Disney Crowds: Columbus Day Week vs. Labor Day Week (Orlando: spring break, schools)

[Rose31]

Hi to all,

I'm trying to decide which week will be the less crowded to visit Disney for next year. Which week is generally the crowdest: the Tuesday-Friday following Labor Day or the Tuesday-Friday following Columbus Day? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest what number will you rate the crowds during both weeks?

Someone mentioned to me that some southern schools get out a week for fall break during the week of the Columbus Holiday in October...is this true?

I was thinking that the weather in October will be more pleasant than in September. However, I prefer to to visit when the crowds are low. Also, if you know of any additional weeks throughout the fall where the crowds are low, please let me know.

Thanks!

[annerk]

No Florida schools that I'm aware of get out for a week over Columbus Day.

Epcot is busy over Columbus Day with Food & Wine.

It's my experience that Labor Day itself is a very slow day at Disney. The rest of the weekend has moderate crowds.

[amax41]

Agreed Labor Day and that following week are slow. Sometime before we moved down here, we did a trip to Disney -- Labor Day weekend through the following weekend. The Contemporary was easy to reserve, they 'upped' us to a kick butt room, and we had to wait no where for anything.

[Rose31]

Thanks for your replies.

Is there anyone that could tell me about the crowds this week at Disney? Also, how is the weather in Orlando now?

[annerk]

Cooling down, Sunday was pretty typical for this time of the year. Epcot is fairly crowded because of Food and Wine, the others are moderate.

[blueoktober]

Sunday at the Magic Kingdom was a nightmare. It really is getting ridiculous how they say over and over attendance is down but then I go Sunday and was just as crowded (and hot) as a Weekend in July August. I have had a Season Pass for over 10 years and I see it get worse and worse every year.

The funny thing is Epcot was not nearly as crowded. I have been to the International Food and Wine festival 4 times so far this season and Sunday was oddly very slow.

[Rose31]

Originally Posted by blueoktober

Sunday at the Magic Kingdom was a nightmare. It really is getting ridiculous how they say over and over attendance is down but then I go Sunday and was just as crowded (and hot) as a Weekend in July August. I have had a Season Pass for over 10 years and I see it get worse and worse every year.

The funny thing is Epcot was not nearly as crowded. I have been to the International Food and Wine festival 4 times so far this season and Sunday was oddly very slow.

Thanks!

Since you have a Season Pass, what months are the less crowdest at Disney? What have been your experiences with crowds during various months.

I know to avoid all school holiday breaks and the summer. I've been to Disney before, but it seems like trying to find a time when the crowds are low is wishful thinking on my part.

[blueoktober]

Typically (and this could change overnight as things in Orlando seem to do..) October, November (except the week of Thanksgiving), the first 2 weeks of December, all of January and February and the first half or March are great for going. Can be cold at times, but worth it. Sadly right around Spring Break it just implodes and keeps busy until the following end of September.

However I am also "tainted" in the fact I have been so many times I will put up with very little..lol... So for someone new to Disney it might not be bad... I can promise you that April through August can be a nightmare. The pass is worth it though, just for the Food and Wine Festival on it's own!