Quick Trip in Sept -- how crowded?

[cjsmom5]

SWA had screaming airfares for Sept so we snagged airfares to go to WDW Sept 24-28. Have never been that time of the year and am wondering how crowded it is then ... has anyone been then ... or anyone hear? We are going Sunday - Thursday. Just curious.

 

[ncseric]

SWA had screaming airfares for Sept so we snagged airfares to go to WDW Sept 24-28. Have never been that time of the year and am wondering how crowded it is then ... has anyone been then ... or anyone hear? We are going Sunday - Thursday. Just curious.

The entire month of September is considered 'Adventure' season with DVC, which is the lowest cost time of the year. Given that most kids have gone back to school, I'd imagine it would be pretty dead. We went last year at the beginning of October and it was pretty slow until the weekend rolled around. September has got to be even quieter.

 

[alloyd1170]

We are going the same time (24-29) and hoping for the same. However, hearing people talk about how crowded it is thanks to the free dining has me a bit worried. Plus doesnt the food and wine show happen the following week (how many will show up early for that)? I suppose as long as there arent any hurricanes and its not too humid I will be happy. Its been awfully quiet out there in the Atlantic. Wonder if the big one is brewing! I know, dont say it...

alison

 

[winterman]

We have gone several times in Sept. Even last year with free dining the crowds were very managable. Its a great time to visit. We arrive Sept.26!!!
Have a great time!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

or lack of them,,,,LOL
We have been to WDW in early Sept twice, NOT crowded at all, just wonderful! !0 min waits max!! We leave very soon!!

 

[cjsmom5]

Thanks everyone. The free dining has me a little concerned. They said the POFQ is sold out for the first night (23rd) we are there ... and the CM on the phone said ... let me check .. that is the last week people can check in for free dining so it is very crowded. And the Disney Dining Experience people told me to be sure to make ADRs as it is going to be very crowded with the Free Dining program. All that made me a little concerned...but oh well.

By the way, can anyone shed some light on the weather? We have been in June, July and are now going late Nov/early Dec every year. So, Sept is new to us.

 

[TLHB70]

Hi. We are also checking in on the 23rd and staying through the 30th. This will be our first time in September too. We normally go the end of November (after Thanksgiving) or beginning of December. I homeschool so I take my fall holiday with the kids for our Disney trip. Free dining hooked us this year so we are trying a new month.
I posted these same questions when I found out we were going in September. A kind fellow DISer gave me this link. It gives the history of the weather for this area for these same dates. If you notice, it looks like it will be hot. http://www.wunderground.com/history...ernational&req_state=FL&req_statename=Florida
Also, I don't know if you are familiar with love bugs or not, but you can probably expect to see those. I am originally from South Louisiana so I am used to them. They come out in the coastal south in May and September. They do not bite so it isn't really a big deal. However, they do smell a bit bad and swarm everywhere. I think that others have said they are around the parks in September. Hopefully since our trip is at the end of the month they will be thinning out some.

*BTW, there is a "who's going in September?" thread going around on this board. Check in and add your name!

 

[QueenGoblin]

Someone on a similar thread posted that they had talked to a CM who said that, yes, the resorts are a bit busier than normal due to free dining but the offsite hotels are nearly empty. This made a lot of sense to me. People who might typically go in September and stay offsite at one of the less expensive chains would probably be pretty tempted to move onsite for the free dining promotion, especially at the moderate or value resorts which are the ones we keep hearing are "booked." So even though the resorts might be more full than normal, I don't think the parks will be too bad. It still is an odd time to go, with hurricane season (stay away hurricanes!), school just starting up, etc.
We will be there the 17-23rd!

 

[winterman]

By the way, can anyone shed some light on the weather? We have been in June, July and are now going late Nov/early Dec every year. So, Sept is new to us.

We have been several times in Sept. We have had very HOT, humid, weather (mid 90's). We have also encountered some very heavy rain. But mostly the weather is very good.

 

[cjsmom5]

Isn't the end of Sept the tail end of hurricane season?

We are used to heat here in Phoenix but it is a dry heat. The humidity is what typically gets us...but I am hoping it won't be quite so humid as July/August especially since it is the end of Sept. I hope ....

 

[disneydiva06]

We were there two years ago in mid-Sept, and it was really really slow. Granted, there wasn't, that I know of, a free dining promotion going on. But it was wonderful, as someone already said, no waits at all!

 

[mlacreta]

or lack of them,,,,LOL
We have been to WDW in early Sept twice, NOT crowded at all, just wonderful! !0 min waits max!! We leave very soon!!

We are heading down for our first family trip 9/3-9/17. Will there really be no waits? Do you still need to make reservations for dinner? Love to hear your tips since you've been there this time before! thanks so much!

 

[nowellsl]

Isn't the end of Sept the tail end of hurricane season?

We are used to heat here in Phoenix but it is a dry heat. The humidity is what typically gets us...but I am hoping it won't be quite so humid as July/August especially since it is the end of Sept. I hope ....

Hurricane season runs through November.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We are heading down for our first family trip 9/3-9/17. Will there really be no waits? Do you still need to make reservations for dinner? Love to hear your tips since you've been there this time before! thanks so much!

If you plan on eating at TS spots I would immediately call to make ADR's. Free dining has the restaurants packed & odds are you will be turned away without an ADR.

It used to be that Sept was crowd-free. That is why we loved it. Then the brainiacs in marketing couldn't leave well enough alone & came up with DDP/Free dining. This not only ruined it in terms of crowd but killed the restaurants when it comes to quality & choice.

You might get lucky since you will be there right after Labor Day & that's back-to-school week for the northeast (most of it anyway).

 

[STEPHILL]

This is our favorite time to go. September 24th is our Anniversary and Disney is our "choice" destination. It is very pleasant. It's hot, but the wait times are usually short. We were there last year and I don't know if there was a free dining package, but the crowds appeared to be the same.

 

[D-ko]

We go every year during September now. The weather is nice and the crowds are the smallest. Not to mention the hotel rates are fantastic ($99 Port Orleans Riverside)