What about September ?

Hermasil

Earning My Ears
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Messages
19
Hi everyone !

I've read many suggestions that the best time to be in WDW would be, in the following order:

1- Early October
2- May
3- Early December
4- January

But what about September ? Anyone have any experience going in this month ?

TKS !:p :p :p
 
Usually late Sept is not to bad. But what you are waiting for is all the children to go back to school, that is when the crowds drop dramatically.
 
I have been early and late Oct and early dec, and early feb and in June and May, I was there in early and late sept too , I like sept the crowds were low if it's after labor day we were there the 7th-14 , It was hot but just cool off at the pool.one of my favorte times to go.
Mrsmom
 
We have gone last week of Sept twice and it was great. There are really no crowds. Fastpass return time was usually within a couple of hours, if you even needed to use. We did simply because having small kids I hate waiting at every ride, they get restless. We made ps at Tony's at 2:30 for 3pm seating. We got to watch the parade while we ate, it was nice. They also have great discounts around that time. The only downside to the slower season is MK closes earlier and they dont have e-ride nights. We stayed at YC and SAB was closing around 8pm so the boys didnt get to swim in it alot but they enjoyed the quiet pool also.
This year we are going the first of Oct 7-14.
 

We went the week of Sept. 18 - 25 2002, it was great! No lines to be found, walked onto just about everthing. It was JUNGLE HOT! Very humid and hot, I could not get over the hot-but it was a wonderful trip. We only had one day that was a wash out with rain and that was the last day of our trip at the MK, by that time it was so refreshing we did not care-finished the day out and stood and waited for Spectromagic all in rain. You will love this time of year-Have a great time.
 
Hermasil,

Judging by your last couple of posts, you're living my life!

Our "traditional" times have been early June because both the wife and I have business around Georgia at that time, and then a personal trip in either late October or early November. Last year, we went from September 20-26. This is one man's opinion, and nothing more but...

I've never had a better time. Reason: prices are extraordinary on hotels and rental cars. Airfare, too, seems to be lower. The parks are delightfully uncrowded. To give you an idea, the Wednesday of the trip, we went to MK. We'd never been on Splash Mountain because it didn't interest us enough to face the hour-long lines in June. We walked on. Twice. Space Mountain was a walk-on, something I've never seen. We waited for nothing in EPCOT but Test Track (I think TT has a line when the park is closed). MGM had five minute waits on R&RC and ToT.

Other things: we were able to re-arrange PS's or get new one's practially on the fly. Friday night were were able to sit on the deck at the Rose and Crown for Illuminations (great view, marginal fish). I can't say enough.

Outside the parks: On Monday, Typhoon Lagoon had an empty parking lot. It was incredible. We'd avoided water parks in the past because of the rediculous crowds. This was unreal. And we're big Pleasure Island fans, partcularly of the AC. Enough people werw there to make it exciting and "club like," but we always had a seat and didn't have to elbow through crowds like we do in June.

The weather, also, was incredible. We always have the problem that I hate crows, but Amy hates cold. So our October/November trips were always hit or miss. When it's 65 outside, to her it's not Florida. Not a problem in September. The average daily temperature was 90. She was never cold. It was too hot for me, but no worse than June. And there IS rain, but it didn't bother us. Assume you'll see rain every late afternoon for an hour or so. Prepare for it and use it: It's great to take advantage of other's desires to not get wet by taking a walk in the rain and entering any facility you wish with no line. And there's something special about rainbows over the Lagoon in EPCOT.

Yeah, we liked September. The downsides are few, in my opinion, but here they are: There's a lot of refurbishment going on (there were large tarps covering half of the Haunted Mansion and most of the main building in the Canadian Pavillion last year). Rides can and will shut during this period for revamping (Maelstrom in Norway was not operating, and this time of year it seems like COP and Timekeeper are never running). The hours are shorter (although it didn't bug us as we were able to cover so much ground in less time). And there's the little disclaimer to all the happy stuff I wrote above: It does not apply to MK on Saturdays. Looked like a 4th of July there last September. It's the only day of the week they show Fantasy in the Sky fireworks, and I think half of Florida shows up. But we avoided this by spending the day in EPCOT/MGM, then sucking it up and heading over around 7 PM. And nothing is neater than roaming MK after closing on a Saturday night. Keeps you out of the exit rush, and it's quite beautiful.

That's my two cents. Hope it helps. I wish I could join you this September. We'll not be going this fall, the first time I've not been between Labor Day and Thanksgiving in something like eight years. But it's because we'll be welcoming our first child around September 21, which is a little Magic on it's own. Enjoy!

Pat
 
great Description Pat...thanks!!

And congrats on the bundle of joy. I'm getting my own in June. Enjoy!
 
I've been to WDW twice in September and more recently in late January. Based upon my observations and things I have read on these boards, crowds seem to be comparable during much of the non-peak season.

Of greater concern is the weather. September is still HOT, in my opinion. During both trips--last week of September--we had temps in the 80s, perhaps 90s with HIGH humidity.

Does that type of weather ruin a trip? Certainly not. But let's be honest--upper-70s/low-80s with low humidity is a lot more comfortable than 90 degree temps with high humidity.

September also falls into hurricane season for that region. In September '02, we had rain the first 4 days of our stay. And I'm not talking about the type of rainfall that is often associated with the region--30 mintues of rain bookended by sunny skies--I'm talking about rain that started about 4pm and lasted into the night. The golf courses were unplayable, if that factors into your decisions.

All things considered, I like the January weather much better than September. Our next trip will probably fall during a late-October / early-November period, just to let things cool off a bit more.
 
We went 9/10-9/21/02 and had a great time! The low crowds were incredible...on a Wednesday we walked on to Test Track and rode twice--without getting off. We had no problems with getting PSs, and we even walked up to CRT (lunch) and were seated within 15 minutes. As Pat pointed out, however, the crowds remain insane on Saturdays, even in September.

Now, the "cons"---IMHO, it is HOT!!!. But, we are hot-natured people (we keep our heat at ~66 degrees in the winter). Really, while we were there, we didn't think it was awful or trip-ruining, but now after having gone in January, we'll try to stick to the cooler months.

Another con for me was the amount of refurbishment going on. While we were there, the HM was closed, there was a huge crane hanging over the castle, 5 countries in WS had tarps over at least part of the pavilion, and Maelstrom was closed. In addition, Timekeeper and CoP were also closed. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that WDW is refurbishing, it was just a little distracting.

Despite the heat and refurbishment, we'd definitely choose September over the crowded summer months, holiday periods, and Spring Break rush.
 
Thank you all for the help !!!!

Pat, it seams that you are always there for me ! Thanks again for your support.


IF I COULD, I WOULD GO EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, WDW IS JUST THE BEST PLACE TO BE !!!! ;)
 
Originally posted by mrsmom
I have been early and late Oct and early dec, and early feb and in June and May, I was there in early and late sept too , I like sept the crowds were low if it's after labor day we were there the 7th-14 , It was hot but just cool off at the pool.one of my favorte times to go.
Mrsmom

Off the original topic...sorry... but how did you like Oct and Dec compared to early Feb? We just went Feb 1-8 and we LOVED the crowds and weather (my fav. so far out of March, April, May, June, July), but next time...I would atleast want to get a LITTLE sun. LOL
 
hey jmskt58-totallyoff subject but it looks like you might live like 15 minutes away from me. Are you around the N. Cambria area?
 
Hey Neighbor Trish5768!! Yeppers. I'm actually closer to Cookport, but my official address is Cherry Tree. I'm 1/2 hour east of Indiana. I just found another Dis'er from N. Cambria last night. Weird!! Love to see another fan of the World that lives near me!
 
Hi jmkst58

Small world!!! I'm actually from Heilwood-nice to meet you!
 
Originally posted by Hermasil
Thank you all for the help !!!!

Pat, it seams that you are always there for me ! Thanks again for your support.

IF I COULD, I WOULD GO EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, WDW IS JUST THE BEST PLACE TO BE !!!! ;)

I'm excited I can help someone. I'd been going to Disney for years, but three years ago, by sharing on these boards, I found I could squeeze an extra dime out of my buck.

But as you can see, there's diverse opinions on everything. Looking through all these posts, I guess it comes down to what you define as "hot" and how bad rain bugs you. I found the rain last September to not hurt my trip, and after coming down in July two years, I'll never consider 90 hot again. For me, it's low lines and low-cost entertainment. If this paragraph describes you, then September rocks.

And I hear tell there's nothing smarter than a baby that's been to the greatest place on earth before it's born!

Pat
 
First of all, congrats to the expecting parents who've contributed to this thread! I am happy to report that I'm one, too! My baby is due this coming week, as a matter of fact!!! DH and I went to WDW last Sept. to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and, despite the fact that I was about 20 weeks along at that point, I had a GREAT time!!! I'd never been that time of the year and we really had fun. We were there the last few days of the month (Sept. 26 to Oct. 1, I believe) and we only saw about 10 minutes of rain the entire time. It was hot and kind of humid, but nothing unbearable at all. And there were NO CROWDS at all! We walked on every ride at every park without so much as a 5-minute wait. I've been at the end of Jan. and 3 times in early Feb., and I thought things were quiet then... NOTHING compared to Sept., believe me! And another nice thing about Sept. is that both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are open. In Jan. and early Feb. Blizzard Beach is always closed for refurbishment. I also noticed that at least one or two rides that I really like are always closed in Jan. and Feb. -- this doesn't just happen in Sept.!!! Actually, aside from Maelstrom, everything was open in Sept., as far as I can remember.

Because I'm having a baby this month (hopefully!), we've had to push our next trip to May. I'm expecting it to be pretty steamy then... For those of you who've gone that time of the year, how bad is it heat-wise and crowd-wise? Hope it won't be too tough to take!

Happy trip planning,
Sarah
 
wow....this week. CONGRATS!!! CONGRATS!!! I hope that you are resting and taking care of yourself. Best wishes.
 
... and best wishes to you, too! Did you say your baby was due in June? My second was born in June... IMO, that's the BEST time of year to have a baby! And, I might add, he's an angel, so I'm sure yours will be as well!! :) Are you having a ds this time or another dd or will it be a big surprise? I'm expecting ds#3... Still in shock over that one!!! :) Our May visit will definitely be interesting with 3 little guys in tow!

Thanks again for the good wishes,
Sarah
 
wdwphanatic....I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to know the gender but I was too early when I got my sonogram :( Ughhh....I don't think I'll be getting another one either. Guess someone wants this one to be a suprise!!

Have fun on your May trip!! Congrats on handling 3! I'm nervous about 2....LOL Much pixie dust to you and ds#3!!!!
 












Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE







New Posts







DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top