Crowded September??

[NYDisneyMom]

I always love going in September when the crowds are down. I'm starting to think this year will be different though with the FTP and the airfare sales.

What does everyone else think? Crowds? Mediocre? No lines?Last year we walked on everything..not a line, we even stayed on Kali River Rapids three times in a row! I think we're spoiled!!

 

[Grumpy92]

Dont think you are going to find any problems. The crowds will be small during this time period.

 

[G-gang]

I sure hope not--that was the main reason we decided to go in September.

 

[mkwdrs]

We chose 9/8-9/13 since kids are in school and just after the holiday weekend. When the wife called CRO, they told her that September was the only time period where there would be no AP rates. Makes you wonder about the crowds.

 

[sandbar]

I would think that even if the rooms are getting pretty full in September, that they are mostly filled with couples and those with small children. When I called a couple weeks ago to make a PS for LeCellier on Sept. 9 I asked for the latest seating. He seemed surprised that the latest he had was for 6 pm, but added that they were filling up with a lot of tables for just 2 people. I haven't been to Disney in September and I have no idea what it's like to have low crowds. I am still holding out hope!

 

[jeleebeene]

I don't think it will be overly crowded. I've never been in the Fall, so I won't have anything to compare it with. We always go in the summer, so I will be thrilled if crowds are even slightly lighter than that time of year!!

Keep your chin up and make the best of any situation. Just think to yourself that it will be busy, and you will be smiling ear to ear if the crowds are light. If crowds are a little heavy, atleast you are prepared ahead of time!!

 

[thessaly]

Well, even if they don't release AP rates for September...

-They *did* release Florida Resident rates

-They *did* send out all those postcard/email rates a few weeks back

-Many people have reported that there is still availability in September among all classes of rooms (via Disney site etc)

-I had no trouble booking PS during the week of 9/8-9/12 for prime times at Boma, Chef Mickey's, California Grill, and Emeril's Orlando, and I got Category A seats at Cirque Du Soleil... all within the last week, with only 2-3 weeks left before I leave. In particular, Emeril's and California Grill had my pick of times available all night long (and my CG PS is on a Friday night, even).

So... I'm thinking it'll be busier, but I'm still crossing my fingers that it will be better than August. And we're okay with staying at the resorts and swimming if the crowds are too unwieldy. I'm not much of a commando tourer anyway.

 

[sandbar]

You're right, Jeleebeene, I'm not even going to think about low crowds. It looks like we're going about the same time as you are! Have you noticed how many people are going from Sept. 12th to the end of the month? If the thread, "Who's going in September..." is correct it looks like the last half of Sept. may be busier than the first half.

 

[Demosthenes]

Traditionally, occupancy at WDW hotels is not a fair indicator of crowds in the parks. A much better indication is occupancy in hotels outside of WDW. Most theme park guests are day guests. Right now, there is availability almost anywhere outside the World in September.

 

[jeleebeene]

Hey Sandbar, I noticed that too. I actually went through and counted how many people would be there the week we are going, and I came up with 15 - which seemed pretty low considering everyone going the latter half of the month. That doesn't really mean crowds will be non existant, but maybe slower.

As long as I can get into a park (and it doesn't close because it reaches capacity) I'll have fun.

Guess we picked a good time to go!!

 

[crazywig]

we went in september 2001...the 8th to the 15th.

crowds were very low for the first 3 days, then the towers got hit and disney was a virtual ghost town after that.

sept. is generally a great time to go...but remember it is still HOT!!!!

have a great time!

 

[n2mm]

We will be there attending the Pin Celebration at EPCOT. The event is from Sept. 19-21. Held at EPCOT, but the pin traders will be at the resorts alot in the evenings. At the All Stars food court on Thursday night (18th) and the Contemporary on FRiday (19th)--I also know there is a big chef mickeys meeting dinner on the 19th at 5:00 PM. I'm sure other places too. I believe there were 1,200 tickets sold for this 3 day event. I'm sure the number will be higher, because, like us, many attending will be bringing their families, who won't be going to the event. This should be a quieter time to go, but with the FTP, I'm expecting a little bigger crowd then in past Septembers.

 

[alvernon90]

Don't forget, also, that during Disney's last quarterly conference call, Robert Iger told stock analysts that attendance at WDW is way down and will not go up again in the near future. That was at the end of July. If he really anticipated that this would be the busiest September in years, he definitely would have said so.

Plus, you have to keep "increased September attendance" in perspective. Even if the crowds doubled over what they were last September, that means what? A five minute wait for Splash Mountain instead of a two minute wait? Choosing from five empty tables at a restaurant instead of ten?

I'm sure that in almost every attraction it will be the typical September situation: it takes longer to walk through the empty part of the queue than it does to wait once you reach the actual line. Also, the earlier posters are right: the people who are there will be mostly young couples, preschool children, and BRITS!

 

[4dizfans]

You guys are making me feel great! We were worried that crowds were going to be much worse than last year. I know it will probably be a little more crowded, but not as bad as the summer. Hope you have a great trip. September is almost here!!!!

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

We were in WDW Sept 9-12 2001, now while we only had really 1 1/2 days there due to 9/11, the day we spent in WDW was PACKED!! I thought it would be a great time to go since I THOUGHT no one would be taking there kids out of school in the beginning weeks, I was totally wrong. Not only was it packed when we went it was also HOT! AK was also crowded too.

Are you going later in the month? Hopefully it will work out better for you

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by ILuvTinkerbelle
We were in WDW Sept 9-12 2001, now while we only had really 1 1/2 days there due to 9/11, the day we spent in WDW was PACKED!! I thought it would be a great time to go since I THOUGHT no one would be taking there kids out of school in the beginning weeks, I was totally wrong. Not only was it packed when we went it was also HOT! AK was also crowded too.

Are you going later in the month? Hopefully it will work out better for you

In 2000 we went in November...loved it. In 2001 I scheduled our trip for the week after 9/11. Man was that spooky. Walking down Main Street with no one else around! I have pictures, it looks like the park was open just for us. Last year, we did the last week of Sept. and had zero wait. We'll be there 9/21-27 this year (short trip because of the cruise) -- and you guys are right, if I have to wait five minutes to get on Test Track, it won't be the end of the world. I'm spoiled! I'm spoiled! But at least I admit it.

Thanks....I feel better (I think!)

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

Since your going at the end of the month I think it will be great. I cannot imagine being there the week after 9/11 it was freaking enough trying to get out of AK when it happened and then devising a plan to get home.

 

[reldridge]

We picked the last week of Sept. specifically because of the crowd issue. Hope our reasoning proves correct!! After walking for a while I have to be able to sit for a few minutes. Less people, more open seats !!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by ILuvTinkerbelle
Since your going at the end of the month I think it will be great. I cannot imagine being there the week after 9/11 it was freaking enough trying to get out of AK when it happened and then devising a plan to get home.

Getting on a plane was a bit scary that time..but I said a prayer and did it. I was not going to let those rat bas***ds control my life. I did get a lot of strange looks when I told people are trip was not canceled.

And I can't imagine what it was like being away from home on 9/11, especially since we're NY'ers and have many family and friends working and living in NYC.

We were there during Hurricane Floyd, though! That was pretty wild, but Disney handled it really well. We were staying at OKW that time and they had given us flashlights and print outs of what to do (fill the bathtubs with water, watch the weather reports, etc.) Very organized. The day after the storm we went into one of the parks, and they let us not swipe our park passes because the parks had closed early the prior day.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Don't panic over Sept crowds. Even the busiest Sept is still slower than the rest of the year.
We are going on our 7th trip in Sept next month. Trust me the crowds are reasonable.
but don't be fooled...there are crowds. Magic Kingdom still manages to be busy but with FP you won't have to wait for anything.
AK still has waits but again FP...
MGM manages to stay pretty slow in my opinion.
and Epcot is just dead.
When I say waits I am talking 15-20 mins.... and with FP you won't have to wait at all.

remember it's hot and it rains a lot too so be prepared.
I think its a great time to go !!!