Sept 2015 Crowd Calendar - Thoughts?

[tjknitz]

We were planning on vacationing Sept 19-26....however realizing now that Labor Day is actually a week later than normal we are considering Aug 29-Sept 5. I see that easywdw actually lists the crowd level that week LOWER than the mid September week we were planning on. Does that seem right? I'm thinking that that extra week before school starts means that the parks would be busy that first week in September. Thoughts?

 

[willowsnn3]

Georgia schools are already back in session the week before Labor Day. We usually go Wednesday of that week and leave to come home on day after Labor Day so the kids only miss 3 days of school.

 

[SeilerBird]

Ignore the crowd calendars. They are basically useless in my view.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/low-crowd-days-and-why-they-arent-always-best.3378963

 

[tinkerbella16]

I still think it will be one of the slowest weeks of the year, as usual. Our district here in NJ is starting school the week before Labor Day also, and the parents were all in an uproar over it, but that's just the way it is since Labor Day is later than usual. I would move my trip up to that week without hesitation. I would even go that week if it weren't for the heat and rain that happens a lot during that time. November is just so nice when it comes to the weather, that I'd rather take a bit of a crowd increase with awesome weather and no rain.

 

[DisneyFive]

Ignore the crowd calendars. They are basically useless in my view.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/low-crowd-days-and-why-they-arent-always-best.3378963

From someone that has used the crowd calendars (touring plans) for four trips (7-9 nights each) in September, I will absolutely follow the crowd calendars. They have been spot on for us. As I commented in the thread you linked, it goes completely against our experience. WDW puts less staff in place on low crowd days because they aren't needed.

OP, Honestly they are both super low crowd weeks. Take your pick. We have only noticed crowd levels to feel higher once they start hitting 5's or more for any particular park.

Dan

 

[tjknitz]

Thanks so much everyone! My vacation is currently booked - but OMG with all this time on my hands I keep wanting to switch dates, resorts, etc..... it's driving me nuts! I can't wait until I can make my dining reservations....then at least the decision to swich weeks won't be at the forefront of my mind.

 

[rpcvpanama]

The Epcot Food & Wine festival is starting early this year, Sept. 18th I believe. So, that can bring in higher crowds during the later part of September.

 

[lilclerk]

The Epcot Food & Wine festival is starting early this year, Sept. 18th I believe. So, that can bring in higher crowds during the later part of September.

Yup, definitely go pre-F&W if you want to avoid crowds in September. We got there the week it started last year, and it was super busy... for September anyway. Reports we had been watching from the beginning of the month had MUCH lighter crowds than we saw.

 

[rizzo0904]

MK on Saturday or Sunday of Labor Day weekend?

 

[Kingdome8]

I went 3rd week sept 2014. Crowds weren't bad. But rained all week. Originally had October and had to switch to sept cause of work. We still had great time. But rained hard and a lot. So bring ponchos.

 

[Kingdome8]

Yup, definitely go pre-F&W if you want to avoid crowds in September. We got there the week it started last year, and it was super busy... for September anyway. Reports we had been watching from the beginning of the month had MUCH lighter crowds than we saw.

We went that week to. Sept 20th I think. A lot of rain that week. It was free dining so it was some what crowded.
I agree. I don't think crowds calendars are accurate any more

 

[qa4ever]

You are looking at the 2014 dates. The easywdw 2015 dates are not yet out. That's why it doesn't make sense.

 

[siskaren]

You are looking at the 2014 dates. The easywdw 2015 dates are not yet out. That's why it doesn't make sense.

The September 2015 calendar is out, Josh just doesn't have the day to day breakdown yet:

http://www.easywdw.com/site-news/preliminary-september-2015-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/

 

[karsen11]

The Epcot Food & Wine festival is starting early this year, Sept. 18th I believe. So, that can bring in higher crowds during the later part of September.

Where did you find these dates? the start date I have found is Sept 25th...I would be so happy if it started the 18th instead!!!

 

[DisneyFive]

Where did you find these dates? the start date I have found is Sept 25th...I would be so happy if it started the 18th instead!!!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/

Agree, Disney website has it starting the 25th.

Dan

 

[tjknitz]

I believe that Food and Wine Festival starts on Friday, Sept 25th. I will actually be leaving for home the following day. My Epcot day is that prior Monday (before Food and Wine Festival). I assume that if I stay away from Epcot then the crowds shouldn't be that bad - right?

 

[SeilerBird]

From someone that has used the crowd calendars (touring plans) for four trips (7-9 nights each) in September, I will absolutely follow the crowd calendars. They have been spot on for us. As I commented in the thread you linked, it goes completely against our experience. WDW puts less staff in place on low crowd days because they aren't needed.

OP, Honestly they are both super low crowd weeks. Take your pick. We have only noticed crowd levels to feel higher once they start hitting 5's or more for any particular park.

Dan

I am very curious as to the crowd levels on the days you were there and what made the lower crowd days better?

 

[Vernie822]

We were there Sept 13-20 this year. F&W started on our last day in the parks (Sep 19). We had fantastic crowd levels all week and got a lot done. It was great.

 

[DisneyFive]

I believe that Food and Wine Festival starts on Friday, Sept 25th. I will actually be leaving for home the following day. My Epcot day is that prior Monday (before Food and Wine Festival). I assume that if I stay away from Epcot then the crowds shouldn't be that bad - right?

During Food and wine, Epcot gets busier primarily in the afternoon/evening when people come to the food booths. This is especially true on the weekend evenings when the locals add to the crowds a lot.

We stay away from Epcot during F&W on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Mon - Thur tend to be fine, depending on EMH hours, and get a little busier in the evening but not crazy.

Dan

 

[livingthedream]

I had the same concerns as you. I do agree that either week will have lower crowds than later in Sept when Food and Wine begins, but my suspicion is that Aug 29 - Sept 5 will be slightly busier than what the crowd calendars predict. I do believe with Labor Day happening a full week into September - i.e. later than is typical - that the week prior to Labor Day will be a bit busier than expected - but only a little busier...nothing like summer vacation crowds. I believe it will be fine...