Crowd calendar changes for Sept

[HillsboroHoppers]

When I planned my trip for Sept 3-10 all the calendars showed low/green crowd predictions. NOW, it is showing medium/yellow crowds for my entire trip. FD has been offered during this time frame for years and the crowds were always listed as low/green. Was FD more popular this year? Anyone else seeing the same thing? This is my first time going in September and only my second trip overall (went first week of May in 09 to miniscule crowds)

We are doing QS so not worried about reservations, just curious to what you pros are seeing/thinking and hoping I am worrying about nothing

 

[mesaboy2]

When I planned my trip for Sept 3-10 all the calendars showed low/green crowd predictions. NOW, it is showing medium/yellow crowds for my entire trip. FD has been offered during this time frame for years and the crowds were always listed as low/green. Was FD more popular this year? Anyone else seeing the same thing? This is my first time going in September and only my second trip overall (went first week of May in 09 to miniscule crowds)

We are doing QS so not worried about reservations, just curious to what you pros are seeing/thinking and hoping I am worrying about nothing

You are worrying about nothing. The week you have planned is consistently one of the lowest-crowd times at WDW. Forget the changing crowd calendars.

 

[HillsboroHoppers]

You are right. My trip is booked, my vacation set, plane tickets bought... it is not like I could DO anything about it anyway! My daughter and I are going to have a good time. Thanks for reminding me

 

[KAT7199]

I'm also going during that time frame (Aug 31-Sept 12). I saw the updated crowd calendar but have no worries...."it is what it is!" You're going regardless and will still have a great time no matter what. I have been there for the 4th of July (2006)....awful crowds but I don't remember much about the crowds....except from what i see in my pictures. That was my first time so I didn't know any better
Last time we went was the day after black friday in 2007...talk about a world of a difference in the crowds.

This time around we wanted a lower crowd for our daughter's first trip and figured Sept would be the best bet (Nov-Jan are black out for vacation times at my husbands job). I know free dining will bring the crowd levels up a bit but I don't think it would too much since the kids in the south are back in school by then....as well as the north by me.

 

[notfrostyjosh]

Where are you seeing moderate crowds in early September?

 

[HillsboroHoppers]

It was on undercover, but now it is back to green ? I have no idea what was going on there this am, but now it shows mostly green with yellow days on the weekends. This morning there were NO green weeks, and only a few green days in the middle of the month. Must have been a mistake of some kind.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

We picked that time of year to go because of the low crowd levels (compared to going late May & mid-June)! I'm excited to see how different the experience will be, my DD7 hasn't been since she was four so it will be all new to her & I am bringing an adult friend who has never been.

Can't wait

 

[Fratthouse]

We go that week every year (we'll be there the 3-8 this year as well). It's always low crowds. And they've offered free dining for the past several years, so it's nothing new. Touring plans shows crowd levels of 1 - 2. Easywdw shows crowd levels from 1 - 4 (the only 4 being on the Saturday, which you've got to assume most Saturdays will be fairly crowded). It should be a slow time I wouldn't worry about the crowds. The heat, however, is a different story....

 

[BigChachi]

I was wondering if Labor Day weekend was busy since it is the last 3 day. I know for most school has started and may deter them.

Thinking about arriving on Sat the 6th but still planning at this point.

I keep seeing green weekdays including Monday and yellow weekends.

 

[BigChachi]

We go that week every year (we'll be there the 3-8 this year as well). It's always low crowds. And they've offered free dining for the past several years, so it's nothing new. Touring plans shows crowd levels of 1 - 2. Easywdw shows crowd levels from 1 - 4 (the only 4 being on the Saturday, which you've got to assume most Saturdays will be fairly crowded). It should be a slow time I wouldn't worry about the crowds. The heat, however, is a different story....

Good to know. Free Dining is a plus for us and homeschooler makes our schedule flexible.

What should I plan on heat wise?

 

[BellsFam]

We're headed there 09/12 through 09/20... the same thing for our week... it showed 2-3 when I booked and now it's showing 4's... I don't think it makes THAT much of a difference, but we're gonna have a great time anyways!

 

[Fratthouse]

Good to know. Free Dining is a plus for us and homeschooler makes our schedule flexible.

What should I plan on heat wise?

Just be prepared for it to be really hot and humid! We do the rope drop / afternoon break / back in the evening routine because we just can't handle the
heat all day. Bring lots of water, and know some good locations in each park that you can visit to cool off, and you'll be fine. Have a great trip!

 

[Fratthouse]

I was wondering if Labor Day weekend was busy since it is the last 3 day. I know for most school has started and may deter them.

Thinking about arriving on Sat the 6th but still planning at this point.

I keep seeing green weekdays including Monday and yellow weekends.

Labor day is Sept 1 this year, so if you arrive on the 6th, you be arriving the week after the labor day crowds (which aren't nearly as substantial as other holidays, but will theoretically be more crowded than other weekends in September).

Sorry if you already know this and I just misunderstood your comment

 

[BigChachi]

Labor day is Sept 1 this year

Thanks for the reminder. I had somehow convinced myself it was the 8th.

 

[Kristine316]

We are going in this time frame as well and I fully expect Touring Plans to up their predictions in the coming months.

WDW is more popular than ever, every year it seems to get a little busier and every single WDW planning website and book tells people to go to WDW in September and late January for the lowest crowds of the year. Well, obviously the more people who take this advice the busier it will get. Even though many say that the vast majority of WDW guests do not use these planning sites, I have a hard time believing that as it seems everyone I know who takes a WDW vacation uses at least one of these planning websites.
Yes, school is back in session for most of the country but, there were still kids everywhere when we went in September 2012. You also get a large international crowd and tons of senior citizens.. the parks aren't dead that is for sure.
Oh, I am not saying September is busy compared to summer but, it sure doesn't seem to be the wonderfully low crowded time of year it used to be.