September Opinions Please!!!!!!

[bom_noite]

We just got back from our yearly pilgrimage.

In past years the kids got out of school the second week of May, so, we went the 3rd week! Perfect - weather is usually good and the crowds are low.

This year the schools instituted a Feb Presidents Week vacation. This pushed our trip back to the last week of May / first week of June. We found the weather too hot and unpredictable and the crowds very large.

Starting this year the school system is starting a September break and we want to take advantage of it next year. With that very long and boring explanation here are my questions:

1) We plan to bring a bunch of family members. Is it easy to get a OKW GV that time of year?

2) That is still "Cane" season is it not? Overall what is the weather like?

3) I know they have lower crowds that time of year - but - does that equal out with the reduced park hours?

4) In fact - what are the park hours that time of year?

5) Does WDW host any special events that time of year - like the Epcot Floral Extravaganza?

Thanks all!

 

[megrod74]

1) We plan to bring a bunch of family members. Is it easy to get a OKW GV that time of year? I can't answer this specifically, but I do know that Sept is a slow DVC time.
2) That is still "Cane" season is it not? Overall what is the weather like?
Yes, this is still the season. It lasts from June - Nov. We went last Sept - between hurricanes - and the weather was in the 80's. We never got rain but I hear it can be like the summer showers. Sept 03 was about the same.3) I know they have lower crowds that time of year - but - does that equal out with the reduced park hours? Yes, crowds can be very low. we went the end of Sept both times and I thought there were just enough people to make everything fun.
4) In fact - what are the park hours that time of year? I think MK closed at 6 , AK at 5, MGM 8pm, and Epcot 9.
5) Does WDW host any special events that time of year - like the Epcot Floral Extravaganza? There are the Nights of Joy in the beg. of Sept and Tom Joyner's Family reunion, and at the end of Sept they start the Food & Wine and the Halloween party.
Thanks all!

have fun!

 

[dianeschlicht]

1) We plan to bring a bunch of family members. Is it easy to get a OKW GV that time of year? I would say it is certainly possible that time of year.

2) That is still "Cane" season is it not? Overall what is the weather like? We have had heat, humidity and a lot of rain in September, but we have never experienced a hurricane.

3) I know they have lower crowds that time of year - but - does that equal out with the reduced park hours? We never found touring difficult in September or January. Both have limited hours, but we just adjust our touring to make Epcot our usual evening and late in the day spot.

4) In fact - what are the park hours that time of year? Usually 6 for MK and MGM and 5 for AK. 7 for Future world of Epcot and 9 for world showcase of Epcot.

5) Does WDW host any special events that time of year - like the Epcot Floral Extravaganza? The last week is part of the F&W, but that will likely be more crowded.

 

[bom_noite]

Thank you both! That info helps alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gjw007]

We just got back from our yearly pilgrimage.

In past years the kids got out of school the second week of May, so, we went the 3rd week! Perfect - weather is usually good and the crowds are low.

This pushed our trip back to the last week of May / first week of June. We found the weather too hot and unpredictable and the crowds very large.

Like you, I have gone in the middle of May and found the temperature great. Also, like you, I went the last week of May (first time to Star Wars weekend) and found the temperatures a bit hot (about 25 degrees hotter than home). And also like you, I will back the first week in September (actually 2 weeks starting the last week in August). I have gone in late August before where the temperatures were in the mid-80s but realisticly I think it is best to think the temperatures will be in the 90s. Like clockwork, there would be a heavy rain at about 3:00 PM for the August trip and last about 1/2 hour. Other than the humidy, a 1/2 hour after the rain you wouldn't have known that it did rain. It should be okay; I head for the more indoor activities during the middle of the day and get the outdoor activities done during the morning.

 

[chrissybear]

We prefer to go in Sept. or Oct. It is very hot and humid in Sept, but we never have to wait long for any of the rides. I would much rather deal with the heat than deal with the crowds. I wish the park hours were longer, but the shorter hours makes us try other things besides the parks. My home resort is BCV, and I love hanging around SAB. My other favorite non park activity is the surry bike around the Boardwalk which we do if it is not too hot.

 

[Northern Lights]

We went the week after labor day 2 years ago and it was great. I think the responses you have received are right, but I sure don't remember MK closing at 6! I am almost positive it was open until 8. How did they do the fireworks show at 6? Surely it wasn't dark by then - particularly since DST doesn't start until the end of October.

I'm almost positive that MK's schedule was the same as MGM.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We went the week after labor day 2 years ago and it was great. I think the responses you have received are right, but I sure don't remember MK closing at 6! I am almost positive it was open until 8. How did they do the fireworks show at 6? Surely it wasn't dark by then - particularly since DST doesn't start until the end of October.

I'm almost positive that MK's schedule was the same as MGM.

Now that you mention it, I do kind of remember that MGM was open later, but there was only one Fantasmic, and it was open for seating about the time the rest of the park was closing. I know the park was closed when we came out of Fantasmic. The MK did not have fireworks during the week. The park was open a bit later on the weekend, and that is the only time they had fireworks there.

 

[wtpclc]

DH and I LOVE Sept trips! 2 for 2 for no hurricanes and only rained 1 night. The earlier close hours is offset plenty by the lack of lines. You may have to plan alittle, because some of the parades (like spectromagic) were only offered certain days. I know Illuminations was evr night. Don't know about MK.

hey! What happened to you creative "bullets" this time?

 

[Northern Lights]

Diane, I guess you are right b/c I only remember seeing the fireworks once - I'm pretty sure it was still Fantasy in the Sky back then, but I thought for sure it wasn't on the weekend when we saw it.

I totally remember the same thing about MGM - one fantasmic that started when the park closed, which ensured that the seating for it was still very packed.

I wonder what the logic is in keeping MGM open later than MK? I know MK is a more popular park, and I would think that Wishes is just as popular as Fantasmic (although personally Fantasmic is my favorite "park-closing" show).

Of course, what we love about DVC is that we no longer feel we need as much park time like prior visits.