Tell me about September!

[GoofyforDisney3]

I have never been to WDW in September before, and wasn't really planning on going again until the free dining came out, and now I am unsure about what to expect in September. Most other trips have been in May and once in March.

What are the crowds like? What about weather? Will we need to worry about bugs? We always deal with the love bugs in May. Any advice on how to prepare for our trip? It will be me, DH and just turned 4 DD.

 

[Glendamax]

I've been to WDW in Sept. for the past 3 years. I really like it because the crowds are MUCH smaller. Last year, I did not see the Love Bugs. However, it is still very hot and humid. But when you are hoping on and off rides that normally have an hour wait, who cares

Below is a link to the trip report I wrote last September, so take a peek!

 

[ciera321]

We used to go in September when our boys were in elementary school, but have now switched to summer. We LOVED September for the low crowds!!! WE walked on pretty much everything with very little or no waits. It is still pretty hot, but you can take breaks and go for a swim...I really miss going in September!!!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Glendamax, Thanks for the link to your trip report. The no wait times in Fantasyland really would be wonderful. Let's hope we get that this year. The last two years we didn't get much done in Fantasyland because of the long waits and I know this year DD will want to ride more. Plus, last year we had to wait like 45 minutes for DUMBO. And that was her favorite ride.

 

[LisaBi]

Shhh! Dont give away the secret - mid - September is wonderful. No lines on Space Mountain! 15 minutes on Test Track. 15 minutes on Soarin'. Easy to get last minute ADRs (except for a few places). Need I say more?

Of course, if they keep giving away food, the crowds will start to increase - but probably not THAT much.

LisaB

 

[ktink]

We love going the week of Labor Day or the week after. The crowds are low. Last year we went the week of Labor Day and during EMH dh and dd9 were able to ride Splash Mtn 10 times in a row w/out getting off of the ride. While me and dd4 rode Big Thunder Mtn several times in a row. The CM's just said if no one is waiting to get on in your row you are welcome to ride again.

During the day time the longest wait was at Epcot for Soaring and it was only 15 mins.

We love going at this time the only thing is the hurricanes seem to like this time of year as well. Our first trip in 04 was delayed a week due to Frances, the park didn't close but the day that the storm actually hit but our flight was the reason for delay.

 

[trvlr4301r]

We went the middle of September last year because of the free dining! It was soooooooooooo hot....so plan on taking time to go back and relax by the pool in the afternoon. We even went swimming at 11:00 at night when we got back from the parks as it was still so humid out. As far as lines....we didn't wait for anything that I can remember. The only wait was the time it took us to walk through the lines to get to the actual ride. Never had any problem with bugs. We did make ADR's for all our TS dinners and some of them we couldn't get....like Le Cellier...so make sure you make reservations early. The free dining really makes the restaurants very busy! We had a great time but September is definitely a very hot time to go....not my first choice of months but with free dining....how can you beat it!

 

[kizmac]

We love September and all of our trips have been in September except for 1 the first week of December in 03. Low crowds, and great weather. It is quite hot so be prepared to drink lots of water. The heat doesn't really bother us too much though. Be prepared for the afternoon thunderstorms too. They are usually short lived but you will need a poncho handy.

You'll love it! Sept is awesome and even better with free food! Here's hoping the hurricanes stay away this year!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

You'll love it! Sept is awesome and even better with free food! Here's hoping the hurricanes stay away this year!

Definetly hoping the hurricanes stay away this year. Last night on the news a person from the national hurricane service said they are predicting a busy year again this year. My DD is already excited about going to Disney the week after her birthday, and I would hate the possibility of cancelling the trip and also missing out on the free dining.

Thanks for all of the info. I kind of figured it would be hot and humid and hopefully we will be used to all of that since July and August are normally pretty bad here in Virginia. Plus, it can get pretty hot in May and that is when we normally would go, but May sounds like it more crowded than September so that will make up for any difference in the humidity.

 

[Albertan mom]

We hope to go August 23-Sept 2. Are the crowds really bad the last week of August? I would have thought so, but then why would Disney be offering Free Dining if it was really busy then??
I would hate it if it was not only really really hot, but also really really busy!!

 

[cruiserkaren]

Definetly hoping the hurricanes stay away this year. Last night on the news a person from the national hurricane service said they are predicting a busy year again this year. My DD is already excited about going to Disney the week after her birthday, and I would hate the possibility of cancelling the trip and also missing out on the free dining.

Thanks for all of the info. I kind of figured it would be hot and humid and hopefully we will be used to all of that since July and August are normally pretty bad here in Virginia. Plus, it can get pretty hot in May and that is when we normally would go, but May sounds like it more crowded than September so that will make up for any difference in the humidity.

My dad heard this also so he is wanting me to do all this checking on getting insurance and what would happen.....blah...blah...I mean I know it's a possiblity but we can't predict the future!

Anyway, last labor day week was great. Hardly any waiting. It is hot though. Be prepared to take a break, all of you will need it. Swim, rest, lay in the air conditioning, something like that, it's HOT!

 

[mickeysaver]

We went the last full week of September in 2002. It was wonderful. Back then the crowds were insanely low. The weather was hot and humid and it rained a little almost every day, but you know, we had ponchos and knew that this was what we were in for. We had a blast. I have no idea how a little kid might have factored into this, but just as a couple of adults, it was great. We made sure to take it easy, this was not a commando trip. We stopped at benches often, people watched, planned our attractions around the heat of the day, and drank even when we were not thirsty. It is still my favorite of all of our Disney vacations. It helps to have a plan, even with the lower crowds, it is still a good idea. Happy planning! Maggie

 

[2nd childhood]

We went in September last year and enjoyed it so much were going back this year. It was HOT so bring plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water. Also it never hurts to plan an air conditioned show during the afternoon when it's the hottest. If Dumbo is your favorite ride I suggest getting to Magic Kingdom at opening and heading straight for Dumbo. We did this last year and rode it 3 times with no more than a five minute wait. We could have done it more if we wanted to, but 3 was enough for my son to get his Dumbo fix. We'll do same again this year. Do make your ADR's as soon as possible because with the free dining there was an increase attendance in some TS restaurants at Epcot, but everything else was great.
Have a great trip!

 

[WillCAD]

September at WDW is a ghost town. Most of the US still has school from Sept to June, so with kids back in school, very few families plan vacations in Sept.

Park hours in Sept are shortened because of the low crowds, but this does not prevent you from seeing and doing everything you want to do, because the wait times on rides are so short. Many FastPass machines are not even open in Sept because the ride lines are so short that they are totally unnessecary.

Some attraction rehabs are scheduled for Sept. Check here ahead of time so you know which ones and will not be dissapointed:
http://allearsnet.com/tp/rehabs.htm#sep

Sept in Orlando is hot. Temps will be in the 80s and 90s, with high humidity and thunderstorms every day at exactly 3:42pm, lasting about 30-60 minutes. Drinking lots of water is mandatory, as is spending as much time as possible in A/C.

Sept. is the height of the hurricane season, so trip insurance is a good idea; so is watching the weather on Weather.com or the Weather Channel for a week or so before your trip.

Rates in Sept are some of the lowest of the year, not only for Disney resorts, but for air fares and rental cars as well. Off-site hotels are particularly cheap in Sept.

 

[Albertan mom]

Is the last week of August going to be really busy?

 

[WillCAD]

Is the last week of August going to be really busy?

Actually, things usually really slack off the last week of August, as everybody heads home to get ready for the newe school year.

Many school systems have been starting up during the last week of August in recent years, too, so that week has emptied out quite a bit.

It will still be very hot and very humid, but the crowds will probably be pretty low.

 

[Iluvthemouse]

DH and I usually go to Disney in October (our anniversary) or in May. Those were good months. Once we went in June and never again. To wait in line in steaming hot weather for 1+ hours is crazy.
Last year we went Sept 16-23. It was the best.. Now we will probably always go in September. This year we are booked for Sept 15-22. Same time frame. In fact our longest lines were for wait times to get into the restaurants.

Here are two pictures of what we experienced for the rides.

(also TGM was a huge help)

and

 

[fanofthemouse]

We go yearly in September. WE did find last year more crowded because of the free dining. I would suggest making reservations as soon as you can because with the free dining walk in were harder to find.

We have been there for a hurricane, and just made the best of it. You just can't beat the prices.

 

[judykay53]

We went the last week of September last year and LOVED it! The only negative was that we had to drive THROUGH Hurricane Rita and tornados to get to the airport! But once we landed on the ground in Orlando it was sunny and beautiful! It didn't rain one drop while we were there. My grandsons swam nearly every evening when we were done touring the parks, but (for me) the pool was a little chilly. The weather during the day was great and the lines were nearly nonexistant. 10-15 min. waits. I would love to back during that time, but the kids did not like being out of school and the threat of hurricanes still scares me....but with FREE DINING, it's tempting to go back!!