August vs September

[Bgiatalia]

I was wondering if anyone can help me out with a question.
I want to book a Disney world vacation for 2020 but having a hard time deciding between the end of August or mid to end September. Are the crowds significantly less in September compared to the end of August?
My daughter starts kindergarten that year and I’m not sure if I want to pull her out of class for vacation.
Thanks in advance!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Once most schools go back, the crowds settle down. Last week of August is great. The earlier in August, the more crowded it is.

 

[Bgiatalia]

Thanks for the response! That makes me feel better! I used to go in September for the lower crowds, but that was before I had kids lol

 

[graphite1326]

I have been the last week of August and in mid September. The crowds weren't bad for either. However it was really hot in August.

 

[thomas998]

Go in September it will be less crowded and the temps will be a few degrees lower. It is kindergarten, not high school so unless you have her in a private school she isn't going to be doing anything of any real importance. If you have been working with your kid even tiny amounts since she was born then taking her out of school near the beginning of the year will just relieve her of boredom. The sad fact is so many parent spend zero time teaching their kids anything that kindergarten has become a ridiculous time where they teach kids the alphabet or colors.

 

[Mainahman]

Just got back Tuesday. It was scorching both park days about 95 or so, but we only had to use fast pass 2 times, and only because we wanted to. If you played your times and cards right, most wait times hit as low as 15 or 20 mins in all parks. I was really impressed. Been mid August too and it was more crowded. Southern schools go back early to mid August, and the northern ones right before or after labor day.afyer that you should be good

 

[Lilofan]

In September the crowds are much less however the heat is just as bad as August. Being rain ponchos since thunderstorms are frequent or any Merchandise location sells them too. Parents pull their kids out of school all the time.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

We went at the end September in 2016. My oldest had just started kindergarten. I was super nervous about pulling her for a week but her teacher didn’t mind at all. She was a huge Disney fan herself and said she didn’t blame us for not going in the summer She did give my daughter quite a bit of work which was a bit of a bummer. Our neighbor went the same year, her son was also in kindergarten (same school, different teacher) and he didn’t get any work. So it definitely depended on the teacher, in our case.
The weather was HOT. 90+ degrees every day. Sun up to sun down. It was exhausting. It made our girls much grumpier than we were expecting. Crowds were fine. Manageable. The busiest day was actually our last day- it was Saturday October 1st. So I imagine the first week in October was probably busy.

The way I see it, it’s much easier to pull them from school when they are younger. So take advantage of the lighter crowds while you can. Our next trip is this January. My oldest is now in 3rd grade and will miss 4 days of school. We anticipate this is last year she can miss this much

 

[Marianm]

I pull my kids out. And they go to a private school and it’s never an issue. But a few years ago we went the last week in August and it was HOT but the crowds were light. We stayed at the contemporary and spent a lot of time at MK that trip and just walked back and forth for pool breaks

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I am more of late August- a couple days after Labor Day type. My first trips were in June, July and anywhere from early August to mid August.

The later in August, the less of crowds like people said. The only catch is Labor Day weekend does increase crowds.

What I tell you crowds are not bad due to some schools already stated. It is hot. My strategy is don't be park commando and keep fluid in. It is capable of raining in late August.