Sep. or Dec., I really could use some advice!

[fortheloveofamouse]

We are booked Sep. 15-22 for free dining at AKL. We are really excited as this will be our first time staying on site. I just keep having concerns about the heat and humidity during Sep. We usually go in Dec. and the weather is a bit cool for swimming, but great for the parks. So, level with me, how hot is it? Would it be better to change our ressie to Dec. and hope for a code?

 

[engle]

September was MISERABLE. It was so hot and humid that by
EARLY afternoon, we were done. Actually by 10am I was already withered. We usually go in December too. I don't miss swimming but our that isn't a priority on our vacations. I guess that would have to be a factor.

 

[Hartbrken38]

Engle can you tell me about the crowds in Sept. Since they are having free dining I am wondering if it will be very crowded.

 

[Colleen27]

We were there at the tail end of Sept and into Oct in '05, and it was hot - probably mid 90s and humid for the entire trip. I didn't think it was too terrible, just somewhat annoying at more crowded moments of the trip, but I don't mind the heat and loved being able to swim late at night. My mother & DD(then 4) both found the heat very tiring, and while it didn't bother DH enough for him to complain at the time, he said he'd rather go in Nov or Dec for this trip. And it was hot enough that he didn't feel like golfing on that trip, which is very unusual for him.

 

[kat3668]

I will never go in any of the summer months again if I can help it. The weather is just too hot for me I am miserable in the heat and running around the parks all day looking for a place to duck out of the heat is not my idea of a vacation! I am also pretty certain that the parks will be CROWDED with the free dining. At least my friend said it was last year anyway. Give me December any time.

 

[2manypets]

We went last year in Sept for the free dining and my B'day! I'm from Memphis and used to 85-100 degree temps and high humidity. We took a break to swim (them) and nap (me) for a few hours a day and we were good to go again. I'm sure if you're from the east or cooler areas it'll really have a hard impact on you. I didn't take too many pictures of the family though, we were just to shmultzy in them.

Edited to add: the crowds on the weekend before labor day were pretty low. We didn't have a memorable wait for anything. Maybe 10-15 minutes tops. The restaurants were very crowded. We waited much longer for meals than for the rides.

 

[pospisil]

Our experience in 2005 was the same as 2manypets. Crowded restaurants, not crowded in the parks. We're from Texas, so the heat wasn't bad at all to us. The only day we felt hot at all was in Animal Kingdom. We're going back this September.

 

[foxfire]

I would go early December. We were just there in early May and that was the first time we'd been back in the 'warmer' months for a few years. While it wasn't terribly hot or humid, it was enough that we said this is why we go in December. We really enjoyed seeing the Flower and Garden Festival again but I think we are going to stick to early December for most trips. With that said, we do have ressies for the very last part of Oct. and early Nov. We haven't been this time of year before so we'll see how we like it then. The thought of almost empty parks just can't tempt us enough to try Sept., even with free dining offered. If that puts us in the wimp category, well....."Hello, I"m Wimpy. Nice to meetcha'!!!"

 

[shellbel]

It was definitely hot and humid. It doesn't bother us too much even though we're from Upstate NY. My MIL went with us in '05 and she has a hard time with the heat and humidity but the only time she really had to take a break from our running around the parks was when we were in Animal Kingdom.

I think it was definitely more crowded in '06 then it was in '05 during free dining. We're shooting for mid-November this year hoping to avoid the crowds.

 

[Quinn222]

We are booked Sep. 15-22 for free dining at AKL. We are really excited as this will be our first time staying on site. I just keep having concerns about the heat and humidity during Sep. We usually go in Dec. and the weather is a bit cool for swimming, but great for the parks. So, level with me, how hot is it? Would it be better to change our ressie to Dec. and hope for a code?

It's hot enough to melt glass. I live in FL and Sept for me is the very worst month. It's also high hurricane season. I'd change to December.

 

[unbroken chain]

I think it just depends how sensitive you are to heat. I would never go in Sept., myself. But the free dining may be worth it for you.

 

[kaysmommie]

It was very hot and humid last september during free dining. We were done with the parks early in the day usually by 12 or 1 since it was so hot and sticky and my DH and the kids would get cranky. We tried to do alot of air conditioned attractions after lunch and always did morning EMH since it was a tad cooler at 8 AM. We have been to Disney previously during November and I loved the weather then. It was only really crowded on Labor Day weekend and then it got quieter after Monday. The restaurants were pretty busy though. I don't think it's as crowded as November or even October though. There were short waits for most rides even in the afternoon.

 

[rlduvall]

I'm starting to have the same dilemma. My friend and I are booked for free dining in early September at CSR. I have gone many times during that time period and it doesn't bother me too much, but it does get very sweaty. (I live in Oklahoma and we are a pretty humid state) My concern is my friend who has rheumatoid arthritis. We are both beginning to second think our great free dining deal and consider going 1st or 2nd week in December. We actually went 1st week in December in 2004 and had great weather and she had no problems. Went 2nd week of December in 2005 with my son and we about froze to death. I just don't like it cold at Disney.

I would prefer 1st week of December if we went that month, but I don't want to deal with Pop Warner which seems to get bigger every year (wouldn't stay at a Value either way). In 2004, I didn't even notice it, but in 2005 my son and I arrived the last day of the competition and the parks were packed.

Would someone please just make up my mind for me?

 

[antmaril]

I'm struggling with this too. My DH and I have reservations at CSR for the middle of September. I thought it would be fun to take advantage of Free Dining. However, I may cancel and go in December instead. We both hate heat and humidity and usually go in January, which we love. I've always wanted to see the Christmas decorations, so maybe we'll do that this year.

I don't think I'm going to like September -- heat, humidity and lovebugs. Not a great combination for us.

 

[sherrycurl]

I hope I didnot make a huge mistake. I had reservations for the first week of December and changed them to sept for the free dining. After reading I am a little scared of the heat and humidity. I lived in Florida and hated the humidity. Oh my I hope I did the right thing!!!

 

[Colleen27]

I would prefer 1st week of December if we went that month, but I don't want to deal with Pop Warner which seems to get bigger every year (wouldn't stay at a Value either way). In 2004, I didn't even notice it, but in 2005 my son and I arrived the last day of the competition and the parks were packed.

From what I've seen from past years' schedules, the last 2 days of the event are the only days that all the Pop Warner kids are free to go to the parks, because earlier in the week they're in competition much of the time. So the last day or two, they have a much bigger impact on crowd levels than they do through the rest of the week.

 

[DisneyInDel]

This sounds like the end of the world!! We all know that if you want to enjoy all that Disney offers, sometimes we have to sacrifice a little. Yes..chances are it will be hot in September. It is in Orlando most of the year. If you want to enjoy the water parks, then that narrows down your choices to exclude December. Also, taking a trip that close to Christmas can really put a dent in the "Christmas Club"..September is cheap..even without Free Dining..the crowds are small..the weather is warmer..

I know it may be uncomfortable..My DW and I will be there the same time..9/16 - 9/22...but being from the east coast, I will have lasted the summer with some nasty humidity and there wont be a Splash Mountain, Typhoon Lagoon or a Kali River Rapids anywhere in sight..a week in the heart of the magic at such great prices will be a welcome relief!

Whenever you decide to go, ENJOY!!!! I know we will!!

 

[Kevin355]

I've been to Disney World in August (once), and September (twice), and December. Being from Ohio, it was hot in both August and September, but since Ohio is the ragweed capital and humidity capital during the summer, the hot weather did not bother us. Park crowds were small and we made an effort to go to 1 park in the morning, come back to the resort and swim, then hit another. The only really busy rides were Pirates of the Caribbean, It's A Small World, and Spash Mountain.

As for December, go before Christmas. We were there over Christmas...beautiful decorations, great atmosphere, but jammed to the max at all parks except Animal Kingdom. Temperatures were excellent throughout the day...mid to upper 60's to high 70's, and lower to mid 50's at night.

They need to serve alcohol on the Small World ride...I can still hear the dang song.

 

[niclodn]

We were there last year in Sept. and are going again this year. Yes, it is hot -- but not unbearable IMO. Plus there are no crowds, so you can hit everything in the parks and head back to the resort or water park to cool off and not feel like you missed out on something.

Two years ago we were there for the first weekend in December and it was cold and rainy the whole time, not to mention more crowded than in September. I personally would rather deal with the heat!

 

[rlduvall]

From what I've seen from past years' schedules, the last 2 days of the event are the only days that all the Pop Warner kids are free to go to the parks, because earlier in the week they're in competition much of the time. So the last day or two, they have a much bigger impact on crowd levels than they do through the rest of the week.

Thanks Colleen27 - that is good information to know.