Who has been in September before?

[cathie1327]

Can anyone tell me what the crowds/lines are like in September? We are going the 19th-28th and I'm trying to get an idea of how long we will be waiting in lines. I know that September is one of their slower times, so I'm hoping the lines aren't too bad....

Thanks!!!!

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

We went last September around the 14-18 and the crowds were not bad at all. Even during free dining it was not very crowded. We went to the parks early, though and took a break mid-afternoon.

 

[Leger13]

Can anyone tell me what the crowds/lines are like in September? We are going the 19th-28th and I'm trying to get an idea of how long we will be waiting in lines. I know that September is one of their slower times, so I'm hoping the lines aren't too bad....

Thanks!!!!

September is one of the best times of the year to go. I was there last year from the 12th - 22nd and the crowds were so low. I think the longest we waited in any line was 20 min. Most of the time we just walked right onto whatever we wanted to ride.

 

[drcandon]

You are going to get a lot of varied replies on this one. September - historically speaking was one of the very slowest times at Disney. We have been to Disney during September a few times. Notice I said was...Disney of course wanting to bump revenues tries various schemes to get people to come at that time. The latest is of course the free dining one. That certainly attracks a lot of people. I am not really sure how to interpret the free dining offer anymore , in the past we have gotten the free dininig and stayed at the Poly - I understand now free dining is only available with the moderates and economy ones - does that mean the crowds are up - perhaps. Also something to consider is the Christian gathering "Night of Joy" that tends to attrack crowds - if not just for a few days leading up to and following the event. Also Disney had offers ( not sure if they still do) for British Disney enthusiasts during that time. Again this brings in a few more people - but what with the price of airline tickets these days who knows. Also Disney does offer the resorts to various conventions at discount rates duing this time - we were there a couple of years ago near the end of September and were surrounded by a lot of ladies in pink outfits.

So bottom line - it is a slower time- especially the first of September as most Northern states and Canadian schools are going back in. Near the end of September and into October as the conventioners start coming in and MMHP starts up it gets more crowded.

And it depends on your definition of crowded - go at Christmas or during Presidents week and you will never think September is crowded again.

 

[DanaAustinChelsea]

Can anyone tell me what the crowds/lines are like in September? We are going the 19th-28th and I'm trying to get an idea of how long we will be waiting in lines. I know that September is one of their slower times, so I'm hoping the lines aren't too bad....

Thanks!!!!

We will be there 9/19-9/29

 

[Leger13]

And it depends on your definition of crowded - go at Christmas or during Presidents week and you will never think September is crowded again.

I'll agree with that last statement for sure.

 

[RFrank9504]

we go every September for our anniversary. Its not bad-but very very hot. The crowds have picked up a bit-but if you go like the first week when all the kids go back to school you'll find it better. It is mostly honeymooners, and families with little ones that aren't really affected by the start of the school year.

 

[bfbulldog]

We were there on Sept 7-15 of last year mainly to take advantage of the free dining. I would say the crowds were low to moderate. Not walk on but not packed, figure an average wait time of about 25-45 minutes or so.

Be sure to take into consideration the weather. I didn't, and I've been to Disney more than 15 times but never during the summer, and I'll tell you, I myself will never go again in the summer. I understand that it's Florida and it gets hot and humid but this was crazy. It averaged 95-100 every day with close to 100% humidity, plus we had the ever present afternoon thunderstorms, which on average lasted between .5 hr and 3 hrs per day, every day. The worst part of this was that even at night the temperatures were still in the mid to upper 80's with high humidity. We constantly found ourselves shuffling from attraction to attraction just to get out of the sun and/or the heat. We weren't able to enjoy just walking through the parks and shops because of the weather. Not to mention that the first night of MNSSHP which we attended was a total washout. It rained torrentially from start to finish.

On the other hand I've been at Christmas time several times including staying in a Ft Wilderness cabin this upcoming December, and in my opinion, there's no better time to visit. It's off peak rates just like September, and the crowds from the last week in November to the week prior to Christmas are very low, plus all the parks are decorated beautifully, and the weather's ideal, no more daily thunderstorms, the temps are usually in the mid 70's and 80's but with little humidity.

Just my two cents.

 

[bgraham34]

Sept is my preffered time to be at Disney. It just starts to cool off a little bit and the lines are not that bad. The downside I experienced last year was it rained everyday and not the 20 minute kind.

 

[cathie1327]

This is AWESOME!!!

It's exactly what I was hoping to hear. You see, we have been to DisneyLAND twice in September, and the crowd level is pretty low. There was never a really long wait for anything, maybe 20-30 minutes at the most. Some rides we just walked straight onto.

So I was REALLY hoping that Disneyworld might not be too much worse. And from the sounds of it, it isn't! I expect it to be a little busier, because it IS Disneyworld after all, but I'm so glad it's not going to be horrendous!!!

Thank you everyone, your comments are VASTLY appreciated!!!

 

[EMI]

Great to know as well. I am new to this and this will be my families FIRST time going to WDW. We will be there from the 19 - 28 of September. Hopefully the crowds will be small as the other people have said. Thanks alot for the info.

 

[SLDL]

I don't think I've seen anyone mention the largest group of tourists (or should I say natives?) in September...love bugs!! Just be prepared for them. Otherwise, September is also one of my favorite times (right behind early December, which is the best!). Have a great trip!!

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

Love bugs were low last year, but it rained a LOT. In 2006 love bugs were high and we didn't see hardly any rain. It was more crowed last year than in 2006 too I noticed.

 

[Sorsha]

We were in WDW these exact same dates last year - September 19-29. You can check out my trip report for some photos that may show you how crowded things were/weren't.

We thought the crowds were VERY managable, with a few notable exceptions. Saturday at Magic Kingdom was horrifying, but not bad anywhere else. First day of Food and Wine Fest at Epcot was pretty bad as well, but only in World Showcase.

Temps felt HOT to us, but then we are from NW Montana, so we are heat-and-humidity weenies. It did rain at least once every day, but it usually felt pretty nice, since it was so hot.

Are you doing free Dining? If so, you need to be making your ADR's NOW. You will find that a lot of the most popular choices may be already filled up. Decide what you want, have some back-up plans, be willing to eat at off-times, and get on the phone with Disney Dining ASAP. Don't forget about restaurants at the resort hotels. There are many wonderful dining choices at the resorts, and they aren't usually as hard to get as those in the parks.

Have a wonderful time, I wish we were going back this year - it was just magical.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Can anyone tell me what the crowds/lines are like in September? We are going the 19th-28th and I'm trying to get an idea of how long we will be waiting in lines. I know that September is one of their slower times, so I'm hoping the lines aren't too bad....

Thanks!!!!

This is a copy of our trip report from last September. But, please note, that since we returned last September I have read literally hundreds of posts on the weather and crowds during free dining last year. Apparently, the week we were there was the most crowded and the hottest. We did have fun, but I think people should expect mediumish crowds and not low, so you won't be disappointed:

We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering. When you came out of an air-conditioned ride and walked out in the heat it would take your breath way hot). I live in Alabama, I know what hot is and it was hot, hot hot. Did I mention it was hot?

It rained at least a little bit every afternoon we were there. On one day, without any warning, no menacing clouds or noticeable wind change, the sky just opened up and poured. It poured so hard, it was like the sky opened up and dumped a bucket of water on your head. There wasn't even time to put our ponchos on. By the time we drug everyone's ponchos out and put them on the rain stopped. We then left for our Ohana ADR looking like someone had just thrown us in the hotel pool - literally socked to the bone.

We did have awesome food on our trip. We ate at Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree, Planet Hollywood, 50's Primetime Cafe, Garden Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table, Ohana (best meal we had), and Crystal Palce. We had ADRs for all and always had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table. Saw them turning away walk-ups at all restaurants. Counter service was not too crowded, but we tried to eat early around 11:30 a.m.

I am a faithful fan of the UG and if it weren't for knowing about their touring plans and knowing how to utilize the Fastpasss system the lines would not have been manageable. There was the occasion that you walked up to something in the late afternoon and there was only a 10 or 15 minute wait, but most of the headliners kept 30 minute or more waits. At MK on our last day Space Mountain had a 75 minute wait at 3:30 p.m! Now, to you Christmas week, Easter week, or July 4th people that probably doesn't sound too bad, but we specifically booked these dates for low crowds, and there were not now crowds maybe medium-ish.

When we left we had every intention of booking the Free Dining bounceback for next September that they were offering, but after the terrible heat and crowds my husband said he would happily pay the $1300 we saved on this trip and put it towards a slower, cooler time to visit.

We have previously been at the end of January into the first part of February and have also been end of November into first of December and those are the times we will be planning our future WDW vacations.

I don't want to rain on anybody's September Free Dining parade (excuse the pun), but I wanted to be honest about the heat and crowds so others will know what to expect and not be disappointed.

 

[audrey2580]

... in the past we have gotten the free dininig and stayed at the Poly - I understand now free dining is only available with the moderates and economy ones - ...

We are staying at the Poly 9/14-9/19 with free dining.

 

[cathie1327]

Ooooone question....what's a love bug? lol

 

[Sorsha]

From Wikipedia:

The love bug (also known as march fly, honeymoon fly, telephone bug, kissybug and double-headed bug) (scientific name Plecia nearctica) is a small flying insect common to the southern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast. During the semi-annual love bug flights or "seasons", the insects are commonly found spattered on the hoods and windshields of automobiles. The body of the love bug is acidic and can affect the paint on vehicles if not washed off. Love bugs seem to be attracted to lighter colored objects (white fence posts are usually blackened with them during the peak season), but can accumulate anywhere.

Love bug larvae grow up in grassy areas and feed on dead vegetation. The adult love bug feeds on the nectar of flowering plants. Upon reaching maturity the love bug spends the entirety of its life copulating with its mate, hence its numerous romantic nicknames. The male and female attach themselves at the rear of the abdomen and remain that way at all times, even in flight. In fact, after mating, the male dies and is dragged around by the female until she lays her eggs. Females lay up to 350 eggs in debris, and about 20 days later the eggs hatch into larvae.

Its character as a public nuisance is due not to its bite or sting (as it is not capable of either), but to its apparently highly acidic body chemistry. Because airborne love bugs exist in enormous numbers near highways, they die en masse on automobile windshields, hoods, and radiator grills when the vehicles travel at high speeds. If left for more than an hour or two, the remains become dried and extremely difficult to remove, and their acidity pits and etches automotive paint and chrome.

Love bug flights can number in the hundreds of thousands. The slow, drifting movement of the insects is almost reminiscent of snow fall. The flights occur twice each year, first in late spring, then again in late summer. The spring flight occurs during late April and May. The summer flight occurs during late August and September. Flights extend over periods of 4 to 5 weeks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lovebugs.jpg