Lovebugs in September

[cbe68]

Hello All!

We just returned from a free dining vacation this past september(end of sept-beginning Oct) and we were quite disgusted with those pesky bugs....but loved the crowds so much (even more than the free food!) that we would love to return again in 2007.

My questions is, if I take a week long vacation right after Labor day, do I still have big chances of arriving and having to deal with the bugs AGAIN? Or will I be safe with these dates?

Ever encountered these bugs so early in September? My DD totally freaked out when she saw that we had to spend our vacation among thousands of lovebugs and the only way she will even consider returning is if I can make sure that we will not come across the bugs again.

So, to all you Labor day vacationers, have you encountered these bugs during your previous stays?

Thanks to all.

 

[okduke]

We were there from Sept 7-12 earlier this year . . . we saw no bugs, lines or hurricanes. It was hot, but what a time to go!

 

[cbe68]

thanks for the reply!

anyone else?

 

[motofox4]

we were there september 17-23 and they were AWFUL! it was so bad that when we opened the door we had to hurry in and out because they'd fly right in. there were swarms and swarms of them. Yuck!!

 

[Eljay]

Normally we get them in June. I was shocked to see the lovebugs in late September! I think you are safe to plan to go again in September.

 

[Simba's Mom]

we were there september 17-23 and they were AWFUL! it was so bad that when we opened the door we had to hurry in and out because they'd fly right in. there were swarms and swarms of them. Yuck!!

Like this? This picture was taken on September 17. No one could sit down at the bus stop because of all the lovebugs all over:

 

[KPeterso]

We were there this year from 9/14 to 9/20 and they were everywhere. In 2004, we were there 9/17-9/27 and I don't remember seeing them at all and in 2005, we were there 9/22 to 10/3 and also don't remember them at all. cast members were saying they were especially bad this year and that they would be gone within a a week or two of the time we left. But from others' reports that did not seem to be the case this year. I am planning for sept again next year and really hoping they will not be joining me again next year.

 

[mouse4ever]

We were at Beach Club from Sep. 2 - 9 and there wasn't a bug anywhere! Thank goodness because both of my DD's would have FREAKED OUT!!!

 

[punkin712]

We were there from Sept. 22 - Oct. 2 and they were AWFUL!!! We couldn't use the balcony (purposely booked a boardwalk view room at BWV so we could sit outside and watch fireworks) at all and they were so bad that we actually had to vacuum the curtains and all around the balcony door twice a day. There were hundreds of them and they were getting in because the doors weren't sealed properly.

And, evidently, they are attracted to exhaust so you can imagine how bad it was on the parking trams! We usually go in mid-October and never had a problem. I don't think I'll go back during love bug season again.

 

[jwfla422]

September is love bug month in FL. I recall from several previous Sept. trips over the years that we've had to seek out a car wash whenever we arrived in the Orlando area. We'd always hit them pretty bad on the trip up from South FL especially this time of year HOWEVER...

that being said, we never encountered them in WDW like they were this year. We'd see a few here and there but not like the swarms that invaded WDW this year.

We were there the very end of Sept. this year and they started to thin out then but they were still around here and there. The "here and there" was the most we ever encountered them in previous years in addition to the ones that were on the car from the trip up. Actually in the past we've seen them in swarms north of the Ft. Pierce area rather than near Orlando. (this is about an hr and a half south of WDW) And, this year on the way it was "raining" love bugs in this area on the highway.

Can't tell you about next Sept., they could be bad or they may not be bad at all. It was a very strange occurence this year to have so many.

 

[glitzybabes]

We were there from Sept. 16th- Sept. 21th 2006 and they were everywhere! We were there the same week in 2004 and saw none but that was after 3 hurricanes. I 1st noticed them when I was driving and I had to keep washing off my window. I was like what are these things and when I stopped for gas, I saw all these nasty little bugs. I was disappointed to see them at Disney but really did not have too much of a problem with them as long as they were not on or near me, LOL. We stayed at the Pop Century and they hosed down the walkway every morning, so we did not have a real problem with them around our room. We hope to go back the same week in 2007 for the Free dining if they offer it and Hopefully there will be no bugs!!!

Thanks,
Tiffany

Disney Trips

1st trip June 1984 Off Property
October 1990 Off Property
October 1991 Off Property
June 1998 Off Property
May 2002 Off Property
Jan. 2004 Off Property
Sept. 2004 Off Property
Sept. 2006 Pop Century With Free Dining
HOPEFULLY Sept. 2007 Pop Century With Free Dining

 

[TDC Nala]

They were extraordinarily bad on Sept. 28 through Oct. 2.

They seem to be attracted to white clothing. If you are wearing white they will land all over you.

I'm sort of curious about how the previous poster is going to stay off property with free dining, though... I've heard about people booking a room to get the free dining and then staying elsewhere, but I don't get why.

 

[goofie4goofy]

OMG Don't remind me ot those horrible things. It was so gross!

I was so shocked because we always go to WDW the same week (2.5 weeks into the month) in Sept and have been doing so for years. This was the first time we encountered LoveBugs. We were there on the 17th and from what I read here this is just a day or two into them coming out. We are not ffom the south so I don;t know when they usually come out. Next year we may change our week to right after Labor Day.

 

[kldmom2000]

We went 9/29-10/4 and the first couple of days there were quite a few, but not what I'd been hearing about the week or so prior to our arrival... by the last 2 days, I don't recall seeing very many at all....

 

[NotUrsula]

They actually swarm twice a year, it usually lasts for about 5 days each time, in late May and mid-September. We had a major run-in with them when we were in Sarasota the final weekend in May, but they had quieted down by the time we moved to WDW on June 1st.

We saw a few when we were in St. Pete from Sep. 16-19, but they were not swarming then.

Lovebugs do love white, and pale colours in general. They won't bite or sting, though. The biggest problem is that when they get squashed on vehicles the remains can damage the paint if they are not washed off within a day or so.

 

[LukenDC]

I was at WDW in 2005 from 9/11-9/19 and did not see any loveugs. This year, I visited from 9/27-10/3 and they were everywhere.

 

[tbthomps]

This was our third Fall trip....no lovebugs in 2003 or 2004. What a shock 2006 was!!!

Bugs EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyLovingRN]

We were in WDW the week after labor day (Sept 12-21st) and trust me, they were there the WHOLE time. The were present but not as bad the first day, but from then on, everywhere! I found them to be the worst at our hotel and at the waterparks. Maybe that was just me though? Regardless, would I go in September again? MOST DEFINITELY! I'll take these harmless, yet annoying, little bugs to get free dining and low crowds anyday! Haha.

 

[canron]

we were there sept 11 t0 16 and they were everywhere you coulnt lay out at the pool without them landing all over you so just go in tne pool and your fine.they get in your cloths and towel so cover them up with an extra towel you them when you got out of the elevator.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

We were there Sept 16-20 this year and will never go back in late september again. DD freaked out several times because of the lovebugs - and I did too! It seemed ok in early morning and evening...but YUCK!!!