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/.
link not working
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…”
Anxiously awaiting your day-by-day thoughts . . .
when can I expect the nov 2016 crowd calendar ?
Same here! I just love their calendar!
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”.
Anxiously waiting for the October day by day, we always find it very helpful
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!
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.
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!!
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!
I need the 2016 November Crowd Calendar. December 2015 is posted, but no November 2016.
I would love some info on January 2017. Your page helped me plan my last visit in January of this year. Thank you
Any update on November?
When will November calendar be posted??
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!
I agree, would love to see November calendar, soon! Pleasssssse Josh?!
When will the November and December 2016 calendars be posted? Thanks!
Anxiously awaiting the November day by day post.
Another waiting on November… Hoping it’ll be up soon since Disney finally released the last few days of hours.
It’s been up awhile now, actually…
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/november-2016-preliminary-crowd-calendar/
Not the day to day.
Oct 30 and 31??
Never mind see them up top.
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!
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!
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.
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
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!
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!!!
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!
Curious when the December crowd calendar will come out???
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…
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.
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?
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!
Kinda crazy this is not updated yet….
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?
Hi I would like the crowd calendar of November 2016.
Please,
Hey
Echoing what everyone else is saying.
Tic TIc Tic
looking for the december 2016 crowd calendar?
Thanks for everything you do! Obviously many of us LOVE your calendars. Any new updates on November 2016?
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.
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.
Leaving on October 21st…would LOVE a daily calendar for October!! Thank you!!
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.
Anything on Nov? Hoping it posts soon as fast pass selections open for me on Friday… Thanks in advance!
When will the November 2016 crowd calendar be out? Anxiously awaiting!
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…
When will you have November 16 up? Thanks
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!
Is there any way that I could email you directly?
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:)
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
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)?
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?
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.
I can’t find any crowd calendars for 2017. Have you discontinued this great feature?
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!!!
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?
Josh, are you not updating Crowd Calendars anymore? Inquiring minds…
This site sucks balls.
up a little early today jess