Experts - Is my 'theory' correct?

[CelestriaSky]

We've scheduled our first Disney trip for August 30 - September 6. Normally, I would *never* schedule something over a holiday weekend, but - I'm figuring that most kids are either back in school before or right after Labor Day so the crowds should be kind of thin? I hope I'm right - LOL!

 

[islandbeachnut]

That's a great time to go to WDW!

Just prepare for the heat & humidity (which I love, by the way!), and the possibility of a hurricane/tropical storm.

Have a great time & enjoy!!!

 

[NJBILL]

We've scheduled our first Disney trip for August 30 - September 6. Normally, I would *never* schedule something over a holiday weekend, but - I'm figuring that most kids are either back in school before or right after Labor Day so the crowds should be kind of thin? I hope I'm right - LOL!

We are also there at that time..but there is a growing consensus on this board and others that the "free dining" offer being held during this time will significantly increase the crowd levels over historical numbers....we wont know until we get there, or watch reports a week or two prior when the free dining kicks in...

 

[Kimberly815]

I hope that it isn't too busy as well, since I am going with my two best friends for a couple of days over labor day. I guess we will have to wait and see! I know that we will have fun either way!

 

[johnvree]

Typically, the weekdays before and after Labor Day are very slow. This year, the free dining may increase crowd levels, but IMHO, not that much.

I suspect that WDW offered free dining because room occupancy was down. Also, late August and September are slow because of the weather (hot, humid with chance of hurricanes) and school schedules. Lower prices does nothing to address these issues.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

The crowd level is historically low that time of year. You will have to deal with very high heat and humidity (to each his own ). I agree with others that this year will probably more crowded because of free dining. It still shouldn't be too bad. I think the general public has gotten the message over the last couple of years that there just might be a hurricane in Florida in August or September.

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

I believe Free Dining will increase the crowds....but honestly...crowds are low in September anyways...so I do not think you will need to worry that much!

 

[miss missy]

I am there the week before. Think about trip ins too. Cant wait!

 

[BamaFan121s]

We went during Memorial week once and vowed NEVER again to go during a holiday week like that. Then again, we go T'giving and crowds are small.

 

[DisneyMomOfThree]

Last year we when in Sept. and worried about hurricanes, especially since Katrina had just hit the Gulf Coast just weeks prior to our trip. While we were there we talked with a cast member and they said that Disney really takes care of you if there is a hurricane. They have their own power source
and so they are up and running before the rest of Orlando. In fact she says most people go to Disney to get away from a hurricane.
I can't answer for crowds because we went middle of Sept. Go and have a good time. I'll take a little more crowds for free dining.

 

[eliza61]

We've scheduled our first Disney trip for August 30 - September 6. Normally, I would *never* schedule something over a holiday weekend, but - I'm figuring that most kids are either back in school before or right after Labor Day so the crowds should be kind of thin? I hope I'm right - LOL!

Just a FYI, last year Tom Joyner (a national r&b radio personality)hosted a "Family reunion" labor day weekend. Disney MGM closed early to the general public for his event on the Saturday before, making all other guest squeeze into MK & Epcot. This year he is hosting another Family reunion August 31st - September 5th. and they are again having a exclusive concert in MGM featuring Aretha Franklin and a host of other entertainers.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

DW and I have gone mid to late August and the parks are great, you have picked a good time to go for beating the crowds, the heat is another situation. Be ready for and humid weather, keep drinking and take rests and you'll be fine.

 

[monetnj]

There is a neat little crowd predictor over at Touring Plans based on historical data:

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

It predicts pretty low crowd levels for the time you describe.

 

[bsmcneil]

Just a FYI, last year Tom Joyner (a national r&b radio personality)hosted a "Family reunion" labor day weekend. Disney MGM closed early to the general public for his event on the Saturday before, making all other guest squeeze into MK & Epcot. This year he is hosting another Family reunion August 31st - September 5th. and they are again having a exclusive concert in MGM featuring Aretha Franklin and a host of other entertainers.

Is there a way to know when the concert will take over MGM to plan accordingly?

 

[maxiv]

this is a really great time to go !!! as you can see i went at that time to wdw last year and crowds were really low, it was so cool!

 

[Princess89]

Since school for DS starts the day after Labor Day we always plan a vacation within those weeks right before school starts. Its always 2 weeks before the holiday and we have met with crowds, but nothing compared to what I have seen on other occasions. This year we will be in WDW the week prior to the holiday and don't expect major crowds, but I do expect some with the free dining plan.

 

[beeayekay]

We went last year during free dining Aug 21-26 and there really were no crowds at all. Most everything, except for Soarin' of course, was a walk-on.

Good luck....

we will be going the week after Labor Day Sept 5-10 since I am NOW RETIRED!!!!! yippeee......no more school...........

 

[goofie4goofy]

There was free dining last September too. We go every Sept and did not notice any difference in crowd level. Very low with or without free dining.

 

[CelestriaSky]

Thanks so much everyone! We did take out the insurance and also booked our airfare through Disney as well so that it would be covered as well in case there is a hurricane! That would make me SO mad! LOL!

 

[NJBILL]

We went last year during free dining Aug 21-26 and there really were no crowds at all. Most everything, except for Soarin' of course, was a walk-on.

Good luck....

we will be going the week after Labor Day Sept 5-10 since I am NOW RETIRED!!!!! yippeee......no more school...........

I am glad to hear about free dining & crowds.