Crowds in September??

[LUVMICKEY]

We love September too because of the very light crowds. It's very warm.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Early December used to be slow - now it's busy.

January used to be slow - now it's busy.

October used to be slow - now it's busy.

September used to be slow - now it's busy.

What's left?

Most of the other months are hot AND busy. No wonder I can't figure out when to go. Maybe I should take a cruise instead.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at your post! lol! It is so true. I think the only slow time left would be the end of January into the first week of February. That's it. Also, I think Disney has hired some marketing geniuses that have come up with ways to draw the crowds in at every time of year. Good for them, not so good for all of us. I know, I think it's time they opened a fifth theme park! lol . . . I can dream can't I?

 

[Condorman]

So for anyone who has been, which is the slower period nowadays? The two weeks after Thanksgiving or the two weeks in the heart of September?

 

[Cheap Trick Fan]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at your post! lol! It is so true. I think the only slow time left would be the end of January into the first week of February. That's it. Also, I think Disney has hired some marketing geniuses that have come up with ways to draw the crowds in at every time of year. Good for them, not so good for all of us. I know, I think it's time they opened a fifth theme park! lol . . . I can dream can't I?

Unfortunately, I can't vacation at the END of any month because that's when work is the busiest.

Edit: Hey...just saw I'm now a Mouseketeer!

 

[tnmomof4]

Early December used to be slow - now it's busy.

January used to be slow - now it's busy.

October used to be slow - now it's busy.

September used to be slow - now it's busy.

What's left?

Most of the other months are hot AND busy. No wonder I can't figure out when to go. Maybe I should take a cruise instead.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at your post! lol! It is so true. I think the only slow time left would be the end of January into the first week of February. That's it. Also, I think Disney has hired some marketing geniuses that have come up with ways to draw the crowds in at every time of year. Good for them, not so good for all of us. I know, I think it's time they opened a fifth theme park! lol . . . I can dream can't I?

Cheap Trick Fan you made me laugh too. I was starting to think I should change my September reservations after reading all the posts about Disney being crowded in September. We always go in June, and it is so busy. I thought that going in September would be a change. When I made my reservations I wasn't even thinking about Free Dining. I was just thinking about it being less crowded.

Then I read your posts and realized that you are right. All the slow times are now busy. So I guess I should just keep my September dates.

 

[123SA]

So for anyone who has been, which is the slower period nowadays? The two weeks after Thanksgiving or the two weeks in the heart of September?

Our past two trips:
Nov 30 (week after Thanksgiving) -- Dec 11 2006
Sept 24 -- Oct 5 2007

Much less crowded for us in September. We stayed at ASMo; several times we rode the bus all by ourselves. On 9/25 you could have walked up to the parade route in Liberty Square after the parade started and gotten a prime spot. At AK, we rode Kali 8 times in a row without getting off. We walked onto Expedition Everest. We got dream fast passes at MK on 10/2 (it was a Tuesday) We only used the one for Peter Pan...it just wasn't necessary to use any of the others. On 10/5 the crowds really did pick up.

I agree with what others said about the park seeming crowded, but we really didn't experience much in the way of wait times for rides or shows. BTMR did have long lines (20+minutes at times) but it was closing for rehab so I think that may have effected the lines. To me Fanatasyland is always tricky...we only tour there in the am so we had little to no wait. At MGM, the high school musical show was nuts, but the rides were walk on.

Restaurants were busy, but the service was timely and efficient. December was awful for us. We routinely waited at least 10-15 minutes (25 at Chef Mickey) despite arriving before the ADR time. Also, crowds steadliy increased in December.

We attended 2 MNSSHP -- Sunday 9/30 and Thursday 10/4. Thursday crowds were significantly higher. However, DD still managed to meet and pose for photos with all of the villians after the first show. I expected to have to attend more than one show in order to meet them all. DH secured an excellent spot on the hub for the parade. It was more crowded during the party than during the day it seemed...however, during the day everyone has different plans. During the party, people have much more similar itineraries.

I have not visited in Sept in the pre-free dining era so I can't make that comparison. Since 2003, we have visited in July, june, May, December and September. This year, we are going in September. So far it seems like the best fit for us.