and Wine Festival especially the locals. The attendance for that alone is on the rise, as good word of mouth for it spreads. It has steadily been on the rise for the last 5 years. Also remeber that the Halloween Party is getting more popular every year. This is why we chose to go the week before the scheduled Fall Break this year. I know at least 10 family's who are down there from just our little town. If every small town in Tennessee alone sends 10 family's plus, then there you have it.
In fact the week we were down there it was more crowded than usual as well although still not what you are experiancing. There are so many other factors such as a Jewish Holiday where Northeastern schools get a day out of school, and many Brits take their holiday during this time as well.
I predict that while crowds will probably never hit the spring levels in the fall, this time of year will become more popular evey year. The popularity of the MNSSHP, Food and Wine Festival, and Free Dinning only adds to the mix as more and more people take advantage of a time of year that once was a secret only few knew.

[SBETigg]

You're headed into a holiday weekend. Columbus Day weekend brings a significant crowd increase before the actual weekend and just after. Also, the MK can get crowded on non-party nights during the Halloween season- just a matter of that park not being open some nights for the party so bringing extra crowds on other nights. Plus, not sure of the park schedule, but if it was an EMH morning or night, that can increase crowds, too. Sorry about the crowds! I hope they don't cut down on your fun for the rest of the stay.

[Strmchsr]

Every time of the year is more crowded now, but as described above, October is definitely more crowded than it used to be.

As for what is up with the weather, well, I won't bore you with the details but it's normal too in terms of there's always a little last taste of summer. Yes, it's hotter than it "normally" is this time of year, but these little heat waves happen as the seasons transition. It's gonna stay hot today and tomorrow and will start to back off a little by Saturday.

[WDWCrazyKaren]

We just got back from a week at the World, and it was MUCH more crowded (and hot!) than we ever expected. I suppose Free Dining, Food and Wine and school breaks have just destroyed the "quieter" times of the year.

[SurferStitch]

I've been saying this for years now. October is a very busy time anymore, and crowds are big. We've seen crowds grow steadily since we started visiting in 1996.

We went 10/12-10/24 last year, and the crowds were moderate to heavy at times. There were very few walk-ons. All of the popular rides (Soarin, Test Track, etc.) had easily 60+ minutes waits most of the time. I don't think TSM was ever below 90-100 minutes. Even the FP line took about 20 minutes to get through.

Teacups, Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc. had 30-45 minute waits most of the time, even during MNSSHP.

But, this isn't new. We had very large crowds when we went 9/30-10/7 in 2005. MK was so crowded on a couple days that we left the park early to relax at the resort.

October is very popular, and has been for some time. I don't think you will ever see the low crowds during the month anymore.

[ChipDale2708]

We just got back on Monday (10/5) and other than the MK, we really didn't find it that crowded. The MK on Saturday night was impossible; but that was due to Spectro and Wishes. We really hadn't intended to watch Spectro as we had stumbled upon it a few nights earlier not expecting to see it then, but we got stuck at Peco's Bills (scooter battery died). EPCOT WS was at a level I expected for the F & W but not impossible. I agree, the temperature was HOT! But that was okay, more time at the pool!

[Basket Mommy]

Well, fantastic. We're headed down 10/28 through 11/2. We have always read that October is a great time to go. Same thing happened to early December. It used to be very quiet, but the 3 times we've been it's been worse than when we've been at the end of January. I guess there's not a good, "quiet" time to go to WDW anymore (which, I guess, is what Disney wants... thus the free dining and other promotions they put out!)

[MistressGracey]

I hate that you're experiencing massive crowds!

I wanted to share a strategy that has worked for us when we have visited when the crowd level was high (we accidently went during Spring Break once-ugh!). We arrive at our park of choice for the day right at opening and hit all the rides we can before lunch. Then we have lunch at the park and leave, go back to the hotel for nap and swim. Pools are less crowded because everyone is at the parks. Then, when it cools down a bit, 4 or 5:00, we head back into the same park (no hopper required to do this) and have a snack and ride rides until half hour or so before closing. Then we queue up for a late dinner and stretch it out a bit so that we are still dining when the mass exodus occurs at closing. When the crowds thin, we head out. It's not ideal, I know...but anything beats standing in throngs of people waiting to board rides in that hot, hot afternoon sun, IMO..

[BugeyedMuggy]

We just got back and were there 9/25 thru 10/4 and besides the W&FF on the weekends the parks were not very crowded. If you go at opening you can get the best rides done very easily. We did not go to MK but my sister did on Wed or Thurs and she walked on all the rides in Fantasyland. I have been to WDW the week b-4 and after Columbus day and have experienced much larger crowds. We now plan our vacation around that one day.

[Belle_0717]

We've been typically finding that earlier in the week - Sun-Wed are less crowded and Thurs-Fri more crowded. We figure you are heading into a weekend and with Free Dining, etc, it is to be expected. DH & I experienced this in early May and remember Oct '08 being the same way.

We are hoping Nov will be a little less crowded. Hoping to be able to get on all the "tame" rides - have to pass on the roller coaster this trip. Can't wait to hang out on Main Street.

[starflyer59]

We were at MK on 09/09/09 and we walked right onto everything. It was one of the best MK daytrips we have had in years.

We live 2.5 hours away so we mostly do day trips to keep the cost down.

Our next trip is planned for 12/3/09.

[TheVBs]

Welcome to the wonderful new world of Fall Break!

What are the dates of fall break? We're thinking of going next Oct. We'd like to go to the Halloween party too.

[barbiegirl314]

Fall Break???? Didn't schools just go back after summer break?

[BrerGnat]

Fall Break???? Didn't schools just go back after summer break?

Most schools that have a "fall break" are on a year round schedule, and start school back up sometime in July.

One of my sons is in a year round schedule this year. He started school on July 30 (last day of school had been June 23), and he's now on Fall Break from Sept 28-October 20.

[barbiegirl314]

Most schools that have a "fall break" are on a year round schedule, and start school back up sometime in July.

One of my sons is in a year round schedule this year. He started school on July 30 (last day of school had been June 23), and he's now on Fall Break from Sept 28-October 20.

Oh, I never knew that. I thought all schools were on the same schedule. Well that is certainly something to think about for our trip next year.

[Greenlawler]

I would certainly be aware. I know it is the number one reason we are seeing larger crowds.

In Tennessee and other southern states, they do a modified 9 weeks on, 2 weeks off calender, while still getting the summer off.
This year Fall Break began the weekend of October 3rd and school does not return until Monday the 19th.

Just think of the impact Spring Break has on Disney crowds. It is only going to get more popular.

[whitney37354]

Greenlawler---

I'm in TN too, and it's Fall break for our county as well. I know of at least two families who are at WDW this week.

We don't have school nine weeks on and two weeks off though. We do have one week Fall break, two week Christmas break, and one week Spring break. School starts the first week in August and end the last week of May, approximately.

Where in TN are you? We're in SE TN.

[Ian]

Top Five Reasons:

• MNSSHP
• Food and Wine Festival
• Free Dining
• Fall Break
• Free Dining

[RocknBev]

I arrive at WDW tomorrow so I guess I will add to the crowds.

My reason for attending?

We do not have a fall break at my school but the State of GA did furlough the teachers so since they were already taking money out of my paycheck I decided to spend a little more of the money I don't have at the most magical place in the world! Friday is one of the furlough days in my school system so I am off to the......
Second reason for my trip.....MNSSHP!
then on Sunday comes the
Third reason......Race for the Taste 10K! and let's not forget my fourth reason.....International Food and Wine Festival! Overall.....I just love Mickey!

So I can see why October would be a very busy time at Disney....I'll be one of the millions!