Park hours in September/what's it like to tour the parks with shortened hours?

[harleyquinn]

Okay I know people ask this all the time, but I can't find the answer anywhere.

Are the park hours in September shortened? I assume so since it's value season.

SO what's it like to tour the parks with shortened hours? I've only been to WDW once this past august so I'm used to staying or going to the parks late.

I love DTD so I wouldn't mind going there in the evening.

While I'm at it. What's the weather like in September?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Spartan]

We used to go all the time in Sept. You'll have no trouble getting everything done because there are practically no lines anywhere. It's typically very hot and humid, but if you've been in August, then you know what that's all about. We also used to spend most evening in DTD/PI after the parks closed. MK will most likely close around 6 most nights - but with the fireworks, I'm not sure. I'm guessing they will only be doing those on certain nights since it's still light at 6?

If you enjoy the water parks, it's a great time of year for those since there's no crowds but the temps are still summer-like.

 

[Stimpy]

The parks close earlier but there's hardly any crowds. You can pretty much walk right on most of the rides. Usually when we go in Sept, they don't even have the fastpass machines working because they aren't needed. You can get alot done even though the hours are shorter. MK is usually open later on weekends so they have fireworks then. It's really a great time to go.

The resorts also aren't as crowded so you have the pools to yourself. The weather is perfect.

The only drawback is finding stuff to do at night. You can only go to DTD so many times in one week LOL We usually go to mini-golf at night, spend a night at the Boardwalk and sometimes a dinner show.

 

[stacy6552]

There's good news and not so good news with shortened hours.

Yes in deed, there are shorter lines and less waits so you can get everything done.

The flip side, at least for us, is the feeling of needing to stay in the parks. When we went during peak season, if a melt down came on we just packed it up and went back to the resort for a break, knowing that we could mosey back over later and stay very late. When we went in Nov and everything closed early, we definately didnt feel that luxury.

 

[helenk]

I was in WDW this past Sept 20th to the 25th. It was very warm, and humid but not as bad as when I went in July. The wait time for most of the rides were generally about 10 minutes. MK still gets busy on Saturdays though so prepare for that. On other days the wait for some of the rides in Fantasy land were 20 minutes, the other parks were not bad.
Even with the shorter hours I was able to take a break in the afternoon. I would go back to resort to the pool and just back to the room to read and recharge.
MK was open late on the weekends I think until 10:00 in fact there were 2 showings of Spectro Magic on Saturday night. During most of the week MK closed at 7:00 or 8:00. World Showcase was open until 9:00 and I think MGM was open until 8:00. AK of course closed at 5:00.
So you still have plenty of time in the parks, and time to relax as well as time to go to DTD or the Boardwalk.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We experienced extremely short hours, especially at MK this past June. We would be at the parks by 9am and take a break about 1pm. We would return about 4pm, experiencing small crowds because everyine else was leaving. Even though the MK was closing at 7pm we still had three good hours of touring. It was fun, but it would be far better if we could depend on MK staying open until 9pm or so. That would be a nice way to honor the thousands of dollars we all spend on these vacations. It is so depressing having to be herded out of MK while the sun is till shining brightly -NOT my most favorite WDW memory.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_201.gif' border=0></a>

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks so much everyone!

I don't know if I'll be able to go in September (my df will get his teaching cert. in May & it all depends on if he can find a job).

So the weather's comprable to August? Ick! I was hoping it'd be cooler so we wouldn't have to break to the room so much.

Is late September better?

Thanks again!

 

[slo]

We go every year in Sept because of low crowds. The weather is very hot 90-95 degrees, but we'll take it anyday instead of waiting in long lines.

We actually love the parks closing early because then it forces you to leave and enjoy other things - like your hotel pool that might get overlooked if you are in the park all day.

I definitly recommend Sept!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Harleyquinn, don't worry about the weather. I'm not a heat person (at least I wasn't the last time I was there in September), and dealing with 90+ degrees 80%+ humidity is a LOT easier when there's so few people at the parks.

You will have a marvelous time if you get to go! (I am, however, hoping you won't - my fiancée passed the bar, and is also looking for a job - hopefull both of our fiancées will find something!!!! )