Mid Sept Crowds

[bluejasmine]

Use to go every Sept, now we haven't gone in Sept since 2013, I went for 2 days this past May but I have a 9 night trip booked this Sept.

Now they are selling extra fp to those staying in CL, which gets me worried between that and Disney Springs getting fp, how hard is it going to be for me to book the fp we want...

It use to be mid Sept wasn't very crowded even tho there was free dining can anyone tell me what its like now?

How is the crowd prediction calendar looking?

 

[samsteele]

I don't follow the crowd prediction calendars so can't help you there.

I have gone in mid Sept for the past 2 yrs, with 2 week stays, and found the crowds manageable but growing. I would compare the 2017 mid Sept crowd level to what late Oct/early Nov used to be before Free Dining & the expanding Halloween Party dates jacked up attendance. Steady medium crowds. Doable provided you 1) max out your FP+ and 2) rope drop. Free Dining and the early kick off of Food & Wine has now fired up the number of guests for mid Sept. No longer quiet. Difficult to get in demand ADRS like BOG and Ohana even at 180 days out. If you want them, book them at 180+10 if you can. Possibly the only true slow time now is January providing not a Run Disney Marathon long weekend.

 

[loves to dive]

I go mid Sept. every year for F&W and while the crowds have gotten a little heavier, it's not that bad. I rarely book FPs in advance, usually day of and don't have any problems getting them. As far as ADRs, we never, ever, never, ever book them in advance, always day of usually in the afternoon. We have hoppers (I have an AP) so we do have the ability to go to any park we want to. We don't do BOG or Ohana, we like to try new things and rarely even book somewhere we have before. Heck we were there the week before Christmas which is one of the busiest times and booked Tiffins while in the car driving down (my son was driving) for the next night, around 5 that afternoon we booked Chef Paul's for that night, booked the Mayan Grill at CSR while on the bus on the way back to CSR and booked Rose and Crown for Wens night on Tuesday around 8 pm.

 

[bluejasmine]

I don't follow the crowd prediction calendars so can't help you there.

I have gone in mid Sept for the past 2 yrs, with 2 week stays, and found the crowds manageable but growing. I would compare the 2017 mid Sept crowd level to what late Oct/early Nov used to be before Free Dining & the expanding Halloween Party dates jacked up attendance. Steady medium crowds. Doable provided you 1) max out your FP+ and 2) rope drop. Free Dining and the early kick off of Food & Wine has now fired up the number of guests for mid Sept. No longer quiet. Difficult to get in demand ADRS like BOG and Ohana even at 180 days out. If you want them, book them at 180+10 if you can. Possibly the only true slow time now is January providing not a Run Disney Marathon long weekend.

How do you book ADRs at 180 +10??
Defanitely do fp and rope drop always have...

 

[samsteele]

How do you book ADRs at 180 +10??

If you are staying in a Disney hotel (also think this includes DVC guests but another poster can correct me if I am wrong), you have a bonus 10 day jump on the crowds. Sign into your my disney experience account or call WDW dining.

Here's the blurb from the Disney website:

As a special bonus, Guests of Disney Resort Hotels (including Disney Vacation Club Guests) can enjoy an extended window for making dining reservations. Starting 180 days in advance of your arrival date, you can book dining for the entire length of your Resort stay—up to 10 days. Be sure to sign in to your Disney account to book online or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463.

 

[bluejasmine]

Quick! remove the last post, this needs to be kept a secret!!! LOL

 

[hllb]

The closer you are to the beginning of September, the lighter the crowds will be. Mid to late September is getting busy. But, right after Labor Day, I believe, is still quite light.

 

[samsteele]

Practically speaking, the 180+10 means booking the really hard to get ADRs at the tail end of your WDW vacation to take max advantage of the perk. So if you are booked at a Disney hotel, once your 180 day window opens, you get a jump on the public by being able to book ADRS for the length of your stay (or at least up to 10 days past your arrival day) rather than 1 day at a time. Reports vary on whether you can book ADRS for the entire length of your stay. Last Sept, I could only book the first 10 days of my vacation and then went day to day after that. eg I booked Ohana in the last few days of my vacation as more availability then. Clear as mud? You need a PHD to fully plan a WDW trip these days.

 

[samsteele]

As far as ADRs, we never, ever, never, ever book them in advance, always day of usually in the afternoon.

You definitely have the right approach. I still enjoy the planning and use it as a big old Linus blanket to make myself feel like I am ready for my vacation.

Your approach is what I am working toward and fortunately I enjoy a number of restaurants that aren't as popular & usually have lots of availability (Marrakesh, Spice Road Table, Yak & Yeti, Sanaa, etc.) so that's a huge plus for me for future visits.

Thank you for letting us know that 'Letting Go' is not just possible, but desirable

For many of us, given the trend of perks for cost, this will likely become the most cost-effective & freeing approach for future WDW vacations.