Why September At WDW Is The Best

[sambisc]

With the low crowds in September, is it necessary to make dining reservations? We don't have the dining plan, so we are actually planning only a few table service meals.

 

[jade1]

Reasons September is not the "best" for us.

1) We are night owls and the parks close way too early.

2) September weather is amazing in Minnesota-best swimming and boating of the year-then an abrupt end to it all. Much rather skip winter weather.

3) Ride QTY is not a major goal any more, FP+ will be enough for us busy weeks.

4) XMAS decor at WDW crushes Halloween decor IMO.

5) We would hit a hurricane.

 

[AngiTN]

With the low crowds in September, is it necessary to make dining reservations? We don't have the dining plan, so we are actually planning only a few table service meals.

I am of the opinion that yes, you will need them. Unless you don't care where you are going to eat. There will always be something with availability, usually places like LTT or Plaza at MK, maybe Tony's. Most of the better places are going to be booked, low crowds or not. Especially if free dining is going on.

 

[vcgirl925]

Mid September is a terrible time to go! So everyone....please stay home. Go in like October or something.

 

[Gottahavemorecowbell]

Mid September is a terrible time to go! So everyone....please stay home. Go in like October or something.

Well played vcgirl, well played.

 

[ampersand]

As a Floridian, I've often wondered why people would spend actual money to come down to Florida in September.

Also as a Floridian I think it's a little better than the ones that show up in July. I don't know. Some of them inexplicably enjoy the heat. I sure don't.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Does it cool down fast in the evenings? We will be there during the last week of Sept, and planning to go to the water parks during most afternoons.

 

[jhaig]

With the low crowds in September, is it necessary to make dining reservations? We don't have the dining plan, so we are actually planning only a few table service meals.

Absolutely. There is usually a free dining promo which tends to make the more popular restaurants fill up quickly in September.

 

[TDC Nala]

With the low crowds in September, is it necessary to make dining reservations? We don't have the dining plan, so we are actually planning only a few table service meals.

Yes. Because September = free dining and free dining = crowded restaurants.

 

[carlydisneygirl]

My friend are I are doing our first September trip. We couldn't resist the idea of shorter lines.

I've been in late June and early October... have folks found it to be hotter than those times?


I'll be looking forward to the dark rides and the best shows -- Philharmagic, Laugh Floor, etc!

 

[Networth]

Does it cool down fast in the evenings? We will be there during the last week of Sept, and planning to go to the water parks during most afternoons.

It does cool down just don't expect a drastic drop, maybe 10-15 degrees. What helps is the sun isn't beating down on you. The humidity is usually just as high. Also it tends to storm in the evenings but they are touch and go and leave as quick as they start(usually).

 

[Kristie911]

I hate the heat. Hate. It. I like snow.

But this is DH's first Disney trip and I knew if there were crowds he would never go back. And free dining!!

So we will survive the heat and have a blast!

 

[Networth]

My friend are I are doing our first September trip. We couldn't resist the idea of shorter lines. I've been in late June and early October... have folks found it to be hotter than those times? I'll be looking forward to the dark rides and the best shows -- Philharmagic, Laugh Floor, etc!

It will not be hotter temp wise than in June. October is when the heat starts to wind down going from 90-80s to 80-70s, lower humidity worst months are late June, all of July and all of August as for heat.

 

[csmith041177]

So my wife and I are going in September for the first time this year. It will be the last week of Septebmer going into Ocotber (Sept. 26-Oct. 3). I knew to expect heat...but everyone's comments are scaring me a little. So....how hot are we talking normally? And give me all the tips you have for staying cool (aside from taking a mid-day break)???? Thanks!

 

[AngiTN]

So my wife and I are going in September for the first time this year. It will be the last week of Septebmer going into Ocotber (Sept. 26-Oct. 3). I knew to expect heat...but everyone's comments are scaring me a little. So....how hot are we talking normally? And give me all the tips you have for staying cool (aside from taking a mid-day break)???? Thanks!

I think folks are exaggerating a fair bit. Our first trip was in early Sept. It was hot but we did not suffer heat stroke. We were far from miserable. Even DH who can not stand hot weather. We stayed at the parks all day without problem, toured comando style for 6 days. It was sure a hell of a lot better than our trip in 2013 where it was freezing cold with highs in the 40's during the day, with very high winds and clouds. Give me 90's in Sept over that every time.

 

[branv]

I hate the heat. Hate. It. I like snow.

But this is DH's first Disney trip and I knew if there were crowds he would never go back. And free dining!!

So we will survive the heat and have a blast!

We've gone 3 times in the late April/May time frame and even that's a little too steamy for us Our best trip to WDW was the first week of February. Low crowds, BEAUTIFUL weather. There were one or two chilly days, and a few brisk mornings, and as an adult I wouldn't swim, but we would go this week again and again if we could.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Mid September is a terrible time to go! So everyone....please stay home. Go in like October or something.

Yes exactly

 

[L&Lfan]

Early June (3-10) this year was awful for us with heat and humidity (at least it didn't rain until our last day!) We are looking forward to our next visit 9/23-10/1. We have vowed to never again go to WDW in June, July or August. The only reason we went in June this year was because we couldn't resist the 30% off room discount at the Beach Club.

 

[Tonyz]

Going in September for this first time this year and I am pumped!

And the heat doesn't worry me at all. The last two times I went were in July (only time the family could go) and I thought it was fairly manageable. So September will be a breeze!

 

[Kristine316]

Why September isn't that fabulous...


1) The HEAT!! Even though we are from a state where the summers get pretty steamy and it regularly goes over 100 degrees, I still found myself unprepared for the heat of that trip. I think it is because here in the summer I am either lounging by our pool or in air conditioning.. rarely do I walk around for hours and hours in the heat. I told myself the heat wouldn't be an issue but, I was totally wrong.. it DID affect the enjoyment of our trip.

2) Free Dining.. in my opinion this isn't always a good thing. Sure we used it when we went but, it also means everyone else is using it and getting a last minute ADR is not easy... maybe if you eat at the resort restaurants that don't get as busy.. if you want something popular chances are you have to make the ADR's at the 180 mark. I also don't know if FD is the best savings.. I think if you have a family who has hearty appetites it is a good deal but, if you are light eaters I don't know if you are really getting a good discount. You are merely getting a lot of food you probably wouldn't eat and wouldn't purchase anyway.

3) I have never seen so many scooters in my entire life! Not that it is a bad thing but, be prepared to dodge and weave scooters. Scooters don't bother me at all but, I saw plenty of people getting irritated by them.. I think FD and the fact the kids go back to school means lots of older people head to WDW in the fall. I found it sort of sweet because it meant when I am 75, I will fit right in. The unwonderful thing about this one, is not the scooters themselves but, the people who get so irritated by having to wait for them to board a bus or a boat or have to avoid them in walk ways. Many people didn't seem to have a ton of patience.

4) The humidity. This bothered me more than the heat.. I have long, naturally curly hair and it was a nightmare that trip!! I washed and styled my hair every morning and within a couple hours it looked like I had stuck my finger in a light socket. My hair resembled a large haystack and my bangs were enormously puffy!! I brought an arsenal of hair products to combat the humidity and products that worked well back home were not working there.
Never had I had more "weird" looks in my life... lol It didn't bother me after awhile because in truth, I looked ridiculous and decided to just laugh about it because the looks weren't mean looks of disgust or judgment or anything, they were more.. " what the heck.. or.. that poor woman"!

5) The crowds aren't as wonderful as people will lead you to believe. Now, if you have been to WDW during a busy time of year, like summer or around some kind of holiday, you will be loving September crowds. If this is your first WDW trip, you will be disappointed in just how "UNdead" September is. We had been twice before that September trip in January and February.. (two other slow times of the year) and our September trip was the busiest of the three, although I kept hearing and reading how "dead" it was going to be and how rides were just walk on.
I have heard the earlier you go in September the better for the low crowds, we went at the end of the month and things were definitely not dead, we did have a few rides we walked right on but, those were rides that now have lines because of FP+.. We followed Easywdw recommended parks to the letter too, it wasn't like we were just winging it.
Was it insanely busy... No, it probably wasn't even moderate crowds by WDW standards but, Disney crowds are an entirely different animal than real world crowds and even their lowest crowd times of the year would probably be considered busy at many other locations.

We are going back in September. We had to cancel a trip planned this past February and September worked for us on a reschedule. I am looking forward to it but, also thinking about that heat again. I have lost quite a bit of weight since that last trip so, I am hoping.. smaller person, less negative affect the heat will have on me but, as far as my hair goes I am just bringing a bunch of hats!!

I fully expect this September trip to be even busier than our last one. We are going the second week of the month so, maybe that will help with the crowds. Every year WDW gets busier and I also think with every guide book and WDW planning website telling people September is one of the best times of the year to go for crowds that the secret is way out of the bag, which means it will only get more crowded over time. December used to be a great time to go but, now it is more moderately busy.. I wonder if September is headed in that direction?