Going to Disney in October! How do I prepare?

nekkid · Sep 20, 2018

Quick question: after only having previously gone in peak/near-peak seasons, I'm going with my family in January next year - because the kids are young enough not to be at school, it's cheaper out of season, and the weather isn't the disgusting sweat-fest I normally associate with central Florida.

Aside from MLK weekend, will it still be so busy that fast pass booking need to be done well in advance, or will just turning up and going with the flow be much more doable?

Menelaus · Sep 20, 2018

You're planning about 5 months too late. Good luck.

DarthWalden · Sep 20, 2018

nekkid said:
Quick question: after only having previously gone in peak/near-peak seasons, I'm going with my family in January next year - because the kids are young enough not to be at school, it's cheaper out of season, and the weather isn't the disgusting sweat-fest I normally associate with central Florida.

Aside from MLK weekend, will it still be so busy that fast pass booking need to be done well in advance, or will just turning up and going with the flow be much more doable?

Yes, Disneyworld is never not busy anymore. It might not be as busy as say the dead middle of summer but you'll still want to ensure you have your ducks in order in terms of fast pass and resteraunt reservations and you'll still want to ensure you have a decent plan to maximize your time in the parks.

nekkid · Sep 20, 2018

DarthWalden said:
Yes, Disneyworld is never not busy anymore. It might not be as busy as say the dead middle of summer but you'll still want to ensure you have your ducks in order in terms of fast pass and resteraunt reservations and you'll still want to ensure you have a decent plan to maximize your time in the parks.

Cool, thanks.

DOT_mjo · Sep 20, 2018

Start the celebration by having a service for your wallet! RIP!

ArmsofSleep · Sep 20, 2018

DarthWalden said:
Yes, Disneyworld is never not busy anymore. It might not be as busy as say the dead middle of summer but you'll still want to ensure you have your ducks in order in terms of fast pass and resteraunt reservations and you'll still want to ensure you have a decent plan to maximize your time in the parks.

Yeah I find taking an hour or two to do all your planning in advance is super easy and just foolproofs whatever plans you have.

That being said, going in the fall is by far the best time to go. It is significantly less busy, the weather is a ton better, etc etc

GulAtiCa · Sep 20, 2018

Menelaus said:
You're planning about 5 months too late. Good luck.

For Fast Pass, I thought you could only make 3 months in advance anyways as long as your staying on property anyways.

For my trip in May of this year, was all planned/reserved November of the previous year, so about 7 months in advance. I was able to get all the fast passes and dinner reservations in advance easily.

Though, it is true the more popular restaurants, like Club Mickey, will be very very difficult.

jstevenson · Sep 20, 2018

Linkura said:
Yeah, that's Paris for you.

Just one of many reasons I don't plan on going to DLP.

DLP is great tho, Phantom Manor is bae

peteykirch · Sep 20, 2018

DarthWalden said:
Yes, Disneyworld is never not busy anymore. It might not be as busy as say the dead middle of summer but you'll still want to ensure you have your ducks in order in terms of fast pass and resteraunt reservations and you'll still want to ensure you have a decent plan to maximize your time in the parks.

Actually statistically this has been one of the slowest Summers on record for WDW.

First few weeks of September are still the slowest all year, but the end of January / early February are near the slowest as well.

peteykirch · Sep 20, 2018

GulAtiCa said:
For Fast Pass, I thought you could only make 3 months in advance anyways as long as your staying on property anyways.

For my trip in May of this year, was all planned/reserved November of the previous year, so about 7 months in advance. I was able to get all the fast passes and dinner reservations in advance easily.

Though, it is true the more popular restaurants, like Club Mickey, will be very very difficult.

FP+ is 60 days out if you have a hotel reservation. 30 for AP Holders and non hotel reserving guests

Linkura · Sep 20, 2018

peteykirch said:
Actually statistically this has been one of the slowest Summers on record for WDW.

First few weeks of September are still the slowest all year, but the end of January / early February are near the slowest as well.

He'll still want to have FPs reserved in as far in advance as possible. That was his original question and the answer doesn't change.

Going to Disney in October! How do I prepare?

nekkid

Menelaus

DarthWalden

Prophet of Truth

nekkid

DOT_mjo

ArmsofSleep

GulAtiCa

Community Resettler

jstevenson

Developer at Insomniac Games

peteykirch

peteykirch

Linkura