Week before Labor Day or the week after??

[bookcrazy]

Trying to decide when best to go to WDW. We will be vacationing in the Orlando area for 2 weeks. One week at WDW, and 4-5 days at US/IOA with the Labor Day weekend being spent with my grandmother who lives within 1 hr driving distance.

Originally, we were doing US/IOA from 8/25-8/30 and WDW from 9/2- 9/9. Then we found out Nights of Joy is at MK on 9/5 and 9/6, so no fireworks or Spectromagic. Also, we'd be doing the easy/ more relaxed part of our trip first (US/IOA with FOTL).

Now, we're considering flipping our schedule and doing WDW 8/22-8/29. (and I think 8/22 is an E-night) and then doing US/IOA from 9/2-9/6 or7th 9.

What are the pros/cons of doing this? Will the crowds be much heavier this last week of August as compared to the first week of September?? What would you do??

TIA!
Lisa

 

[Beanie]

Hi! Welcome to the DIS!

I have never been to Disney and Universal on the same vacation, so I wouldn't be able to offer any advice, but I will bump this up for those that have!!

 

[dvc guy]

Week after will be quiter than the week before. Most of the southern schools go back a week or two before labor day, with the northern school the day after labor day. We were at WDW about 5 years ago the week before Labor Day. It was not as busy as I thought it would be.

Park hours should be shorter the week after Labor Day.

 

[bjakmom]

Last Aug DS and I were at US/IOA 8/23-25 and WDW 8/25-8/31. No crowds at US/IOA (stayed RPR and had FOTL) - never waited for anything other than 10 min Duel Drags and 10 min Spidey (in the afternoon- walked on everything all mornings). At WDW we split our stay between BWV and AKL - both hotels seemed extremely (!) quiet to us- the boardwalk was like a ghosttown. We are "opening to lunch, pool break, back in afternoon till closing" people, and we never waited in any lines - of course we know how to make good use of FP - both days that we started at MK we were out of there before noon - too hot and getting crowded - but the mornings were great. One afternoon I returned to MK at 2:30 to catch the parade and the front circle was not even lined one-deep! I was worried about the shortened hours and no EE at the time (no Enite either!), but we were able to see all the major attractions and relax! It was not as hot as we had expected - rained most days in the afternoon and I think 3 nights into the evening (Fantasmic was cancelled for rain every night that we tried). Still had a great time - we'd do that week again - no problem!

 

[bookcrazy]

Sounds like after Labor Day, rather than before, is the way to go for WDW and that's what I currently have scheduled. So, I think I'm going to leave well enough alone!

I can't wait to experience WDW in Sept. We've been twice before during the first week of December. I can't wait!!

Thanks again!
Lisa