Afraid September is going to be PACKED this year

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I am surprised at how hard it has been to get ADRs (180+) and FP+ for our September trip. Everything has filled up so quickly!

For our July trip, I reserved our FP+ 60 days in advance and everything was wide open. I got A&E, SDMT, Soarin', Wishes, FOF, and TS, and I got them at exactly the times I wanted. I tried to do the same thing for September, but FP+ distribution had already ended for A&E at 6 am in the morning at 60 +5, FOF distribution had ended for most days, and TS was only available after 1 pm (at 60 +2). Since we just did these things, it was no big deal to me, but it is concerning that September is already looking so crowded.

For our ADRs in July, I didn't even start booking until 75 days in advance, and I got every meal I wanted at the time I wanted, including BOG lunch and dinner. For September, I was up at 5:45 am at day 180 and was only able to get a BOG one day for 4 pm (after stalking and stalking), and I have been stalking ever since. No ressies at all at MK after 4 pm for ANY restaurant on one of our nights. After stalking and stalking MDE every day, sometimes 10-20 times a day, I finally got a 6:35 at Tony's.

What is up with September? FD explains some of the issues with ADRs, but what about FP+? Should I expect it to be far more crowded than July? Getting a little worried . . .

 

[dcraythorn]

I'm also worried, I am having the same issues.

 

[JimmyV]

What is up with September? FD explains some of the issues with ADRs

In all honesty, FD explains ALL of the issues with ADRs. The total number of seats available for ADRs is nowhere near the capacity of the parks. So ADRs can be completely gone and you could still have a crowd level of 4 or 5. I wouldn't worry too much about crowd levels or FP+ availability. ADRs are another story altogether.

 

[BalooPA]

I have been in September MANY times, as it is my favorite time to go. Believe me, the parks will be MUCH less crowded than JULY, no matter if there is FD or not, or how quickly the FP+ are gone. The only place that is crowded is Epcot on nights when the Food and Wine Festival is going on. You will LOVE September. Low crowds, great weather....perfect combination!

 

[danny1649]

I am surprised,usually after Labor day crowds have been low 2001 and moderate 2013 .Both visits were partly in second and 3rd week of Sept.So I don't know unless many conventions and sports events scheduled this year. Did you look at resort availability were rooms filled up or still many available.Sorry I can't be of more help, other board members may have more information for you. Danny

 

[jtowntoflorida]

A lack of ADRs are the result of Free Dining.

A lack of FP+ are the result of reduced operating hours at MK thanks to the parties.

Summer means crowds but the vast majority of summer park visitors are offsiters, which gives onsiters an advantage for both ADRs and FP+s. There are more FP+s available because of the long hours. In a few months, you'll see TG week and then Christmas week people stating that they had no problems getting all the FP+s they wanted since there are no parties those weeks and the parks are open later.

 

[Missyrose]

A lack of ADRs are the result of Free Dining.

A lack of FP+ are the result of reduced operating hours at MK thanks to the parties.

Summer means crowds but the vast majority of summer park visitors are offsiters, which gives onsiters an advantage for both ADRs and FP+s. There are more FP+s available because of the long hours. In a few months, you'll see TG week and then Christmas week people stating that they had no problems getting all the FP+s they wanted since there are no parties those weeks and the parks are open later.

Also, Disney tends to run everything at max capacity during peak summer times. In September, the capacity is scaled back. Hence, fewer FP+ reservations available (in addition to the shortened hours from the party season).

 

[nanaka]

I will there 9/13-9/19 and was also getting worried about the crowds. This thread puts me a little more at ease with the explanation

 

[Iowamomof4]

Also, Disney tends to run everything at max capacity during peak summer times. In September, the capacity is scaled back. Hence, fewer FP+ reservations available (in addition to the shortened hours from the party season).

Meaning they run fewer ride vehicles and things of that nature? So pretty much the lines will be nearly as long as in summer?

Also going in Sept (4-13) and also getting nervous. It's our first time so all I have is my imagination and a few Youtube videos to base my expectations on.

 

[Missyrose]

Meaning they run fewer ride vehicles and things of that nature? So pretty much the lines will be nearly as long as in summer?

Also going in Sept (4-13) and also getting nervous. It's our first time so all I have is my imagination and a few Youtube videos to base my expectations on.

Yes, fewer ride vehicles and such. Disney has no incentive to keep attractions at the same capacity in peak crowds and low crowds.

 

[Missyrose]

Also remember that even at the lowest crowd times, you're still looking at waits of an hour or more at headliners during the afternoon/evening.

 

[DisneyFive]

ADR availability this year has been about the same for us as the last 4 Sept. visits we've made.

Dan

 

[kbgusto]

I personally think Disney is getting more busy every year no matter the season. We love doing Disney in January as the crowds are low. This year it was Crazy busy compared to previous years the same week. But no matter what September will still be less crowded the July.

 

[Colleen27]

I agree. I'm heading down for a conference the week before Food & Wine begins, which is historically a slow time, but I can't believe how limited room availability is right now. I was looking into downgrading from the moderate I have booked to a value, and not only are there no value rooms available with the room-only discount, there aren't any available at rack rate either! I'm sort of hoping that's some sort of glitch; I can't believe all the values and most of the mods (only CSR available) are actually at 100% occupancy for a mid-Sept weekend.

 

[DebbieB]

There are also shorter park hours in September. MK starts closing at 7:00 for MNSSHP.

 

[Fizban]

I am surprised at how hard it has been to get ADRs (180+) and FP+ for our September trip. Everything has filled up so quickly!

For our July trip, I reserved our FP+ 60 days in advance and everything was wide open. I got A&E, SDMT, Soarin', Wishes, FOF, and TS, and I got them at exactly the times I wanted. I tried to do the same thing for September, but FP+ distribution had already ended for A&E at 6 am in the morning at 60 +5, FOF distribution had ended for most days, and TS was only available after 1 pm (at 60 +2). Since we just did these things, it was no big deal to me, but it is concerning that September is already looking so crowded.

For our ADRs in July, I didn't even start booking until 75 days in advance, and I got every meal I wanted at the time I wanted, including BOG lunch and dinner. For September, I was up at 5:45 am at day 180 and was only able to get a BOG one day for 4 pm (after stalking and stalking), and I have been stalking ever since. No ressies at all at MK after 4 pm for ANY restaurant on one of our nights. After stalking and stalking MDE every day, sometimes 10-20 times a day, I finally got a 6:35 at Tony's.

What is up with September? FD explains some of the issues with ADRs, but what about FP+? Should I expect it to be far more crowded than July? Getting a little worried . . .

We will be there for the second week. Kids in a lot of schools are back by then so it shouldn't be very busy at all.

 

[MataHari22]

FP+ becomes harder to get due to both the seasonal reduction of hours and MNSSHP and MVMCP earlier closings. Less FP+ to go around.

 

[Christypl]

I think one of the things making it more busy is that most schools in the Metro Atlanta area have fall breaks in the end of September. We are doing a Disney Cruise Sept 21 and the most of the people on the facebook cruise group are from metro Atlanta. Disney is a quick and easy trip to take then.

 

[georgina]

I'm not worrying because it won't do any good! My dates are set and I will go with the flow.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Also remember that even at the lowest crowd times, you're still looking at waits of an hour or more at headliners during the afternoon/evening.

I completely do not understand that. I mean, I know it happens, but who actually chooses to ride SDMT or meet A&E when the line is an hour or longer? Who are these people?

Only time I would wait in line for an hour or more would be to meet Walt Disney himself.