IS IT REALLY TRUE?

[wendow]

We have been going that week for the last 6 years or so. The parks used to be pretty much deserted, but the last couple of years crowds have really been building. Last year, it was packed with foreign tourists that week. Since the heat is nearly unbearable, we are changing to a time closer to the holidays.

Our experience exactly. Last year we joked we might be the only guests at MK speaking English. Never seen, and heard, so many foreign tourists.

 

[msb578]

Here in NYC the pools open based on when school ends, which is the last week of June. (June 28th was the last day this year.)



I attended NYC public school for k-8, and even college in the NYC college system (CUNY) and never had a/c. Occasionally in college if I was in the newer campus building there was ac, but I rarely had classes there. Even when I switched to a private university in NYC there was rarely a/c. Didn't it get hot in ye olden days? It was certainly stifling at times. DD now goes to a NYC public school and only the second floor of the three story building has a/c because the grid the school is on can't handle more than that. The offices are mainly on the second floor, so that's why that floor is the one with the air.

All true. Just that July and August are the hottest of the hot months. That's why those are the months off from school.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I'm sure it's about minimizing heat here as well, although canceling classes for heat would never happen. It would have to be hotter than the surface of the sun for that to *maybe* happen.

I'm sure the later release/return date was originally due to weather, especially before the schools were air conditioned, though here in Virginia (at least in the Richmond area) they have the Kings Dominion Law, where a lot of students work at Kings Dominion, so the schools don't go back until after Labor Day, when the amusement park cuts its hours back, or at least, isn't very busy.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Our experience exactly. Last year we joked we might be the only guests at MK speaking English. Never seen, and heard, so many foreign tourists.

Same with us, but September. Thanks, free dining, lol.

ETA: Not the foreign tourists, just the crowds in general.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

We went labor day weekend last year thinking it was going to be SO CROWDED and we were pleasantly surprised! I was even able to get a CRT reservation two months our for that Saturday- WHAT?! I will always go labor day weekend whenever I can from here on out!

 

[123SA]

I'm from the northeast.

School typically starts on Tuesday or Wed after Labor Day. I was banking on that last year, and in July they changed the start date for the first time in anyone's memory to before Labor Day...so my kids missed 7 days of school instead of 3.

This year schools starts after Labor Day.

Last year, 2015, we were there the week before and the week after Labor Day. (I have the same schedule this year) The second week was noticeably less crowded than the first week. We were in AK/MK on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. AK was crazy crowded compared to the other days of the trip. While we were there they made an announcement extending the park hours. We went to MK around 730. We had no patience for lines and could not get a single fast pass, so we just waited for the parade, snacked and people watched. After the parade, the park emptied out. park closed at 12am EMH until 2am. That was fabulous - -DD met Anna & Elsa with a 5 minute wait (posted time was 40 minutes, but no one was standing in line that we could see - -CM told us to go in that there was a 10 minutes wait max), and then 15 minutes for Cinderella & Rapunzel. Everything was pretty much a walk on after midnight, but I didn't check the mine train, so not sure if that was.

Sunday of Labor Day weekend was our laundry/rest/hang at the pool day.

Monday we went to a Typhoon Lagoon -- it was less crowded then the Sunday before Labor Weekend.

Labor Day weekend is most definitely more crowded that the days preceding or following it in my opinion, but in terms of Disney crowds, it's not bad. However, I do plan to avoid most of the weekend if I can. We plan a water park again on Labor Day. This time we are going to use Saturday as our rest day and try Sunday of labor day weekend instead - -same thing AK in the morning, MK in the evening saving our FP for MK this time - -just parade & fireworks, and if the rides are doable great, if the lines are too long, we have 3 other days at MK to ride them.


YES IT IS HOT!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Last year, Rosh Hashanah fell on Sept 13th thru 15th. I know, because we were at WDW that week and I hadn't thought to check for Jewish Holidays. It was much busier than usual.

This year it is October 2nd thru 4th, and I now check before we book.

 

[mousefan73]

I hope that was it last year i

I think the week after LD was a little more crowded last year due to the hurricane threat. Unfortunately, it is hurricane season, and it's hot as blazes. There was a hurricane threatening FL at the end of Aug last year. Many people cancelled after the state of emergency was issued for Orlando (after Orlando was projected to take a direct hit). Many people postponed by a week or two making early Sept more crowded.

t was so criwded. We were one week at cape coral and were in storm watch/ warning. Then all good and went to Disney. We had that week planned for a year but you're right, right before we went there was that hurricane.

 

[Junebugwv]

Last year, it was a lot more crowded than previous years. I'm interested to see how it will be this year again. We always get there the day before or on Labor Day (getting there on Labor Day this year). I am hoping it's a bit quieter this year as last year, I was super surprised by the big crowds.

We always arrive during Labor Day weekend and stay for 10-12 days. I've noticed crowds seem busier every year, but I have to say I concur with you. Last year was busier than I ever remember and I hope this year is a bit slower.

 

[shelemm]

I have never seen the park so deserted as the week after the week of Presidents Day, so around March 1st through the 4th, depending on the year. Space Mountain was walk-on at 1pm. Thre was no need at all to rush around.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm thinking last year some of the northeast schools were a little later than normal starting, maybe because of a Jewish holiday?

Last year Labor Day was later than normal, and the Jewish Holiday was the week after Labor Day. We were in the parks the weekend after Labor Day, including the Monday following Labor Day (which was the Jewish holiday, I belive). The parks were very crowded that Monday, more so than during the weekend.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

My parents booked a trip last week for the week of Labor day. They were still able to get Free Dining at the resort they wanted. So it seems like it might be a pretty decent time to go!

 

[Mskay1216]

Is it really true that Labor Day is one of the least crowded times to go?

yes!! and its not that hot

 

[msb578]

Not that hot Kind of like the way my area (Syracuse) is not that cold in January...

 

[mom2rtk]

yes!! and its not that hot

Maybe I need to recheck my thermostat.

 

[Polyonmymind]

Been going the past 5 Labor day weekends, last year was the most crowded. I recall checking TP when I got back home, they projected 5/6 crowds but were actually 8/9. AK on Saturday was miserable, which was the "most" recommended park that day. A CM told me they had to call in more help as they were not expecting such a large crowd. There were a ton of European guests which is great because they are fun.

 

[desiree71081]

We checked in on September 1st (Labor Day) 2014 so we didn't go to any parks that day but for the rest of the week the crowd level at the parks were very very low. Ride wait times were less than 5 minutes and quite a few we just walked right on. The heat was pretty bad though.

 

[vinotinto]

According to TP, the actual crowd levels for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this year were a little higher than the rest of the week. Saturday was a 7, Sunday was a 9, Monday was a 6. Except for Sunaday, that sounds pretty good to me, compared to October, so I'm also thinking about going for Labor Day weekend instead of Columbus Day weekend. I hope it continues to be lower-moderate crowds. Will probably plan a resort day for the Sunday.

 

[ols386]

I visited WDW one time during Labor Day week, and it was packed.