September Advice

[JessiMommy]

We almost always travel to WDW in September. We always do the same week, the first full week after Labor Day week. This year that week falls on September 13-19. Those dates won't work for us this year. We like the lowest crowds possible. (Yes, I know that is almost non existent anymore) With that being said do you think the better bet for lower crowds is the week before, which includes Labor Day as our first park day or the week after our ideal week which would be the 20-26. We will not be doing MNSSHP or F&W so those things don't matter to us.

I'm torn because I feel like Labor Day and the week following may have slightly higher crowds because of the holiday. However there are no parties or F&W at that time so maybe not?! Also not sure Night of Joy has any effect? Opinions?? TIA!

 

[slford00]

We are going that exact week of Labor Day (Fri 4th - Sun 13th); according to Touring Plans crowd calendar most of the days during that span (including Labor Day) are "level 1" crowds.

I agree, I would think that Labor Day would be busier. However, I've read a couple archived posts on here (try searching for them) about Labor Day crowds the past few years, and those threads made it sound not busy at all; one even had photos for "proof."

I've been in late October and late May the past few years and both times were lower level crowds (3-4) and I remember thinking both times it was a lot busier than I expected. Hopefully Touring Plans is right and crowds are the lowest of the year this early Sept week!

 

[RJstanis]

We went Sept 25th-30th last year and it felt a lot like when we went in July before. We are RDers and went to suggested parks. Most sites predicted those days 2 points lower than what they actually were. We planned well so it didn't damper to much, but we had higher expectations to do more.

 

[Lee & Kerry]

Just go and have fun. The parks are busy and the planners have only been close to being correct. To many people try to read to much into the planner, it's just a educated guess. There are to many variables that can change it. We go when we like going and we don't care what the crowds are or what some planner book tells me. Just go and have fun,it's disney and you can't help but have fun...

 

[ArmyVet80]

We go in late September and the crowds are manageable. Even during the F&W festival, Epcot wasn't too bad. We are going 19 Sept thru 26 Sept this year and looking at he "crowd calenders" there should be slightly below average crowds. As stated above, they are just educated guesses when it comes to the crowd calenders. Sometimes they will be spot on and others they will be way off. I still think just about any week in Sept. is a good time to go though.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

We went Sept 5th-13th last year. While we weren't there on Labor Day (the 5th was the following Friday), the crowds were *amazing.* And we even had a CM tell us on one of our first days that the Tues/Wed after Labor Day were even lighter crowd wise, which was really hard to believe as most things were pretty much walk on when we were there.

The year prior to that we went the following week (your ideal week). While it too was awesome, I'd say the crowds were even better the earlier week.

We love Sept...who caress about the heat/rain when the crowds are so low!!

 

[Wendybird55]

I've gone various times Labor Day weekend into the following week (arriving Sat or Sun before Labor day and staying into following week) and each time the crowds were great - even on Labor Day. I believe one year we went to MK on Labor Day and there were hardly any crowds. I loved going that time of the year before my son started Kindergarten...very low crowds. We've also been later in September for MNNSHP and found that time good as well.

 

[anniebean]

Been both of those weeks several times throughout the years. I love going in September! The NoJ concerts do impact crowd levels, in my opinion, but nothing outrageous. The best thing for us has always been to plan to go to the least crowded park according to the crowd calendars.

Bring a poncho!

 

[JessiMommy]

Thanks everyone! I think we have decided on Labor Day week.

 

[Lucius Best]

I see now you already decided, but I'm another vote for Labor Day week, been there twice, especially if you don't care about MNSSHP or F&W. You'll want to think about how to plan around Nights of Joy. If I remember correctly, we went to MK the day of a Night of Joy event, crowds were extremely light in the morning, presumably because people stayed away knowing there would be an evening event. There were a ton of NOJ kids flooding in the park after 4pm, that's when we left. Then it's likely the MK will be more busy the days before and after NOJ.

 

[rznhal]

We were there two years ago at Labor Day....lowest crowds I have ever seen! Way better than January!!!!

 

[JennyDrake]

Just go and have fun. The parks are busy and the planners has only been close to being correct. To many people try to read to much into the planner, it's just a educated guess. There are to many variables the can change it. We go when we like going and we don't care what the crowds are or what some planner book tells me. Just go and have fun,it's disney and you can't help but have fun...

I'll echo this. I find the crowd calendars to be terribly inaccurate for "slow" times. I've been going 3-6x/year for 10 years and IMHO there are no *SLOW* times anymore as we used to know them.

Even 5 years ago the first week in December was very slow, maybe 20 minute midday waits for headliners. The last two year, THE SAME week have had waits of 40 minutes or more by 11 am.

 

[Dentam]

We are going Sept. 6-12th and are planning to go to the most recommended parks each day based on the crowd calendars. We're hoping for very low crowds but have found that booking ADR's has still been a challenge to get the times we want. Hoping that's not an indication of higher crowds this year! I'm thinking it's due to free dining but who knows...

 

[I M Fearless]

I feel as if the parks are getting busier all the time, so it's hard to judge one week to the next, I have spent two months at Disney in the last 12 months, some of June, Sep, Oct, and most of March, June was definitely busiest crowds wise, but the parks are noticeably busier these days most of the time.

Disney are very good at adjusting prices, offers, operating hours and special entertainment to keep the property running optimally.

I think the days of empty parks are sadly in the past, but obviously it's good that the place is doing well, they deserve to in my opinion.

Go with a solid touring plan, which you adjust as you feel benefits you as you go through your day, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Even when the parks are busy it can still be enjoyable.

 

[Dentam]

What about airfare for Sept? So far the prices are not as low as I'd hoped. Does anyone know when sales for Sept. are normally rolled out?

 

[JessiMommy]

I'll echo this. I find the crowd calendars to be terribly inaccurate for "slow" times. I've been going 3-6x/year for 10 years and IMHO there are no *SLOW* times anymore as we used to know them.

Even 5 years ago the first week in December was very slow, maybe 20 minute midday waits for headliners. The last two year, THE SAME week have had waits of 40 minutes or more by 11 am.

Yes, we are seeing this more and more in the past 3 years. I think there are still better months than others but the old low, low crowd times seem to be gone.

 

[SleepingUgly]

What about airfare for Sept? So far the prices are not as low as I'd hoped. Does anyone know when sales for Sept. are normally rolled out?

I bought tix from Washington, DC to Orlando for under $200 per person on JetBlue. Dates are Sept. 7-12. I didn't think that was too awful!

 

[Xennia]

We almost always travel to WDW in September. We always do the same week, the first full week after Labor Day week. This year that week falls on September 13-19. Those dates won't work for us this year. We like the lowest crowds possible. (Yes, I know that is almost non existent anymore) With that being said do you think the better bet for lower crowds is the week before, which includes Labor Day as our first park day or the week after our ideal week which would be the 20-26. We will not be doing MNSSHP or F&W so those things don't matter to us.

I'm torn because I feel like Labor Day and the week following may have slightly higher crowds because of the holiday. However there are no parties or F&W at that time so maybe not?! Also not sure Night of Joy has any effect? Opinions?? TIA!

Annual pass holder here.

We wait for the end of September for crowds to be gone. School starts and everyone is forgetting about summer. Best time to go. Cheaper rates too.

 

[Dentam]

I bought tix from Washington, DC to Orlando for under $200 per person on JetBlue. Dates are Sept. 7-12. I didn't think that was too awful!

I'll be flying from Denver and the best I can find is about $340. My parents are coming as well from a tiny airport in Oregon since PDX is a four hour drive from their town. Cheapest they can find is $515 for a red eye. Hoping for some sales soon!

 

[Dentam]

Just checked Jet Blue and it would be $661 from Denver to Orlando with a stop in Boston - dang!