easyWDW

Right Side Utility Bar
  • Home
  • Forums/Questions
  • Crowd Calendars
    • Month-by-Month Overview
    • January 2017
    • February 2017
    • March 2017
    • April 2017
    • May 2016
    • June 2016
    • July 2016
    • August 2016
    • September 2016
    • October 2016
    • December 2015
  • Animal Kingdom
    • Attractions
    • Quick Service
    • Restaurants
    • Theme Park Touring
    • Wait Times
  • Epcot
    • Attractions
    • Food and Wine Festival
    • Quick Service
    • Restaurants
    • Theme Park Touring
    • Wait Times
  • Hollywood Studios
    • Attractions
    • Quick Service
    • Restaurants
    • Theme Park Touring
    • Wait Times
  • Magic Kingdom
    • Attractions
    • Quick Service
    • Restaurants
    • Theme Park Touring
    • Wait Times
  • Resorts
    • Deluxe
    • Moderate
    • Value
    • Villas
You are here: Home / Crowd Calendars / October 2016 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

October 2016 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

April 4, 2016 ~ 4 minutes read63 Comments

This is the Free October 2016 Disney World Crowd Calendar that shows the Recommended Parks to Visit, Overall Crowd Level Estimation, Cost, Historic High/Low Temperature, Historic Chance of Precipitation, Extra Magic Hours Schedule, Fantasmic Show Times, Holidays, and Special Events.

Make sure you first read my month-by-month overview of visiting Disney World, located here. The overview will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of cost, crowds, weather, and special events on a broader scale. Once you figure out when you would like to visit, you can move on to this more detailed look.

Here’s a quick explanation of how to read the calendar and what the numbers mean. It may seem like it’s a little long, but you’ll only need to read the explanation once.

  • The first line in each box is the date.
  • The second line shows the cost to book a room at a Disney-owned resort. $ = Value Season, $$ = Regular Season, $$$ = Summer Season, $$$$ = Peak Season, and $$$$$ = Holiday Season. Occasionally there will be a + or – after the $$$ to show that the cost is slightly higher or lower than usual, but not by enough to raise it another $ notch.
  • The third line is the average high and low temperature and the chance of precipitation. All data is based on the last 15 years. I wouldn’t read too much into the precipitation percentages for each day because just one or two additional days of rain in the last 15 years can raise the percentage substantially. I included it so you can look at the precipitation trends throughout the month(s) and take it into consideration when deciding when to book your vacation. For a broader overview of the month, read the month-by-month overview I linked to above.
  • The fourth line is an estimation of the overall crowd level. A “5″ refers to average crowds. Numbers above 5 refer to a larger than average overall crowd level and numbers below 5 refer to lower than average overall crowds. A day with an overall crowd level of “1″ means that the crowds are expected to be the absolute lowest of the year and a “10″ means crowds are expected to be at their largest of the year. In other words, the overall crowd level estimation will give you an idea of how many people are in the four major theme parks. Individual theme parks can have smaller or larger crowds than the overall estimation, which is where the theme park recommendations come in.
  • The fifth line shows the theme parks I recommend visiting in green and the theme parks I recommend avoiding in red. There is also a | sign that splits up the recommended and not recommended Parks for the color blind or those printing in black and white (the Parks to the left of the | sign are recommended). I use the usual abbreviations for the Parks; AK is the Animal Kingdom, EP is Epcot, HS is Hollywood Studios, and MK is the Magic Kingdom. In addition to the colors, the Park on the far left is the most recommended Park to visit that day. The Park second to the left is the second most recommended and so on. For example, if the line reads AK EP | HS MK then the Animal Kingdom is the most recommended and Epcot is the second most recommended. On the other side of the | sign, Hollywood Studios is not recommended and the Magic Kingdom is expressly not recommended even more. If possible, I would strongly recommend you visit the Park that is most recommended each day. Please read below the calendar for an overview of how I’ve selected the recommended Parks and also a day-by-day explanation.
  • The sixth line lists which Parks have Extra Magic Hours and at what time they start. Morning Extra Magic Hour lasts one hour and usually starts at 8am. Evening Extra Magic Hours last two hours from the start time. For example, if you see AK:8am EP:9pm, that means the Animal Kingdom has a morning Extra Magic Hour from 8am-9am and Epcot has evening Extra Magic Hours from 9pm-11pm.
  • The seventh line lists the Fantasmic show times at the Hollywood Studios.
  • The eighth line lists the start time of Main Street Electrical Parade (MSEP:) and Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom(W:). For example, if you see, MSEP: 9pm & 11pm W: 10pm, it would mean that Main Street Electrical Parade begins at 9pm and 11pm and Wishes begins at 10pm.

The Calendar is also available in an easy to view and print PDF file, Here.

Click the image to enlarge it.

Above is what we’re looking at for October. The current operating schedule is available here: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/ParkHours/WDWTravelAgent_october.pdf. and those times can be confirmed at DisneyWorld.com here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/ by changing the date at the top.

Daily recommendations will be available after Disney confirms Magic Kingdom’s nighttime entertainment and after we get a clearer idea about how Frozen affects touring Epcot and how Rivers of Light and the other nighttime enhancements affect Animal Kingdom. There isn’t much use in offering touring advice for October that doesn’t include these major points.

The recommendations should otherwise not change. In October, there are two main drivers of crowds – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. At Magic Kingdom, any day with a 7pm close will see lower crowds and shorter wait times. Any day with a later close and nighttime entertainment will see heavier crowds and longer wait times. Epcot is also significantly busier on Friday nights and Saturdays and to a lesser extent Sundays. Weekdays are also busier in World Showcase.

This post further explains what to expect from October wait times: https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/the-reality-of-above-average-crowds-at-walt-disney-world-october-2015-wait-times/.

Last modified: April 6, 2016 Filed Under: Crowd Calendars

Comments

  1. pete says

    April 6, 2016 at 7:23 am

    link not working

    Reply
  2. Steve says

    April 6, 2016 at 8:05 am

    Link to the “…what to expect from October wait times…” is not working properly…the “H” in http is missing and then it links to the 2015 “what to expect…”

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    April 11, 2016 at 11:32 am

    Anxiously awaiting your day-by-day thoughts . . .

    Reply
  4. jill raffinello says

    April 12, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    when can I expect the nov 2016 crowd calendar ?

    Reply
    • Jillian says

      May 2, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      Same here! I just love their calendar!

      Reply
  5. christine Perraud says

    April 13, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    I don’t know how much this will affect the crowds but our school district in New England has October 10, 11 and 12 off because of Columbus Day and the Jewish holiday. We probably aren’t the only district so I assume the crowds will be higher than the projected 5. This is only a “in case you weren’t aware”.

    Reply
  6. Melissa says

    April 22, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Anxiously waiting for the October day by day, we always find it very helpful 🙂

    Reply
  7. Michelle says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    With EMH moving from AK to MK on October 31st, would that change your recommended/non-recommended parks on October 31st and November 1st? Thanks for all of your help Josh!

    Reply
  8. Vin says

    April 30, 2016 at 11:12 am

    We are heading to the World from October 26 – 29 as first-time Halloween partiers. Would also love to see the new nighttime safari at Animal Kingdom, and the nighttime show, but WDW’s official travel agent calendar shows AK closing at 5:00 PM every day in October. Any thoughts on how many days a week AK is likely to be open into the evening in October?

    It’s tough to plan where to eat without knowing which park we’ll be in that day.

    As always, thanks for all the great info.

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Whalen says

    May 2, 2016 at 8:28 am

    Josh — I have read everything I can find from you and Dave – thank you so much for all your great info. One big question for you — if you had the choice of going the last week in September 2016 or the first week in October — what would you do? I can get a better deal in October – but if you think its better to go 9/23 – 10/1 than 9/29- 10/7 — ??? Heavier crowds are scaring me……. Will be doing the Halloween Party and attending parks as you recommend —

    Thanks!!

    Reply
  10. Francine says

    May 6, 2016 at 8:42 am

    I want to thank you for providing such wonderful advice! I’ve been following your calendars for the last 5 years. (Honestly, this thank you is long overdue!) I am anxiously awaiting your November 2016 calendar as my husband and will be going to Disney without our now college aged children. I hope all is well with you as normally the calendar would be up by now. Again THANK YOU, you are awesome!

    Reply
  11. Tiffany says

    May 10, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    I need the 2016 November Crowd Calendar. December 2015 is posted, but no November 2016.

    Reply
  12. layne says

    May 10, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    I would love some info on January 2017. Your page helped me plan my last visit in January of this year. Thank you

    Reply
  13. Sara Page Hall says

    May 12, 2016 at 8:21 am

    Any update on November?

    Reply
  14. Stephanie says

    May 12, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    When will November calendar be posted??

    Reply
  15. Krissa says

    May 17, 2016 at 10:43 am

    I live for these calendars! We are planning November trip and are lost without your calendar. Another vote for a November 2016 calendar pretty please!

    Reply
    • Tml says

      June 26, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      I agree, would love to see November calendar, soon! Pleasssssse Josh?!

      Reply
  16. Lee Conner says

    May 19, 2016 at 9:26 am

    When will the November and December 2016 calendars be posted? Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Reva says

    May 24, 2016 at 6:29 am

    Anxiously awaiting the November day by day post. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Wendy says

    May 25, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Another waiting on November… Hoping it’ll be up soon since Disney finally released the last few days of hours.

    Reply
    • Eric says

      May 25, 2016 at 6:50 pm

      It’s been up awhile now, actually…

      https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/november-2016-preliminary-crowd-calendar/

      Reply
      • Sara Page Hall says

        May 26, 2016 at 10:28 am

        Not the day to day.

        Reply
  19. Allan says

    June 11, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    Oct 30 and 31??

    Reply
  20. Allan says

    June 11, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    Never mind see them up top.

    Reply
  21. Sam says

    July 12, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Hi Josh, will you be updating the October crowd calendar soon with your day by day thoughts now that all of the major park changes are live? Your individual day descriptions are very helpful for planning purposes. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      July 22, 2016 at 8:10 am

      I agree! Josh is there any chance the day to day information will be posted soon? My fp+ window is opening soon and i am still not sure where is the best place to be each day!
      Thanks!

      Reply
  22. Melia says

    July 18, 2016 at 8:31 am

    dr. love a plecat o problema acra si apare una dulce.Un baiat pe care il stiu si e cu un an mai mare decit mine imi zice pe chat ca ma iuetsbe.eu il intreb ca daca chair ma iubeste si el a spus ca da iar eu iam spus ca nu stiu ce sai spun si nu iam mai zis nimic.ma gindesc si nu stiu ce sa fac dar eu stiam mai demult ca ma place dar nu chair asa.nu o sal abordez la inceput dar pur si simplu nu stiu ce sa fac.

    Reply
  23. Denise says

    July 22, 2016 at 9:40 am

    Hi Josh!
    Is there any chance the October day by day will be up soon? I am getting very close to fp+ window and am having a difficult time deciding where we should be each day of our trip. I have used those for every trip we have taken and they are the best!
    Thanks

    Reply
  24. Michael says

    July 23, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Day by Day coming soon? Fastpass window opens for October in about 2 weeks, time to start getting things on paper and need your help. Thanks!

    Reply
  25. Wendis says

    July 25, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    I would love to see a day-by-day for Jan-Feb soon! We are coming up to our 180-day vacation mark on 08/01/16 and I really use your advice to make my plans. I feel like I am flying blind! Ahhhh!!!

    Reply
  26. Rhonda says

    July 26, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    I’m also hoping for the day by day calendar for October before August 2nd. We live by your recommendations, not sure how we will plan without them. Thanks Josh for all your hardwork and keeping us informed!

    Reply
  27. Wendy says

    July 29, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    Curious when the December crowd calendar will come out???

    Reply
  28. Lisa Brown says

    August 8, 2016 at 11:23 am

    We are looking to go down the first weekend of October and much to my dismay going to Epcot on Saturday, 10/1 for the F&W. I noticed crowds are a 5 that day, but the following weeks are at a 7. I know Saturdays are a major no no during the F&W but with the crowd level at a 5, will we be ok? Josh if you are around that weekend, the hubs and I will gladly buy you a drink, or two or three…

    Reply
  29. Sally says

    August 10, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    Are you updating crowd calendars? Last I see is Oct 2016. Looking for Dec 2016 and Jan 2017. Love the calendars and use them. Thanks.

    Reply
  30. Susan says

    August 11, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    I’m trying to plan for February 2017, and I want to make sure i get my dining reservations done at 180 days. Do you not offer a crowd calendar for February/March 2017? I heard great things about your crowd calendars, but I can’t plan my in-park dining without a calendar. Suggestions?

    Reply
  31. Leslie says

    August 17, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Hi Josh,

    We are also anxiously awaiting your day by day October details. Our FP+ window opens on Aug 23rd and we’d love your input to help us decide. You’re a man in demand 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
  32. HatBoxHaint says

    August 18, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    Kinda crazy this is not updated yet….

    Reply
  33. Linda says

    August 20, 2016 at 11:47 am

    I’ve noticed that there are EMH for the Magic Kingdom on Monday October 31st instead of Animal Kingdom. Does that affect your choice on choosing what park not to visit?

    Reply
  34. Alexandre says

    August 30, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    Hi I would like the crowd calendar of November 2016.
    Please,

    Reply
  35. sara page hall says

    August 31, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Hey
    Echoing what everyone else is saying.

    Tic TIc Tic

    Reply
  36. Emily Boyadjian says

    September 1, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    looking for the december 2016 crowd calendar?

    Reply
  37. Shy says

    September 4, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Thanks for everything you do! Obviously many of us LOVE your calendars. Any new updates on November 2016?

    Reply
  38. nicole says

    September 7, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    Josh- you have a loyal following and we have notice that the site is not being updated. There is not a day by day for october and nothing later than october. is everything okay? are you guys just done? we miss your data and want you to come back but are genuinely worried as well.

    Reply
    • Sara Page Hall says

      September 9, 2016 at 3:16 pm

      I agree.
      Everyone left TGM for this reason. In fact they were really critical of him and that site.
      I hope all is well. Maybe a site like this gets so big and too much to manage.

      Hope all is well. I really like this space.

      Reply
  39. Beth W. says

    September 7, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    Leaving on October 21st…would LOVE a daily calendar for October!! Thank you!!

    Reply
  40. Jeff says

    September 9, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    Crowd Calendars? I echo everyone else in wondering where they are. I just bought Josh’s book for $18 on Amazon hoping they would be there. Nope.

    Reply
  41. Jessa says

    September 12, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Anything on Nov? Hoping it posts soon as fast pass selections open for me on Friday… Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  42. dds says

    September 13, 2016 at 9:38 am

    When will the November 2016 crowd calendar be out? Anxiously awaiting!

    Reply
  43. Pete says

    September 28, 2016 at 3:42 pm

    Josh has posted about Calendar updates (lack of) on Facebook and Dis boards
    http://disboards.com/threads/easywdw-crowd-calendars.3542001/#post-56405618

    In short – Disney are so uncertain about what’s coming that he can’t accurately predict atm – especially months in advance
    Disney release schedules mostly generic and only update weeks in advance

    On top of that low attendance days can have the worst queues if staff/rides are reduced (FP+ aren’t) – Dumbo only half open, only 8 trucks running on Safaris etc…

    Reply
  44. Ron says

    September 29, 2016 at 10:53 am

    When will you have November 16 up? Thanks

    Reply
  45. John K says

    September 30, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    Please let us all know if/when you think you’ll be posting the monthly breakdown for November. We look so forward to it and feel lost without it. It’s almost time for us to book our fastpasses and we really rely on your daily breakdowns. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  46. John K says

    October 12, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Is there any way that I could email you directly?

    Reply
  47. Sandy says

    October 16, 2016 at 9:56 pm

    Josh,
    I have used your crowd control calendars in the past and would love to still see them. I read your post and understand that it is difficult to make accurate predictions so far out, but even 60 days would be helpful because plans could still be adjusted. Thanks:)

    Reply
  48. Lance says

    October 18, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    Hey Josh, any chance we could get a November calendar in the next few days? Hoping to throw together a plan for fast passes during Thanksgiving 🙂 Please and thank youuuuu

    Reply
  49. Eric says

    November 8, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    Hi Josh, Just curious why Monday’s (specifically Oct 17) was not recommended for MK? You note that crowds are busier versus other weekdays – makes sense for extended weekenders, but is it only because it’s open so late? MNSSHP puts a crinkle in it all. I’m going during that week in 2017 and was planning MK on that Monday, along with doing the Halloween Party on Tuesday, then going back on Friday for one more day. Will Monday be that bad (in your estimation)?

    Reply
  50. Melanie says

    November 29, 2016 at 12:03 am

    Hi there. I posted before a while back complimenting on your crowd calendar predictions and am extremely disheartened to find no more. I go to Disney every year and your prediction calendar is a must-have with me for my planning our family’s vacation. Even my husband, who is not a big Disney fan, is always asking what does the calendar say? Is it safe to say there are no more crowd calendar predictions? 🙁

    Reply
  51. JT Robinson says

    December 18, 2016 at 11:58 am

    This was the greatest tool ever for planning which days to attend each park well in advance for picking dining reservations at the 6 moth window. Very sad to see it go. Thanks for all you have done in the past to help our family plan well. We are very grateful.

    Reply
  52. Kent says

    December 26, 2016 at 4:24 pm

    I can’t find any crowd calendars for 2017. Have you discontinued this great feature?

    Reply
  53. Lizzie says

    February 24, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    Hi – I’m sorry but I’m having trouble understanding where you have EMH placed on your calendar – when I look at this old October 2016 (I’m trying to get an idea for this Oct) I don’t see any parks with EMH, is that correct? If not can you tell me how to read it? Thanks!!!

    Reply
  54. Lizzie says

    February 25, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Please disregard my last comment, I get it now!! Duh! I do have one question though, does Disney usually stick with the same EMH schedule year after year? I’m trying to gauge if this Oct will have the same EMH as last – what are your thoughts on that?

    Reply
  55. ex007 says

    May 31, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    Josh, are you not updating Crowd Calendars anymore? Inquiring minds…

    Reply
  56. Bob 3000 says

    June 23, 2017 at 5:52 am

    This site sucks balls.

    Reply
    • josh says

      June 23, 2017 at 10:14 am

      up a little early today jess

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Did you know I'm the co-author of the highest rated Disney World guidebook of all time (of all time)? Click the book above to check it out on Amazon

  Cheat Sheets   Crowd Calendars   Live Wait Times   Dining   Attractions
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Forums

Recent Posts

  • Review: Deconstructed Dish Food Studio Epcot Festival of the Arts
  • Closing Down the Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • A Quick Holiday Jaunt to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • A Quick Holiday Goodbye to Epcot with Updated Construction
  • Walt Disney World Christmas Crowds About What You Would Expect Given Capacity Constraints

Copyright © 2021 easyWDW.com. All Rights Reserved. Site by Turkmandu. easyWDW.com is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to Disney Enterprises, Inc., its subsidiary, affiliated and related companies, as the case may be. For official Disney information, visit http://www.disneyworld.com

View Privacy Policy here: https://www.easywdw.com/easy/about/privacy-policy/
  • Home
  • Site Map