First 2 weeks of November or last 2 weeks of September?

[Fromeurope]

Hi everyone,
we decided to return to WDW the first 2 weeks of November this year. But now I have read somewhere that is a crowded period, because of Jerseyweek and a soapstarevent.
So now we are thinking about the last weeks of September.
Is that a reasonable time to go?
We know that it can be quite hot, but that'll be okay.
The other thing is that here in Europe we don't have hurricanes.
Do we have to be affraid that there will be one at WDW in September?
The Dutch guidebooks warn you for it, when travelling to Florida in August and September. Does this make sense?
Hope you all say September is a nice time to go, than we can book our trip!
Thanks again

 

[johnsonet]

I think either time would be very nice. The problem is that September is, in fact, PRIME hurricane season and rainy season. I have never been in September, though, so I will be interested to see what others say. Personally, I'd probably stick with November. Good luck!

 

[pumpkinboy]

My Dutch is somewhat weak, as I only know important words like "Stroopwaffel" and "Voetbal" the like, as well as terms like "school bus" which are the same in both languages . But I do have a cousin in Alkmaar, though she is German (married to a Hollander).

I also recommend November for better weather. Also, the first two weeks are the end of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, with tastings, cooking demonstrations and other nice events to enjoy. We are going to be there from November 10-15 ourselves, to enjoy this festival and spend time with friends.

With the Dollar/Euro exchange rate beings very favorable for you at the moment, you might want to book and pay for the hotel portion soon, before the European Central Bank takes action.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We went last September and loved it. Not a drop of rain. In fact, we will be there again this year the last week of september.

My friend went the beginning of november this past year. She said the crowds were horrible and she would never return in November again. The last time I was there in November was 2001 and it was slow (I am sure due to 9/11). But Nov does have the food and wine festival which is alot of fun.

If you are looking to stay away from crowds though, definately go in september.

 

[Kimberle]

We've gone the 3rd week of Sept the last 2 years. Loved it! It's a nice quiet time at WDW. The only "bad" thing is the parks close earlier & they generally only have Spectro & FW's on Sat nights.

2 years ago, it was pretty hot. Almost as hot as Aug, BUT, little humity. Last year, it was very warm, but not that hot sticky like the summer. 2 years ago, only had rain around dinner time. Last year, a few sprinkles now & then, nothing major.

We're planning another Sept trip this year!

 

[drcmk]

During our end of September WDW trip, the crowds were non-existent. It was hot, however and we got about an hour of heavy rain every day. It was pretty easy to keep covered for an hour or so (or wear those ponchos!) and it didn't keep us from doing all that we wanted to do. The heat, however would prevent us from returning in September again.

 

[JJsmama]

We went this past November (the 8-12th I think.) I thought I planned it so well for low attendance. Turns out it was Jersey week and Super Soap had just ended,I guess --and the crowds were AWFUL in the MK.

I mean even It's a Small World had a posted wait time of over 30 minutes!! All the others were an hour. I would love to say we had a great time, but because of the crowds, we didn't.

And it was cold and rainy so we couldn't even ditch the parks and have a nice day at the pool.

P.S. I have heard from others who went the next week or so, that it was lovely and uncrowded.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

We've been at Disney during Jersey week (2002). We normally go the week before or after Thanksgiving where there are no crowds so we found the Jersey week crowds to be unmanagable. How do they compare to June crowds? I'm sure they are much smaller but then I would never go in June either.

 

[arizonacolbys]

I have been at the beginning of September before & it was very hot & humid, but it was great swimming weather every afternoon. We are planning a trip this year for the last week of September into the first few days of October. This way I'm hoping to see some of the Food & Wine Festival & MNSSHP. I think it will be cooler this time of the month, too. Have never been in November - but have heard it can get pretty busy. HTH!

 

[mikesmom]

We have gone several times in early November. Crowds are not nearly as bad as in the summer. Light to moderately busy at Epcot because of the Food & Wine Fest (which is wonderful). Gets busier there on the weekend because of locals coming to food & Wine. Crowds much heavier over at MK, but again, not as bad as summer. I would decide based on whether you have small children who would want to spend most of the time at MK. If not, the other parks are great, the weather is lovely, and the Food & Wine fest is awesome.

On the other hand if MK is your primary destination, you might want to go for September. Crowds are definitely lighter and the hotels are not as full. I wouldn't worry about hurricanes - they rarely get that far inland. By the way, you can count on an rain shower for an hour every afternoon in Florida no matter what the month!

 

[PrincessMommy2]

We went the first week of November this past year and did not find the crowds too be bad at all. I thought this was Jersey Week as it seemed everyone we talked to was from NJ, but maybe it was the week after. Weather was unusually hot and humid though for this time of year. I would still go in November over September!

 

[jwfla422]

I also agree with PrincessMommy2-I would definitely go in early November vs late September. We were there the first week of November this past year and didn't find the crowds a problem at all. But, this was prior to Veteran's Day (that can be a busy time).

Remember any 3 day weekend gives us Floridians an excuse to go to WDW!! So, during the holiday weekends I would expect larger crowds. (I heard President's Day weekend this year was just madness from friends of mine!)

We visit WDW 3-4 times a year and TRY to go during off-peak times, if not then- anytime but summer and holidays.

Although I also tend to agree it will be less crowded in September you will have that risk of tropical weather which doesn't nessarily mean a hurricane but it does mean rain will be more frequent and if there is a tropical system lingering the rain can linger for days at a time during that time of year.

We used to go in September a lot, but we just got tired of dodging the storms day after day (not to mention on our ride home).

That doesn't mean it doesn't rain in November BUT the chances of lingering systems are much less prominent. The temperatures are more comfortable in November too.

I just suggest to start off at MK at opening and go to the rides you favor the most when the park opens. If you're staying on property then take advantage of EE.

Quite honestly I think MK is busy all of the time after 11am.

 

[Fromeurope]

Some say go in September and some say go in November.
It is also funny that quite a few people in the States know Dutch words. When I was at WDW last February I spoke with some people who had relatives in the Netherlands as well. Holland is such a small country but rather known in the US I noticed.
Isn't it a good idea to add it to World Showcase at Epcot?
We have not really decided yet when to go to WDW, but we will be back this year!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good luck in making your decision. Our first trip in September was the year the park was closed for a hurricane, and then a few days later there was to be another one, schools in the area were closed, but that one didn't materialize. It was DH and myself, no children, the weather was great when we were there, parks did close early and of course, there were no crowds at all. We don't come from so very far away, but it's going to be awhile before we plan another September vacation at WDW, we like the F&W festival in Epcot, and so, will go then in spite of crowds.

Bobbi

 

[Fromeurope]

We have sort of decided now to stick to the first plan and go to WDW in November.
Does anyone of you know when SuperSoapWeekend actually is?
As the world turns is on television here as well and when there is an opportunity to shake hands with Holden

 

[decker96]

We were there in Nov. 2002 during Jersey week and supersoap weekend and it was very crowded, especially MK. The weather is better than September though and if you're going to be there for two weeks, you wouldn't have as much of a problem with getting in everything you want to do. I may be wrong about this but aren't only the ABC soap stars at super soap weekend? If this is true then sorry Holden won't be there as he is on CBS (I'm a fellow As the World Turns Watcher! ).

 

[Fromeurope]

Oh, that's sad
Sorry I don't know anything about US broadcasting.
I have read somewhere that the weekend is about ABC-soapstars.
So Holden will not be there, because he is on CBS.
By the way, they are showing episodes of ATWT here that are about 3 years old
So we aren't quite up to date overhere in Europe...

 

[deb305]

Good choice on Nov, that is when we are going. Value season, hence the cheapest resort rates, begin on 10/31. That is what swayed us. From other post the Soap star weekend is mainly an issue for MGM