Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2018
The Disney World Crowd Calendar October 2018 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.
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+ BookingFastpass+ 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. |
What attractions will be CLOSED for refurbishment during your trip
Updated frequently as needed.
Do you need to know what activities will take place at your Disney World during your trip?
Updated at the beginning of each month!
Special October Events at Walt Disney World
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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 |
Weekly view includes all entertainment options, weather and Fastpass/Dining booking dates!
Be sure to print in landscape mode with background image turned on!
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!
2018
Historic Disney World Park Hours
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Now available to all subscribers on CharacterLocator.