September vs October?

[mshanson3121]

Will there be much difference in weather between mid September and end of October?

Looking at historical data it looks like the temps average about 10 degrees less and humidity averages about 10% lower .

But in real life, does it translate into enough of a difference that you would consider booking October over September given increase in price and crowds?

 

[Babsy]

We like the weather better in October much better. I think, looking at crowd levels and prices for the two months, most people agree.

I have been in WDW in both months. I won't go in September again. Full disclosure, I hate the heat. Some people like heat and would disagree with me, though.

 

[Micharlotte]

We go every September and love it. The crowds would scare me off of October though!

 

[mamamelody2]

We went Labor Day week last year. Loved the crowd level. We are going again this year, same week.
Everything I've read about October lately says it's too busy for my tastes.

 

[Mrspeaks]

I have done both - Labor Day,mid September and early October. It was much hotter and more humid in September. Crowds were lower though and we’ve gotten free dining - those are sorry it for me.

 

[mshanson3121]

- those are sorry it for me.

Trying to decipher this lol. I'm assuming that the low crowds and free dining outweigh the heat and humidity for you?

 

[jeff_h]

Another thing to consider is that September normally has higher chance of hurricanes than October, mid-late September is probably no longer the highest chances but still maybe something to think about if you are available to travel in either month.

 

[mom2rtk]

How are you with crowds? October has been very crowded in recent years, even by Disney standards. Also Star Wars is supposed to open in the fall. Most say November but there's nothing saying they might not open earlier, like October. If not opening then, they could have soft opens or previews.

 

[Marionnette]

Prices? Choose September
Heat? Pick October
Rain? Take October
Crowds? September is less crowded
Park hours? I'd go with September only because there are fewer MNSSHPs, so the MK is open later more nights. AK is open later due to there being more daylight hours. Illuminations will probably be done by October, so choose September if you hope to see it one last time.

 

[mshanson3121]

How are you with crowds?

Not bad. I mean our last trip was June 24 - July 5. It was busy. The bottleneck areas weren't very enjoyable and July 3 we did leave the park early due to the crowds. We would prefer lower crowds for sure, and no way do I want to deal with SWGE crowds, but, I also know that we would all fare best if it wasn't hotter than the blazes, too. When we went last temps were 90-95 with the humidity running around 75%, one day was 85%, so seems like it would be comparable?

 

[Farro]

Our experience

One trip in 2014 we went 10/21- 10/30. Perfect weather, I don't think we saw a cloud except the day we arrived. Warm enough in day to swim, but not too hot for walking the parks. Needed a light sweater/jacket some nights. Perfect.

The other trip in October 2017 we went 10/25 - 11/3. Sunny, but cold snap for most of trip. I mean cold, at night we were in jeans, jackets, almost wanted hats. Wore pants/jackets during the day. No swimming, too cold.

Neither of those trips did we find the crowds to be unmanageable.

So, depends on your luck I guess!

 

[mshanson3121]

Our experience

One trip in 2014 we went 10/21- 10/30. Perfect weather, I don't think we saw a cloud except the day we arrived. Warm enough in day to swim, but not too hot for walking the parks. Needed a light sweater/jacket some nights. Perfect.

The other trip in October 2017 we went 10/25 - 11/3. Sunny, but cold snap for most of trip. I mean cold, at night we were in jeans, jackets, almost wanted hats. Wore pants/jackets during the day. No swimming, too cold.

Neither of those trips did we find the crowds to be unmanageable.

So, depends on your luck I guess!

Both of those sound beautiful to me!

 

[JennP78]

October. Humidity drops so it feels much more pleasant. It'll be more crowded for sure, but a good plan will get you around that.

 

[Farro]

Both of those sound beautiful to me!

If you don't like heat, definitely!

But the second trip was too cold for us. We want to swim and wear shorts when we visit Florida!

Next trip we are going in May. Feel the heat!!!

 

[mshanson3121]

If you don't like heat, definitely!

But the second trip was too cold for us. We want to swim and wear shorts when we visit Florida!

Next trip we are going in May. Feel the heat!!!

True. We really do want to swim. Though for us anything 70+ is swimming weather as long as the pool is heated.

My SIL that is going with us though really likes warm weather and wants lots of pool breaks so I know she won't mind Sept. I'm more just worried about my ANS issues. Though we managed June/July so it can't be that much worse lol

 

[mickeymom629]

True. We really do want to swim. Though for us anything 70+ is swimming weather as long as the pool is heated.

My SIL that is going with us though really likes warm weather and wants lots of pool breaks so I know she won't mind Sept. I'm more just worried about my ANS issues. Though we managed June/July so it can't be that much worse lol

People are in the heated pools even in January when it's 50 degrees! I wore my winter gear and had a wine by the pool watching families swim - crazy!

 

[nicolebridget22]

We've done both. I always say...I can handle crowds OR heat, but not both. We went in October 2016 and I swore I would never do it again because we got BOTH. Oh, and a hurricane that shut down Disney which was...awful. This year we're trying September, anticipating that it will be hot as Hades, but hoping there will be less people. It was a bit more affordable too.

 

[Stefani P.]

I have been in October over Halloween before. Loved it. Perfect weather, only rained once. That was 2016. The crowds were not bad and it wasn't terribly hot or humid.
We are trying September this year to take advantage of lower prices and anticipated lower crowds

 

[Amy11401]

We went in October 2018...the 14-20. It was super hot and humid....like summer hot and humid....temps in the high 90's feels like temperatures over 100. There was barely any rain though. From my research it seems like the temps can really vary in October. I am not a good one to judge crowds because I have not been since 1996 before this trip.

 

[Stefani P.]

If you don't like heat, definitely!

But the second trip was too cold for us. We want to swim and wear shorts when we visit Florida!

Next trip we are going in May. Feel the heat!!!

I did April 2018 and the weather was wonderful!!!