Has anyone been to the Magic Kingdom on Labor Day?

[anniemae]

SWEET! I'm hoping for the same this year!

Unfortunately it probably won't be. Last year there was a hurricane threatening FL and many folks canceled their end of Aug/beg of Sept trips. At one point the forecast had Orlando taking a direct hit. Panic ensued and many many folks canceled. I think many locals went though.

 

[21stamps]

Yep, the hurricane scare was right before we got there and I heard it was much less crowded during that week. I also heard that it rained quite a bit so a trade off for those who braved it. We lucked out with pretty decent weather - a few cloudy days which kept the temps down a bit. The crowds were a bummer though.

I'm so confused. I had to go back and check my dates..you guys are making me feel crazy!lol

We were in Florida for 2.5 weeks starting Sept 6, 2015.

I don't remember low crowds or a hurricane scare. It was very hot, rained almost every day during the entire trip, we had a few storms in the Keys. But that's a typical September in Florida.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

The 4th and 5th will be kind of busy (esp the MK), but not crazy busy. By the time you reach the 7th/8th it should be slow. Have fun!

 

[anniemae]

I'm so confused. I had to go back and check my dates..you guys are making me feel crazy!lol

We were in Florida for 2.5 weeks starting Sept 6, 2015.

I don't remember low crowds or a hurricane scare. It was very hot, rained almost every day during the entire trip, we had a few storms in the Keys. But that's a typical September in Florida.

The hurricane was at the end of Aug. I think it was around the 28th or 29th. The forecast was changing daily and as I said above, as it got very close to land, they forecasted Orlando to take a direct hit. They showed empty shelves at the stores, long lines for gas etc. I remember watching the news in the hotel practically in tears asking DH if we should try to leave. We spoke with many cm's and they told us tons of people cancelled once the state of emergency was issued. Many bumped their trips up a week or two making mid-Sept pretty busy. The hurricane ended up missing FL completely. By the time you arrived on Sept 6th, the threat was long gone.

 

[21stamps]

The hurricane was at the end of Aug. I think it was around the 28th or 29th. The forecast was changing daily and as I said above, as it got very close to land, they forecasted Orlando to take a direct hit. They showed empty shelves at the stores, long lines for gas etc. I remember watching the news in the hotel practically in tears asking DH if we should try to leave. We spoke with many cm's and they told us tons of people cancelled once the state of emergency was issued. Many bumped their trips up a week or two making mid-Sept pretty busy. The hurricane ended up missing FL completely. By the time you arrived on Sept 6th, the threat was long gone.

I remember one that was near Puerto Rico in early August I think, but last year was very low for activity.

Maybe I was in a Disney planning hole while this was going on?lol

I'm a former South Floridian, and have close ties with so many there that I usually know of something. I experienced Andrew to Wilma, and everything in between the two. Maybe this was just some small storm that didn't get my attention or worry me at all.
Maybe I'm just old and forgetful.lol

 

[anniemae]

I remember one that was near Puerto Rico in early August I think, but last year was very low for activity.

Maybe I was in a Disney planning hole while this was going on?lol

I'm a former South Floridian, and have close ties with so many there that I usually know of something. I experienced Andrew to Wilma, and everything in between the two. Maybe this was just some small storm that didn't get my attention or worry me at all.
Maybe I'm just old and forgetful.lol

LOL! I would not have remembered either if I had not been there!! At the time it was all over the news and everyone was on edge. We were getting voice mails on the hotel phone letting us know Disney was on top of it and they would keep us updated. You must have been too busy and excited for your upcoming trip!

 

[Dentam]

We arrived the Friday before Labor Day if I remember right. The threat of the hurricane was gone by then. I read someone else's trip report who was there that last week of August and it sounded like the hurricane threat really affected the crowd levels. Sometimes we feel like we have the worst luck. All the crowds apparently moved to the week we were there. And if we'd been there the week before... Orlando probably would have gotten the direct hit from the hurricane, lol! I remember there were a few threads here with people discussing whether they should cancel their trips as the storm approached.

 

[21stamps]

We arrived the Friday before Labor Day if I remember right. The threat of the hurricane was gone by then. I read someone else's trip report who was there that last week of August and it sounded like the hurricane threat really affected the crowd levels. Sometimes we feel like we have the worst luck. All the crowds apparently moved to the week we were there. And if we'd been there the week before... Orlando probably would have gotten the direct hit from the hurricane, lol! I remember there were a few threads here with people discussing whether they should cancel their trips as the storm approached.

Ok so you were there the same time as me. So you thought it was crowded as well? Because if that time frame was considered as "near empty parks", when I definitely didn't consider it that way, then I'm in for a rude awakening this winter!

 

[21stamps]

Oh and @Dentam dont worry, I felt like we had absolutely horrid luck on that trip!!

While in Key West- after my son had practiced snorkeling all summer and learning about marine life in the keys- our Dry Tortugas tour got cancelled. Our reef snorkel got cancelled. Our jet ski tour- cancelled. And after paying to go to Ft Zach, renting chairs, umbrella, floats, and snorkel gear- this happened within 10 minutes of getting in the water-lol

We made the best of it..ran around in the rain in our Disney ponchos lol. Hit all of the museums and ate a lot of delicious food . We actually did get to go on our sunset catamaran tour- so at least one plan worked out!

 

[Dentam]

Ok so you were there the same time as me. So you thought it was crowded as well? Because if that time frame was considered as "near empty parks", when I definitely didn't consider it that way, then I'm in for a rude awakening this winter!

Yes, we definitely thought it was crowded. The late EMH's were the only times that it wasn't too bad. I got sick at the end of the trip so spent the last couple of days at the resort with a sore throat and fever. By then the heat had really hit anyway and I was ready to get back to the dry air and mild temps of Denver!

Glad you were able to make the best of your trip! Sometimes we feel like we are cursed - always choosing the line that moves the slowest, etc. but I'm sure we're not the only ones who feel like that when at Disney!

 

[Accident]

We arrived the Friday before Labor Day if I remember right. The threat of the hurricane was gone by then. I read someone else's trip report who was there that last week of August and it sounded like the hurricane threat really affected the crowd levels.

Yup, the week up until you arrived was amazing. (the link to my trip report for sept 2015 below). If you did it right, it was no crowds most of that week and only got crowded about that friday and we got out of there by saturday expecting a packed weekend.

There was another 1 or 2 that turned into bad storms by the time they got anywhere near florida and that was probably the rain people are referring too on or the week after labor day.

 

[wendow]

We arrived in Orlando on Labor Day 2015 thinking we'd be smart and miss the crowds. Nope, all the folks who had reservations the week before but got scared of the hurricane forecast (was supposed to hit Orlando) moved their trips to the next week...with us...so apparently, the week before Labor Day was great and the week after got really busy. We are regular Sept. Disney people and we felt it was the busiest we'd ever seen for Sept. We went in mid-Dec the year before and felt the crowds were pretty similar to that. Not summer or Christmas, but much busier than we were used to in Sept. We are back this year for Sept 1-10.

 

[hamilkm]

We were at the MK on Labor Day last year. I don't remember it being terribly crowded. I know we left mid afternoon and rode the monorail to Epcot and were able to get a fast pass for Soarin at like 5pm. We basically had Epcot to ourselves that evening! The Saturday before Labor Day was pretty packed at MK if I remember correctly. I had a local friend meet me there for the day and we pretty much just used our FP.

 

[Carolrita]

I actually left right before Labor Day weekend last year. One of my best summer trips there. Although everyone seemed sure we were going to get hit with the hurricane, we didn't. Less rain than I normally see there in the summer. I just weekend for the same week this year. Let's hope for the same luck.

 

[Satchmo128]

We have been the 8-9 days surrounding Labor Day (and did the parks almost every day). I do remember slightly higher crowds on the Sunday/Monday of our trip, but nothing unmanageable. Have fun!

ETA - There was a hurricane off the coast the first half of that trip, which helped the humidity clear out. Once it had turned north, the heat and humidity were RIDIC.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We were there over most of the Labor Day weekend in 2014. It was super hot and the parks were practically deserted.

This was Fantasyland late morning (I think we were heading to BOG for lunch):

This is back during the first Frozen Summer Fun time, when A&E were still a really hot ticket and I remember seeing 20 minute posted wait times for them in the evening. My theory is that most of the country is either already back in school or are going back right after Labor Day, and with the temps being so hot the locals are hanging by pools or at the beach rather than sweating through a theme park during their last long weekend of the summer.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I went from getting really nervous, to calming down a little- this thread is giving me anxiety! LOL! We are going Sept 3-10th this year and we always go in November, but it is just too crowded during our usual time we go. I figured that the weekend of and up to Labor Day is going to be a bit busier, and I already warned my family. I read that after Labor Day it gets better, and that what I'm looking forward to. I just want somewhat lighter crowds than November lol. But just being there is enough for me to be happy!

 

[midge3426]

We went this past year and the park was crowded. Waits were long and we abandoned the MK and went to Epcot.

 

[runnerchick]

We always visit WDW the week after Labor Day (arriving the Saturday after Labor Day). Last year we decided to visit over Labor Day week. I was worried about the crowds given we typically visit during very low crowd week. Labor Day weekend and week was slightly more crowded than the second week of Sept, but very manageable! We were in AK on Labor Day and it was not too bad at all. I was surprised the crowd levels were so low. We are going to WDW again this year Sept 3 - 10.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

We often go Labor Day. Didn't this year because we were there a month ago. Week before Labor Day is often crowded. That day itself is not horrid and week after isn't that bad.

Mind you I'm talking in general numbers. There is no off season anymore or quiet days as it were.