Photo of Mickey Mouse in Halloween costume on Main Street at dusk
  • On Jun 11, 2026
    Patricia from IN Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We will be in Disney World from Oct 11-16, 2026. How do we see projected crowd numbers each day to determine which parks we want to go to which day? Also, hours/festivals that may impact.

    Howdy Patricia!

    Welcome to planDisney. I love visiting the parks in October. Not only are the parks decorated for Halloween, but there are so many fun things going on, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Let’s get to your question so you can continue your planning.

    Although there is no official information on how busy the parks will be in any given week, I have visited during this time and can share my experience and tips to make the most of your days. So it looks like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be held on the 13th, 15th, and 16th of that week. I’ve found that since the Magic Kingdom closes early on those days at 6 PM, many people skip the park, so crowds are usually lighter. We love to take advantage of this, and it really helps us to get in a lot of rides with much lower wait times. The only drawback is that you will not get to see the nighttime spectaculars and fireworks shows. Of course, if you have the park hopper ticket, you can also go back another night and see them. I think you will find that Sunday is a great day to visit any of the parks, as it seems to be the day most guests are returning home. We usually start the day with Disney’s Animal Kingdom and then hop over to EPCOT midday. I don’t think you can go wrong visiting any of the parks during your stay.

    Since you will be there, I have to tell you about one of the best festivals of the year, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. You can embark on a culinary adventure across 6 continents, experiencing unique food, drinks, and desserts at kiosks all throughout the World Showcase. You can also experience the Eat to the Beat Concert series with performers you know and love. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for updated information.

    A couple of last things to keep in mind. You will be able to make your advanced dining reservations for your stay 60 days prior to your arrival, starting on Wednesday, August 12th at 7 AM EST. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you will be able to make your Lightning Lane Multi Pass purchases 7 days prior to arrival, Sunday, October 4th. If you are staying at another hotel, it will be 3 days prior, starting on Thursday, October 8th.

    Patricia, I hope you and your family have a magical time visiting Walt Disney World. If you have any further questions, please stop by, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

    See ya real soon,
    Robert
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Meet the Panelist: Robert, Texas

Howdy from Texas! I'm Robert, a husband and Dad of two Mouseketeers.  When I'm not practicing martial arts, I love spending time with my family and, of course, vacationing at the Happiest Place on Earth.  I'm excited to help you by sharing my unique insights and tips to make your trip a magical one! Learn More About Robert

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