The Orlando public schools are NOT closed for Columbus Day. The kids are out Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th, and the teachers are out Friday the 17th only.
In Tampa, the schools are on early release on Friday, Oct. 9th, but are in session on Monday -- Columbus Day. They, too, are closed for a professional day on Friday the 17th.
It looks like the crowds come from out of the area.
Our schools, also, have Fall Break during that time -- although we used to be at the end of September, and I liked that more -- the parks were EMPTY.