The only thing stopping me from booking Free Dining is...

[lovetoscrap]

The weather! I know it is stupid to be asking here what the weather will be like but I really am just not sure what to do.

I really don't like hot and humid. So far we have been in
early May (hot, but not bad),
early Feb (cold and warm--still not bad)
and
early Dec (had a 90+ heat wave that week--hottest trip so far!)

I realize that August and Sept are the hottest, most humid times to go. If I do decide to book it will be for the very end of Sep, right before the promotion ends, going into Oct.

Will there potentially be any relief from the heat and humidity by then?

I would be taking this trip with my kids by myself, and I tend to get a short temper when I get hot and sticky. I know all the advice of staying hydrated and alternating outside and inside rides and resting and all that, but I am afraid that even with that I will end up being and that will be no fun for any of us. DD6 also tends to not react well in the heat. She gets hot and dehydrated extremely quickly for some reason, and will refuse to drink anything.

We usually have a go all day "commando" style trip, but we would doing this mainly to enjoy the character meals and a dinner show that we normally don't have the money for, so the entire trip would be more relaxed. We also have water park passes we didn't use last trip that we can use this time.

I am so on the fence about this! I swore last year that if Free Dining was offered this year I would go, no matter what! Now I am debating and the only thing I am worried about is the weather.

Any advice or help?

 

[kittythepoohbear]

Now I happen to LIKE hot and humid (I am a freak, I know! ) but the last two years I have gone in Sept., I found it to be very nice weather wise. In fact, I just asked my bf for his opinion and he said it wasn't hot and humid at all for our trip last year. We had lots of sunshine and only 1 hour of rain during our whole trip. My hair didn't even get frizzy. If you really want to take advantage of free dining, I say book a trip. If it does get too humid, you can plan a lot of time either in the pool or in the water parks.

 

[jwfla422]

Late September there is a "very" small chance of some relief but...August and and most of September are about the most uncomfortable months in FL (June & July probably rank right up there), but factor in the higher frequency of rain in the later summer months and the humidity level is even higher.

Last August (late in the month) we met some friends from Boston in WDW. The mom just couldn't get over how humid it was and just complained the whole time wanting to go on "anything that was air-conditioned"...and then she said she'd never come back this time of year again (despite the low crowds).

There's no telling what the weather can be the end of Sept. while some years, it begins to cool off a bit in Oct (high 80s instead of 90s, humidity slightly lower), other years it can be just as hot and sticky as July/August.

Keep in mind it is peak hurricane season as well. While there may not be hurricanes...tropical waves, depressions and the like can last for days...at this time of year.

Also keep in mind that the last week of Sept crowds will begin to pick up because of the kick-off of F&W.

For the record, an early December heatwave is DEFINITELY much different than the heat from June-Sept. It will not get any cooler at night until October and the December sun is not nearly as strong as the spring summer/sun.

If you go start off early especially at the water parks, as the storms start rolling in around lunchtime and if they don't that's the most intense heat of the day. Go back to your resort and try to enjoy the pool if it's not stormy and then plan a nice dinner/show.

 

[mickeysaver]

I am one of the hot, sticky, and tempermental types too, so I completely understand your concerns. It's darn near impossible for us to do commando touring under the conditions that we were presented with in September of 2002. Don't get me wrong....quite honestly, it was the most magical of all of our Disney vacations and it was not a commando trip. We constantly were drinking water or Gatorade. The heat made it a necessity to tour at a slower pace, especially at AK, which seemed to be at least 10 degrees hotter than the other parks. It's all about pacing and hydration at that time of year. I will say that taking our time let us enjoy the little things more than what we sometimes allow ourselves to see during our other trips. I am looking forward to having a laid back trip next time. The last two commando trips just lacked some of the magic that the laid back pace gives us. Happy planning. Maggie

 

[Skylarr29]

Sorry no reliefe ( unless a hurricane comes) it will be hot hot hot and VERY humid. I live in Fla and I have been to Disney in September for the last 5years and it will be scorching.

 

[amarberry]

We did the free dining plan promotion last year and were there from 9/27-10/4. Like you, I'm not a big fan of humidity. I can handle dry heat, but HATE humidity. Give me 100 and dry over 80 and humid any day! We are pretty commando, even with a 14 month old last September. The temps were about 90 each day and there was one day that was quite humid (we have a couple of foggy looking pictures because our camera lens steamed up). Honestly though, I didn't think it was horrible. It was definitely hot, but we'd be at the parks at opening and took it easy in the afternoons. It was nice and warm still in the evenings so DD was able to enjoy the pool before going to bed. She was not able to do that during our January trip.

 

[angel's momma]

We were there 9/25-10/8 last year. The first week was very hot. The second week wasn't as hot, but it rained more, and the crowds were heavier.

I said I wouldn't want to go back at that time of year because we enjoyed Dec. much more.

Free dining has convinced me to go back.

 

[twinklebug]

It's all in how you lay out your day: We found the morning/evening at the parks, Afternoon to rest and swim worked best for us. Some folk arrange to have all indoor activities during the heat of the day.

The only park it's near impossible to do this with is AK as there are limited evening hours, and those do not include the animal attractions.

Last August my friend and her kids came along and she listened to my advice, but still proceeded to take off for Epcot at 11am, the time one should be starting to think about returning to the resort. She claims the heat was UNBEARABLE and will NEVER return again in the summer months.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We were at WDW last year , the last week in September. It was hot and humid. I LOVE hot weather, so I was in heaven. DH was a little miserable though.

We just took it easy. We're going the same time this year. We are renting points at the BWV so no free dining for us, but thats OK because we're at the BW.

 

[wrldpossibility]

If I lived in the humid parts of the country, and was used to it, I'd go in Sept. in a shot. But my family and I are from Oregon, and I know the humidity would kill us! I don't want to deal with a grouchy husband and son (they're bad with Oregon summer heat, sheesh!). When I saw the free dining deal, I asked my husband about it (we're going in Dec.) and he said "nothing's free...there's a reason they offer it during the worst weather season". Now, that said, if it were just me or all adults, I'd be tempted (I'm not a heat wuss), but I think we'll stick to our more expensive dining in Dec.!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Last year we were in WDW when Katrina was 100 miles south of us... It was the hottest I have EVER experienced 100+ everyday... I was only really uncomfortable in MK while watching the parade. But I can not pass up free food. We ate like KINGS last trip and we will again in august

 

[MinnieGirl33]

September is extrememly hot & humid. Hurricane season makes it even more so. Even if there is no storm aiming directly for FL, there is still a ton of moisture in the air which may or may not translate to rain but is non the less humid/uncomfortable.

As for late Sept/early Oct keep in mind that hurricane season goes until Nov & temps in Oct are still high 80's as opposed to Sept.'s low 90's so really not much relief.

 

[disneysnowflake]

We were there last year from Sept 30 to October 8.
It was hot and humid.
My photos of me looked terrible because I was so sweaty. My sons loved it though.

If you wear glasses be prepared for them to fog up every time you exit a building. The worst was the first 2 days getting used to the humidity.

When we left we said never again will we go when it's humid like that. We prefer December or January. However, I find myself wishing to go back again this year at the end of September again.

I'd go to WDW in any weather.

 

[jann1033]

yahoo, thanks for this thread...i was feeling so bummed out about missing free dining i was considereing changing our times but i can not take the heat so glad to know i'd regret it....saving $1500 isn't worth having a miserable trip

 

[eeyore45]

I'm going to add not only was it HOT and HUMID - it was CROWDED - and since the free dining promotion ends a week earlier than last year, I dont think its a stretch to believe that will increase the crowds that last week of Sept.

So think crowded, hot, humid, with a possibility of hurricanes!!

And I know last year we went Oct 4 - 11, and we talked to people who said the last week of Sept wasnt bad, so I made plans thinking we'll beat the Columbus Day crowds, only to find out Disney is on to me - they dont want low crowds!! For some reason Disney doesnt make money when people dont spend money!!

Ah well, back to the drawing board! However I suspect the week after Labor Day will be lower crowds than the last week of the Free Dining...

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

I asked my husband about it (we're going in Dec.) and he said "nothing's free...there's a reason they offer it during the worst weather season".

EXACTLY!!!!

Guess if you don't mind the weather, and if you are a family of 2 adults and 2 teenage kids staying in one value room, you must make out super with this deal (especially if they like lots of sit-down meals). But DH and I aren't big foodies (and our 2 children are young) plus we stay deluxe, so we would much rather a general public room-only code.

We're going this May and have an AP discount. Even though this is our only trip over the 12 months, the $100/night savings made it worth it. Wouldn't want to pay rack rate for a free couple of meals/day. BRING BACK GENERAL PUBLIC ROOM-ONLY CODES!!!!!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Like I said in my last post, we were there the last week of September. Everything was walk-on the whole week. It was a little more crowded on our departure day we noticed. But we were in the MK on a Saturday, which I'm sure is busy any time of the year.

Yes, the weather was hot and humid, but its Florida. I don't think its the worst weather ever. We were there in January twice, both times a cold spell came through and we were in the parks dressed up like we were going skiing. I'd much rather take my chances in September, then freeze my butt off in January.

To each their own. We're going again the same week in September. Booked it way before the free dining even came out. We loved the low crowds plus its DD's birthday that week.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Okay, DH has talked me into doing it!

Now I just have to pick which week in Sept. I was thinking the very end hoping it might be bit cooler, but it looks like that wouln't make much difference. So now the deciding factor is crowds. Since F&W and MNSSHP start the last weekend and may affect crowds, I am thinking the week before (Sept. 20-27). But now I also just read that some schools get out during the week of the 24-30 so crowds may be higher. So that pushes it up one more week to the 13 through the 20. Heat and crowds are definitely a VERY bad mix for me!

Hmmm, too many decisions for this one!
Should I go?
Which week?
ASMo (which we LOVE) or Pop?
Luau or Hoop De Doo?

Guess I will be spending a lot of time on the Dis and on the phone with Disney!

 

[NotUrsula]

If it wasn't for the weather, the promotion wouldn't exist: it is a lure to overcome the "hurricane slump" at the peak of the storm season.

 

[Kristina]

We did this last year and I said never again! Sure we had a great time, but I remember the heat more than my DBF. He didn't mind it as much but for me it was hard to care about the little special details of the parks as I felt the sun was just so strong. Now we are planning a December trip and I'm really looking forward to it !