Need help ASAP - August vs. September

[nutsforgolf]

I am traveling with my wife, a four year old and an 10 month old and I need advice on which week to pick based upon weather (Rain) and most important, CROWDS. We can either go August 1st to the 8th, August 15 to the 22nd, or September 4th to 11th.

Thanks for anyone's help, I am SOOOOO confused.

 

[wdwguide]

I'd go in September. It's still going to be hot with an occasional thunderstorm, but it will stay cool a bit longer in the mornings and likewise it'll start cooling off a bit earlier at night. Crowds will be virtually nonesistant during that time, as virtually all schools are back in session by then and very, very few parents take their kids out that early in the school year.

 

[PMart]

September hands down ! August is super hot and crowded September should be less crowded because of school starting and may be a bit nicer weather wise. Rain showers are still a possibility in the afternoons but they are usually quick. Have a great trip! If you are staying on site when the afternoon storms roll in just return to your room fora nap.

 

[beattyfamily]

I don't know if there's a huge difference in tempture and weather but there is a BIG difference in the crowd level.

Also, August will have longer hours but it will be more crowded.

Good luck!

 

[nutsforgolf]

Thanks for the advice, it appears that everyone thinks Sept is better, but I think we can only do August 15 - 22nd. We are staying at the GF. Any thoughts, are we going to be OK. I'm hoping the crowds will go down the 3rd week of August and we will be able to handle the heat better with smaller crowds. I'm just worried about my 10month old handling the heat.

 

[Miscrapper]

I would think crowds would be lower then than in earlier August. Too bad you can't go in Sept. We were there in Sept 2000 with no crowds (except MK on Saturday night for only showing of MSEP and FiTS). Since you are at GF you can take monorail back from MK - that will help! Definitely plan to get up early, take a break and go back late afternoon/early evening. I would take advantage of extra magic hour for Fantasyland (maybe not other parks though with this age). This plan works great for all ages but esp for youngsters who will indeed nap. You and your spouse can alternate taking 4 yo to pool while 10 mo and other one of you really sleep! Even w/out sleep swimming, showering etc help you refresh mid day and the parks are much cooler after 5 pm

Sept is still very hot - we were there around the 20th or so and it was still 90 - we needed the afternoon swim to stay sane!

 

[jeleebeene]

I will put in a vote for September just cause we will be there then. I have heard great things about this time of year, and it will be our first in visiting that month. We usually have gone in June or July - and while I haven't thought the crowds were really bad then, I will love having even less crowds this time of year - even if the parks close earlier, with less crowds, it shouldn't be a problem seeing everything. Plus, that will force us to exprience other things we haven't been able to do before.

 

[loriandmatt]

well - you won't be alone in Aug. We will be there at the same time, but if given the choice we would be going in Sept.

(can't take DS out of school as much as we could in years past - opted for mid to late august trip and then ship him back to school.)

- lori

 

[Gillian]

I think August is a good choice because for the week you mentioned in september there is a good chance of no sprectromagic or fireworks at MK. The Christian music concerts, nights of joy, are that friday & saturday, meaning the MK closes the same time as during the week (6, probably). Usually it stays open late on saturday, but not that weekend.

There are also typically a lot of rehabs starting after labor day.

 

[hookedup]

We went the first week of August last summer and I did not think the crowds were too awful - it was hot that's for sure!
One thing for us that was important being from the West Coast is that we had a hard time (well our 2 year old) with getting up early. By our third day we gave up on the early morning battle (and late evening battle trying to get him to go to sleep) and ended up staying up late - going to MK or Epcot until closing and then a late night swim and room serivce or take out. It was much more fun for all then. Having longer park hours made a big difference to us for that reason.
We stayed at the GF and had a wonderful time!

Have a great trip no matter what dates you choose!

 

[nutsforgolf]

Thanks for everyone's help,

We will be going from Aug 15 - 22nd.

thanks again.

 

[donac]

We are going the same time. We went a half week earlier last year and there were very few crowds and the weather wasn't too bad (a lot of rain but a lot of clouds so the temps were under 90). The only other week in Aug that is better is the last week before Labor Day.

 

[KIMHELMS99]

My husband and I have been there twice in Sept (1998 & 2000)early (9-19) and late (15-30), and last year we went August 15-30. We felt the temp and precip was not noticably different. We actually thought it was less busy in August but perhaps that has to do with other factors (economy & 9/11).

I would either choose the end of August or mid to end of Sept. Whatever choice you make I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Kim