September Crowds

[cnorris40]

I have been reading a lot of posts that September was too busy for some people. We were planning on going in September, and I would like to get some opinions on this.

Thanks

 

[of the seas]

It's usually busy when they have the free dining plan. It used to be a slower time a few years ago. If they do have free dining, you better make your dining reservations as early as you can.

 

[KatMark]

We have been the last two Septembers. In 2007, we were there September 1through 9. It was very crowded at the Magic Kingdom late afternoon/evening on Sunday, the 2nd, but it was Labor Day Weekend. Every other day we basically walked on most rides in under 10 minutes (the exceptions being Splash Mountain because of the heat--every one wanted to cool off and Soarin'--and for those we waited no more than 30 minutes. We did find the restaurants very crowded because of the Free Dining. But we had ADR's for every restaurant and we were seated within five minutes of our ADR time with the exception of Boatwright's where we waited over 45 minutes (and then had a really bad meal).

 

[wirki]

I was there this past Sept. and it was great. I was really hot, but not too busy. And I was there over Labor Day. I did not have any problems getting in to Sci-Fi or WWC. But I did not try any other TS, so I can not tell you how they were. (both were for lunch by the way)

I will be back this Sept. the 5th-11th.

 

[HopperFan]

Been the last two, on different weeks, with totally different crowd levels.

I did not vote because:

Everything is a Walk-On! ..... Wasn't true either week unless at opening & closing.
I guess it's OK.. ..... Still great trips for us and more than okay compared to other times of year.
Not worth the effort! ..... Absolutely worth it IF you don't mind chancing the weather. For the trip of a lifetime, maybe not.

2006 we went the last week of the month and it was great. Great low crowds, not alot of kids, weather was comfortable, thoroughly enjoyed all the UK folks there. Downside was love bugs.

2007 we went the 13th - 23rd and the crowds were considerably larger with lines for everything. Many families with young kids, and many said they were on fall break, not many UK folks (I missed them), much hotter, more rain........but no love bugs

That said we are bouncing back but returning to the end of the month timeframe.

PS Both were during "complimentary" dining and so all sit downs required ADRS long in advance.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I've been to WDW twice during September. The first time was in 2002 way before free dining and it was very nice. The crowds were low, the weather was nice, except for the daily rain shower. The second time we went in 2006 it was very hot and it was busier than 4 years prior (free dining time). Some rides we waited 20 minutes or more for although there were some that were walk on but very few. The average time we waited for rides was about 10 minutes. In 2002 they were pretty much all walk-on.

This year I'm going in at the end of April and we'll see what the crowds are like then.

 

[EnnEss]

I was there last year and everything with extremely rare exceptions was a walk on. The weekend was busier, the EMH sunday night at MK was so dead it was crazy though!

Maybe had to wait for EE for 5 - 10 mins, rockn roller coaster for 5, never for ToT, longest was probably splash and space which both hit 15 once or twice and we waited an hour or two and it dropped to the more manageable 5.

 

[dsquarednz]

We have been the last two Septembers. In 2007, we were there September 1through 9. It was very crowded at the Magic Kingdom late afternoon/evening on Sunday, the 2nd, but it was Labor Day Weekend. Every other day we basically walked on most rides in under 10 minutes (the exceptions being Splash Mountain because of the heat--every one wanted to cool off and Soarin'--and for those we waited no more than 30 minutes. We did find the restaurants very crowded because of the Free Dining. But we had ADR's for every restaurant and we were seated within five minutes of our ADR time with the exception of Boatwright's where we waited over 45 minutes (and then had a really bad meal).

We had the same experience in 2006 - no trouble with queues (rode Buzz Lightyear three times in a row!) I don't remember it being super-hot either. We were there from the 4th through the 12th. Had no trouble with ADRs, or getting seated quickly.

Going back this Sept!

 

[mnasmom3]

We went Sep 21-29 last year and the longest line we waited in was to see Captain Jack. That wait was about 15 minutes. We did use fast pass and we did have dining reservations made months prior to the trip. Walking around, it did look busy, but the lines were next to nothing. I'd definitely go again in September.

 

[OatsZoo]

The wait doesn't seem so bad then, we went the end of March last year and some rides had little wait but some were horrible. No line up for Everest first thing in the am but we waited nearly 45 mins for most rides with no fastpass and 1 hour or more for Soarin' as we were holding Fastpasses for Test Track. 10-20 mins for a ride sounds great for us!

 

[BeckWhy]

We went during free dining 2006 (Sept 6th - 12th). We would go to the park that had EMH evenings going on that day. And as some may know, many places suggest not going to those parks those days because they are far more busier.

With that being said, we walked on everything, rode several rides over and over without having to get off. Morning, afternoon, evening no ride line was longer than 20 minutes (with the exception of ToT after Fantasmic!). Most said 20 minutes but they were less.

I can only assume that if you went to a park that didn't have EMH going on that day, they waits would be far less.

I have heard that pre-Labor day and the end of September is busier, but I haven't experienced it.

 

[rie4630]

We have been to Disney the last 5 years in September, however, last year with the free dining, the crowds were huge. We are going the first week of May this year hoping the crowds will be less.

 

[tkmmc]

Just FYI - Georgia schools have been on a "balanced calendar" schedule for a few years now. The Fall Break usually falls close to whatever school week includes September 15th (I've noticed b/c it's my husband's birthday and daughter is usually out of school). We joke that this week must be Georgia Disney Week because so many friends and friends-of-friends go during this week. Maybe just steer clear of Fall Break week for Georgia schools. Our friends who go report that it is getting busier each year during this time.

 

[Manda]

We were there last September during free dining. I didn't think the crowds were bad at all. We walked onto most every ride - including Space Mountain right in the middle of the afternoon. The weekends were heavier than the weekdays. I'd do it again. It was pretty darn hot though.

 

[tkmmc]

Forgot about free dining. If there is free dining PLUS Georgia's Fall break that week may be busier than other September weeks.

 

[poohgirl6]

We've gone numerous times over the Labor Day Weekend and the following week. Last time was 2006 (had to take 2007 off due to DDs wedding). We've never had crowd issues at all. I've never seen the dreaded love-bugs Heat, humidity and afternoon T-storms are sometimes an issue, but not too much worse than here at home (we live in AR) so we just deal with it. DH and I are heading back this Labor Day and the following week for our 25th anniversary. We've been several times in January (low crowds but cold, yukky weather every time) and once in May (never again because of crowds) and Sept is def our favorite time.

 

[cnorris40]

I would like to thank everyone for replying. I guess it makes me a little nervous, since we were looking at arriving on September 11 or 12 and staying for 10 days. That would land right during the Georgia break. I guess we will have to talk it over a little more, it still looks like a promising time of year.

Again, Thank You...

 

[stepdisney]

I can say we were very happy that we went this time. We basically walked on even at the water parks. Mid-day was, of course, a little more of a wait. I came home with fast passes for every ride including the Yedi. We got on the Tower of Terror 4 times in a row and never waited in line. If I ever get my pictures downloaded, I can post the empty parks. When we go again, it will be the last few days of August until the 8th of September like we did in 2007. Hot but worth it. Also, we changed our ADR's while we were there. I can honestly say that even though we booked well in advance our ADR's, we had NO problem switching them while we were there. We switched from Kona's to Bomas within 1 hour of our reservations. (Make reservations but know that you can switch them).

 

[may_baby06]

My DH and I went Sept. 07 during free dinning and we walked on to almost every ride. If we had a wait it was very little. He wants to go back again during that time. I guess it kinda spoiled him because now he doesn't ever want to go back during anything busier then sept. haha

 

[Daisy&Donald]

We have gone the past 4 years, 9-1 to about the 9th. I would have to say this year it was sooo hot and the crowds seemed to be larger. Normally after labor day weekend everything seems to slow down but this year it was still busy through Wednesday. We are trying to figure out a new time to go when its not so busy.