Sept vs Feb

[Reese]

We were planning on going in Feb again next year but free dining is making me think maybe Sept. Would the crowds be any different with both being value seasons? Also how hot does it get in Sept.?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

Weather in Febraury is changeable, weather in September is hot.

Most of September is not crowded, although free dining will likely make it a little more crowded than in the past. February is crowded from President's Day weekend through the rest of that week (Feb 17-24 in 2007).

Bob

 

[f7prez]

The free dining is definitely reason to go in September. February can be cold, and since you live in Canada, my guess is that you would prefer it to be hot. September will be hot. February is a gamble, it could be in the 80's or it could be in the 50's. If you like to swim in the pool and go to the water parks, go in September. If you don't go to the Disney water parks... you should, they are a lot of fun.
September may have fewer people at the parks because School has just begun. February may have more people because it is a big winter break month.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

September is very hot (low 90's) & humid. With free dining it will be more crowded.

Feb is variable however, for one, it really breaks up the winter for me & gives me something to look forward to when the January drearys kick in. Second, IMO, it is much easier to tolerate crowds when it is 70 than 90+. Third, we have always had at least one day where the kids could swim (means about 73 outside for our tolerance level).

Our September trips we stay away from parks & spend most of our time at the resorts.

Plus, if you do the math, depending on where you are staying (deluxe?) & if you have any discount codes (AAA/CAA) you might make out better using a room code than the free food. Don't forget too, that there are rules that go along w/food offer so you may very well still end up paying out of pocket for some meals.

If I had to choose it would be Feb.

 

[TravelGrl]

We went this past Feb and had such a good time, that we are going to take advantage of the free dining at the end of September.

Our weather was beautiful in Feb, though it did rain on two of the 8 days we were there, we felt comfortable, in our light jackets most of the time.

I don't think you could go wrong either time hurricanes happen when you are there.

 

[Reese]

Thanks. The free dining would save us approx $1000 which is my reason for wanting to go. Dh would prefer to wait and go in Feb because we are not big heat people, especially with a baby. They both sound good though, I think it might end in a coin toss.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I would typically say September for the free dining - however I see you will have a new still really little baby in September and I can't imagine messing with the heat with that small a baby. We went last year 9/24-10/2 and it was hotter than our past trips in early September - I mean miserably hot. We were soaked with sweat before we could even get to the bus stop - much less the parks. We had our almost 2 year old with us and she handled it fine....but I think it helps that she was big enough she was in her stroller or walking. I would imagine if we had done a lot of carrying her it would have been really bad - and with that small a baby you will definitely spend quite a bit of time holding him/her. Either way - good luck deciding and have a great time!!

 

[ParkPrincess]

I would go February because of fewer crowds, milder temperatures, etc. Also, you run the risk of a possible hurricane evacuation in September. That is hurricane season.

 

[poohfan]

We went last year during free dining. We were there the week of Labor Day and found the lines to be either short or non-existant until around mid-afternoon. At that point the crowds picked up more but it was also very hot. We usually took a break around that time and spent a few hours by the pool. Then went back to the parks for dinner. Overall I found the free Dining Plan to be a great deal. So much so that we decided if we ever went back we'd do the Dining Plan even if it wasn't free.

We went to Disney in late Feb a few years ago. The parks were more crowded on that trip. But the weather was much cooler. Actually it was too cool to go in the pool or do any of the water parks. At that time of year the weather is more unpredicatable.

If the heat is a big issue I would opt for February (the heat doesn't bother us). If you're miserable walking around the park in the heat it really doesn't matter how much you're saving in meals. I'd rather spend more and be comfortable.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

Been three times in the last two years, once in January and twice in February. However this time our February trip coincided with Presidents Week and the crowds were horrendous compared to the other trips. Going in January next year to avoid a repeat. I'm not too comfortable in the heat, but the weather has always been pretty good. Plus it breaks up winter too.

 

[tinkerbellsmommy]

We are in the same boat. We were planning on going in January but Free Dinning is temping me. We went last September with free dining. It was miserably hot!!!! The crowds were terrible on the weekend but got better during the week. We loved the free dinning. We previously went the end of January and it was much more comfortable. We were lucky and got a warm week where we were in shorts all week long.

It's a hard decision!! Good luck. No matter when you go it will be great.

 

[crazy4disney01]

We went last September with free dining, and the crowds were still bad, and the heat and humidity was sometimes unbearable. We couldn't wait to get to our cool room in the afternoons and evenings. With a baby, I would say not to try the heat and humidity. Free dining is ok, but it is not worth the heat and crowds. People say they don't take kids out of school but there were lots of school-age kids when we were there. I told my DH about the free dining last night and when I told him the dates he said "we'll just pay for our food, then." Last September we declared we'd never go back when it was hot (we live in the South so we're use to the heat and humidity, but not at WDW-too draining of energy!)

Hope this helps!!