Orlando theme park (Disney/Universal) queues in October

Question

I am sorry if this question has been asked before, but I am looking for people's experiences over the last couple of years. I am considering booking a 9 day holiday to Orlando from the UK for the 17th October to the 26th October and I wondered how the queues will be at the Disney parks and Universal parks during this period?

I will be travelling with 2 children, aged 5 and 7 and so I want them to be able to manage and cope with the long days and queues.

Thank you for your help.

Answer

Visiting Orlando in mid to late October can actually be a very good time for families with young children. Historically, the period around October 17th to 26th tends to be outside of the peak summer crowds and before the busy Thanksgiving period. However, it’s also when Halloween events are in full swing, which can draw larger crowds to certain parks.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect at Disney and Universal parks during that timeframe:

Disney World: The four main parks—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—generally see moderate crowds in mid-October. Crowd levels are higher on weekends, especially Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios due to Disney’s Halloween events (Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), which often requires a separate ticket in the evenings. Lines for popular rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Slinky Dog Dash, and Avatar Flight of Passage may still be long, but generally shorter than during summer holidays.
Universal Orlando: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are usually slightly less crowded in October than in peak summer months, though weekends can be busier. The Halloween Horror Nights events, which run in the evenings, can bring extra crowds but mainly after park closing for daytime attractions. For young kids, early morning entry is the best time to tackle kid-friendly rides with minimal wait times.

Tips to manage queues and long days for young children:

Arrive at park opening to get on popular rides with shorter wait times.
Use Disney Genie+ or Universal’s Express Pass if your budget allows, which can significantly reduce wait times on popular attractions.
Plan for regular breaks, including snack and lunch breaks in shaded areas or indoor attractions to escape the midday heat.
Consider splitting park visits: one long day and one shorter day or mid-day rest back at your hotel to prevent exhaustion for the children.
Check crowd calendars online for each park to identify lighter days and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Overall, mid-October can be ideal for a UK family visiting Orlando with young children—weather is generally pleasant, parks are less crowded than summer, and Halloween decorations and activities add a festive touch. Planning your days with early mornings, occasional breaks, and the use of line-skipping services where possible will help the kids cope with the long days and queues.

Orlando theme park (Disney/Universal) queues in October

More Orlando Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions