WDW in September?

[Nina1]

Hi,

This is my first post to this forum, but I read your posts all the time and have gotten some great info. here.

We are planning a trip to WDW in late September (21-28). This will be our first trip at this time of year. Past trips (eight total) have been early summer (May/June) and July time frames (big family vacations and these were the only times that worked for all involved). This year it is just going to be my husband, three year old son and me as the big family vacation is at the beach this summer. Our main reason for choosing September is the lure of lighter crowds and hopefully cooler temps.

So...here come my questions. I've been reading some things online that suggest the weather may be bad at this time of year (hurricanes, lots of rain and summer-like heat). Is this true? The temps are less of a concern than the rain as we are accustomed to the Florida heat and it would be nice to be able to swim at our resort while we're there. We will be leaving the day the Wine Festival starts, but do people come the week before and will this result in crowding problems? Also, we plan to avoid the MK on the days of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I checked the Unofficial Guide's touring plans and the week we chose seems to be pretty good (crowd levels ranging from 3 to 5, way less than when we've been there before), but I wanted to get your firsthand opinion. We've always had a wonderful time at Disney regardless of crowd size due to careful planning and touring, but I was hoping not to have to deal with big crowds this time around. Thanks for your help.

 

[momandseandodisney]

we are doing the oppisite this year, we always go sept/oct but this year going in August, since we are planning anotehr Nov trip and I dont want to have to take my DS10 out of school 2 times , in just a few short months.

the crowds - are great, not big at all, but I dont really have the summer months behind me yet to compare either.

weather HOT,HOT, HOT still , and in 2007 trip it rained every day for 12 nights total lol

 

[SGMCO]

We were there this past Sept. and it was exceptionaly Hot and Humid
because there was a Tropical storm which kept hovering over.
Temp. were in mid 90s and 100% humitity.
It rained several afternoons while we were there (major downpours).
Just be prepared with rain gear and wicking clothes helped plenty.
We will be going again in Sept. and are preparing for all of the heat.

 

[DSquare]

Being a resident of Florida I can say its just a guessing game about the weather. It more than likely will be hot and humid but its just a wait and see game to see if there are any tropical storms or hurricanes. September 07 we did the Disney Cruise and began to worry after reading the forums about tropical weather. It turned out that during the cruise it was the most perfect weather. I can also remember a time going to POR for a few days and it rained every single day. We did very little at the parks and kind of just hung around the two PO resorts and still had a fun time.

 

[ShaneH]

We went the first week of September 2007, arrived on Labor day. Weather was really hot and humid but we managed, crowds were GREAT!! It was our first trip so I cant compare to other crowd levels. We waited about 15 minutes to get on Dumbo once and that was the longest wait we had, walked onto Space Mountain, the safari ride at AK, all the major rides were pretty much walk on. We are going to go again this year in September and might go later in the month in hopes of a little cooler weather but not sure if a few weeks will make a difference.

 

[vacationwoman]

The dreaded LOVE BUGS

Not too bad last year but the year before there were zillions of them everywhere. You couldn't even sit out at the pool or sit on a bench anywhere.

 

[DSquare]

We went the first week of September 2007, arrived on Labor day.

One year we were staying at AKL over a labor day weekend. One castmember told us while at the pool that the parks will be empty the next day (Tuesday). I would also assume on Monday that most people would be starting to head back home so that crowds would be less than too. This year we planned our September vacation starting on Labor Day and ending the following Saturday so I hope his info was correct.

 

[*disgal*]

It's going to be HOT! and HUMID! and you might have a chance at seeing those horrible bugs! Did I mention it will be HOT!?? And it might rain everyday that you are there.

OK. Now. I have been there a couple times during that time of year and after the first time, I swore I would never go back during that time of year.

Then, the chance came again to go and I thought, well...WHO CARES! I GET TO GO TO DISNEY!

I know this doesn't work for everyone, but I feel anytime I get to go, I'll take it. I even went once over the "dreaded" Thanksgiving holiday. Ha!

When we went, 90% of the time it rained either when we were in our room napping/getting ready or when we were eating in a restaurant. It almost became a joke with us. But we had ponchos and used them once or twice and only for about an hour each time.

Don't worry, you'll be fine.......just keep telling yourself.."but I'm at Disney World!!"......and you can say that knowing that a lot of us at home would love to trade places with you!

 

[tiger4me2]

It will be hot & rainy but it could be fair weather & no rain. Just luck of the draw I think. Crowds the same way. Last Sept into first part of Oct I was there rain most every day but had rain gear but I thought the crowds was heavy but it was like Sept 27 to Oct 6th. going again this Sept but the 7th thru the 13th. Take it as we can since there is nothing we can do with the weather.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We went in the last week of September in 05. We had no problems. It was hot, but just as hot as when we have gone in May. We only had one day that it rained for about 20 minutes and then a couple of small showers for about 10 minutes on other days. The crowds were light, but again, about the same as when we had gone in mid May. We had a great time and only saw one love bug and we didn't even know about them at the time.

Have fun!

 

[Mousemom]

We were in WDW September 15 - 23 last year and are planning a trip for September 20-28 this year. We have been to WDW during different times of the year and feel June was the worst. Weather was hot and humid (unbearable) and crowds were awful. The crowds in September were light and it was hot and humid but very manageable. We had such a good time last year we did not hesitate to go again this September.

 

[sanibelover]

I recommend a small umbrella as opposed to ponchos. It was so hot and humid when we were there in Sept, that the thought of putting on a poncho was unbearable. I had one of those mini umbrellas and it worked out wonderfully - it was not very crowded so I didn't have to worry about running into anyone with it. Other than that be prepared for really bad hair days, and have a great trip!!!!

 

[YolantasKids]

Thanks for the weather history. I have been wondering about going at other times of the year.

Note to self, don't go in September.

 

[KatMark]

One year we were staying at AKL over a labor day weekend. One castmember told us while at the pool that the parks will be empty the next day (Tuesday). I would also assume on Monday that most people would be starting to head back home so that crowds would be less than too. This year we planned our September vacation starting on Labor Day and ending the following Saturday so I hope his info was correct.

We arrived the Saturday before Labor Day last year and left on the following Saturday. We remember Sunday being crowded and Labor Day the crowds were not quite so bad. By Monday, nothing was more than a 10 minute wait at most of the attractions. This year we are arriving on Labor Day and leaving the following Tuesday (then going to the Beach for four days).

 

[stopher1]

We went in late Sept. the past 3 years. Each time it was HOT and HUMID for most of the trip, but did cool down a little by the end of our trip. Intermittent rain - but nothing too bad. One year we were at TL and it started to rain, they cleared all the water rides - and most people left - we didn't... in about 30 minutes the skies cleared up, and we had most of the park to ourselves - it was like a 75% reduction in guests all because of a little afternoon rain.

Crowds weren't bad any of those years either. The weekend days seemed to be more crowded - but it's really hit and miss.

 

[disney_momma21]

We went to WDW last year from sept 22-30 and we had a great time! It was warm and humid but nothing too bad. Being from oregon and where it rains 9 months out of the year , you learn to be glad for some sun and some heat since we don't get much here. It did rain there when we were on our trip but nothing bad. It usually would rain in the afternoon/early evening for maybe the most an hour. The rain there is pretty funny. Definitely not like Oregon rain. When it rains it's warm outside so you can still wear shorts and what not. Plus once the rain is over it's almost all dry outside since its pretty warm.

As for the crowds, we didn't wait maybe more than 15-20 mins to get on a ride. Most of time it was walk right on, walk right off. We never once did a fast pass for a ride.

We have gone to WDW mostly during peak times but our family's favorite time to go is definitely September!

 

[smidgy]

this last year we have been in may, sept, dec. AND feb (I know, we're nuts!)
we went in early dec because we heard it was the least crowded time and you get the decorations. you know whAT! i DON'T BELIEVE THERE is ANY SLOW TIME ANYMORE!!!.
but I DO like sept. keep an ear out for the free dining (although, since they changed the dining plan, no more appetizers or tips; it's not such a great deal), but it IS still value time. we lucked out with rain, and it can get hot, but , (to us) much better than 45 at night in the winter.
if you DO decide to coincide with the food and wine festival and DO get the dining plan, save up your SNACK credits (who can eat all that food anyway?) for nibbling at the various countires that aren't usually there year round! yummy!