december goer preparing for end of september...help prepare

[karasmom]

We are used to Christmas crowds - after the first January week this year I said enough - forever.

So I thought I was being smart, cleared it with the school (and more importantly the us army) and booked sept. 20th through 26th thinking our vacation will be filled with little to no wait (less than 10 min), no need for fast pass (other than Anna and Elsa and maybe 7dmt as well as maybe soarin - all the other headlining FP+ rides are not relevant to us). While the weather isn't thrilling - we have been stationed there n central GA for 8 years now and think are pretty acclimatized to this sort of heat. We know it won't be pretty but are used to working around this heat, downpours etc.

I am starting to wonder if this will be as amazing as I imagined.... between all the people that mention that there truly isn't a "not busy" time anymore, free Dining and the beginning of "food and wine"...

I tried to add a Chrystal palace reservation recently (on a mnsshp day nonetheless) and NOTHING... if I EVER remember a place that ALWAYS has some sort of availability...it has been Chrystal palace...(not knocking it in any way it just always stuck out to me how available it always was).

So tell me your thoughts...is it foolish to expect a walk on most rides vacation? A not 1 hour before start line up for parades? Not a 20 minute wait for a dole whip?

I rather go prepared and I am starting to think I may have already set myself up for disappointment given my expectations....

On the flip side...I am not a moron...I did not expect to be "alone" in the parks. Just a MAJOR differenc to what we have done (weeks leading up to Christmas and this year first January week).

 

[tsme]

We always go in Sept. And yes, it's very hot, we're from S. Louisiana are use to heat & humidity, but it's different from running in & out of air condition & being out in the sun walking for hrs. Also, you do have to be aware of hurricanes & watch any that form out in the gulf leading up to your trip. (one hurricane did delay our trip by a couple of weeks one yr., had to reschedule everything, not fun) And yes, over the yrs it has become alot more crowded than it use to be. Some rides will still have long wait times (toy story), but most are managable times (at least before fp+, not sure now). Free dining does cause the reservations for some of the popular restaurants to fill up, but it has never been a real problem for us. All together, I still like going in September. You'll be fine & have a wonderful time. Don't stress.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

September is hot with rain showers in the afternoon. Crowds are lighter but rides are not "walk on'. However, if you are comparing crowds to Christmas vacation crowds, you should be very pleased with much shorter waits. Free Dining makes the TS restaurants very busy. You will want to avoid Epcot on the weekends for the much larger local crowds.

 

[rev02a]

You will love September! Yes, it's blooming hot, and there is a quick shower every afternoon. After the clouds clear, it's lovely out! It's warm enough to enjoy the pools, but so empty you'll love it!

My mother and I go every year at this time of year. You will find yourself in one area all by yourself sometimes. If a line is long? Don't worry, just walk to the next attraction--the line, of course, is usually "long" at 35 minutes. The groups move quickly, so about two rides later, the lines will be gone! Enjoy yourselves!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

There may not be slow times at Disney anymore, but Christmas week is the most crowded week of the year. It certainly will be a huge improvement in September crowd wise. Heat wise, not so much, but if you are used to it no big worry there. I HATED August because of how hot it was, but we are from Pennsylvania. We may get a couple scorchers in a year, but we had 10 days of solid above 100 degree days with 99% humidity and continuous downpours. No fun for us, we decided to choose a cooler non crowded time, but from what I gather your schedule is not super flexible, so September will be great!!!! Enjoy those lower crowds!!!!

 

[lustergirl]

I have been late September and the first week of December several times. I enjoyed the evening in September as it cools off nicely. The December trips you get to experience the christmas decorations.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I have been going in mid to late september since 1996. It has gotten a little busier every year, but nothing compared to christmas week. Many things are walk on. The "glitch" this year is the early food and wine. It used to start the first weekend of Oct (or a few days of sept) but it begins the middle of the month this year, so that will add new crowds.

 

[karasmom]

I appreciate evertyones input .

Thank you