looking for info on crowds the 1st week in Sept...

[ImagineEar]

The unofficial guide has it listed as a crowd level 4 after Labor Day, which is great, but I am wondering about any experiences you have had. I haven't been steered wrong by a Diser yet!
I have been the 2nd week of Sept a few times and we were able to walk on everything - no waiting at all. But that was atleast 10 years ago...has anyone been this time in recent years? I am trying to plan our days - ADR etc. so any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[nhpooh]

We were there in 2004, and as you said we just walked on most rides. I think the longest we might have waited was 20min's. It is a great time of year to go.

 

[we3disneygo]

I would never go in Sept. so crowded......

 

[dvcgirl]

It's very quiet here after Labor Day. Labor Day weekend is of course a bit more crowded, but after that it's wonderfully quiet. Everything is a walk-on.

 

[stitch&ariel]

We go in September every year and love it! There are few rides that we have to queue much for mainly just the biggest rides in the park other than that it's ace!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

DH and I go every year in September (our anniversary is the 19th). It's empty at the parks. The only exception I've seen to this is when other areas of the state are evacuating to Orlando to get out of a hurricane's path.

As a native Floridian, tho, just watch the weather. September is the height of hurricane season. For the past two years, we've had to just squeak in between storms. Two years ago, Charley (I believe it was Charley; we've gotten so many recently, it's hard to keep track of the names!) ripped up Orlando pretty good, and we actually had to delay our trip by a couple days. Thank goodness it's only a two-hour drive for us.

Otherwise, it's really, really hot. It's easy to take a break midday with the parks being empty and "recharge." We get pretty severe afternoon thunderstorms you can just about set your watch to. They last maybe an hour. This is a good "recharge at the hotel" time for us

 

[stitch&ariel]

We have been going in September for about 7+ years and only had real problems (that stopped us doing anything) with hurricanes once and we just stayed in for one day and then carried on as normal!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We go the week after Labor Day...Crowds are great! There is rarely a wait longer than 10 minutes for a ride and for some things (like Kali River Rapids) they let you stay on as long as you like!

 

[iluvdizknee]

Believe it or not, my family goes in July all the time. Lines are long, but with fast pass and a afternoon hotel/swim break, we really found no problem getting to everything. I will say that those battery operated fans are a life savor, but hay...we are at WDW, everything is good there, even the lines!!

 

[stitch&ariel]

We go the week after Labor Day...Crowds are great! There is rarely a wait longer than 10 minutes for a ride and for some things (like Kali River Rapids) they let you stay on as long as you like!

Thats when we go and we stayed on the rapids for ages I was SOAKEd when I finally came off lol!

 

[Fast Pass]

Lines? What lines? During the first week of September is the best time to go! We got to ride and re-ride almost everything again and again and again!

Yes, there are hurricanes in September but they can occur anytime so don't let that deter you. In fact, in 2004 we were in DisneyWorld for Jeanne and had a great time.(I am not diminishing the sad fate for so many just telling my personal experience at the parks).

It seems that the CMs seem more relaxed and helpful not like it is in July when they all look like they are going to shoot the next person who asks when the 3:00 parade is.

You will get to spend more time with the characters and on rare occasions you will get to take a picture with more than one or two characters at a time. Last year I got a picture with Mickey,Donald and Goofy and we spent at least ten minutes with all three!

You will still need to make ADRs though the restaurants seem full to capacity no matter what time of the year you go.

 

[stitch&ariel]

September is pretty much the best time of year to go!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Thats when we go and we stayed on the rapids for ages I was SOAKEd when I finally came off lol!

Same thing happened to us! But since AK seems to be the hottest place on the planet...we didn't mind too much!!! We got a couple of looks though

 

[crazy4disney01]

We went in September last year and it was somewhat crowded but I think it was only because of the free dining. Even the bus drivers said that time of year is the best, not busy. Even though with the free dining, the crowds still weren't that bad-the only thing is that it was hot!!!

 

[mouse4ever]

We always go in September too but usually the 2nd or 3rd week. This year, because of my husbands work schedule we are going the 1st week. This will be the first year I've had to pull my kids out of school (2nd grade and kindergarten). They will be in school for 4 days and then miss 4 days. Has anyone ever done this? I'm just concerned about what they will be missing at school since it's so close to the beginning of the year! Normally I'm the 1st person to say "Pull the kids out of school, family time is important too!"

 

[nhpooh]

We always go in September too but usually the 2nd or 3rd week. This year, because of my husbands work schedule we are going the 1st week. This will be the first year I've had to pull my kids out of school (2nd grade and kindergarten). They will be in school for 4 days and then miss 4 days. Has anyone ever done this? I'm just concerned about what they will be missing at school since it's so close to the beginning of the year! Normally I'm the 1st person to say "Pull the kids out of school, family time is important too!"

We have done this in the past, it's easier now when they are in kindergarten and 2nd. Much harder as they get older, My DD(17) is in high school it's much harder now they miss alot. I wouldn't worry about it, the important thing to them is not missing the first day or so of school.