september or October?

[petitephlox]

hi everyone,
We're going for our first trip with our 4 yr old dd this fall and I'm so excited!! I'll likely be posting many questions.

First- do you think it's better to go in september or october? Trying to maximize the deals and low hotel rates but also less heat/better weather? I saw the first week in sept had best hotel rates?
Thanks, everyone!

 

[magicaldisney]

Welcome to the DIS. Personally I would go in October. Less chance of hot/humid weather. Less chance of hurricane weather. Halloween decorations and MNSSHP is offered that might be fun for your 4 year old.

 

[petitephlox]

Good to know- we may push back to October, then. Thank you!

 

[patrickpiteo]

Oct .. September is a more rainy month.

 

[theone74733]

Weather wise: October

Better deals on hotels: September

I would say that October can be a crapshoot as you may have days that are high 80 degrees + humidity, but the hurricane chances are not as great. The hotel deals are better in September though. We found the All Star Sports was $20 cheaper a night in September than dates in October.

 

[illinidp]

The Halloween parties start ~Sep 15 and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts ~Sep 25, so anytime from the last week of September through October you can catch both of those. The second week of November you can still catch the Food & Wine and also the Christmas Parties. You will get better lodging rates if you miss the festivals though.

 

[SantaMonicaDisney]

Are the Halloween decorations on the scary side? Or still fun for a 4 year old?

 

[tndisneyfan]

I've never done September, we usually do October. October is becoming a busy month, in my opinion, as bad as June. You probably would have better weather in October, but crowd wise, I would consider September.

 

[tsme]

October is a little cooler

 

[petitephlox]

Oh boy, I'm not sure now- was looking at the historical discounts on mousesaver, and it looks like there aren't many (if any) for the general public in october- so september is definitely better for discounts, right?

 

[Raya]

September = better discounts, lower crowds, more rain, more heat, increased chance of a hurricane. In the middle of September you have the Halloween party and at the end the Food & Wine Festival.

October = fewer discounts, more crowds, less rain, cooler temps, little chance of a hurricane. Food & Wine and Halloween are in full swing.

*note = if you *don't* do Halloween, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party will limit your time in the MK. People without a separately purchased special event ticket must leave the park by 7pm on party days (2 days a week starting mid-sept, 3 or more days a week in October). The party is very family friendly and appropriate for young kids.

 

[jandafortcampers]

We went the last week of Sept. and checked out on Oct. 4th which let us attend the MNSSHP and the crowd levels were not bad at all until it got closer to Oct. I think we only had light rain two afternoons.

 

[petitephlox]

Thank you, guys!! I do think the halloween festivities would be a hoot. Maybe we'll aim for mid- late september.

 

[MommaBerd]

Are the Halloween decorations on the scary side? Or still fun for a 4 year old?

The Halloween decorations are fun, not ominous or frightening.

OP - any chance you could hold off until November? The week before Thanksgiving is one of the lower crowd weeks in the fall, and the room prices are lower, too.

 

[petitephlox]

Mommaberd, we're pretty flexible with dates! I'll look into that. Still warm enough for swimming? Thanks!

 

[serene56]

Are the Halloween decorations on the scary side? Or still fun for a 4 year old?

unscarey-- thats is why its called Mickey Not so scarey halloween party - or here its called MNSSHP

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Mommaberd, we're pretty flexible with dates! I'll look into that. Still warm enough for swimming? Thanks!

Pools are heated so swimming yes. We have been in both September and October. We didn't have any trouble with rain but September was a scorcher. October was much more pleasant weather wise. We swam both months. We hit the pool a couple of times in December this year also.

 

[Micca]

With dozens of trips over a long period of time, I've only been really cold in WDW a time or two. We had a January trip once maybe 20 years ago where we had to wear coats & gloves! When you're out in the sunshine moving around all day, even an 80 degree day can seem quite warm.

Here's an interesting site for weather buffs. The long range forecasts are a crapshoot, but the historical data is interesting. They actually allow you to choose "Disney World" as the location, as opposed to the broader "Orlando" designation.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/disney-world-fl/32830/month/69031_poi?monyr=10/01/2015

 

[AJA]

October!

Historically September is cheap for a reason! September is very hot and humid and if it happens to be a very active hurricane season having September reservations is stressful.

We have made three September trips with the last being in 2011. The discount to crowd levels are no longer worth it for us when you factor in the heat.

 

[anniemae]

Oct. The Halloween stuff is great. Love the decorations, and the weather is better IMO.