Ups & Downs of a September Visit??

[Mom2Rae]

September is another month we're thinking of going to WDW. DD will be in kindergarten so I feel it's safe to hold her out a few days.

Is it a pretty "slow" time (if there is one anymore?)!

Thank You!

 

[magicmommy]

We have been twice in September and it is by far the slowest of any time we have visited. We have been in May,July,August,September and November.
As long as you avoid Labor Day weekend you'll love it!

 

[PCFriar80]

Generally speaking the first couple of weeks after labor day, the crowds are low to non-existant. Towards the end of the month is Rosh Hashanah and the Food & Wine fest kicks off the 29th, so you'll see an increase in crowds. You are also in prime hurricane season, so you'll have to factor that in as well. Don't make that a show stopper, but just be prepared.

 

[3princesses4us]

We went the week after labor day this year because we had read in one guidebook that it was statistically one of the slowest of the year- and it was! We never waited for rides, got into a few character meals with no ressies (although I don't recommend that), etc. Granted it was just DH and I but we are taking his whole family back next September.
The downside we were afraid of was the hurricane weather. Ironically, the 5 days we were there it did not rain one drop on us! We were lucky though. I doubt it's that dry every September.

 

[lillygator]

Bring the ponchos!!

 

[KimR]

Upside: very low crowds. We've gone twice in September and seldom waited more than 10 minutes for anything.
Downside: weather can be unpredictable. Our first September trip it rained all day, every day except for our last day. The 2nd time it rained once for about 15 minutes and the rest of the time it was beautiful. THe parks also close early, fewer shows and parades, more rehabs.

 

[Spartan]

We took our kindergartener out this past September. Even with the free dining plan, the crowds were very low. The heat and humidity, however, were not. We had no rain this time, but have been there back when the first hurricane closed the park (Floyd?). We vowed never to chance September again, but ended up doing so anyway because of the free dining. If you like doing water parks, September is also potentially a great time to go due to the summer-like temps with no crowds. I still prefer early December, but I don't think there's any comparison crowd-wise - September seemed much less crowded to me.

 

[tjmouse]

Pretty much what everyone else said -
UP's - low crowds, cheaper rooms
DOWN's - hurricanes, heat, humidity, did I mention hurricanes?

We were VERY lucky. We were in SC when hurricane Ivan went through in 2004, went to WDW the next day, stayed for 5 days, left right before Jeanne came. Weather was actually nice, not too hot, (85) and crowds were non-existant.

Just get some travel insurance if you do go then, just in case.

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

We've been to WDW twice in September.

The BIG plus is the low crowd level.

The BIG minus is the heat, humidity, and rain. And, hurricanes! In 2000 we were arriving the day a hurricane was blowing past the Gulf coast of Florida (I forget the name-maybe Gordon??). Then that whole week the heat and humidity were almost unbearable and it poured every night.

Debbie

 

[Disney_1derland]

Very low crowds this past september even though we were there over labor day weekend. The only downside was the downpours. For us, two adults alone it was no problem, but if my kids had been with us they would have been miserable. I'd do it again but not with the kids! It was hot but we had those cooling neckties and we wore them all day every day and they really helped. Of course we didn't figure that out until 2 days in to the trip and the first two days we were miserable.

 

[Disneyfun1]

A great time to go!!

Our first 5 trips were in sept. No lines, no crowds, no wait times. You can get a PS the same day if needed, and at many places you still dont even need a PS reservation.

It is hurricane season, though that never stopped us. We usually go for 7-10 days, and it would maybe rain on us for an hour or so in afternoon, then just be humid. The humidity didnt bother us with no wait times. I can only remember being hit with a tropical storm once and it rained off and on all day. One day we had 70 mph winds, but within a hour or so, they were gone and it was back to the parks.

We have been very lucky though too. I remember 2 years in a row we would fly in right after a hurricane would hit, and fly out just a day or two before.

 

[INdisbound]

We went the last week of September and were able to go to the first night of MNSSHP, which was great. The crowd levels were low. The weather was a little on the warm side, but what else do you expect in Florida. We kept hydrated and were fine.