1st week of Sept. crowds

[SamRoc]

We have used our DVC on Easter week but since our kids don't start school here til Sept. 13 we thought we might squeeze in another trip. Have never been there during Sept. and I figured that crowds would be lighter as most kids would be back in school, but am not sure if there are any special events that would make it more crowded. were thinking of arriving there after Labor day on the 6th. thanks

 

[lenshanem]

I would like to know, too. By the way, I called MS this morning and there is availability at all except BCV. This would make me think things are slow. I also tried WDW online and could easily get PC or POFQ for our dates with a great price. I was waiting on AP codes, but it appears they'll never come out. Now we just need to decide what to do. (We'll have to borrow points for DVC.)

 

[pumpkinboy]

The first week of September is Hot as Hades, but also has some of the lowest crowds of the year. Of course low crowds also means that they frequently take some of your favorite attractions off line for maintenence/ upgrades, so a mixed bag in some ways.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Originally posted by lenshanem
I would like to know, too. By the way, I called MS this morning and there is availability at all except BCV. This would make me think things are slow. I also tried WDW online and could easily get PC or POFQ for our dates with a great price. I was waiting on AP codes, but it appears they'll never come out. Now we just need to decide what to do. (We'll have to borrow points for DVC.)

Are you aware that there are codes for the general public for September? You can find them on mousesavers.com

 

[lenshanem]

Yes, thanks though for the heads up, though. I can get the September general public code discount, but I was watching to see if it went any lower with an AP.

 

[spiceycat]

very uncrowded - but the bad (with thegood) - because of this the parks CLOSE early - so if you ever planning on during MK after it got dark in the cooler times - forget it - not happening unless they do an E-night.....

same for the Mgm Studios - they close early too....

MK around 6:00pm, Studios around 7:00pm, AK around 5:00pm, the only one that still is open late Epcot.

so be sure your passes are park hoppers you will need them.

yes it is very hot and humdity!!!!

however the most to enjoy the pool at your resort or you can pool hop....

 

[StormalongKay]

Hi all,

We did early Sept 3x when we had preschoolers and didn't have to worry about school constraints. It is a great time to go! At least in prior years, we had no lines at almost all of the popular attractions and often rode things 3-4 times in a row. Its easy to get PS when you want and where you want. And yes, though the parks close earlier than in the summer months, there's still plenty to do with the Boardwalk and DTD.

Each time we've gone in early Sept, we've stayed over the Night of Joy concert which I think is the Sat evening after Labor Day. We've never attended, but I understand it to be a night of Christian music performances in the MK. MK will close early on that nite, so we usually just plan to hit another park that day. Also I think this year that Labor Day is slated for the Tom Joyner family reunion (read it on these boards) but I'm not sure if that affects park hours. As long as you take these two big events into consideration with your plans, you'll be ok. I think its a small tradeoff for having the parks to yourself during the days.

Oh but the other questionable factor is that its hurricane season - don't laugh, we were there in 1999 when MK closed for the first time in its history ( I think it was hurricane Gloria). Pre-DVC for us so we had a long day cooped up with a 1yr old and a 2yr old at Dixie Landings! But we returned in Sep 02 without any weather related problems.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Originally posted by spiceycat
very uncrowded - but the bad (with thegood) - because of this the parks CLOSE early - so if you ever planning on during MK after it got dark in the cooler times - forget it - not happening unless they do an E-night.....

same for the Mgm Studios - they close early too....

MK around 6:00pm, Studios around 7:00pm, AK around 5:00pm, the only one that still is open late Epcot.

so be sure your passes are park hoppers you will need them.

yes it is very hot and humdity!!!!

Agreed about heat being bad and crowds being low but the park hours are somewhat later than the post quoted above indicates. Except for the first weekend of the month (which I suspect has a special event) the MK is open until 8:30-9:30, depending on the day. The hours are posted here:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...e=92004&id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage

MGM is open until 8:30 until towards the end of the month when it closes at 8.

AK is indeed closing at 5 all month.

Don't forget the possiblity of e-nights at the MK, definitely worth the extra bucks IMHO, but they haven't listed any yet for September.

By the way, although the parks do close earlier the lines are so much shorter than when it's busy you can get just as much done--maybe more. I do think you should try to avoid labor day weekend if possible, chances are there will be larger crowds then.

As far as hurricanes--it is certainly the season, it's a matter of luck whether it effects you. I am going the week of 9/12, so I have the same concerns. I missed a hurricane by one day a few years ago. BUT since WDW is inland it's rare to be hit full force, so I would not dwell on it too much.

 

[spiceycat]

thank you - I haven't been back in Sept for years - because it is so hot - but with the MK opened until 8:30pm - it might be a good thing to do.....

thanks!!!!

however wait until closer to the month - WDW has been know to change - they did March once in Feb - I though that was just very bad planning on their side.....

 

[lenshanem]

I think we're now looking at the 11th thru the 14th. Besides the 11th, things look OK. MK closes at 8:30 with Wishes, MGM at 8:00 with Fantasmic.

Will the Night of Joy bring in large crowds or should it be fine by that Sunday the 12th? We probably won't do anything that Saturday night we arrive, except maybe eat somewhere nice.

Now to decide between VWL or BWV... I think we're gonna just borrow the points if hubby can get it off.

 

[SoCalKDG]

From what I've read stay away from MK on any Night of Joy nights. The rides will be very crowded.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks. Anyone know if that Sunday after Night of Joy would also be crowded?

 

[lurontravel]

Usually the day after an "event" (like NoJ, MNSSHP, E-Ride Night, or MVMCP) it is less crowded then usual(especially the early am).

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

SamRoc, where do you live that school doesn't start until September 13th?

 

[lenshanem]

I just realized... 9/11!!! Think that is why I could get into any DVC resort except BCV at this late of date???

I get freaked out by stuff like that. Would any of ya'll not go cause it is 9/11?

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

Unfortunately, 9/11 is my parents' anniversary-married 38 years. They will be checking into BWV on that date along with my brother and his family. I would definitely travel on that day-you can't live your life in fear.


Have a wonderful trip.

Susan

 

[SamRoc]

Hi, we live in Brooklyn NY and luckily for my kids this year they get the extra week off before starting school. This is the first time i can remember them going back in this late on Sept 13th. So i figured we would head to Disney before school starts. I forgot all about the parks closing early, and the heat! Always thinking of the crowds. thanks for all the replies!

 

[StormalongKay]

Shan,

We never found NoJ to cause too much of a crowd anyway. We've never been in MK on the day or night of the event, but have gone the Sun afterward and (based on 3x experience) found the attendance to be really light.

So borrow your points, go & have a good time! And don't worry too much about 9/11, the best way of honoring our patriots is to live life to the fullest (which in our case is going to WDW!!!)

 

[wdwobsessed]

I agree about it being hot as well but the crowds ... well ... there were none! I have been that exact week and we loved it. The shorter hours did not bother us because we did AK and MK in the morning and saved Epcot and MGM for the evening.

It was awesome, neary a wait for anything.

This year we are going in Mid-December and I'm worried about it being too cold! I may prefer that over the heat though!

WDWO

 

[SamRoc]

I guess from always going on holidays that we were so used to the parks being open late until about 11pm. I didnt realize that right after labor day the parks started to close so early, will have to plan around this trip the Magic Kingdom being open at least late enough that my daughter can still see "Wishes".