When to go to DW

[oakvillefamily]

We are planning (2 adults and 2 kids) on going to DW from about either August 11 to the 24th or from August 31 to Sept 10th. For both scenarios we are flying. We are a little concerned about the crowds in mid-August, but from what I can see the parks aren't open as long for the early Sept timeframe. I'm sure the kids prefer the Sept time as they will miss the first few days of school.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

PS Has anyone stayed at Port Orleans lately.

 

[hockey mom]

Yes- right now there is a great promotion with free dining which would be on during your second time frame. Also alot less people during your second time frame, so even though the hours might be shorter you would accomplish more.

 

[NancyK]

Have to agree with your kids. Go with the second time frame. It will still be very hot, but the crowds are much lighter and the line-ups much shorter. I couldn't pass up that free dining package so I'm headed down at the end of September.

 

[CharlesTD]

My In Laws liked Sept but the weather was iffy some days and they are saying that hurricane season has allready started down there and it is supposed to be worse than last year so Sept could be a rocky month to go.

 

[StuartMI]

Yes I would personally be worried more about the weather than the crowds.

 

[disney funseeker]

It will be more crowded in August than Sept. for sure.

Some schools in the U.S. start mid-August so crowds will start to diminish then. I guess it will still come down to weather vs. crowds though.

 

[disney funseeker]

I forgot, I wanted to say Welcome

 

[oakvillefamily]

Thanks all for your responses.

I assume that everyone's reference to the weather is to hurricanes or are you all referring to the amount of rain? Apparently September is historically the worst month for hurricanes.

I plucked this off the NOAA website.

"As an example, this figure shows the chances to have a direct hit by a hurricane during the month of September, which is usually the busiest month. If we look at Puerto Rico, the chance is 8% of experiencing a hurricane, if you are there for the WHOLE month. If you are there for, say, only a week, then the chance would be one fourth of that - or only about 2% chance.
To put this into perspective, if you made 50 one week trips to Puerto Rico in September, you would only experience a direct hit in ONE of those 50 visits. So the chances to get impacted by a hurricane are quite small for relatively short trips. (And the case chosen here is the WORST possible, as all other locations in all other months have smaller chances of being hit by a hurricane.) "

Of course all the above means very little if you have the misfortune of being stuck in your hotel room for a couple of days.

Too many things to thing about...........

 

[NancyK]

We've gone in August several times and the thunderstorms are horrific - almost every day at 3pm the rains come in. Lots of times it only lasts for an hour but a couple of years ago we had a violent storm that lasted several hours. The ferries and the monorails were shut down at MK and everyone had to be bussed back to the parking lot. It's possible to have hurricanes anytime from June to the end of October, so I wouldn't use the weather as the basis for your decision. Look at all the other factors and don't worry about what you can't control. Good luck with your decision. You'll have a great time no matter what you decide.

 

[wdwr]

It's been a while but I have been to WDW both of those times. Yes it rained but that is what the ponchos are for! And since it is still pretty warm...you'll dry off soon enough. And as long as it isn't Lightening...go on the water rides in the rain...you're already wet. (ie Splash Mountain)

I will be there Sept 3-10 Rain or Shine. (I was there Dec 10-17 last year and froze because a cold front came in the day I arrived. And they were expecting 20C/70ish F and I was lucky if it hit 66 degrees F two of the days I was there. Thank goodness I took my mitts! So you take the weather you get)

The parks should still have good hours if you stay on the lot for that 1 extra hour early and 3 extra hours after closing that they are having for the Happiest Celebration.


WDWR

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Some schools in the U.S. start mid-August so crowds will start to diminish then. I guess it will still come down to weather vs. crowds though.

Most schools in Georgia start back on August 8th this year. You are correct the southern schools should all be back by then.

 

[oakvillefamily]

Thanks again.

Looks like we will be going late Aug. early Sept. Strange, Disney won't let you book more than 10 days at one resort. Anyone know why that is? Also, does the free meal deal include the moderate resorts?

 

[Bonnie40]

Yes, the free dining applies to all resorts. You will love Port Orleans Riverside...has been recently refurbished with new beds, small fridges, etc. Very nice!

 

[Bonnie40]

oakvillefamily...you should make a point of spending time on these boards to figure out all the ins and outs of Disney! It will help make your trip all the more magical!

The options for Disney dining are amazing!