[MissDisney]

emperisse --

First, October is not going to be bad, crowd-wise.

Second, EMH is absolutely hit or miss. You may have park practically empty, or you may have everyone at the park and in the same line you are in.

The best thing for you to do is to go to WDW expecting normal crowds, and if yo uget lucky with a light crowd, ride everything twice. And if you get hit with a big crowd, then use FPs, stay late and be patient.

I wouldn't worry about October at all!

[Goodegirl2007]

I can't really figure out the crowd levels for EMH's. I've had really good luck with the AM EMH at all of the parks. Great PM EMH for MK, but awful PM EMH for Epcot - but I think that is because of the F&W festival. I don't notice the parks being more crowded during the day of EMH for that park, but I've heard others mention it.

October has always been lucky for us (weather and crowd levels). I hope you have the same experience!!!

[Mauvilous]

When we were there, in October..The crowds were not bad at all and we also went to MNSSHP and that was not bad either..I find that if there is a crowd in one place, that there is usually a uncrowded place elsewhere..

[bethishooked]

If it is crowded, we found that if we go to the park that had evening EMH the night before, the crowds are much lighter. That's because everyone went last night, stayed up late and are either sleeping in or going to another park.

[tea]

When I was a CM I had friends and family always visit me in Oct. I always said that once we left WDW we would visit in Oct because of the weather, low crowds and Halloween decorations are up!

This is our first trip back and it will be in Oct. If things have changed in the last couple of years we will just have to manage - but I am being positive about it all :)

Oh, and I worked at a TS restaurant for a time - so I am not freaking out too badly about not finding ADR openings. Just go when the restaurant opens and you will walk right in.

[Dana]

October is not busy...it's not dead, but it's definately not busy. I have been there the first week of October and twice during Halloween week and neither were what I consider busy. Any time of year, it's always best to get to the parks when they open and do the headliners first. They will generate lines regardless of the time of year you go...no worries.

[emperisse]

OH THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!

I feel SOooooooooo much better!

Seriously, I love DH, but he's not a happy camper when it comes to crowds. Didn't want flaring tempers to ruin our time, so this is definitely reassuring.

I've been calling for the last month or so for ADRs to LeCellier and Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose's, with no luck so far. However, I did get Chefs de France and Hollywood and Vine for now, so in the end, I'm sure things will be okay. I AM a lil miffed, though, that DHS hasn't come up with more and better dining places (TS and CS). I know Brown Derby's supposed to be good too, but really, the dining options at DHS are a lil light.

[Jennatrz]

Originally Posted by emperisse

OH THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!

I feel SOooooooooo much better!

Seriously, I love DH, but he's not a happy camper when it comes to crowds. Didn't want flaring tempers to ruin our time, so this is definitely reassuring.

I've been calling for the last month or so for ADRs to LeCellier and Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose's, with no luck so far. However, I did get Chefs de France and Hollywood and Vine for now, so in the end, I'm sure things will be okay. I AM a lil miffed, though, that DHS hasn't come up with more and better dining places (TS and CS). I know Brown Derby's supposed to be good too, but really, the dining options at DHS are a lil light.

Keep trying for LeCellier....If I were you I would call 2-3 times per day. You never know when they might have an opening.

[BDavis932]

When are you going? My boss and his family will be there the 17th-22nd. I booked their rooms in April and had a hard time getting anything other then SSR. I booked dining for all of them at the 6 month window, it was tricky to get all the dining choices, but then again, I was booking for 15 people.

[tonyksl]

Early October is the best time in October. Columbus Day weekend is busy and Halloween is busy. The rest of the time is nice.

[emperisse]

I'll be going from Oct 21 - 26th. I booked in the beginning of August. I know ADRs really should be done 180 days out, but this was decided last minute. I didn't think we could do WDW for our anniversary, but here we are, all booked and ready to go!

I did get Rose & Crown, Jiko, and the other two Food and Wine Festival events that we really wanted to attend, so even if we don't get LeCellier, we won't be totally disappointed. Just a lil sad.

But for the ADRs I did secure, they were ALL weird times. We're talking about dinner at 4:30 or 9:10PM, and lunches after 1PM.

[Alaine]

We're going in 27 days (Oct.2-Oct. 12). I hope it's not too bad since it's the first part of Oct. BUT Oct. 13 is a holiday. It can't be much worse than when we went in April 2003--school vacation week.

[Joanscraps]

On a side note though, has anyone else found that it was harder to book ADRs and rooms this year? It seems to be real tight this year

I too, thought the booking was a little "tight"; we made our reservations in April mostly, but I just called last weekend to add a couple of dining choices. We have been to Disney 5 times; 4 of them in October and we have always loved it.

Look at it this way; no matter what happens, your on vacation in the happiest place on earth!

Have fun!
Joanie

[emperisse]

Joanie --

Definitely agree -- no matter what, it's still going to be a magical time at WDW! Still SOOOO excited!! Were under 45 days now, so I'm expecting ME stuff, as well as my customized maps!!

[tea]

ADRs might seem tight but that does not mean much. Central Res does not have all the actual tables available. Tables are held by concierges on the deluxe resorts in case their guests need them. They also leave spots for walk-ins, ppl that might have problems - it is an easy thing to make a "magical" fix -etc.

I am only speaking of the regular restaurants - not the shows like the luau and the Hoop Dee Doo, although I am sure they also hold some spots until close to show day.

The only times that restaurants get completely booked - meaning no walk-ins after 1/2 hour after open - are holidays. Really bad ones? Mother's day and Thanksgiving...ouch