Are we going to die of heat exhaustion in Sept?

[wdw4rfam]

The weather is terrible. You can still have fun. It's good to be ok with getting less done in the parks, between the heat and the daily lighting storms. Have a good touring plan where you force yourselves into AC even if it means you are in the Tiki Room at a time you wouldn't normally pick that lol. Honestly, I think realistic expectations are the most important part of summer touring. GL!

We've done 8 September trips and never seen lightning once. Maybe just luck? Lots of rain though. We did have 1 trip in 2010 where it only rained two days of our 10 day trip.

 

[pangyal]

We are from Toronto where the humidity gets pretty brutal as well, and are doing our first September trip this year...we usually do Vegas where it is hotter than Hades, but super dry, so it's totally bearable. I am very curious to see how the weather compares with the addition of the humidity too. I'm really appreciative of the tips that people are posting to help manage the heat!

 

[ArwenMarie]

We've done 8 September trips and never seen lightning once. Maybe just luck? Lots of rain though. We did have 1 trip in 2010 where it only rained two days of our 10 day trip.

No thunderstorms? Wow, that is good luck!

 

[epcotty]

I think Sept, although bad, is not as bad as June-August. Yesterday was among the hottest I've felt there, at least on a par with July last year. We have to get those cooling towels or misting fans or something

 

[TeamH5]

LOL welll... We lived in Turkey at the time of our visit in Aug 2013, it was Hot AND humid there, like 100+ heat plus about 90% humidity.. I figured we were good. We'd go on walks in the dead of the day, just to make sure we were used to it when we hit the FL heat/humidity..

YEA.... not so much! Lol FL was even HOTTER and MORE humid than Turkey was! I was floored. We didn't have a hard time, but it was a noticeable difference.

We all had camelbacks, I got kiddy sized ones for the kids, we used the mister fans liberally while in AK, for some reason that park was hotter than the others. It dumped buckets when we were at Epcot so that day was actually a little cooler.. But we missed walking through World Showcase because of the downpour.

All in all, it was manageable for us. But if you're from a cooler climate, not as humid, etc.. It might be a little rough getting used to the first day or so.

 

[Parker Clan]

If you're not used to going in the heat, just be prepared and it will be manageable. Afternoon breaks are key.
We can only go in August so I'm used to the FL heat. Doesn't bother us one bit. In fact we are planning to move to FL at some point

 

[wdw4rfam]

No thunderstorms? Wow, that is good luck!

I'm serious we encountered lots of rain over the years, and there has been thunder, but never saw lightning. Did encounter hurricane Charley in 2004, but that was August I think. But that's another story

 

[Sytrace]

Early September is brutal in regards to heat and humidity. Drink water and a lot of it. Don't wait until you are thirsty and then try and rehydrate.. Just drink a little bit of water every 20 to 30 minutes or so. Frog Toggs or cooling spray/cloths are good to have as they will give you the illusion that you are not sweating a complete other person out of your body.

Typically we have thunder storms and lightning between 4 and 7 PM every evening. A few years ago it would happen between 2 and 4 but now it really seems to move in during those evening hours for a little bit. ( My son plays football and many a practice has been called for lightning) When you are told to get to shelter (even if you don't see anything remotely like a storm) then go. And even if it clears up quickly, there is usually at least a 30 minute hold time from the last strike until things get operational again.

Have a great time and the idea of going at RD and then doing some swimming and then going back to the parks in the evening will really help you out. Have a wonderful warm vacation!

 

[twoolle]

We went the first of September last year with our 11 week old, and 3 other kids ages 2, 4 and 5. I wore the baby in my boba carrier and he was fine. Stroller clip fans work great and the cooling towels. We did early mornings then break after lunch. As a mom I prefer to wear workout clothes that I don't mind sweating in. Otherwise I get cranky if sweating in regular clothes. Kids wore the same type of clothes. Also, moisture wicking socks work best (not cotton) if you like to wear tennis shoes.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Sept is hot and there are storms almost every day but it's Florida. It's not half as bad as going June-Aug.

 

[ebradley23]

We've gone the past two years in Sept, and we'll be back again this year. Honestly, I haven't thought it was too awful. Last year was warmer with less rain than the year before, but still nothing crazy. I just feel like we spent so much time in shaded queues or inside (most rides are in buildings) that it made the heat bearable. To me Hollywood Studios is the worst, since their character MGs are in the blazing sun.

I'm a runner, so I plan my park clothing like I plan my training clothes - No cotton. Moisture wicking is best. Sleeveless and loose fitting is good too.

 

[Criickette]

I guess I'm in the minority here. We have gone in September a few times and thought the weather was very tolerable. It was warm but nowhere near as bad as the times that we visited in July.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

We had planned to travel to Europe in Sept 2014, but opted for a trip to WDW with our grandsons (and their parents) instead. Unfortunately, DH's vacation dates are not flexible once booked... We knew we were in for heat but also hit an extra-rainy Sept. Honestly, we never felt dry until we came home. If the rain didn't get us, the sweat did. Can't say we didn't have fun, because there was lots of that, but we were alternately baked or steamed. LOL

Everyone has given great common sense tips for coping, and if set your expectations correctly and pace yourself, you should be fine. Hot but fine.

One caution that I can offer you is to watch for a/c chills, particularly when dining. While 5 out of 6 of us were pathetically grateful for good a/c, our younger DGS (8 at the time) could shiver miserably through any meal. It is not easy or instinctive to remember to pack a fleece jacket for him every day, when the temperatures were in the mid90's by 8 am, and much the same at midnight. Poor little guy had to spend a few meals on his dad's lap or wrapped in a beach towel for warmth.

 

[SDSorority]

We did September in 2103, and July last year. Going in September this year, too. Here's our game plan:

Eat a good breakfast in the room and drink water. Bring snacks like Jerky and fresh fruit/vegetables to the park along with 2 bottles of water per person.
Get to the parks around park opening time (9-ish)
Stay until 12:30, head back to the room for lunch and to cool off.
Schedule another fastpass attraction for after 6pm on MDE app, have lunch. More water.
Swim, do laundry, shower, nap, rest, whatever.... more water. Most likely it will rain at some point between 3pm and 5pm anyway.
Eat dinner around 5... did I mention water?
Head back to the parks around 6pm. Bring another bottle of water per person.

At the parks, have a wide-brimmed hat, lightweight and light colored clothing, sunscreen (and reapply once or twice), sunglasses, and an umbrella in case of rain or needing more shade. Also bring a ziplock baggie of ice and a washcloth per person to cool off with. It feels so nice on the back of the neck, behind the knees, inside of wrists and elbows. I also like to bring Peppermint Essential oil along- it's very cooling.
Walk through the shops or in the shade to get from one attraction to the other, or to get down Main Street.
Drink water every 15-20 minutes or so. I couldn't believe it- last July I went through 4 whole bottles of water per day, PLUS cups of water at every meal. It was unreal, but I needed it!
Take your time and listen to your body. If you feel wonky, take a break in the shade or inside. My favorite out of the way places are:

Magic Kingdom- Train Station (upstairs both inside and outside), Pirates of the Caribbean (just outside the gift shop exit, to the right by the cast member door), Hall of Presidents (inside or outside the exit on the white rocking chairs).
EPCOT- The Land (either inside or outside the doors sitting on the ledge), Morocco (back in the pavilion on the left side where there's the water fountain), China pre-show area (we have been known to sit there and eat a packed lunch for extended periods of time)
Hollywood Studios- Tower of Terror (just outside the exit of the gift shop on the little shaded porch area), One Man's Dream (is that still even open?? if so, great chilly option)
Animal Kingdom- Shaded paths in the Oasis, Small hut to the right as you enter Asia near the water that overlooks Everest in the distance, shaded paths near Tree of Life/Tough to Be a Bug

We have also been known to seek refuge in some nearby hotel lobbies. I love the convention floor of the Contemporary (quiet bathrooms in this area!), and the 2nd/3rd floor sitting areas of the Wilderness Lodge.

For the car, bring a folding sun shade or of nothing else, a towel to throw over the steering wheel.


Have I overthought all this?? Yes, but I have tools to help me cool off when I need them- hopefully this helps someone!

 

[Sunnywho]

Early September is as hot as August. Spending time in air-conditioning and out of sun such as on ride lines and spending time in pools is a good idea. Lower crowds should be nice.

 

[MrsCies]

Oh gosh. I could cry - I am MISERABLE when hot. I knew September would be hot but wow, after reading the replies, I'm dreading my trip. We have been to the world in May, twice in December and once in Nov. all had fabulous weather. We we going September 10-17th and now I just want to switch back to November. Blech....

 

[tinkerbella16]

Oh gosh. I could cry - I am MISERABLE when hot. I knew September would be hot but wow, after reading the replies, I'm dreading my trip. We have been to the world in May, twice in December and once in Nov. all had fabulous weather. We we going September 10-17th and now I just want to switch back to November. Blech....

November would have made no difference last year lol. It was so hot/humid last year when I went for 10 days in November, it felt like June/July/Aug.

 

[jazzyscoob]

Hotter than heck but manageable.

We drink water all day long and then I make everyone drink a cup of Powerade at night. Hydrating the night before is just as important as drinking during the activity.

Early morning park time, indoor attractions from 12-2 and then hopping on a monorail or ferry to a resort for a late lunch early dinner. This can help you beat the hottest part of the day without going back to your resort.

 

[Kebby]

We went last year with our 4 kids 8,6,4,2. Get to the park early in the am, and leave at lunch. Swimming is good, but also make a mandatory " rest hour" in the afternoon in the air conditioning of your room. Make a dinner adr, and go back out in the evening. We had a great trip!
To those who hate heat- I actually would advise changing your trip. I love heat, and it was just manageable. If I hated heat it would have been miserable.

 

[anniemae]

We went last year with our 4 kids 8,6,4,2. Get to the park early in the am, and leave at lunch. Swimming is good, but also make a mandatory " rest hour" in the afternoon in the air conditioning of your room. Make a dinner adr, and go back out in the evening. We had a great trip!
To those who hate heat- I actually would advise changing your trip. I love heat, and it was just manageable. If I hated heat it would have been miserable.

I agree with the bolded. You will be miserable if you can't tolerate the heat. It radiates off the pavement and is relentless. You must take breaks in the intensity of the afternoon sun. We found swimming to be miserable too. The pool water was too hot to be refreshing and the sun was beating on us. I think we lasted 20 mins in the pool. It was just too much for us. We went back to the room and collapsed on the bed in the AC.