Question for past September Disney Visitors

[pmama]

We are visiting WDW for 2nd time in two years and going in September for free dining! We have two girls ages 4 and 7. Last year we stayed at All Star and we went back to hotel mid day for nap, rest then returned later. We did not like this. We felt the time it took to get back and forth via the bus system was not worth it. This year we had planned to either arrive early and then leave mid afternoon or arrive later on days we are staying for fireworks, etc. After reading other posts I'm wondering if this is not such a good idea as it will be very hot. Should I rethink our plan and try to head back mid-day even though we did not like doing this last year. We are staying at the Pop Century. I espesially cannot stand extreme heat. We were very lucky last year when we visited the last week of October. There was only one day that was not cloud covered. That day I was miserable and did have to leave parks early. I'd be interested in knowing what works for others who have visited in September before. Thanks

 

[KatMark]

We have gone the last three years and will do so again this year the first week of September. It is always very warm. Last year it was 95 every day with high humidity. It is just DH and I (ages 55 and 50). We don't mind the heat, although as we have gotten older the humidity does bother us a little more. We always go to the park for either extra morning hours or rope drop and then head back to the resort (we always stay at the CSR) around 1:00 for a swim/nap and then head back to the parks around 5:30 or 6:00. We do avoid the time issue with the bus back and forth because we always rent a car (we always spend one day off Disney property during our visit and this year we are acutally traveling to Daytona after Disney for five days--we decided to do a two week trip this year because we are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary). If you don't like the heat, I definitely recommend a mid-afternoon break. Oh...and last year, we only had two days of rain--the day we arrived it rained for 45 minutes; our last full day at Disney it rained for three hours. Other than that, we had no rain...just lots of sun, heat and humidity.

 

[Neesy228]

We are visiting WDW for 2nd time in two years and going in September for free dining! We have two girls ages 4 and 7. Last year we stayed at All Star and we went back to hotel mid day for nap, rest then returned later. We did not like this. We felt the time it took to get back and forth via the bus system was not worth it. This year we had planned to either arrive early and then leave mid afternoon or arrive later on days we are staying for fireworks, etc. After reading other posts I'm wondering if this is not such a good idea as it will be very hot. Should I rethink our plan and try to head back mid-day even though we did not like doing this last year. We are staying at the Pop Century. I espesially cannot stand extreme heat. We were very lucky last year when we visited the last week of October. There was only one day that was not cloud covered. That day I was miserable and did have to leave parks early. I'd be interested in knowing what works for others who have visited in September before. Thanks

We've been in September before (not for Free Dining), but it is very hot...We never go back to the resort in the middle of the day. I guess because there's just so much to see! I always think that it must be very time consuming to go back in the middle of the day, but many many people tell you it's totally worth it. However, if we need a rest, we go for a leisurely lunch or stop and watch a show...If you can't stand extreme heat (90's) then I would definitely plan a break for mid-day. There's no reason to ruin your trip if you can't take it. If the breaks worked for you before (aside from the time factor) then I would just continue to take them.

Have a great trip!

 

[lunalibre]

We went in June, not September, but I agree -- afternoon breaks did not work for my family. We had better luck getting to the parks early, then leaving after an early dinner (unless we were staying for fireworks). The way we handled the heat was to plan to do airconditioned shows, airconditioned shopping, and airconditioned attractions all afternoon. Yes, we were out in the heat some, but only while traveling from one airconditioned activity to the next airconditioned activity. With careful tour planning, it can be done for most parks. If an activity wasn't airconditioned, it had to at least be in the shade or involve getting wet somehow.

For us, the heat didn't bother us as much as usual just because we were at DISNEYWORLD!!!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

We have visited WDW the last seven Septembers, always the weekend after Labor Day, for the annual Epcot Pin Event.

For the most part, the weather has been very hot and very humid. Last year was an exception, temperatures in upper 80s with low humidity. Everyone commented on the unusually mild weather.

There was also another year, about six years back, with torrential rainstorms and gail force winds. Guests throughout the World Showcase were actually rounded up into every available building and the CMs shut the doors for about 45 minutes! It had been very hot and steamy before the storm, but when it was over, to our total amazement, we had an evening of breezy upper 70s weather. Crazy!

 

[gshumaker]

Breaks are a must for us and we take one every afternoon and head back and either take a nap or a swim in the pool at our resort.

It gets us out of the heat of the afternoons and gives us the needed energy to make it until the parks close that night.

 

[pmama]

Does anyone know if touringplans (Unofficial Guide) has a touring plan for hot days that puts you in AC attractions during the heat of the day?

 

[sunnyday123]

Does anyone know if touringplans (Unofficial Guide) has a touring plan for hot days that puts you in AC attractions during the heat of the day?

I'd like to know that too, since I cannot for the life of me figure out TGM!!

 

[PDJPrinceCharming]

This will be my 3rd September trip & its the best time of the year for me to go because I celebrate my birthday the week i'm going. The weather is scorching at times & I definately recommend going to as many A/C attractions as possible on those days. Maybe some Kali or Splash trips, a nice Dole Whip, Frozen Lemonade or a Mickey Bar when you're sweating bullets & definately do a lot of shows just to relax a bit from the heat.

Personally I can't take breaks to go back to the hotel because i'm too excited to be home & I don't want to waste a second of time. When I feel exhausted, I do one of the cool down methods I spoke of & then i'm refreshed & ready to go again.

Last year it rained quite a bit that week but it was a nice cooling rain & didn't usually last longer than a 30 minute or so cloudburst. But plan accordingly & you'll do just fine. Have a great trip!

 

[justplaingoofy]

I think you are going to notice quite a difference with the proximity of Pop century vs. all stars... especially Hollywood studios.. i want to say its only about a 12min bus ride from Pop to H.S?

We always go in Sept. (sometimes an additional trip in jan/feb, then again in May)...Sept is our favorite..you can get so much more accomplished with the little to non existant lines. we do arrive at rope drop and stay until about noon or so...we hit the headliners early and save the things like hall of presidents, carousel of progress, ellens universe of energy etc until about 11ish, grab some lunch and head back to the hotel for a little a/c and a quick swim..back to the parks around 5'ish... dinner around 7'ish..stay until park closing.

 

[WelovMickey!]

I am not sure who all you have planned to go on the trip with you. I will always bring my mom on our trips to Disney with us. For one she is my best friend, but she loves to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day for rest and a pool dip. So she has no problem taking my 2yr old ds and 6 yr old dd back with her too. In fact she uses them as an excuse to go back to the hotel. As for my dh, dd10 and me, we can't see leaving the parks. We feel like it is time wasted too. So if you have someone in your party willing to take back the ones that need it then that may be an idea

 

[Wendybird55]

Once in the parks, many of us like to stay - plus as you get involved with rides and attractions there never seems to be a good time to leave and those bus rides do take time away from your day - but it is hot in September.

I'm going in Sept. this year - my 3rd time -I usually went in Nov. Some ways to take a break and cool off without going to your resort is go to another resort!

When your at MK you can hop on the monorail to any of the 3 resports. They all have nice lobby areas and places to sit and relax and cool off. You can take the boat to WL -which I love, but that is a longer trip. But it does have a gigantic lobby with lots of comfy couches and rocking chairs. You can also walk to Poly & CR from MK.

When at EPCOT or DHS you can walk to Yacht Club, Beach Club or Boardwalk (there's also a boat - and on a hot day you may want to ake it from DH as that's a longer walk). Again you can relax in the lobbies.

AKL is a short bus ride from AK. That is another gorgeous lobby.

By visitng the nearby resports - you not only get a chance to get out of the heat for awhile - you'll get a chance to explore some of the orther respots. And these resorts have restaurants and snack stands so maybe you can have your lunch here.

There are many "tricks" to cook off on a hot day, so it is not necessaryt o go back to your resort. But there are those days when you want that break to take a shower or go swimming or take a nap.

I say play it by ear. Because of the heat you probably won't be going commando style in the parks so see how you feel during the day. If you want to go back to youre resort - then do it. But if it's too much of a hassle - sit on a bench with an ice cream, go to Hall of Presidents (great cool off attraction), or go to the nearest resort and pay a visit.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Breaks are a must for us and we take one every afternoon and head back and either take a nap or a swim in the pool at our resort.

It gets us out of the heat of the afternoons and gives us the needed energy to make it until the parks close that night.

In all our 40 trips we have always taken an afternoon break. It's not for all but works for us. Here's our scenario, we stay deluxe, our resort is as important as the parks, we're on property 10-12 nights, plenty of time to see everything at a leisurely pace, we usually have AP's or hopper passes, Easy to hop from one park to another, seems EPCOT is less crowded in the evening and if the MK is open later than EPCOT we pop in there on our way back to the resort. We always stay in the MK resorts, we like MK the best and usually has the latest hours. We enjoy a picnic lunch around the pool, a few drinks and rest until evening to set out again. We never rent or use a car, buses suits us just fine and we know we're coming back so why kill yourself staying in a park opening to close?

There is so much to see and do other than the parks and we like to break up our day away from the park crowds and take a leisurely boat ride to FW, hit Crocketts Tavern for a drink or 2 and some pizza, enjoy the horse barn and seeing the park horses, putt putt, bus to POFQ and grab a meatball sandwich and boat to DTD from there, shop alittle in DTD, dinner at Capt. Jacks and maybe a movie at the AMC. We never go to movies at home so this is a treat for us. Just strolling our resort, usually WL, walking the path over to FW, boating to CR for a drink at the Outer Rim, I mean we can fit alot of cool things to do in the hot afternoon heat than wander a park till we drop but as I said, we're on property 10-12 nights and thats giving us the time to take a time out everyday and still see alot.

 

[le9397]

I am always a much happier person when I do a break in the day. I usually stay at Pop Century but I rent a car so the transportation back and forth isn't as much of an issue. I also love to park hop so I generally will do a different park when I go back later in the day.

 

[Belle5]

In all our 40 trips we have always taken an afternoon break. It's not for all but works for us. Here's our scenario, we stay deluxe, our resort is as important as the parks, we're on property 10-12 nights, plenty of time to see everything at a leisurely pace, we usually have AP's or hopper passes, Easy to hop from one park to another, seems EPCOT is less crowded in the evening and if the MK is open later than EPCOT we pop in there on our way back to the resort. We always stay in the MK resorts, we like MK the best and usually has the latest hours. We enjoy a picnic lunch around the pool, a few drinks and rest until evening to set out again. We never rent or use a car, buses suits us just fine and we know we're coming back so why kill yourself staying in a park opening to close?

There is so much to see and do other than the parks and we like to break up our day away from the park crowds and take a leisurely boat ride to FW, hit Crocketts Tavern for a drink or 2 and some pizza, enjoy the horse barn and seeing the park horses, putt putt, bus to POFQ and grab a meatball sandwich and boat to DTD from there, shop alittle in DTD, dinner at Capt. Jacks and maybe a movie at the AMC. We never go to movies at home so this is a treat for us. Just strolling our resort, usually WL, walking the path over to FW, boating to CR for a drink at the Outer Rim, I mean we can fit alot of cool things to do in the hot afternoon heat than wander a park till we drop but as I said, we're on property 10-12 nights and thats giving us the time to take a time out everyday and still see alot.

You approach your trip with the exact same attitude as our family! (Maybe that's because we're from Youngstown--actually my stepdad was born and raised in Hubbard)

Horses, mini-golf, Crockett's Tavern (did you hear what's left of that?), boats...we just swim, relax, enjoy--take in a few attractions, eat--try not to kill ourselves! In the park early--leave--come back at night when it's dark. Now that's VACATIONING!!! Not killing yourselves to see how much park time you can do!