Sept or Oct?

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Hi everyone! I've been a lurker for a long time that has decided to finally come out of hiding. So far so good...everyone has been really great, and has shown me that this posting stuff is not nearly as scary as it looks!

Anyways my question is simple: Should we (me-29 and DH-33) go to WDW Sept 13-20 for our actual 5th anniversary or Oct 18-25 in honor of our 5th anniversary?

One great thing about lurking is all of the info that you learn, so these are the concerns that I have found so far:

Sept- HOT!!!, rainy, shorter park hours, less time to save money

Oct- CROWDS!!!! (over half of the resorts appear to be booked according to disneyworld.com), more expensive

So tell me, when should I go...is Sept really that much hotter than Oct? How much does it really rain in Sept? Is anyone concerned about the crowds in Oct?

Most importantly what would you do?

Thanks! Heather

 

[jlp651]

When I was planning...I looked at peak season, value season etc...you can usually find this in Birnbaums or the Unofficial Guide...i can't recall off the top of my head...but think about when kids are in school...rule of thumb-I believe is that it is less crowded during those times...
Good Luck! Have fun!

 

[lasmickey]

Our last trip was mid-October. The weather was perfect, the crowds were fine (not too many, but the parks weren't empty either), and we decided then and there to only do trips in October from now on. We've done February, June, July, August and September, but October beat them all!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

Thanks for the bit of encouragement about October...I think that we are going to stick with going late October. Now I just have to decide if two adults would enjoy the MNSSHP enough to pay the extra money for it....oh the agony of having to make up my mind!!!....

 

[TJ Munk]

I've been in WDW year around for two years (former CM) and I vouch for October. One of the reasons the resorts appear to be all booked is that since this is low park guest time, it's high convention season. The good thing is convention attendees don't go to the parks during the day since they are busy with their conventions. The only crowds you may find are those who are there for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. If there is one while you are there, you should definitely go. There's a special parade, villans are out who aren't usually seen, and even the characters wear costumes. It's a riot!

TJ Munk

 

[shelleyz]

I say go October 18-25, only because that's when I'm going. I know nothing about Disney because I've never been. I'm not worried about the crowds. We are going to take advantage of EE days then rest in the afternoons with DS's being only 2 and 4.

 

[Momandjake]

The past three times I have gone over labor day weekend. There are no crowds as everyone has just returned to school. As for the weather, it's hot, but not unbearable. In fact, two years ago I recall one evening I was wearing a long sleeve t-shirt. (I may just be strange though!) I've never been in October, but I used to live in Florida and I don't see much of a difference. All three times I've gone in September it's rained one day out of 6, and Florida rain seems to leave as quickly as it appears.

Either way I'm sure you will have a great time!

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I did it! I bought our plane tickets, and after reading the MNSSHP trip report, I think that I have to go or I will feel like I am missing out! So OCT 18-25 is it...and I hope that everyone is right about the crowds, but even if they are there we will have a great time. Thanks again, everyone has been so helpful.

Heather

 

[Pop-up-family]

One reason the motels might be booked at that time is for Biketoberfest which starts the 16th of October this year. Usually October is not very crowded, except the local schools have a fall break for a week in October.
I live right here and I would pick October over September, still pretty hot and muggy in September. So you made a good choice. Enjoy

 

[MichaelH]

My wife and I go in October also. We enjoy it a lot during that time. Also, since you are going to celebrate your 5th Anniversary, check to see if the food and wine festival is going on. If it is they have some nice food and wine tastings that you could do. I believe that one was $125 per person and the other is $75 per person.