Will Halloween week be crowded at Disney World?

by Tiffany
(Doylestown, Pa)

Dear Dad,

My question to you is about the crowds in Walt Disney World during the week of Halloween. I looked at your "crowd calendar predictions" & that whole week is the "green color".

I was always told all holidays were typically the busiest times to visit WDW??? The reason I ask is because I myself have been to WDW 5 times growing up and finally convinced my husband to go, so us and our 2 sons went last July and it was unbelievably crowded and my husband is unsure about going again because with the crowds we experienced and having a 3 & 5 year old plus the heat it was pretty overwhelming.

I love WDW & I want to take him on a "slower" week so he can see how magical it really is. Any input on Halloween week would be great. I do realize that crowds are an essential part of WDW but I'd like to try for a less crowded time and maybe less heat would be nice too :-)

The Magic Kingdom all Pumpkined up for Halloween

Halloween decorations outside of the Magic Kingdom

Photo by Don Sullivan

Dad’s Not So Scary Answer

Tiffany,

Holidays are indeed some of the busiest times at Walt Disney World. But this usually means the big holidays (like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Easter and the 4th of July) when people have some extra time off work, or holidays that fall over a weekend. Some years Halloween fits the bill, but in 2012, the crowds should be pretty manageable during Halloween week.

Dad’s October Crowds Page

This year, with Halloween falling on a Wednesday, you’re in luck! When the holiday falls on a weekend, the parks can get really crowded as lots of locals come out for the occasion. Since it falls mid-week this year, you won’t have to fight off the same crowds – they’ll be light to moderate depending on the day of the week and the park you pick.

Touringplans.com can really help with that, allowing you to see which park will be busiest when, giving you suggested plans to minimize your wait in line, and even provide in-park assistance with their Lines app - check them out!

Dad’s TouringPlans.com Page

I can see where your husband is coming from. July is hot hot hot and super crowded. Those problems amplify each other to make the whole situation worse! Hot crowds are sweaty, stinky and grumpy! And you’re sweaty, stinky and grumpy and in no mood to deal with either the heat or the swarms of people. That’s not the ideal first experience of the most magical place on earth.

Rest assured that the heat and crowds you experienced in July will be long gone by October. The weather will be cool, though still pleasantly warm, and the crowds will be a piece of cake compared to those in July. Plus, any crowds you do encounter will be easier to handle, especially if you follow Dad’s tips!

Dads Top 10 Tips for Disney World Crowds

Hallowishes Fireworks

Fireworks at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Photo by Express Monorail

If you want to do something really special, try Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – (just don’t go on October 31 when the party will be wall-to-wall packed). Limited tickets are sold to the event so you’ll get to experience attractions with minimal wait, go trick-or-treating, meet characters in their Halloween finest, plus see Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade and the Happy HalloWishes fireworks. Mrs. Mom and I can’t wait to attend this party on our Palooza this fall!

Dad’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Page

Dad's Bottom Line

Tiffany, if you love Walt Disney World but hate the heat at crowds of July, planning a visit in late October is a great idea. Even over Halloween, it’s not so scary!