Low crowds but heat?? Is it worth it?

[jahber]

Yeah I know it changes every year and crowds rise and thats ok with me. I'll keep looking till next Sept crowds are up then book our trip accordingly. Anything below a 4 and I'd be happy. Our 2nd week in Dec trip was very manageable and that whole week was like a 4/5 then Saturday was a 6 I think at AK and it was the most crowded day and not as enjoyable but the other days were great. Especially RD days at MK. So knowing it will be even less crowded than that week and still one of the lowest times of the year we will be happy. I'd like for once just not have to wear jackets and be cold on vacation there and actually use the pools.

I hear you about the cold weather. I can take hot weather, any temperature. We are used to it and we can deal if we must. But going on vacation to a place that's cold when you're expecting at least mild weather is the pits! Fwiw, as a local I personally think Sept is the best time to go to WDW. The lowest crowds of the year and the possibility for slightly less steamy weather makes it worth the gamble, in my opinion. I hope you have tons of fun!

 

[NicholeB630]

Today in VA was 100% humidity it was so not enjoyable to be outside and it wasn't even sunny. It really makes me worried about Disney in Sept. I so badly want to do the lowest crowds possible but man I just dont know how fun it will be if were all hot and sweaty the whole time. I think if we know its going ot be super hot and dress right and bring enough water maybe even little misting fans for the kids we may be ok? Maybe being in Disney and enjoying the low crowds we wont focus so much on the weather because we'll be so distracted by everything else going on, maybe?? I know weather changes every year but I am going to stalk my weather app for Disney area the whole month of September this year just to see what its like now.

 

[epsmith921]

Okay so background here- my husband and I are from a northern state with all four seasons, moved to Florida at one point and found the summer unbearable, and happily reside in a state with a short "hot" season.

All that being said, we still choose to go to Disney on September. Rope drop is your friend, as are dri-fit type clothes. We go back to our room (we like to stay in the Epcot area) for/around lunch, and go back out for the evenings. During the lunch break, one crucial thing for us is to shower and change clothes. It is utterly refreshing as is a possible catnap. This does mean we bring luggage that is excessive for the length of our trip, or do laundry even on a short trip.

One other thing I have to personally handle is making sure I eat enough "real" food throughout the day. I love the little fruit and vegetable snack stands in the parks to get a little snack of carrots and celery instead of popcorn. Just something that helps me personally.

It usually rains in the afternoon in September (hurricane season) and this is also a good time to be either handling indoor stuff or resting in your room.

You can do it! Seriously, we despise sticky weather and we deal with it for the lower crowds and the better room pricing.

 

[NicholeB630]

Okay so background here- my husband and I are from a northern state with all four seasons, moved to Florida at one point and found the summer unbearable, and happily reside in a state with a short "hot" season.

All that being said, we still choose to go to Disney on September. Rope drop is your friend, as are dri-fit type clothes. We go back to our room (we like to stay in the Epcot area) for/around lunch, and go back out for the evenings. During the lunch break, one crucial thing for us is to shower and change clothes. It is utterly refreshing as is a possible catnap. This does mean we bring luggage that is excessive for the length of our trip, or do laundry even on a short trip.

One other thing I have to personally handle is making sure I eat enough "real" food throughout the day. I love the little fruit and vegetable snack stands in the parks to get a little snack of carrots and celery instead of popcorn. Just something that helps me personally.

It usually rains in the afternoon in September (hurricane season) and this is also a good time to be either handling indoor stuff or resting in your room.

You can do it! Seriously, we despise sticky weather and we deal with it for the lower crowds and the better room pricing.

Thanks for the info. Good to know you all still like going that time of year even though its hot and humid. We can handle a afternoon shower too. We spent our full day at Hollywood Studios in low 50 degree weather with it raining and misting all day basically. It sucked but we enjoyed ourselves anyways. I can imagine that time of year too a shower in the afternoon will be nice. Great advice on taking a shower mid day and changing clothes. I can see how that will help you feel better. I think with it being Disney and having so much fun we wont even notice the heat as much as if we are just at home dealing with it.

 

[GoldenGrl23]

I live in Orlando and best ties to come weather-wise are late Sept to Dec. As far as crowds go, Labor Day and beyond is pretty low until you go to Food and Wine (which is worth coming out for).

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We've been mid September...and I would expect anything from mid 80s to mid 90s. We live in TX and find the heat totally manageable, but also don't mind cold trips as well. Dec 2010 was our coldest WDW trip to date. Ultimately, the crowds in September are the lowest I've ever seen- almost creepy at times to me- but the low crowds do have other issues. With low crowds often come shorter hours, more refurbs, and well... the crane

 

[Mousemommy1]

We've gone in the heat....April and May and IMO, not worth it. It's miserable. We found ourselves rushing through the parks to get back to the resort pool. We've gone during crowded times and I would take crowds over heat.

OMGGGGG! You already had your baby, and he's 2 months?!?!

Congrats!

 

[NicholeB630]

We've been mid September...and I would expect anything from mid 80s to mid 90s. We live in TX and find the heat totally manageable, but also don't mind cold trips as well. Dec 2010 was our coldest WDW trip to date. Ultimately, the crowds in September are the lowest I've ever seen- almost creepy at times to me- but the low crowds do have other issues. With low crowds often come shorter hours, more refurbs, and well... the crane

Aren't most referbs in Jan though?

 

[gina993]

We're going the week of Labor Day and the heat is my only worry, too. We're coming from the dry heat of Vegas, so we're not too excited about the humidity. But I just plan to take lots of indoor breaks and drink lots of water. I'd rather be in the heat with no crowds than be miserable with heat and sweaty crowds!

 

[Accident]

Aren't most referbs in Jan though?

Something is always being built or refurbed. Last year was my first fall trip and we took 2, there was always something opening from refurb or closing with some advanced notice on the larger refurbs that were starting after new years. I was a little surprised how many things there was since I was used to summer. Construction is just part of disney now and it's wonderful. I actually got bored from the same old things every trip for way too long. It's been great!

 

[lovin'fl]

Went twice in Sept and loved it. Crowds weren't bad but yes, it was HOT. Just cool off at the pool or one of the water parks. I say it's worth it. We also like January for low crowds but it can be cold (we've gone twice and once was cold and once was really warm). Late May might be an option for you (I haven't been in May but if you go after Flower and Garden but before schools let out, it might not be bad).

 

[NicholeB630]

Something is always being built or refurbed. Last year was my first fall trip and we took 2, there was always something opening from refurb or closing with some advanced notice on the larger refurbs that were starting after new years. I was a little surprised how many things there was since I was used to summer. Construction is just part of disney now and it's wonderful. I actually got bored from the same old things every trip for way too long. It's been great!

Yeah I dont mind if a couple things are closed just hopefully nothing we really want to do. Last time Haunted Mansion was down so we didn't get to do that one. I'll take the lower crowds!

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

First a hello to a fellow Virginian. We have been to WDW several times during this time, we also have a 6 & 8 yo. How we handle the hot days is by spending the days by the pools & resort, heading to the parks after 4pm.
Getting FP+ for popular attractions after 5pm tend to be easier to get also.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Aren't most referbs in Jan though?

Refurbs can happen at any time, but are often scheduled to coincide with low seasons in the parks. Example, Space Mtn went under a series of refurb closures in Sept of 2013.

 

[lovin'fl]

How we handle the hot days is by spending the days by the pools & resort, heading to the parks after 4pm.
Getting FP+ for popular attractions after 5pm tend to be easier to get also.

Yeah, either go early or later in the day, avoiding noon-4pm range as much as possible.

 

[darth sansa]

We've gone in the heat....April and May and IMO, not worth it. It's miserable. We found ourselves rushing through the parks to get back to the resort pool. We've gone during crowded times and I would take crowds over heat.

Where do you live? I ask because April and May are beautiful in Florida. Not too hot, not too cold.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

Where do you live? I ask because April and May are beautiful in Florida. Not too hot, not too cold.

.

Virginia.


edit: oops misread post, thought it was directed at me

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We go when it's hot AND crowded and have a ball. Take the crowds away & it would be perfect. If lines are short, you'll spend a minimal amount of time actually out in the heat anyway!

 

[darth sansa]

.

Virginia.

Hmm.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/orlando-fl/32801/april-weather/328169

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/richmond-va/23220/april-weather/331252

Seems to be a 10 degree difference on average though that's fingers math not a true average, even if it's a little more it's not terrible.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

Hmm.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/orlando-fl/32801/april-weather/328169

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/richmond-va/23220/april-weather/331252

Seems to be a 10 degree difference on average though that's fingers math not a true average, even if it's a little more it's not terrible.

We live in the Shenandoah Valley, whether here to do to be a bit different than surrounding areas.