Would you ever go in September???

[WDWMama40]

We have a chance to take our 3 kids (ages 11, 9, 9) to WDW this year - but it will very likely be the only time we'll ever have this opportunity. So it will be our only time visiting.

That said, we are trying to figure out a good time to go. We are a homeschool family, and I would love to go when the crowds are at their least so that we can get as much out of this trip as we possibly can.

We are doing a lot of research on September, right after the schools start back up... but we are from WA state, and do not do well with extreme heat OR humidity. Is this going to make our trip miserable? I've read that this is a great time for low crowds and lower cost... but horrible for weather.

Any suggestions?

 

[TDC Nala]

Of course, it's much cheaper and less crowded. However, if heat and humidity will ruin your trip, then you should postpone until at least the middle of October.

 

[sam1998]

September is awesome! We went last year and never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride and it was amazing!

 

[L&Lfan]

We'll be there this year from 9/23-10/1. We love late September at WDW.

 

[momof1princess]

September is a wonderful time of year to go to WDW where crowds are concerned, and DH, DD16 and I went several times during this time of year when she was in elementary school. However, it is HOT and HUMID as all get out; so, if anyone in your family doesn't like hot weather, I'd suggest October or early November. When I say hot, I'm talking mid to high 90s. I'm from Alabama, so we have very similar weather, making it less of an inconvenience for us than for someone coming from a cooler climate, and we still don't enjoy it, lol, but the lower crowd levels are very nice.

 

[skier_pete]

It is lows crowds. It is also not fun weather. If you pick the wrong week, you also have to deal with love bugs. We've done it, and I wouldn't NOT do it, but if I had the option I would choose something else.

If you are not restricted on timing, I would go the week before Thanksgiving week (Nov 15-22nd). Sure the room rates are (slightly) cheaper in August, but the difference if you look is maybe $10-$15 a night. November weather is awesome, you get the Christmas decorations (Osborne Lights! Castle Icicle Lights!), and before the crowds get there on the Saturday before Thanksgiving (11/22 this year) you will have super-low crowds that week. You can even catch the free dining deal if you go that week, which you could also book for September. (Gotta book by 8/8/14.)

 

[wdw4rfam]

We've done September about 10 times now. Crowds are good, not as low as they used to be. But I won't lie, it's very hot and humid. Better than July and August, but still pretty bad. But for us, price, low crowds, and free dining outweigh the heat

 

[Anne5555]

We are going in September for our first Disney trip with kids, but we are from the deep south and accustomed to heat and humidity (but not Florida levels!) I am worried about how my kids will handle the heat, and plan to pack frog togs and water for all. I would suggest you wait until a much cooler month, so 90 degree temps and sky high humidity don't spoil your trip. You might look into prices the weeks before and after Thanksgiving week, when the weather is much cooler and you can enjoy the Christmas decorations.

 

[4one6]

Canadian here heading to Disney Sep 1-18. Willing to battle the heat for the lower crowds.

 

[csm101]

I feel Walt need to work on a dome because I good amount of questions are concerns over weather. All I can say is if I get a change to go...Im gone regardless of the month.

 

[momof2n2]

Sure would'

 

[prisjoyce]

A few years ago my husband struck up a conversation with a CM at the MK railroad. After chatting for awhile, DH asked the CM his opinion on the best time to visit DW. The CM responded late Sept/early Oct. There are lots if positives to a Sept trip, including crowds, discounts, and it's warm enough to swim. We have been several times for Thanksgiving, and while the weather is nice & holiday decorations are up, it can be chilly and discounts are scarce.

If we weren't working around a school calendar, I would absolutely go Sept/Oct.

Whenever you go, I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[countryblonde314]

We normally go every September and it is the best time to go. Normally there are less crowds because most schools are starting back. Towards the end of the month closer to October is when the crowds kinda pick up. It is a lot cheaper and its not as hot as in the summer.

 

[Fratthouse]

We go in September every year - but only because my DH has a work event at that time. If it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and you can choose any time to go, then I would say NO to going in September.

As everyone has said, it's very very hot. But another thing I would mention is that the parks have MUCH shorter hours. We just got back from a trip in July, and I was able to do as much or MORE than my September trips because of a good plan and taking advantage of early morning and late night park hours.

In general, certain rides will be walk-ons no matter when you go.

Certain rides will have long waits no matter when you go (Toy Story, Soarin', Test Track, Peter Pan).

A few rides will be walk-ons during low season and have moderate to long waits during peak season. If you go during a more crowded season, you just have to plan to visit those rides during the opening or closing hours and utilize FP+. With an adequate plan, waits can (mostly) be avoided.

If you do go in September, make sure you have a list of good places to go to cool off in the parks. Otherwise you will not last very long. Short lines won't do you any good if you can only last 2 or 3 hours in the parks.

 

[disnut8]

I feel Walt need to work on a dome because I good amount of questions are concerns over weather. All I can say is if I get a change to go...Im gone regardless of the month.

I agree with this. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, married and moved to Arizona, then to Mississippi, then to Virginia, then to Nebraska, and now in Georgia. So I've lived a lot of places.

I've gone to Disney World in September and sweated my butt off. The next year I went and had to wear a sweatshirt at night. I've gone in January and worn shorts. I've gone in January and worn a heavy coat all day. I've worn gloves at times. I've sweated at times. I've been every month of the year and only one thing has remained the same. I'm at Disney World and I'm going to enjoy every single minute of it, whether I'm cold, I'm sweating, I need water or hot chocolate.

OP - this is the one chance you get for this trip. Pick a week that works for you and don't think about the weather. Because there's nothing you can do about the weather - Mother Nature is a non-caring person and there's nothing you can do to change her.

 

[Anne5555]

I've already replied above that we are going in September, but we are used to the hot south. I wanted to add that I'm worried crowds might not be as low as hoped. ADRs were hard to find booking when I started around 65 days out, though I have caught a few cancellations that I wanted, and I was not able to obtain a fastpass at any time for dd to meet the A&E sisters even though I stayed up to midnight at the 60 day mark. I guess they were all booked by people who are staying longer than we are or who worked the system faster.

The guy at the touringplans website wrote:
"September is one of the least crowded months at Walt Disney World–though I am one of the few forecasting higher than normal crowds in September 2014 as an aftereffect of the World Cup on South American vacation patterns."

He also wrote:
"But it has lousy weather, combining continuing summer heat and humidity with the peak of the hurricane season, making me not so keen on the month for first time visitors who may never return."

I have (briefly) considered changing our plans, but dh knows I have a tendency to research and plan and reconsider until things are perfect, and he nixed any thought of changing our dates. I'm going to hope for the best-moderate summer temps, low crowds, and no hurricanes! LOL

Anne

 

[Luvchefmic]

I agree with this. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, married and moved to Arizona, then to Mississippi, then to Virginia, then to Nebraska, and now in Georgia. So I've lived a lot of places.

I've gone to Disney World in September and sweated my butt off. The next year I went and had to wear a sweatshirt at night. I've gone in January and worn shorts. I've gone in January and worn a heavy coat all day. I've worn gloves at times. I've sweated at times. I've been every month of the year and only one thing has remained the same. I'm at Disney World and I'm going to enjoy every single minute of it, whether I'm cold, I'm sweating, I need water or hot chocolate.

OP - this is the one chance you get for this trip. Pick a week that works for you and don't think about the weather. Because there's nothing you can do about the weather - Mother Nature is a non-caring person and there's nothing you can do to change her.

You summed up the weather pretty accurately as to it's really a roll of the dice. Sep-Feb I call it the Heat on/A/C on seasons you may have to do both in a single day.

 

[DisneyFan2013]

I'm going in late September, so I hope it won't be too bad. October would've been my preference, but there's a Food & Wine Festival event scheduled in September that I can't miss.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

We've never been in the fall before but we chose to go this year because of the lower crowds and prices. We also got free dining (which is why adrs are so hard to get currently) I can't wait, we've been in May and June, I'm prepared for the heat. The great thing about wdw is most attractions are inside and there are always shows or food places to go in and cool off if it is needed Excited for September this year! Disney here we come!

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

We usually go in Sept. We love the crowd level. Last year we never waited more than 10 min for any ride. It is though very hot!!! We get there by rope drop then go back to cool off in the pool during the hottest parts of the day. We switched one year to May and it was our worst trip by far crowd wise. I love that you can usually get free dining in Sept as well. It is not cool at all though.