Walt Disney World and Disneyland experienced significant crowd increases over a recent October weekend, leading to extended wait times for popular attractions and the complete sell-out of premium skip-the-line services. This surge in visitors surprised many guests, as October is often perceived as a less crowded period compared to peak holiday seasons.
Key Takeaways
- Disney World and Disneyland saw unusually high crowds in early October 2025.
- Wait times for major rides reached triple digits at both resorts.
- Lightning Lane Premier Passes at Disney World sold out for three consecutive days, reaching prices up to $429.
- Disneyland's Lightning Lane Multi Pass also sold out, with ride return times gone before park opening.
- Park reservations for Disneyland were fully booked from October 10th through 13th.
October Crowds Exceed Expectations at Disney Resorts
The first weekend of October 2025 brought unexpected crowd levels to both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. While September often sees lower attendance due to the end of summer vacations and the start of hurricane season in Florida, October presents a different scenario.
Many schools across the United States schedule fall breaks around the second Monday of October, coinciding with the Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day holiday. This creates an extended three-day weekend for many families, driving demand for theme park visits.
Fact: October Attendance Drivers
- Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day long weekend.
- Numerous school districts scheduling fall breaks.
- Halloween events and seasonal decorations at the parks.
During this period, wait times for some of the most sought-after attractions at both Disney resorts climbed into the triple digits. This situation made planning challenging for guests who did not anticipate such high attendance.
Skip-the-Line Services Reach Peak Demand
The high crowd levels directly impacted the availability and pricing of Disney's skip-the-line services. At Walt Disney World, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which offers single-day access to available Lightning Lane attractions without needing return times, experienced record demand.
On October 12th, the Premier Pass for Magic Kingdom reached a price of $429 per person, one of its highest points ever. Despite this premium cost, the passes completely sold out. Hollywood Studios also saw its Premier Passes sell out on the same day.
"When popular services like the Premier Pass sell out at peak prices, it clearly indicates extremely high demand and crowded conditions," said a theme park observer.
This trend continued through the weekend. On October 13th, prices for Magic Kingdom's Premier Pass were slightly lower at $399, and Hollywood Studios' passes were $329, yet both sold out again. Even October 11th saw sell-outs for these services at both parks, marking three consecutive days of unavailability for the most expensive skip-the-line options.
Understanding Premier Pass
The Lightning Lane Premier Pass is Disney World's highest-tier skip-the-line option. It allows guests to bypass standby lines for various attractions once per day. Prices vary significantly based on the park, date, and anticipated crowd levels, ranging from $119 to over $400.
Disneyland's Lightning Lane Multi Pass Also Sells Out
Disneyland in California faced similar challenges. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass, its equivalent skip-the-line service, was unavailable on October 10th due to high demand. This limited availability ensures the service remains effective for those who purchase it, preventing excessively long queues even in the Lightning Lane itself.
The demand was so intense that on October 13th, return times for the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction were fully booked by 7:58 a.m., according to data from Thrill Data. This occurred before Disneyland officially opened for the day, rendering the service nearly ineffective for latecomers.
Park Reservations Fully Booked
Beyond the skip-the-line services, park entry itself became restricted. Theme park reservations for both standard ticket holders and Magic Key annual pass holders at Disneyland were completely sold out from October 10th through October 13th. This meant that guests without pre-booked reservations could not enter either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure.
This level of demand for park reservations is uncommon for Disneyland outside of major holidays. It highlights the significant influx of visitors during this early October period, which felt comparable to peak spring break crowds.
Extended Wait Times Across Disney World Parks
The impact of the crowds was evident in the long standby lines across Walt Disney World's parks. Hollywood Studios, home to several highly popular attractions, was particularly affected.
Midday on October 11th, a temporary closure of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster led to a surge in wait times for nearby attractions. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, located next to the closed coaster, experienced some of its highest wait times on record.
Notable Wait Times on October 11th (Walt Disney World)
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Significantly increased due to nearby ride closure.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT): 160 minutes.
- Test Track (EPCOT): 105 minutes.
EPCOT also saw substantial wait times on Saturday. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind reached 160 minutes, while Test Track had a 105-minute wait. For many guests, waiting nearly three hours for a single attraction is a significant deterrent.
Animal Kingdom Sees Unexpected Delays
On Sunday morning, Animal Kingdom, which typically has fewer attractions with triple-digit waits compared to other parks, reported an unusually high 160-minute wait for Expedition Everest. This suggests that a large number of visitors followed similar touring patterns, starting with Pandora – The World of Avatar and then moving to Expedition Everest, thereby concentrating crowds in specific areas.
These extensive wait times underscore why many guests opted for or sought to purchase the sold-out Lightning Lane Premier Passes, despite their high cost. The desire to avoid such long waits drives demand for these premium services.
Preparing for Future Crowds
Guests planning visits to Disney parks in potentially crowded periods, such as future October weekends, should prepare for high attendance. Strategies for managing crowds include arriving at the parks before opening and staying until after the evening shows conclude.
Utilizing resources like crowd calendars and touring plans can help guests navigate busy days more effectively. Being informed about anticipated crowd levels allows visitors to adjust expectations and plan their park experience accordingly.
