September weather and free dining

[emalone]

How is the September weather and free dining? How are the crowds and the lines for the rides? Thinking about going if they offer free dining. We live in Georgia, so we are ok with the heat ( I think). Will have to keep kids out of school,so we just want to know what you think of September and free dining.

 

[deide71]

Our trip last year was Sept. 22-30. We didn't get free dining (we stayed on points @ Old Key West), but found the crowds to be on the lower end of moderate (how is that for confusing ). The exception being Magical express on saturday afternoon. OMG! It was a zoo. To their credit they are very well organized, but there was such a mass of people. Skip it if you can.

Suffice it to say attraction times were very doable, especially in the early morning. The worst crowds we saw were at MK for evening EMH. Despite the earlier rain it was packed. We saw the fireworks and left.

We did the Halloween party on that trip as well and loved it! It was crowded, but there was no wait for the rides (even Big Thunder and Splash) earlier in the evening. The Hub was packed for the fireworks, but that is to be expected. Highly reccomended.

As for the weather we managed fine, and we are from Minnesota...so I would imagine you would not be phased in the least with high 80's and humid.

HTH, have a great trip!

 

[strmtroopr96]

Our trip last year was Sept. 22-30. We didn't get free dining (we stayed on points @ Old Key West), but found the crowds to be on the lower end of moderate (how is that for confusing ). The exception being Magical express on saturday afternoon. OMG! It was a zoo. To their credit they are very well organized, but there was such a mass of people.

My parents went the exact same dates as you last September and they also had a major wait for Magical Express the day they arrived (22nd). I think it took them way over an hour if not 2 hours to get to their resort. We have never had such a long wait before. I have landed at MCO in the past at 10:00 am and been checked in and standing in my room at Pop Century by 11:00 am.

We were there 9/7-9/15 and no major waits for ME and the parks weren't too bad. The only downfall that trip was the weather. We are used to the rainshowers in September. But this trip, it would downpour for hours each night. We were soaked every evening and there were some nasty thunderstorms as well.

The weather isn't usually that bad for us even the year when we were there during Hurricane Jeanne (the days leading up to it anyway). Most nights we headed back to the room early and I felt like we didn't do or see as much as usual.

 

[pooch]

This was our 3rd Sept trip, 2nd with free dining, & I thought the crowds were bigger this time. Lines weren't bad (15 min & yes, I am spoiled!!) but walking around was more crowded than I like, especially Animal Kingdom. Weather was good, rain was short except for one day (why does it always rain when I'm at AK?!?!?), heat was bearable and lovebugs only at the bus stop at Pop Century 2 mornings. This year we're going earlier, right after Labor Day and I'm hoping for few people. But I LOVE free dining & Sept is well worth it for me!

 

[metsno1]

We've spent two weeks in September this year, and also a week in September two years ago.

The heat? Well....It's hot. And of course, we picked the hottest days of our trip to go to AK, which seems to have the least access to AC! Just be prepared to take it slow, visit the water parks and pools, and duck in and out of air conditioning to get refreshed. You'll be fine. It was entirely bearable.

The crowds were much larger in '07 than in '05 by our estimation, but the lines were never a problem. I can't remember the number of times we literally walked right onto major attractions, particularly at MK (All 3 Mountains were quick and easy for us. But I agree with a previous poster when they said that there were more people walking around. Bus service to CSR was incredibly efficient and quick, as it always seems to be for us at any time of year. The previous September trip was to ASMo, and the bus service was mediocre at best, with very long waits at night getting "home" from the Parks.

ADR's were trickier to come by this time around. We tried and tried to get into LeCellier, but never had any luck. We did manage to get Coral Reef, Ohana and a few others at prime dinner hours, though, so it was hit or miss. As always, just try and make the ADR's as soon as you can.

Free Dining makes September a no-brainer for us, and the kids don't seem to mind missing a bit of school, either (and fortunately for us, the school doesn't mind)!!

 

[PortieOwner]

I think I have answered this one 3-4 times already. Sept. is pretty miserable--very very humid and the sun is still pretty strong. We always end up seeking out indoor counter service that month which means missing Flame Tree among other spots.

If you are lucky the weather will break a bit by the end of Sept. and when the Food/Wine fest opens it will be bearable outdoors.

Bring lots of extra clothes, because they will be damp or wet by midday.

 

[KatMark]

This is how I responded when someone else asked earlier in the week:

"We were there September 1 - 9 this past year and it averaged about 94 a day, and humid (it didn't bother us too much--we drank lots of water and took breaks at the pool in the afternoon). We averaged less than 10 minutes for most attractions; we waited the longest for Soarin' and Splash Mountain--maybe 30 minutes each." We are going back for the same dates this September for our 25th wedding anniversary with friends.

 

[n2mm]

In case no one mentioned, September is peak hurricane season. You need to be aware of this when you book. Also check out the guidelines for the resort policies in case of hurricane.

 

[KatMark]

In case no one mentioned, September is peak hurricane season. You need to be aware of this when you book. Also check out the guidelines for the resort policies in case of hurricane.

This is true. But we have gone the last four times during the first week of September and have little rain (one day with a three hour deluge)--other than that--lovely. But it is hurricane season and anything can happen.

 

[raven69david]

We were there late August/early September for Magical Beginnings in '06 and it was hot & super humid. As soon as we walked out of the hotel you would begin to sweat. It was aweful and by the 6th day, dd2 got dehydrated and a little sick from the heat. It was our fault for not making her drink enough water. I vowed we'd never do another Summer/early Fall again. I have a bounceback booked for September, but i'm 98% sure it'll be canceled and have the $ applied towards our planned MVMCP 2008 trip to WDW. I'd rather be a little cold than hellatiously hot. Coming from a Texan who deals with hot & tons of humidity, that's saying something.

 

[mousiemom]

we also took my dd out of school not only we do the free dining but we also was offered the free upgrade from pop to a 1br villa at saratoga so it was awesome!!! i did my adrs 180 days out and got all of our favorite restaurants. it was one of our best trips. we can deal with the heat, we live in mobile!
mousiemom

 

[ElizabethB]

September is very hot and humid and can be rainy with afternoon downpours as well. Also the second half of September is love bug season. We were there this past September from the 27th through the 30th. We couldn't use our balcony due to all the love bugs and it was not a terribly bad infestation (unlike as I understand it Sept. 2006). Of course, it's also hurricane season. We were at CR for Charley in 2004.

Other than all of the foregoing, it's a fine time to visit!

 

[emalone]

Thanks to everyone for answering back. We live in atlanta ga and yes we have it very hot down here. Yes we will drink lots of water and that should help. We were there March 29th - April 5th and it was 88 to 92 and were just there Dec 30th - Jan 5th 2008. 4 days were good, but Jan 2nd & 3rd we could not stand it anymore because of the cold and the wind. It was so windy it felt like the wind was blowing ice on you. When I get cold, I get numb and can't feel my fingers or legs and feet. ( I'm a diabetic) I take the heat ok here in Atlanta and I think if we take plenty of breaks and drink lots of water we will be ok. Also both times we have been lately the wait times have been 90 to 120 min for most all rides. It's a small world was 70 min,splash mnt 90 min. We have never been when there was no crowd or free dining. The free dining is what we are hoping for. We do have a Disney visa card. Just the free dining would save us $$1400. I think we can stand the heat for that. Thanks to everyone who answered back. Would love to here from others.

 

[emalone]

I forgot to say we are planning on going maybe August 31st -September 7th 2008.

 

[tnmomof4]

This is going to be our first trip in September. We always go in July. Thanks for all the info on Sept. weather. I was wondering if the free dining is a guarantee thing or what Disney usually offers in September? Also since you have to pay for your trip 45 days ahead, do you get the money back that you paid for the Dining Plan since dining is free?