No more low crowds in sept?

[GAJulie]

I am also surprised at the number of children that are there considering school just started not that long ago.

Some schools, like our school district in metro Atlanta, follow what they call a "balanced" schedule. We go back to school this Monday, August 4th. Our first week-long break will be from September 15 - 19...so many, many of us end up at Disney that week!!

 

[mdinme]

When crowds are light we all look at eo and yell "NOBODY!" I had the same word put on my magic band for our upcoming trip!

 

[DisneyF4]

Some schools, like our school district in metro Atlanta, follow what they call a "balanced" schedule. We go back to school this Monday, August 4th. Our first week-long break will be from September 15 - 19...so many, many of us end up at Disney that week!!

Yep, we're in Cherokee County GA, and we've been going to WDW every year during this time since 2009. We have noticed an increase in crowd levels, but, as several others have already mentioned, it's still better than holidays and peak times. As long as they continue to offer free dining, we'll keep going back. Once that stops, we'll head over to Universal.

 

[GAJulie]

Yep, we're in Cherokee County GA

Small world!!! We're in Cherokee County as well!! We always run into people from Cherokee when we vacation over September break. For us, it's usually a cruise, but this year, we thought we'd do Disney since our youngest is almost 4, and hasn't been yet. I have to say, this whole planning experience has NOT been enjoyable, and I imagine it will be a long time before we choose Disney over cruising again. Hopefully I'll feel a lot better about it once we're actually down there!

 

[ARAITHEL]

We always go in Sept, but last year, went in April. My DD(14) says she "will never go back in April because the crowds were too big." Pirates of the caribbean is always a 5 min or "no wait" in Sept for us...it had a 45 min wait in April.

Even with a 2/10 or 4/10 in Sept, it's still a-OK with us.

I scrambled when FD came out in May to get specific room reservations. I could only book at CBR or CSR because there was no FD available rooms at resorts I wanted. Luckily for us, my sis got a Unique Code and we scored FD at POFQ, where we wanted! So, I agree with the PP that the rooms might be "unavailable" just because of the discount or the type.

 

[DisneyF4]

Small world!!! We're in Cherokee County as well!! We always run into people from Cherokee when we vacation over September break. For us, it's usually a cruise, but this year, we thought we'd do Disney since our youngest is almost 4, and hasn't been yet. I have to say, this whole planning experience has NOT been enjoyable, and I imagine it will be a long time before we choose Disney over cruising again. Hopefully I'll feel a lot better about it once we're actually down there!

We've actually met a couple of other families through this site in our area who we get together with occasionally to bounce ideas off of each other while planning our trips. If you ever want to meet up with another WDW family in the area, PM me.

 

[Spoiledraf]

Our daughter is in Cobb county and we just realized no school when we were coming to visit so we are making a four day visit to the world as well. Started out checking values, then mods and I think we are about to go with a Epcot deluxe if we can get a room. There was one at midnight last night but the wife wasn't ready to pull the trigger! We are at 45 days out so I think some may pop up.

 

[Smokeyspawn]

Our daughter is in Cobb county and we just realized no school when we were coming to visit so we are making a four day visit to the world as well. Started out checking values, then mods and I think we are about to go with a Epcot deluxe if we can get a room. There was one at midnight last night but the wife wasn't ready to pull the trigger! We are at 45 days out so I think some may pop up.

Try the DVC board and inquire about renting points. DVC owners will make a reservation for you at a fraction of the cost to actually rent a room. I have stayed at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs the last 3 times I've gone and never paid more than 140 bucks per night. Its the best deal at Disney.

 

[marissamayhem]

Sadly I agree that there just isn't any low crowd times anymore. I was in Disney this January and I was shocked by how crowded it was. It felt similar to when I went in early August of 2010, which I was not expecting.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

I hate "free" dining. That is all I have to say about Sept crowds.

 

[apainterxx44]

We take advantage of free dining every September. Last year we didn't wait in any lines and really the only things that got busy were fireworks and parades. My dad wanted to come with us on this trip and we weren't able to get him free dining at value or mod, but there are rooms available at mostly all of the Deluxe and Moderate that don't participate in free dining.

I still think September is slow really the crowds go wherever there is EMH and special events. If rides/dining is what you're looking for September I think is still the place to be. Also people will be dropping off soon because of non payment so just keep trying if you really want to change.

 

[kohlby]

It also depends on what you mean by crowds. I've been during free dining and the crowds seemed up - the crowds with ADR's, the crowds walking around. But the ride waits really weren't up for what we wanted to do when we wanted to do them. It was odd to be walking with what seemed to be so many extra people but the rides not seem effected by much. I have not done Sept, so this is just my impression of doing it during free dining in Nov.

Keep in mind too that some parks handle the crowds better than others. The difference in AK from low to moderate crowds is huge when on the paths but not an issue at all in EP.

 

[Boski]

There are more than 30,000 on-site hotel rooms at Disney World. You were given bad information. Not the first time that's happened.

Unless possibly you were looking for a very specific, rare room category (i.e. disabled-access room with connecting door, water view).

I've looked a bit this past week at all Epcot resorts and all were booked for the majority of September. October doesn't look any better either.

 

[Kristie911]

I'm hoping the crowds aren't horrible or my hubby will NEVER want to go back. Free dining was a huge draw and what made us change from a mid winter break to a fall vacation. Without FD, we couldn't have afforded this Disney vacation for another year at least...nor would we have been able to attend character dinners and table service dinners we now have booked.

So while I understand it's frustrating for people because we "flock" to Disney for FD...it does open up the dream of a Disney vacation to those who struggle to afford it otherwise.

 

[jcemom]

We are going to beach club from sept 10-17. Was thinking of making a change at one point & every resort was booked! What happened to low crowds?'is that not true of September anymore?

I just searched Disney's site for Sept 10-17 and rooms showed as available at: Wilderness Lodge and Villas, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas, Polynesian, Saratoga Springs, Fort Wilderness Campgrounds and Cabins, Contemporary, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Old Key West, Grand Floridian, All Star Music and Movies, Pop Century, Coronado Springs, and Caribbean Beach.

That's a lot of resorts to choose from, IMO, from all price levels. I didn't look to see specifically which views or categories were available.