September or October

[tifandjim]

We have always taken our vacation in September. My husband's company shuts down completely for everyone to take their vacations at the same time (so they don't have to worry about scheduling issues). We will get a week in Aug, a week in September and a week in October. The week is September has always been the week AFTER Labor Day, and this year it is THE week of Labor Day. I won't even consider taking vacation in August, but could change the dates to go during the October vacation (10/29 - 11/06). I am just wanting to get some Pros and Cons about the September and October, so I can choose. By the way, I have never been to the Halloween celebration at WDW, so that might be interesting....thanks for your suggestions in advance!!

 

[Mandabella]

I've been during that October time frame and loved it so much I am doing it again.

Not only will you have MNSSHP, you'll have the Food and Wine Festival!!!

 

[tifandjim]

I am also concerned about crowds. Although, I think that the Food and Wine Festival sounds really fun for 2 adults!! Anyone have a crowd comparison for Week of Labor Day v/s Week of Food and Wine Festival AND MNSSHP?

 

[JimmyZ]

Even though the Sept week is Labor Day week, I still think that it would be busier the October week with the Halloween thing and the Food and Wine Festival.... I have never been either week, but this is my opinion. Maybe someone else here has more experience with these weeks.....anyone?????

 

[SnackyStacky]

I haven't been in October, but I HAVE been the week of Labor Day.

In 2002, we arrived in Central Florida ON Labor Day. We headed to Universal that day and encountered not one single line.

In the days following, we visited the Disney Parks and encountered not one single line. Well, until the weekend. They typically have the Night of Joy that Friday and Saturday, and I think that's what made the lines longer. But it was only at the Magic Kingdom. The other parks were dead.

I'm going again this year. September 7!

 

[bugbugmom]

We were @ Disney the week of Labor Day 2003 and week after Labor Day 2004. Both weeks were great regarding crowds. Last year might have been a little less crowded due to the hurricanes. Wish we could return in Sept however our DD10 will be in 5th grade so taking her out of school is no longer an option. Either week is great!

 

[Neelloc]

We were there last September 2004 from 9/9-9/14. We arrived 3 days after Labor Day (and were there during NOJ) and the crowd level was amazing! Meaning the crowds were small! We went to MK that Friday 9/10, and walked on to almost every single ride. We waited for NOTHING! We park hopped a bit and even did Blizzrd Beach and the wait times there were minimal. We did not attend NOJ though, so I can't report on crowd levels at the MK during it.

DH and I want to go again in September because it's quiet, the weather was great (80's ans sunny) and we didn't have to wait for rides, the busses were never crowded and we got to see what we wanted to see with no worries.

We did make PS ressies for places we really wanted to eat though.

The only downer of the trip was we arrived after Frances and were waiting to see what Ivan would do. But as we all know, 2004's hurricane season was unusual and I hope it doesn't repeat!

 

[minniesstylist]

We always go to WDW in Oct and it our favorite time to visit. The weather is perfect and the crowds are very managable, even for MNSSHP! We say go in Oct!! HAVE FUN!!

 

[darner]

Sept. is still prime Hurricane season in Fla... WDW was hit hard in 2004 and many guests rescheduled from Sept. to Oct. and many found out they enjoyed the Oct. events...

We were there in Oct (usually not too crowded), and CM's were saying it was as busy in Oct. as it was around the Christmas holiday...

3 things played into Oct. 04 -- hurricane reschedules, Food & Wine Festival (FABULOUS!), and MNSSHP (very Fun!)... but for the next few years I'm sure Oct. will be a very popular time to visit...

 

[ANTSS2001]

KPeterso...................Sept 22 to Oct 3rd OKW and AKL
Disneynutbsv..........Sept 23rd to Sept 29th ASMo
melindaandrob........Sept 23rd to Sept 30th
tinawv.......................Sept 23rd to Sept 30th Pop Century
antss2001................Sept 23rd to Oct 1st ASMusic::::::9/30 MNSSHP= Liberty Tree Tavern
poutytink.................Sept 23rd to Oct 1st
MsWitty1................Sept 24th to Sept 28th
cjhinch......................Sept 24th to Sept 29 POP
Christy 93...............Sept 24th to Oct 1st Poly
KristyKelly..............Sept 24th to Oct 1st
Carol1973................Sept 24th to Oct 1st Pop
disneytyme..............Sept 24th to Oct 1st
George T..................Sept 24th to Oct 1st POFQ
lisatradingspaces....Sept 24th to Oct 1st
maggie767................Sept 24th to Oct 1st Pop
sheepie mom.............Sept 25th to Oct 1st Poly:::::::::9/30 MNSSHP
3 Mouseketeers......Sept 25th to Oct 5th
jcemom......................Sept 26th to Oct 4th ASMovies
Blueeyes101817.......Sept 29 to Oct 3rd Pop
somcgregor...............Sept 24th to Oct 2nd CR
smile..........................Sept 25th to Oct 1st
scoutsmom99...........Sept 25th to Oct 6th
Exp.626Stitch........Sept 26th to Oct 6th POP/POR
mouseRD..................Sept 28th to Oct 3rd YC
mickeys friend.......Sept 27th to Oct 1st CR
Disneykat................Sept 29th to Oct 3rd

Interested few for an Illumination Dessert Gathering:
antss2001 +1................................ 2
jcemom +1.......................................2
DisneyKat...................................... ?
scoutsmom99.................................?

 

[Leota]

We have been late Sept into Oct once, and later Oct.three times. Oct is my favorite time to visit WDW - The F&WF is fantastic & MNSSHP is fun. But, the real key is that the weather is absolutely Divine!

Sept had very little lines, but no F&WF (since my son is older, MNSSHP isn't as big a draw as it used to be- also they are selling alot more tickets for it than they used to)

Last October was incredibly busy. F&WF was packed in the evenings - walking practically shoulder to shoulder around the WS! But, as posted above, alot of that was due to the Hurricane Rescheduling......

 

[Merriwind]

Never have been in early September, so I can't speak to that. However, our new favorite time of year to visit is late October. We were there last year for about 10 days over Halloween and it was fantastic! Great weather, F&W festival was great, loved MNSSHP!!! Crowds weren't the slowest we've ever seen, as we usually travel in off-off season. But, they were very manageable. I think you'll be fine with either week, but I vote for October. Enjoy!

 

[jeast]

www.touringplans.com has daily crowd predictions for every day of the year. Check out the differences and make your decision. I don't think you will go wrong with either week.

 

[floridagirrl2]

IMO, September is way too hot. October weather is glorious! Plus you will be able to attend the Food & Wine Fest. We were at the Fest for two long weekends last year and didn't find it horribly crowded (especially compared to MK, which always seems horribly crowded on weekends to me, even in the slowest seasons!).

 

[cdntourguide]

October is my favourite month to get to WDW. In fact I just booked from Oct 19 to Nov4 at POP.
I find the weather much nicer than in Sept. Plus the crowds seem less hurried.

 

[ANTSS2001]

 

[crazyj4488]

I was just wondering what the park hours, typically, have looked like during the week of Labor day?? Does everything close at 6 or 7 PM like they do for most of the off-season?? How about October hours? What do those typically look like? TIA for the advice of you late Summer / Fall vets!!

I am thinking of going down the week of labor day so I can possibly get there before they close Pirates and Spaceship Earth. Pirates is rumored to close just after labor day for a lengthy rehab like we saw with Small World....that was 10 MONTHS!!

Spaceship Earth is rumored to be closed "as early as October." The pirates closing sounded a little more viable than the SE rumor as I have seen it in SEVERAL places and the word got out for this rehab, which would include the addition of Jack Sparrow and other new movie element additions, right around the 50th celeb kickoff. It is, more or less, official that they will be closing Pirates for, at the very least, the addition of Jack Sparrow.

I'd rather go in October for the better weather but I don't want to miss out on two of my favorite attractions. I'll brave the weather for Pirates and SE =)

I'll keep my eyes open for any "official" closing dates.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

When is Labor Day?

 

[crazyj4488]

Labor day is on September 5th.

Any1 wanna chime in on those questions?? Bueller??