September crowds?

[UtahGuy1986]

I am booked the week after Labor Day (8-12) at PoP. What are the crowds like? I've noticed reduced hours at the parks during this time. What kind of weather should I expect?

 

[canadiandisneymommy]

Crowds will be very low as I think most kids go back to school that week. When we were at POR from Sept. 20-27 last year, the CM at the front desk told us that the week you're going was only at 30% capacity at the resort but jumped significantly the week after that and got busier. It seemed really busy when we went but I think it was because of Free Dining. Weather will be hot and humid with periods of rain that can be sprinkles or downpours.

 

[BelleKer]

I've been two years in a row during September, and they are my favorite trips by far. In 2014, I went the weekend of the 12th last year, and the previous year (2013) I went the weekend of the 20th. Crowds are not bad at all, resorts are quiet, and lines for major rides are tolerable. I did find out that Night of Joy is the 11th and 12th this year which is why the Magic Kingdom has reduced hours.

 

[Belleandtinker]

Been there twice the week after labor day and loved it. Crowds low. Younger kids and international families. We have a DS now so we cant go that time of year. You will enjoy it!

 

[ArmyVet80]

We like going in Sept. better than any other time of year. The weather is warm (some may say hot) and humid like all of Florida. There are occasional showers/storms but the seem to pass relatively quickly and if you are prepared with ponchos or rain jackets you can actually get on rides a little quicker as most take cover from the rain.

We have not gone during your specific week but from the crowd calender on easywdw it looks like a reasonably good week. We tend to go at the end of Sept. so we can check out what the F&W Festival has to offer.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We go during this time because of low crowds. It's hot for the waterpark. Plus FD saves us cash.

 

[jennab]

We are going that week too! Hoping for lower crowds. Last year we went 9/23 and it seemed much more crowded then when we did Sept 5 years ago... BUT that was also when F&W started.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We went 8/29 to 9/7 last year and crowds were very low and we got about every dining reservation we wanted - but it was ridiculously hot.

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

We always go in September. The weather is hot and humid, for sure! and it usually rains daily but not for very long and may not rain in the park that you visit that day. The crowds are low and line ups for restaurants are manageable and lots of the rides (with the exception of some of the really popular ones like TSM) quite often have low wait times. You will be able to walk right on quite a few of them -- like Buzz Lightyear in MK for example. The single rider line at EPCOT's Test Track was a walk on when we were there in September 2013.

 

[BlondeAppetit]

perfect.

 

[Cee]

The heat/humidity are for REAL. But because the crowds are relatively low and waits for attractions short (sometimes non-existent), you aren't out in it for long. Enjoy!

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

The reduced hours are okay this time of year because you can get so much more done without wasting so much valuable time standing in line. This time of year is very important to follow a recommended park from touringplans or easywdw, etc. because of the varied evening entertainment greatly influences the various park crowd levels.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We have been there that time of year for each of the last three years. We notice that right after labor day through about the 11th is the quietest time, and then it starts to ramp up as the month goes on and Food and Wine starts. We love the light crowds, and prepare for some rain but don't let it ruin our fun!

 

[myrheille]

I've been in January and September, so to me, September was crowded, but it was still very manageable (except for Epcot during F&W, but that won't be happening yet on your dates). I'm probably never going back in September though, it was wayy too hot for this Canadian girl! The humidity was killer. It was pretty nice to ride Barnstormer three times in a row because no one was coming out in the rain, heh.

 

[lelesansan]

We are visiting at the end of September so I assume the crowds might be there but hopefully not as bad as what we were use to when we would travel in May. I keep hearing about the humidity though, and being from MD, where that's the only summer I am use too, I think we can handle it.

 

[WDW Saver]

Going Sept. 13-18. I assumed very low crowds (for Disney that is). Anybody know if full week after Labor Day but before F & W starts really is low crowds? Last year was full week before Thanksgiving--very manageable.

 

[tinkerpea]

I've done September many times,I find crowd wise it's like may, and weather-wise it's like June
Earlier you go the quieter it is, food and wine I think only effects epcot! I've not found the other parks to be typically busy, there better done during the wk also, as wk ends at epcot during FW are manic.

 

[mrsclark]

DH and I have made 5 trips at various times in September and have been at various times throughout the month. Crowds are very low (relative to other times at Disney) - we only did RD one of those years. The rest of the trips we just got up when we felt like it and had plenty of time to see lots in the parks because only a few rides had major waits - off the top of my head the ones with the long waits that I remember were Soarin, 7DMT, Peter Pan. All other rides were mostly in the 5-25 minute wait time with a few going up to 30-40 minutes with the exception of the 3 listed above which often had longer waits. Many rides and even some character M&G were just walk-ons.

The weather is usually hot hot hot and humid. It may be the start of fall in other parts of the country, but September at WDW still feels like summer. We drink A LOT of water because staying hydrated keeps us feeling good in the heat and prevents us from becoming cranky!

 

[Kevin355]

Went last September, did not have a wait on most of the rides, except Test Track. At HS, got on Aerosmith 4 times in 25 minutes and ToT 3 times in less than 25 minutes. The only ride at MK that had a wait was Space Mountain. Love September at WDW.

 

[MinnieMeep]

We're going this September for the first time, 9/12-9/20. I'm hoping all of these reports pan out for us and there's very light crowds! I always read conflicting reports about perceived crowd levels, as some people say it's still crowded. Not sure if it's just crowded to them, or if they're going to parks on high crowd days. All I want is to be able to move around and have most rides with under 25 minute waits! Now I just need to figure out what kind of shoes to bring... that will be best in case we get stuck in a downpour and get soaked!