WDW in September vs. December

[PierceP525]

Hello,

I am looking for some guidance from folks who have visited WDW in both September and December.

My family and I generally take our WDW vacation in December. But, it seems that every year we get sick at Christmas. I don't know whether or not this is because of the climate change we experience from where we live in the Atlanta area to Orlando or if we are picking up bugs in Orlando, but Christmas is starting to become an unpleasant experience due to being sick. It never happened before we went to WDW, so we have to assume it's the common denominator. Now that we have a child in the mix (3 year old), you don't want your child sick at Christmas of all times especially when they are getting to the age they really get into it.

We want to visit in January or February when we know it's not crowded, but due to my work schedule and weather in Atlanta, I just don't see that happening. We have been thinking about trying September (assuming we don't get hurricaned out which is also a possibility, but hurricanes are more predictable than snow and ice), but we have no idea what the crowds are really like then vs. December.

So, I would like to know from those of you who have been to the parks at both times of the year what the crowds are like in September compared to December. Is it a lot more crowded, about the same or less? What wait times am I looking at for the big rides like Test Track, Soarin, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, etc. in September?

Also, I would like the same information for USF and Islands from those of you who visit those parks because we take in all of Orlando when we go.

Thanks for any information!

Pierce

 

[SnackyStacky]

I haven't been in December, but I've been in January, and September.

Between the two, there were even FEWER people in September than in January.

I LOVE going in September. It's rather warm, but the heat and humidity don't really bother me too much. You do have to deal with the unpredictability of hurricanes, but I really don't worry about that either.

I LOVE September.

 

[mma]

We went the last week of Sept. this year and the first week of Dec. last year. I thought it was pretty crowded in Dec. but in Sept. there was no one on rides, transportation or in the parks just walking around. We had made ADR's but didn't need to because you could eat anywhere. It was comfortable in the morning and at night but was very hot and humid during midday which I am used to because our summers are the same. It never rained and there was no threat of hurricanes but I was really worried that both were going to happen as the trip got close. We just lucked out I guess. I heard that the week before Jersey week was really slow this past year even with the F&W festival so we are considering that and Jan. I would go in Sept. again without a doubt if I didn't have to worry about getting drained from the heat and humidity since we go all day. And it seems very likely that it will rain or worse from a hurricane being somewhere close by for the next few years. We get effects from a hurricane every year since we live an hour from the coast and it can sure rain hard. If I had to pick between Dec. and Sept. though it would be Sept. again hands down!

 

[PierceP525]

I'm not familiar with Jersey week and what week that is? What month is it in?

 

[figmentfan704]

We went this past september (mid-month) and also the first week of this December. It is our favorite time(s) of the year to go.
It was wonderful in September. The weather was a little humid during the day but pleasant at night. It sprinkled 1 day for about 20 minutes. The crowds were not bad at all. The longest wait was about 15 minutes and that was very rare. I think it was on the typical rides (Dumbo, kilamanjaro safari, etc...). Most of the rides we were able to walk up and get on. I got lucky and booked the vacation during the free dining promotion. We have 3 children (4,6, & 10) and it was the best vacation ever! The schools in our county had the week off and we saw a lot of neighbors, school friends, co-workers at the park- 'It really is a small World!' lol
We went last December (as a family) and I went again this December with the 'girls'. I think it was more crowded this year. We went the first week of December and I don't know if it was b/c of Pop Warner or the parade filming but the crowds were not like last year! I was a little disapointed. It was very hard to get all of the dining reservations that we wanted. I didn't seem to have that much trouble booking the ones for September (before the dining plan become popular). There were quite a few celebrities there (b/c of the parade). It was cool. The weather was great- it does get a little chilly at night. I love all of the Disney Christmas decorations at all of the parks & resorts.
If I had to choose - it would be september.

 

[hockeybabe]

We went in Jan 04 and Sept 05. Warning, some schools are off the first week of Oct somewhere in the country, so although the first part of our vacation (9/28-10/01) was great for crowds, (went on Buzz 3 times in a row with no wait, 0 minute wait time on most rides most of the time, never used fastpass, and we loved fastpass, just no need), the last two days (10/02 and 3) were very crowded, with fastpasses running out very early in the day, and 90 plus minute waits on some rides. The Monday we left, we just gave up and left the parks.

Also, it was very hot comparitively to to the winter months. Very humid. We loved the trip, but it would have to be a super good deal to go in Sept. again just for the heat and humidity factor. The crowd factor was awsome, so if you don't mind the humidity, I would think Sept. is the best to go for crowds.

We're planning for Jan. again next time....ahhh, next time! Christmas is very tempting, but we are used to the low crowds now, and I know we won't see them then.

 

[mma]

Jersey week is the second week in Nov. I think. A friend of ours went Nov.1 thru 4 and said the CM's were letting them stay on the rides because noone was there. It did start getting crowded that weekend though. I still don't think it will be as low in attendance as Sept. though.

 

[PierceP525]

That's interesting about November because I have been in November before, and I found the crowds to be a lot higher than in December. That's the primary reason we switched to December. I really appreciate all the responses so far. This has been interesting because I had been given to understand that September was more crowded than December and that sure doesn't appear to be the case from the responses I have gotten thus far.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Jersey week is the first full week in November. This year it's the week of the 5th.

 

[Leah and Emily's mom]

: I think September would be wonderful..we have been in Feb and thought the weather was great and no hurricanes in Feb. If you go late Sept maybe you can catch the first MNSSHP- that was a blast. I am sure it will fun when ever you go


2003 off site
2004 off site
2005 All Star Movies
2006 Wilderness Lodge-- hopefully

 

[lillygator]

September is great but be prepared for rain on a daily basis. It usually means the parks are empty/slow but it is hurricane season!

 

[karenbaco]

I've been during Labor day before and just went December 8-17th. Nothing beats being there at Christmas. The atmosphere was even more magical. I think Sept is way too hot still and extremely humid. December was beautiful and the crowds were low. We waited 5 minutes the most for all of MK rides. Epcot was a different story but fast pass is awesome. So in a nut shell my vote is for December.
Good luck.

 

[PattiPB]

Both sides of the issue:

September is better for following reasons:
1. Predictable weather (hurricanes not withstanding)---hot and humid, good for waterparks.
2. No crowds.

December is better for the following reasons:
1. Holiday decor can't be beat.
2. Low crowds early in the month.

Bad things for both:
1. Weather! Could get hurricanes in Sept, or cold snap in December.
2. Limited park hours compared to peak times, but EE and NEE help a lot.

I'm absolutely no help, aren't I??