Home Disney World Crowd Calendar October Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2020

Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2020

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kennythepirate
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Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2020

Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2020

Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2019The Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2020 starts off as a warm month and begins to cool off as the month goes along.  It’s still in the high season for hurricanes, so be sure to check into travel insurance for your trip.   We tend to see moderate rainfalls, but showers can happen any afternoon and some Halloween Parties experience rainfall.  The crowds in October at Disney World tend to be in the low to moderate range.  The Halloween Parties are quite popular and sell out often on weekends and around Halloween.

MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY and Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival with the Eat to the Beat Concert Series will bring in some crowds, but nothing like Summer season or the big Holidays.  The Columbus Day weekend is typically really busy, but can be managed with good TOURING PLANS and Fastpass+ usage.   Mid-week Halloween Parties are generally the best if you’re vacationing here.  It’s my opinion that everyone should experience the Halloween Party at least once.  The lower crowds can also lead to ATTRACTION REFURBISHMENTS that are typically not announced until summer.  Be sure to check back during the summer months to see if anything has changed.

October is a great month as far as crowds are concerned, (except on weekends and Columbus Day week is bad,)  and is among the best times to visit.  Regardless of the times you can still enjoy the parks by going to a green park, arriving at least 45 minutes before rope drop.

I recommend the strategy of arriving early and taking a mid-afternoon break.  Go for a swim with the kids and enjoy the pool, then take a nap of an hour or so before returning to a park for evening entertainment and rides.

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Will the park hours for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom be extended?

Yes, it’s highly likely that the park hours will extend for many dates in October.  Disney usually releases preliminary hours, then adds hours the closer you get to your trip.  With Animal Kingdom now offering “After dark” experiences, you can expect that park to stay open much later.

What will the weather be like during your October trip?

  • Average high temperature:  84°F
  • Average low temperature:  66°F
  • Mean temperature:  75°F
  • Record high temperature:  95°F (1958)
  • Record low temperature:  38°F (2008)
  • Average Precipitation:  2.52 in.

October is in the median range in terms of temperature and rain.  It’s still hurricane season, so be prepared.  Late in the month may have some cooler nights, so bring a sweater.

Dress in light colors and wear comfortable shoes with socks that breathe.  Bring a small, handheld fan for each child.  Bring a poncho for each person and a stroller cover because there’s often afternoon thunderstorms in the summer.

Should I use Extra Magic Hours privilege?

Avoid the trap of visiting a park on its longest hours day.  More people will be there and the wait times can be 30% to 100% higher than other days.

If you are planning to use Extra Magic Hours, use the morning ones, they are a great benefit, if you leave after lunch or parade time.  Avoid the parks that offer evening Extra Magic Hours because they have large crowds at night and many rides have long lines (Hollywood Studios and Epcot).  The exception would be the Magic Kingdom late at night because most guests won’t stay up from 1am to 3am in the morning.  If you choose a Late Extra Magic Hour park, you should plan to sleep in the next day.

 

A note on Fastpass+ Booking

Fastpass+ can be booked 60 days in advance for ONSITE guests and 30 days in advance forOFFSITE guests and Annual Passholders.  You can begin booking them at 7am Eastern Time.  The booking dates are included on my Disney Crowd Calendar below.

Special October Events at Walt Disney World

To read the crowd level, follow the DATE at the top!  The best park each day is marked in GREEN.
Lowest Crowds
Low Crowds / Best Park
Moderate Crowds / Median Park
Busy Crowds
Insane Crowds / Worst Park

 

Be sure to print in landscape mode with background image turned on!

Weekly view includes all entertainment options, weather and Fastpass/Dining booking dates!

If you are viewing on a desktop/laptop, you will see a week at a time with all the full details.  It is printable.  If you are on mobile, it will show in mobile format that will stream down the page.  You must subscribe to Character Locator in order to see Friday/Saturday in Mobile View.

My Crowd Calendar includes park hours, Extra Magic Hours, special entertainment options, 180 Days Dining Window, 60 and 30 Day Fastpass+ Booking Windows!

2020

Historic Disney World Park Hours

Now available to all subscribers on CharacterLocator.




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221 COMMENTS

  2. Thank you for posting the 2020 Crowd Calendar. I just thought you might like to know that the above links still take you to October 2019. You can manually click through to October 2020 from there, but I though you might be interested in knowing that to be able to fix it. Thanks again.

    • October hours have not been provided. I highly doubt whatever calendar said low crowds then though. I will post middle of next month

  6. Hi Kenny,

    I was wondering why Mon Oct 7 and Tues Oct 8 were heavy while Thurs/Fri/Sat 10/11/12 which is Columbus Day weekend were moderate? I was thinking of going on the 7/8th to avoid Columbus Day weekend crowds.

    Thanks!!

  8. Kenny,

    Going in October and I saw you have HS as Green on Saturday. I figured it would be bad because of Star Wars new attractions. Are locals allowed on Saturday or Sunday?

  9. Hi, I’m really confused. On October 29th you have MK EMH listed as from 6-8pm on a party night. Is this correct? Does that mean resort guests are allowed to attended the first hour of the party?

  10. Thank you so much for all of this!! I have a couple of questions. You list DHS as having EMH on Friday, 11/2 (and other websites show the same). The rest of the year they seem to have EMH on Sundays, though. Is there something different about this week? Also, you list MK as AVOID on Thursday 11/1. Is this because they have so many parties early in the week? Thanks for all you do!

  11. What is better mk on Monday October 29 you have it marked as Yellow-Moderate crowd day but mk is red or mk on Sunday Novemeber 4 it is marked Orange- crowds/wine dine half mk is marked yellow
    Is yellow mk always better than red mk or does that change when a yellow day is marked for Orange crowds?

  13. Today is 180 days from my October trip. However, I am unable to make any dinner reservations at MK for the nights of the Halloween party. I called Disney and they said they haven’t released or open the times yet. Why is this? That’s the purpose of scheduling my trip so early is so I can get my dinning reservations in time. I have never had this issue. I can’t even get a reservation for places that usually have plenty of openings. Any thoughts as to what’s going on?

  14. For Friday, 10/12/18. Why is Epcot a worst park? Just due to people drinking for F & W or another reason? Also, for 10/12/18, will there be EMH at any park?

    Previous thinking was that a park becomes the best park the day after it’s EMH, does that still hold true? Thank you!

  15. I was really hoping to do the late MK EMH on October 24th, 2018. Past years show that wednesday as being open until 2 am. Is that why it’s worse park right now on your calendar even though it’s the only late emh park you recommend? I thought it would be a perfect way to end our first trip by doing the last two days: MK, sleep in, and do MNSSHP on my daughter’s birthday/last day. :)

  16. I didn’t realize that Fantasmic started at the same time as Hollywood Studios closes. Is that unique to October or is that normal?

  17. Does that mean there are no EARLY MORNING MAGIC HOURS for 10/9? The Disney site says it is normally on Tuesdays and some other day. It looks like I have to wait 9 more days for the calendar to catch up.

  23. Are these the definite park hours for October 2018, or are these predictions based on past years? We’re starting to plan out our mid-October trip and think about our advanced dining reservations, and I noticed the Disney site doesn’t have park times for October 2018 listed yet. (Although I know from past years that those will likely change a bit anyway.)
    Thank you for a great site!

    • They are real. I’m always a month or more ahead of the official WDW site, but they are the initial hours and EMH. It’s rare that EMH will change.

  24. Staying at Swan and Dolphin on property. I know I can book dining 180 days from arrival, but are we consider on property for the 60 reservations for fastpasses?

  27. Thanks! Also I hear MNSSHP tix are on sale but I don’t see them online. Do I need to call? Planning for Tuesday, October 16th. Thanks!

  34. Our October 17th AK plan is stressing me out! We have an 8:15 breakfast ADR at Tusker House, which is one of our favorite things about our annual trip to WDW. We really don’t want to change it so we’ll be headed to Navi when we finish up. We are hoping everyone continues to stream to FOP at rope drop and we can get into the Navi line with less than an hour wait by the time we get there at 9:15-9:30. Also, we weren’t able to get a ROL dining reservation for that meal so I’m debating FP+ or just standby. I hate having only two FP+ for the day with the third being held for ROL at the end of the day but I also don’t want to miss out on ROL or waste an hour in line. Is ROL on a single showing night still a huge deal? It’s stressing me out!! If anyone has suggestions (or comforting comments!), pass them along!

    I liked it better when we were in the minority of people who love love love AK! ha!

  35. We are trying to decide which Halloween party to attend; Columbus Day, Tuesday, or Thursday. I was leaning toward Tuesday but an Ohana dinner reservation just opened up and we can’t resist Ohana! What are your thoughts on the best day for the party this week?

  38. Kenny just letting you know your 2017 weekly schedules are off by a week. The first week is showing the 2nd week, etc.

  39. We are headed to Disney 10/25-10/30. You mentioned to avoid Epcot Food and Wine on Friday and Saturday nights, but those are the only days your recommend Epcot during our stay. What makes Epcot busier weekend food and wine or EMH?

  41. The week of Oct 15th…I’m guessing the Halloween party would be more crowded on a Fri night over Tues? Or does day of the week really not matter for the party? Thanks!

  42. James, we are in the same boat. I found dates for MNSSHP on a different site that line up with these too. Fingers crossed!!! I wish I knew for sure before our ADR’s open up!

  43. Are your dates for the Halloween party just the days you think they are going to be? They haven’t announced them yet. Do you have a pretty good idea what days they are from past years? We’ll be there the 1st week of Oct. ’17. We want to go to the Halloween party and just trying to start planing what days to go where. Thanks.

  45. Kenny when I click print and the print preview shows, it’s in black and white, and only prints in black and white.
    Any suggestions

  48. Wondering 2 things…going from Sept 27th-Oct 7th? Any idea on if Rivers of light will be offered nightly then? Only planning one AK day and want to make sure we hit it. Although we have hopper. Also wondering if there will be any Fireworks at HS then in addition to Fantasmic?

  49. I am trying to check your calendar for the last week in October and when I click on the link it doesn’t take me to the correct days.

  50. Kenny, I see that Captain’s Grille will relocated to Ariel’s from May-fall 2017 due to refurbishments. I assume Ariel’s is also located at the Yacht Club? I can’t find any info on Ariel’s.

    • It’s at Beach Club and is usually used for private events like weddings, so they will move to that location for dining during summer.

  53. I think this is a typo:

    Will the park hours for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom be extended?

    Yes, it’s highly likely that the park hours will extend for many dates in December.

    Shouldn’t it be October since this is for the October 2017 post?

  54. Going to MK on Oct 29th, 2016. I see it’s not a MNSSHP night. Will they still have trick or treating and other Halloween stuff going on in the evening?

  56. I just saw that MK addded EMH to 10/31. With it also being a MNSHP date (which is usually the recommended park day) how will this affect the crowds? Our original plans were to rope drop until FoF parade. Now I am reconsidering due to the EMH.

  57. Given than 10/31 is a MNSSHP. we were anticipating lower crowds.Our plan was to go rope drop to FoF parade. Now that they have added EMH in the morning, should I readjust our plan?

  59. Other sites are adjusting their crowd calendar to have a larger crowd the week of October 2-8. Do you think there is going to be a heavier crowd?

    • Most of that week should remain moderate as predicted, but you’ll see heavier crowds in the red parks, so avoid those.

  61. October 7th and 8th are missing on your crowd calendar. I know they were there before but now they aren’t showing up. Thank you!!!

  62. Please disregard! I’m loosing it for sure as I was looking at the 2015 and NOT the 2016!!! – so sorry Kenny I should have known better!

  63. Hi Kenny, While looking at your October Crowd Calendar, I believe you have Oct. 28 & 29 mixed around. The 28th is slated for MNSSHP and will not have all the night time activities you have listed. Oct. 29 is a non party night and hopefully will have all the night time goodness!

  64. My husband and I are want to go during the food and wine festival. Which weeks would you recommend? We can go any time after Oct. 15th. Thanks and I love this site.

  65. Hi Kenny- Two questions. I just got a call telling me my Fantastic dinner rez for 10/6 is being cancelled because the park will close early for a private event. I am now scrambling to look at our whole schedule as I had everything planned and now how to shuffle almost everything. 1st question- with HS closing early that day, will another park be opened later? 2nd- It looks like AK has a 5pm close for each day of the 1st half of Oct, but you list the sunset ~2hrs after that for each day, now that AK is rolling out ‘after dark’ stuff, will they be adjusting their closing times to be much later at some point?

    • Correct. I just had to update the park hours that day. I hate when they do that stuff. October hours will update as we go along and AK will stay open much later.

    • I received the same phone call. Had a dining reservation for 5 p.m. at 50’s dinner and they said they could fit us in at 4. When I looked this morning they changed our reservation to 3 p.m. Now I’m scrambling to decided what to do for dinner reservations that night. I think we are going to stick with HS that day because I hate to change the rest of the weeks plans. Kenny will the crowds be lighter at HS with the early close? Not sure what to do. I did ask the representative what they could do to off set the inconvenience and they provided us with three additional FP for HS.

      • So, that day/night 10/6. If HS is closing early for a party, and AK is currently scheduled to close at 5pm, and MK is closing at 7pm for Mickey Not So Scary, I assume Epcot with be totally jammed?

  66. I keep reading that we should avoid Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at Epcot during food and wine. But you have Sunday’s listed as green. Should I rethink my touring plan on Sunday and move It to Weds instead? I can get an Akerhaus reservation on Sunday but not Weds :(

      • Well duh :)!! I didn’t even think of that. I have a 9:15 reservation for my two princesses-1 and 4. Do you recommend doing future world right after the reservation and then world showcase? Of course we will need to fit in Anna and Elsa.

  68. We are going to DW 10/27-11/2 or 11/28-11/3, and staying at Pop Century. We have two children, ages 10 and 11, and this is our first trip to DW. Would you recommend the Park Hopper?

  69. Any idea why Halloween at MK has AM EMH when they are normally on Friday’s in October? The Disney World Calendar doesn’t show that same AM EMH. I wonder if it is a mistake. The AM EMH is throwing off my plan so I hope it is :)

  70. Do you have any idea what nights DHS might have extended hours? Also, if AK will be open later on any day? Going week of 10/23.

  71. With EMH moving from AK to MK on October 31st, will AK remain a ‘not recommended’ park for that day? Not sure if EMH is the only reason to choose another park. Thanks!

    • I missed that switch. Thanks. I’ll go green AK, yellow mk for now. Should have a better idea through summer with AK staying open later

  72. Hi Kenny,
    I just saw that the MSEP and Wishes times were updated. I was wondering would it be better to go to MK on Mon 10/24 or Wed 10/26? They are both red. I know you said Mondays aren’t the best but Wednesday have EMH.
    Thanks so much!

  73. I’ve seen some of the merchandise, but do you think there will be any 45th birthday celebrations/activities in MK on Oct 1st?

  74. Any idea when they will announce Wishes times for October? We make our Dining reservations tomorrow and was hoping to do California Grill during it.

  77. This is great info! I’m not seeing Oct 2016 hours anywhere, so I really appreciate it. I’m cruising on DCL the 4th week out of NYC. We stop at PC on Wed and are given hoppers for the day. Did you take that into consideration for this month? Just wondering if you’ll think this will impact crowds. Looks like MK is already red, so it could be quite crowded.

    • This info is great, thanks Kenny! Question, I am arriving 10/6 in the morning and departing 10/11. I realize the misstep party is not announced yet, but if it is in fact when you think it will be, would you recommend i take my family to that when we arrive (10/6 night) or do that the night before we depart (10/10-columbus day). ?

  78. I noticed here and on dibb that wishes aren’t scheduled any night at the MK

    Historically I thought if it wasn’t the MNSSHP then wishes are shown. Can you confirm at all/

  81. I’m sorry for what might be a silly question, but would we be better off visiting MK with teenagers on Sat Oct 3rd or Monday Oct 26th? Thank you!

  83. Hey Kenny! Just took a look at the revised hours/entertainment for our trip 10/3 – 10/7. On 10/5, MK shows closing at 10PM, but you have a MSEP listed at 9PM & 11PM… Will the parks hours go until 11PM that night? Or is the parade only at 9PM? Thanks!

  84. Hi Kenny – after 3 weeks if daily conversations with Guest Services nit front line, the only days we can reserve are Nov 16 thru Dec 02 at French QTR – any other moderate completely unavailable – happy re: FQ but really worried re: crowds for the whole of Thanksgiving week & the weather temps will probably be quite cool. We have been coming to the parks a couple times a y since 1979 – this is our first trip at Thanksgiving. Any suggestions? & when do you anticipate your Nov schedule to be available? Thanx

  85. Hi Kenny! Wondering why Thursday 10/1 is a red day at Epcot? Thought this would be a good, slow day to visit this park but now you’ve got me worried! What’s going on to bring in big crowds that day?

  86. HI,
    Thanks for all the great info.
    I am planning a trip in late October and am wondering which week would be best in terms of crowds. Is there a big difference in visiting a “green” park on a “yellow” day as opposed to a “green” park on a “green” day? Thanks for your valuable input.

  87. Hi Kenny, This site is wicked awesome! (yup a Boston girl) I was wondering about the crowds from 9/30/15 – 10/7/15? You have really manageable levels listed, but with Disney releasing FD this week,it appears every on site room is booked. Will these dates be like Christmas week?

  89. Thanks!! Love your site! It’s become my Disney go-to!!! Character Palooza was awesome and I never would have found it without you!! :)

  90. Hi Kenny! How long are typical wait times for popular rides when the crowds are low (green)? ie Toy Story or Rock n’ Rollercoaster.

  91. Hi Kenny! Great Job on your site! I just wanted to mention that you have Characterpalooza listed at 4:45 am in October instead of pm. Of course, I am guessing after the gates close to the public, all of characters are out to party. :)

  93. HI Kenny, We are planning on the MNSSHP on sunday 10/25. You have the crowds listed as heavy but MK is in the green that day. Do you think the Halloween party will be manageable that day? Our main focus will be some rides, trick or treating and seeing the parade and fireworks. This will be our first party. My kids don’t care about any of the rare characters that are only out on Halloween. We may try to meet a few princesses such as tiana and Rapunzel if time allows. thx for any advice you have.

    • Party is always manageable, but could sell out that day. A sold out party is no where close to a busy park. Princesses can be met easier during the day and you can use FP for Rapunzel.

  94. I’m a little confused here. I thought character palooza was in the back by streets of america and lights motor show but I’m also seeing it at exit of Tower of Terror. Is it at both locations or has it changed to TOT exit?

    • “Click on an image for a full sized view. BE SURE TO PRINT IN LANDSCAPE MODE!” It’s right above the first image.

  100. Sorry to post so much but where did you see that he magic kingdom will be open until 2am on 10/4 ? The disney world site doesn’t even have that just curious
    Thanks

  101. Is there no character palooza on 10/1-10-4? I noticed its on the rest of the month but don’t see it listed any info would be appreciated thanks

  102. Hello! Love your site, just signed up and paid yesterday! I’m looking forward to getting a reservation from “fetch” lol! I just have a question about the MNSSHP on Friday October 3rd. Why is that Friday party considered a light crowd party compared to the rest of the Friday’s in October? We are trying to decide if we should go the Oct 3rd party instead of Oct 10. We were there last year at the Thursday Oct 10th and thought is was crowded and I read on your site how that night was sold out last year. Thanks in advance!

  103. Kenny,
    What party would you suggest my boyfriend and I get tickets for? We will arrive on the 11th and leave on the 18th. We already have tickets for the 13th, but I’m wondering if Thursday or Friday would be better? Do you think I should try to switch to Friday? I was thinking that because it’s our last day and we want to spend the last day in MK. Help!

  104. Thank you for your website! I trust your info bc I know you visit the parks often and you’ve conquered the crowds. Plus, it’s so fun to read about all of the character experiences.

  105. We will be there the week of Oct 20th, planning on visiting as follows, Mon = Epcot, Tues = AK, Wed = MK, Thurs = Epcot, Fri = MK . Seeing your calendar however makes me nervous about visiting MK on Wed since you’ve labeled it red. We have a 2 yr old, so my plan all along was to be at the park for opening and leave by 12, then returning after a 5 PM dinner at Ohana so that we can see fireworks and the parade. The only priorties for that day are Peter Pan, Small World, and Dumbo, and meeting Mickey after dinner. I know that with this being the only day that week with Wishes and the night parade we will see more volume than a Party day, but will we be okay with my basic plan? PS. Love following you along. This will be our first trip as a family (and I haven’t been in over 20 years) so I can’t wait!

    • Christina,
      You’ll have a great time if you arrive before park open, use FP+ and return for evening spectaculars. You’ll have a great day. Your plan will work well. You’re going to have a great vacation.

  106. Curious. What is going in Oct 17-21 that makes it orange? I would have thought Columbus Day weekend would be busier??

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