Has any DIS'ers been in September?

[ilovetotravel1977]

While not for two more years, my Dad's 70th bday is in September 2020. My parents would like to go back at around that time as there will be more things to see/ride by then, and we/they have 1-day left on our non-expiring / hopper tickets.

I know it rains at least once per day in Orlando during the hot months, but is it worth it to go in terms of low crowds (kids back at school) and the weather?

 

[ottawamom]

September can still be August hot and humid. The crowds do go down a bit but the weather is a huge factor. If you don't mind gambling you can have a great time. It's just hit or miss with the hurricanes/tropical depressions.

We've been lucky the times we've gone either early or late September but YMMV.

A safe time to go weather wise and lowish crowds can be early November. Weather is a little cooler etc. I would push it to late October even if you can 3rd week seems to be a good time. Less chance of bad weather and the early fall school breaks are done. Food and Wine festival is still on, Halloween still going.

 

[mjhtvchick]

I have been in September twice and really enjoy that time of year. Great to see all the fall decorations and take in Food & Wine Festival and/or MNSSHP, if you are interested.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

A safe time to go weather wise and lowish crowds can be early November. Weather is a little cooler etc. I would push it to late October even if you can 3rd week seems to be a good time. Less chance of bad weather and the early fall school breaks are done. Food and Wine festival is still on, Halloween still going.

I was also thinking of Mid/Late October as well, but I wasn't sure when all of the US school breaks that are discussed on here occur (Jersey Week, etc).
October is still nice and toasty, so we would get good mileage at Volcano Bay.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Was there in 2017 from September 5-13. Was supposed to return on the 11th but was delayed due to Hurricane Irma. Things I would suggest to deal with heat:

DRINK WATER - hydration is key

USE SHADE & AC - getting out of the direct sunlight and heat as much as possible helps lots,

MID DAY BREAKS - swimming or napping

SLOW DOWN - don’t do more than you feel comfortable

USE AM EMH & FP+ - using the less crowded early morning hours and getting the most popular rides out of way earlier and keeps your standing in line in the hot sun to a minimum

I tend to enjoy the hot weather and didn’t find it to be too horrible.

I also saw people using cooling towels and misting fans.

Hope this helps

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Yes, this all helps. We will only have one day at a WDW park (likely HS) and a 3-day 3-park pass for US/IOA/Volcano Bay (maybe 1.5-2 days at Volcano Bay). The rest we will be pool side, trying restaurants, etc.

 

[KCMA]

I will be there September 19-29 this year.. I can let you know how it was

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

ok thanks! I realize weather is different year to year, but I was just curious of the crowds.

 

[ottawamom]

Just checked my crowd calendar website and the 3rd week in September looks like lower crowds than the 3rd week in October(at Disney anyway). If you can be flexible with your park days the weather isn't as big of a concern. October is a little cooler than September so it may be better for touring, both months will be great for the pool.

 

[Disney Addicted]

We went September 14-23 a few years back. Loved it! Low crowds; beautiful weather; did not rain a drop; only one morning did we find it hot.

 

[lolomarie]

We leave in 8 days. I can report back about the crowds. We are doing mostly Disney and 2 nights at US Halloween Horror Nights. I'm reading that crowds are quite low right now. I hope they stay that way for my trip.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

DH would LOVE to do HHN! But, I just can't stomach being scared like that. Did a corn maze / haunted warehouse once and now I can scratch it off my bucket list of things I never need to do again LOL

 

[lolomarie]

DH would LOVE to do HHN! But, I just can't stomach being scared like that. Did a corn maze / haunted warehouse once and now I can scratch it off my bucket list of things I never need to do again LOL

I'm terrified. Lol. We are watching Season 2 of stranger things and I get up and pace, and can only watch it if there is enough time to watch a comedy afterwards so I don't have bad dreams. Lol. Yes I'm a grown woman in her 30's who has bad dreams! HHN is very much a gift for DH and I just hope I don't pee myself. Lol

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I'm terrified. Lol. We are watching Season 2 of stranger things and I get up and pace, and can only watch it if there is enough time to watch a comedy afterwards so I don't have bad dreams. Lol. Yes I'm a grown woman in her 30's who has bad dreams! HHN is very much a gift for DH and I just hope I don't pee myself. Lol

You are a good wife LOL Just remember what we tell kids, it's all make believe

 

[Inga]

We went in Sept a few years back. Crowds weren’t bad but we cooked!

 

[Yahweh]

We've gone in September a couple of times. The first trip was Aug 30- Sept 5. We did a split stay at Saratoga Springs and the Swan & Dolphin. It was unbearably hot, and the walk to Epcot or Hollywood from the S/D seemed to take forever in that heat. The parks were not overly crowded but the heat was every bit as oppressive as a crowded park would be.

The second trip we did last year was the last week of September after the hurricane. The parks were very busy that week, I presume due to people rebooking because of the storm. Again it was super hot. We stayed at the Beach Club and spent at least 4 hours a day in the pool. We did food & wine as best as we could, but with the heat and the crowds, it ended up being pretty challenging

We've been to WDW 9 times in the last 6 years or so and our September trips were our two least enjoyable by a wide margin. Certainly the crowds on our second trip were a one off thing. But there seemed to be a pervasive blah-ness that extended from the guests to the cast members. Whether it was the heat, or just being burnt out from a long hot summer I'm not sure, but it was tangible both trips.

*Also the weather is much nicer in Canada in September than it is down in Florida, so you don't have that craving for the hot weather like you would in the winter time. For us, that brief moment between leaving the airport and getting on the magical express where for the first time you breathe in the warm humid air in the midst of a Canadian winter is one of the best feelings ever!

 

[samsteele]

I leave in a week and a half for my 3rd September trip. Pros and cons. Slightly lower crowds and overlap of both Food & Wine with MNSSHP. The heat and humidity are significant cons esp for anyone with mobility issues or health challenges. I agree with the PP that many CMs are tired and drained out by the heat and the summer crowds so less helpful and approachable. The big elephant in the room is hurricane season. Mid Sept is peak season. For the 3rd time, I am watching hurricane projections as I pack. This adds significant stress and worry. If it wasn't for the Sept free dining offer, I wouldn't do it. Check out the hurricane watch thread on the boards to get a sense of whether this is something you and your family are prepared to deal with. It is unusual to not have at least one hurricane to watch in Sept. If possible, consider giving your Dad a card or small gift on his actual birthday with news of the vacation but book a later date in the Fall or even consider Spring. Just my two cents.