September Crowds

[jhaig]

In light of what seems to be lower crowds so far this summer (correct me if I'm wrong), what should we expect crowd-wise for September? Will the FD promo offset smaller crowds? Should we expect the typical September crowd levels, or is there even going to be any difference?

 

[disneymom0104]

I don't know what to expect, but just from reading these boards, it feels like everyone is going in Sept. Don't know if that is because it is coming up, or because I am just noticing it more (than say, August) because we are going in Sept., but I am expecting larger than low crowds. Only time will tell.

 

[mom2rtk]

I could see it going either way. I think the fact that Disney seems to have added more capacity to free dining is reassuring to those hoping for lower crowds. But it's also possible that when the economy gets tight the first step might be to move a trip from the peak season to the less expensive fall season (with free dining).

 

[anniemae]

I think it will be very slow. After Labor Day pretty much the everyone is back in school.

 

[KT0191]

I personally think it's going to be slammed. It was much busier last year and like PP said, I feel like everyone is now going in September lol. We will be there 5-13. Expect big crowds always and if you get low crowds then that's just a nice surprise.

 

[anneboleyn]

I have a feeling it isn't going to be pretty. I see more people on these boards talking about their September trips than any other month. I am mentally preparing to be sardined in the blazing heat with a lot of people lol

 

[Melissakay1q]

I'll be there in September. If it's too crowded, let's just get big margaritas and wait it out.

 

[dizprincess717]

I went there last September (September 17-21, just a quick 4 night getaway) and it was SO busy. And I've been there pretty much every month of the year - a trip over Christmas/New Year's, I worked at Splash Mountain January thru May (and worked there over Easter), etc., and it was crazy busy. For example: Stand-by for Pirates was an hour, same for HM. And all of the crowd calendars said 2, 3, 4 for those dates I believe. So not true, especially based on the wait times.

I'm going back again this September and am expecting the same crazy crowds. Last year I know that Disney invited media and bloggers to MNSSHP and there was a convention or 2 going on. When I checked in at the GF I asked for a complimentary upgrade if available (why not??) and they told me they were at capacity. CAPACITY! In September!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Yeah I am worried too- also going in September. The FD promotion seemed to go on a loooong time, so I am expecting big crowds and also the possibility of disney running things at smaller capacity, which could make for long waits. Prepare for the worst/ hope for the best?

Wish there was a way to tell what their expected occupancy rate is...

 

[loves to dive]

I was there the latter part of September last year and it didn't seem any different than March of this year. Of course, I can't really judge since crowds don't bother me and I have an AP so I park hop. I was also at F&G and F&W and really couldn't tell the difference in crowds and I did go to F&W on a Sat. night and while it was more crowded then Thursday night it wasn't horrible.

 

[Robertfam08]

I think the first week or two will still be relatively low, but crowds will begin picking up in the second week and it will be busier than normal for the rest of the month. We always go in September and this is the trend we have noticed over the last few years. Schools start back up in mid-August for many and almost all have started by the week after Labor Day. A lot of people don't want their kids to miss the first couple of weeks back, but after that it seems like anything is fair game. If you can read blogs, watch youtube, and/or have the internet, then you know September is highly recommended as a sort of "best kept secret" and now I think the secret is out, haha.

 

[mousefan73]

I have a feeling it isn't going to be pretty. I see more people on these boards talking about their September trips than any other month. I am mentally preparing to be sardined in the blazing heat with a lot of people lol

Yup me too! Each year it gets worse

 

[Spoiledraf]

We went the last two Septembers and both were busy. It an off week for many Georgia schools and thats when my grand kids are off as well. We'll be there the 23-28 again and expect the same. I think to many people live by the crowd calendars now.

If they are busy, I hope they extend the hours for MK. The latest they are open is 9pm. except for party nights and that's two of the nights we will be there. Expect the worst and hope for the best I guess!!

 

[slbgnb]

I'm definitely hoping for the best!! But, now that I think about it, it does seem like a lot of tickers match up to mine!

 

[anneboleyn]

I'll be there in September. If it's too crowded, let's just get big margaritas and wait it out.

Sounds good to me! Save me a seat lol

 

[disneymom0104]

I am also suspicious because I see threads asking about September crowds almost every day. I don't see threads wondering about August crowds? Maybe because people go in with the expectation that it will be more crowded. I know September has a reputation for being low crowds. We haven't been to WDW in 6 years, and we have experienced almost non existent crowds at times (we always go Labor Day and the week following). I know that the overall crowd level has increased by a lot over the last 6 years, so the crowds we once saw will not be the crowds we will see. (and having experienced DL a few times in the last few years I feel like we are much more accustomed to crowds now). I do feel like everyone is flocking to the early Sept. time because it has become well known that it is a slower time. But everyone going at that time means it isn't going to be that much slower. It might be slower than July (maybe), but it doesn't mean it will be empty.

I also think that there has always been a difference between early Sept. and late Sept. as far as crowds, but the entire month has been lumped as a whole of being low crowds. Even when we were going to fairly empty parks 6/7/8 years ago, it was still known that once the F&W festival started, the crowds started to pick up. Again, not to peak levels, but more than "low".

We will see. I hope I'm wrong and pleasantly surprised, but I am going in expecting it to be crowded. The fact that they are starting the DHS EMM at the end of Aug. makes me think they know there will be enough of a crowd to warrant it. The fact that they are continuing some of the summer events well into the beginning of Sept. also makes me think they know the crowds will be there to experience it. The fact that they are starting the MNSSHP on Sept. 2 makes me think they are expecting enough people will show up for it. I know back in 2008 they did have the MNSSHP early b/c we attended and thought the crowds were very light. In 2010 they didn't start the party until a couple days after we left, which was closer to mid-Sept.

Anyway- I find it all fascinating and I know we will have a great time no matter what the crowds do (hopefully, lol). We also don't go in Sept. to try to avoid crowds, we go at that time b/c my husband can take off work at that time.

 

[JennyDrake]

DITTO that September last year (3rd week) was Spring Break crowded.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Last year I think there was a perfect storm, literally and figuratively, that contributed to the crowds. There was a hurricane that had many folks move their trips by a week. There was also a Jewish holiday that fell in September which added to the crowds. Night of Joy was the week we were there, which added some, not much. We were there 9/12-9/19. It was the first September trip and I thought that it was suppose to be low crowds, so was very surprised with the crowds.

One other thing to add: Many of the CMs we talked to last year told us that they were not expecting those crowds and I'm fairly certain they were not prepared to handle the crowds that were there. I know for certain they weren't at the first MNSSHP-that was a nightmare!

Going for labor day and week after, I know the holiday weekend will be crowded, hoping for it to quiet down the week after.

 

[Nohal]

We've been going in September for the last 10 years. Every year it is more crowded than the year before. We keep moving our trip up to avoid MNSSHP and F&W and Disney keeps moving those up. F&W starts the 14th and the party starts right after Labor day. Last year it was so crowded between Jewish holiday, MNSSHP, Georgia schools off for a break and the start of F&W.

 

[EddieValiant]

Add myself to the September list, 12th through 20th at Port Orleans FQ. Never been in September (only January, April, June and November previous). I passed up middle of August hoping for lower crowds.