WDW in October need help

[goalierich]

Hello DisDads:

My family and I might be able to do WDW in October, instead of our usual summer trip. I was wondering if there are any DisDads that can offer any advice. We are looking at doing the MK and the MNSSHP (which I believe has an extra cost). Possibly staying on site than off site. Does WDW offer free Dining during October? any info will be appreciated. Thanks in advanced. Take care.

 

[vrajewski10513]

Not a DisDad lol but I do have experience with Disney in October! Depending how many days you plan on going to MK, it may be a waste of money to get a MK park ticket (which is over $100) and the hard ticket for MNSSHP (which can range from $62-$75) on the same day. Even though the party starts at 7pm, your hard ticket can get you in the door as early as 4pm. You can hit up the rides that aren't going to be running during the party before the party starts. I always reccommend staying onsight, but then again I've never stayed offsite. BUT, you can only get the free dining if you purchase a package with a room onsite and park tickets. Its hard to say when there will be free dining because dates are never guaranteed until Disney actually makes the Free dining announcement. Last years Free dinign dates around October were Aug 31-Oct 3 & Oct 26-Nov 1. As long as you CHECK IN within that time frame you'll have the free dining for your whole stay.

 

[AirGoofy]

Hello DisDads:

My family and I might be able to do WDW in October, instead of our usual summer trip. I was wondering if there are any DisDads that can offer any advice. We are looking at doing the MK and the MNSSHP (which I believe has an extra cost). Possibly staying on site than off site. Does WDW offer free Dining during October? any info will be appreciated. Thanks in advanced. Take care.

We have been to WDW over Fall Break in October for several trips now, and it is my favorite time. The trip reports are in my signature if you want more info. We have always have nice weather, having to wear jackets at night one trip, but that was about it.

The MNSSHP is terrific, usually smaller crowds, and Hallo-Wishes and a headless horseman leading the parade. What may save you some $ is to buy one less park ticket, enjoy the resort for the day, and then arrive for MNSSHP at 4:00 PM and stay to Midnight. Try to avoid the Columbus Day week as it gets extra crowded, and do a party day during the week for even smaller crowds. F&W is also fun, although with free dining, you may not want to eat your way around the WS. Try to avoid Epcot on weekends in October, as it get more crowded with the locals.

 

[goalierich]

We have been to WDW over Fall Break in October for several trips now, and it is my favorite time. The trip reports are in my signature if you want more info. We have always have nice weather, having to wear jackets at night one trip, but that was about it.

The MNSSHP is terrific, usually smaller crowds, and Hallo-Wishes and a headless horseman leading the parade. What may save you some $ is to buy one less park ticket, enjoy the resort for the day, and then arrive for MNSSHP at 4:00 PM and stay to Midnight. Try to avoid the Columbus Day week as it gets extra crowded, and do a party day during the week for even smaller crowds. F&W is also fun, although with free dining, you may not want to eat your way around the WS. Try to avoid Epcot on weekends in October, as it get more crowded with the locals.

Thanks for the info folks. Let me get this straight, we would not need a MK day ticket, just a MNSSHP ticket and we can get in after 4. We would be there after Columbus day week so that makes it better. I think we are only looking at MK this year but nothing is set in stone at this point in time.

Once again thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

[goalierich]

Not a DisDad lol but I do have experience with Disney in October! Depending how many days you plan on going to MK, it may be a waste of money to get a MK park ticket (which is over $100) and the hard ticket for MNSSHP (which can range from $62-$75) on the same day. Even though the party starts at 7pm, your hard ticket can get you in the door as early as 4pm. You can hit up the rides that aren't going to be running during the party before the party starts. I always reccommend staying onsight, but then again I've never stayed offsite. BUT, you can only get the free dining if you purchase a package with a room onsite and park tickets. Its hard to say when there will be free dining because dates are never guaranteed until Disney actually makes the Free dining announcement. Last years Free dinign dates around October were Aug 31-Oct 3 & Oct 26-Nov 1. As long as you CHECK IN within that time frame you'll have the free dining for your whole stay.

Thanks for the info. if the dates are similar as to what you stated, we will missed out on the free dining, but we will still have fun. Thanks again.

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks for the info folks. Let me get this straight, we would not need a MK day ticket, just a MNSSHP ticket and we can get in after 4. We would be there after Columbus day week so that makes it better. I think we are only looking at MK this year but nothing is set in stone at this point in time.

Once again thanks for the feedback everyone.

Yes, you do not have to have a MK ticket. The party starts at 6 or 7, but they let people in around 4:00 PM. There is a designated entrance to the right. Right after you get in, they will put an arm band on you.

If you have a MK ticket and no MNSSHP ticket, CMs will escort you out of MK when the party starts.

 

[vrajewski10513]

Yes, you do not have to have a MK ticket. The party starts at 6 or 7, but they let people in around 4:00 PM. There is a designated entrance to the right. Right after you get in, they will put an arm band on you.

If you have a MK ticket and no MNSSHP ticket, CMs will escort you out of MK when the party starts.

With that said, make sure you dont plan a full MK day where you weren't planning on going to the party on a party night because you'll have to leave at 7pm if you don't have a ticket.

 

[KMK102015]

New to the forums. Trying to plan our families trip and just got done booking our ADRs. Unfortunately, looks like for some reason Columbus Day week is not good? That's when we are going. What makes this week so busy?

 

[goalierich]

With that said, make sure you dont plan a full MK day where you weren't planning on going to the party on a party night because you'll have to leave at 7pm if you don't have a ticket.

One moew question about MNSSHP. Should/ can we get get fastpasses during MNSSHP? Obviously I am not use to be doing this much planning to visit WDW, but from what I read, you almost have to these days. Thanks for all of the info DisDads, and thanks in advance for any info for this question.

 

[cj9200]

One moew question about MNSSHP. Should/ can we get get fastpasses during MNSSHP? Obviously I am not use to be doing this much planning to visit WDW, but from what I read, you almost have to these days. Thanks for all of the info DisDads, and thanks in advance for any info for this question.

Sorry, no Fastpases available during the event. Crowds are smaller but there are some wait times involved. The thing you want to make sure you do during the party is to enjoy the special things that are going on. The parade is a must, candy collecting, fireworks... When we went, we did fewer rides than normal but enjoyed seeing the stuff at the party. Lots of fun.

 

[AirGoofy]

One moew question about MNSSHP. Should/ can we get get fastpasses during MNSSHP? Obviously I am not use to be doing this much planning to visit WDW, but from what I read, you almost have to these days. Thanks for all of the info DisDads, and thanks in advance for any info for this question.

Like CJ said, the special things at MNSSHP are the fireworks, parade (same parade but twice), trick or treating, villans castle performance, villains pictures (don't think they sign autographs), many special character or groups of character photo ops, dance parties, and merchandise not normally sold at WDW and that you can only buy during party. Some of the rides will be closed once the party starts, and it rotates each year, depending on the refurb schedule and photo op locations.

The rides have no lines once everyone leaves and the party starts at 7. Usually, the later in the day, even smaller lines for the rides.

The problem is that you can't do it all. So, pick the special things you really want to do. We have been 5 different years (?) and like the fireworks, parade, buy a collector pin, new dessert item, do all the rides, take a few pictures, and the kids like trick or treating. We did a villans show one year and it was great, got an awesome Maleficient picture after the show, but then all the villains had to leave to go to the parade. The dds did the dance party one year, but usually only stop to listen and dance maybe one song and then move on.

 

[goalierich]

I just want to say Thanks to everyone for their advice. We had a great time at MK on Monday and Tuesday (MNSSHP). Both days it was packed but we were able to do everything we wanted to do. I even got my family hooked on Dole Whips. Now how do we petition WDW to add more locations where you can get Dole Whips?

 

[AirGoofy]

I just want to say Thanks to everyone for their advice. We had a great time at MK on Monday and Tuesday (MNSSHP). Both days it was packed but we were able to do everything we wanted to do. I even got my family hooked on Dole Whips. Now how do we petition WDW to add more locations where you can get Dole Whips?

Glad you had a great time. You can get the dole whips at Captain Cooks at Poly & a place in Epcot. I'm not sure if there is one at the other parks, but the one at Epcot didn't have the float with it (juice).

 

[goalierich]

Glad you had a great time. You can get the dole whips at Captain Cooks at Poly & a place in Epcot. I'm not sure if there is one at the other parks, but the one at Epcot didn't have the float with it (juice).

I would like to see a location at Disney Springs. WE always go to Florida to see family, but not always the parks, but we almost always stop at DTD (Disney Springs) at least once.