Labor Day

[daisy2jae]

We are thinking about taking our trip during Labor Day. Has anyone been there during this time? Crowds, Weather, etc... Any advice.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Crowds are not bad. Holiday weekends are always busier than regular weekends, but Labor Day is probably the least crowded of all the major holidays.

Late August/early September weather is extremely hot and oppressively humid.

 

[jstouder]

This is the week we always go. We arrive on Saturday before Labor Day and stay through the week. It seemed like Sunday was the busiest at MK. The rest of the week we were able to walk on everything.

Keep in mind it is hot but not unbearable. Take an afternoon break out of the sun to recharge before heading back out in the evening.

 

[daisy2jae]

June 2006 (terrible hot and crowds were high)
Dec 07/Jan 08 (cool but FL had some record cold days per the news, crowds were terrible. Glad I didn't take the kids on this trip)
Aug 08 (hot but was okay. crowds were okay)
Aug 09 (same as the year before)

Humid is okay if it's not terrible. We live in south dakota and during the summer at times it feels like you can't breath outside. I guess the crowds is what worries me. I know it was New Years week when we were there but I never want to experience those crowds again. I'm hoping we can find a time when we don't have to wait for more than 30 minutes for most rides. Plus with taking kids out of school the teachers we've talked to said after the end of Sept not to take them out since we have a child that has a hard time with math. The first few weeks are refresh of the year before. Plus we have a few days off for the Labor Day holiday so we thought it would be a good time. However...my DH is affraid of it being hurricane season. Is that really a big problem? I remember the problems we ran into Aug 08 but we left just before the weather got bad.

 

[daisy2jae]

This is the week we always go. We arrive on Saturday before Labor Day and stay through the week. It seemed like Sunday was the busiest at MK. The rest of the week we were able to walk on everything.

Keep in mind it is hot but not unbearable. Take an afternoon break out of the sun to recharge before heading back out in the evening.

We were thinking of doing the same thing. Then the kids don't miss much school. Any other advice about going at this time of the year?

 

[kehlyrsmom]

This is the week we always go. We arrive on Saturday before Labor Day and stay through the week. It seemed like Sunday was the busiest at MK. The rest of the week we were able to walk on everything.

Keep in mind it is hot but not unbearable. Take an afternoon break out of the sun to recharge before heading back out in the evening.

Ditto for us. We have gone the last three years during this time for a week. Monday can still be a bit busy but by Tuesday for the most part you can walk onto about everything. Since our both of our kids our on the spectrum we really like going this week even though we have to pull them out of school due to the lower crowds. The first year we took the kids was the middle of Aug 2006 there were a lot of people walking around. Very easy to lose them if they wandered off on us.

Though it is very hot, definately plan on taking a break during the middle of the day.

 

[Chrisbeary]

We just booked a trip for the week before Labor Day. It is considered "value season" by Disney so the room rates are less expensive. We are arriving on a Sunday and leaving the Friday of Labor Day Weekend. I hope it's not too hot, but we were there in November and it was a little on the cooler side and we didn't get to enjoy any pool time and the kids were disappointed.

 

[daisy2jae]

I guess I'd take heat over the crowds. I'm use to the heat but with kids I hate the crowds. We're going to take a couple extra days so we have plenty of time to get in rest time. That way we can enjoy pool time breaks. We're not going till 2011 so we have lots of time to plan. Hope everyone's trips go great this year. Wish I would be there too but looks like it's going to be next year. I hope they'll offer free dinning but won't know that for a LONG time!

 

[MandM-Mom]

We have done labor day 3 different years, we had a great time every year, its hot, of course it is its Florida, we used misting fans and battery operated fans on our little one and took lots of breaks to get cool drinks and ice creams!

 

[daisy2jae]

we'll have 11 of us going so I'm sure we'll get lots of breaks in. Not something I enjoy but it does make things run smoother with kids.

 

[hscoolfun]

We have also been to Disney the week of Labor Day. I remember that Monday being slightly crowded (as compared to the rest of the week), but compared to a regular summer day it was fantastic. I remember being amazed that we got there and rode Space Mountain 3 times in a row with no wait before anyone else even showed up! The rest of the week there were hardly any lines to deal with.

We did follow "touring plans" exactly on that trip and found it was worth it to not have lines to wait in. However, on our next trip, realizing there wasn't as much of a crowd, we used them as a guideline and modified to suit what we wanted to do.

We went in December on our last trip and loved having no lines, no heat/humidity, and seeing the Christmas decorations, so we are doing that again this year. But if I wanted to go again in warmer weather, that is the week I would go! I think you're going to have a great trip!

 

[Wendybird55]

I just booked my trip for Sept 3 - 10 (Fri before Labor day to Fri after). We've gone this week for the past 2 years and have enjoyed ourselves. The parks weren't crowded - especially after Labor day. We didn't need Fast Passes and didn't have to wait long on longs and were even able to go on a few attractions 2 or 3 times in a row. Like a PP we found the first year that the Sun before Labor day was crowded in MK.

It is hot, but was bearable the past 2 years. We order cases of water from Garden Grocer - freeze them (we stay at DVC Villa) and they work great to keep us cool and thirst free in the parks.

It is considered hurricane season, but again we've lucked out the past 2 years - no rain or bad weather.

It has traditionally been free dining time so if you want to eat at any particular restaurants make sure to book them early. Right now you can book up to 180 days out. Though the parks aren't crowded the restaurants are due to the free dining.

Last years the Wishes dessert party was extended past August and we were able to book it and enjoy it. (I hope they have it again this year). The past 2 years they had MNSSHP the Friday before and the Friday after Labor Day (that's why we changed our stay this year to Fri - Fri instead of Sun - Fri so we can hopefully get to go to MNSSHP the first night).

It's value season so the room rates are at their lowest (except for special offers, etc). This week works for us because I don't have to use an extra vacation day from work (already have Labor Day off) and right now DS is in Pre-K and his classes don't start until the week after Labor Day.

My son was almost 2, almost 3 and this year almost 4 when we go and the fact that the parks aren't crowded and we don't have to wait on long lines is a big help - especially in Fantasyland at MK. We got to go on all the popular rides (Dumbo, Peter Pan, Tea Party, etc) and some more than once.


All in all - from my experience, I recommend this time of year to go to WDW.

 

[AirGoofy]

We went Labor Day Weekend on our Honeymoon a decade ago in the same each of those years before our children were in school. We did get the free dining plan and the crowds were non-existent. Yes, it was hot, but just drink a lot of water, wear some sunscreen, and plan on some indoor shows to cool off and rest. I wish we could go again during this time.