Don't Go In September

[brusoe]

Being from florida I dont mind the heat but so help me god if it rains all next week Ill stroke out!!!!!

 

[BuzzLite_Fran]

this was a duplicate post in error ..........my apologies

 

[BuzzLite_Fran]

We have gone in Sept before and had a great time. Although it was rather HOT for us. We then began going in OCT and also had a good time. Time before last we went in NOV, and REALLY enjoyed it. The weather was nice, crowds were light, and it seemed just a nice time to go. We went the week and a half before Thanksgiving, and it was good. MGM had already decorated for Christmas, and it was very pretty. Our resort was also decorated (All Stars Movies). We are going this year Nov 10-18th and cant wait

47 days!

 

[fillerup]

For those of you planning ahead, and are concerned about tour groups - here's something to keep in mind.

The US Dollar is at record lows against almost all major world currencies. As our Canadian friends very well know - the Loony (Loonie?) is at parity with the dollar for the first time since the 70's.

Therefore, for people all over the world, visiting the US just gets cheaper and cheaper. Prepare for a lot more foreign visitors - which doesn't bother me a bit. I'll continue to be bothered by bad behavior though.

 

[DisneyGigi]

We just got back from DW on the 15th and I personally would not go back in September ever again.

THE BAD.

HEAT: Crazy hot. It was almost unbearable, the type of heat you're looking for AC after a short time outside. Thus made enjoying the parks difficult. You just speed from attraction to attraction as quick as you can, plus it didn't cool off much at night.
It was hot but not that bad (8/31-9/9) not near as bad as I thought it would be.

RAIN: Every day between 1 and 4 hours. Not just sprinkle, but I mean a hard pounding downpour everyday. Although I'll admit that the only time it really affected us adversely was for Mickey's Not So Scary Party on the 14th, where it was pretty much rained out. We only had one really bad storm while we were there and one when we first arrived. There were passing thunderstorms once or twice but only for 25-30 minutes, we usually missed them while in line or on a ride.


TOUR GROUP BEHAVIOR: I've heard the stories but had never experienced anything first hand until this trip. I was absolutely appalled at the behavior of some of the tour groups. Line cutting was insane, one person stands in line then as they approach the front a whole group will come by to get in line. Obnoxious, loud and rude is how I would describe some of these groups. Disney better get a handle on these groups and quick because it was crazy.

There were many tour groups our first weekend at the resort and at the parks and I agree they are rude to a degree that is unreal! I got stepped on by a large group waiting for the parade and so help me, I wanted to trip them as they stepped over my head, they tried to cut in line many times, but we stood our ground..lol. At the resort they were even worse and stayed up half the night, thankfully though most of them left on the first Sunday of our trip.

THE GOOD

FREE DINING: We had it, and I'd say the dining plan is a great deal, but only if you get it for free. I don't think there's any real value to it if you have to pay for it, you simply aren't likely to eat on site as much as the dining plan provides. The downside is forget about walk ups at any restaurant anywhere on property, there were none. I totally understand that the free dining during my time there contributed to this last part.
I very much enjoyed the dining, especially since it was free but would be worth it to me just to not have to bother with paying at each meal even if I paid for the plan.
CROWDS: Very manageable, not real light, but not insane either, our longest wait times averaged 30 minutes. Our major gripes were with the line cutting of the tour groups I mentioned above. After Labor Day weekend the crowds were so low, I loved it! A tip... spread out and do not move, I am not going to let a kazillion people in front of me just because they think that they can, they can wait just like I did. I do feel so sorry for the CMs that have to deal with them at meet and greets, they just push their whole group up while other people are having pics/autographs with the characters. It is Insane!

SUMMARY: I'd have to say that he tour groups are what really shocked me, I will never and I repeat never go back to Disneyworld if I can find out there will are going to be many tour groups present while I'm there.Although, the weather is the main reason I wouldn't go back in September. I've gone in November, December, April and the weather was much nicer then. I decided to go in September because of the free dining and the lighter crowds, I did get both but wasn't prepared for the weather or the tour groups. My bad on the weather, but I had no clue about the tour groups. Anyone else experience problems with them or is it just me??

There were more of them in September than we saw in February.. and yes, I despise the tour groups.. I don't mean to sound ugly but they are sooo rude! I have no problem with someone because they are foreign, I have a problem with the actions that are so often described and seen by me while we were there. We came out of the hotel one evening to see a group of young teenagers from one of the groups near our car and our Magnetic Mickey had been stolen when we got up to the car... right in the resort parking lot.
That is the one and only gripe that I had at all about our trip. The rest was picture perfect! :wave:

 

[mary219]

For those of you planning ahead, and are concerned about tour groups - here's something to keep in mind.

The US Dollar is at record lows against almost all major world currencies. As our Canadian friends very well know - the Loony (Loonie?) is at parity with the dollar for the first time since the 70's.

Therefore, for people all over the world, visiting the US just gets cheaper and cheaper. Prepare for a lot more foreign visitors - which doesn't bother me a bit. I'll continue to be bothered by bad behavior though.

the value of the dollar is more than likely a very good reason,my daughter went to ireland last month,and a big topic that people were talking about was the value of the us dollar and how weaker it has become

 

[LouDisney]

I just got back, was there the 7th until the 14th. I used Fastpass twice the whole week I was there, and I really didn't have to use it then. When you see Soarin's wait time at 30 minutes, that is reason to celebrate...LOL

I am from the south, so the heat and afternoon showers does not bother me at all.

I never saw any tour groups, not to say there were not any, I just never encountered them, or either did not notice them.

Sorry you did not like September. I really think it's one of the best months of the year to go.

 

[ThinkTink721]

We didn't have any problems w/ tour groups, but there was a lady who was literally pushing people out of her way (including us) as she made her way to the front of the crowd during the Stars & Motor Cars Parade at DS.
She didn't even say excuse me. She had her camera in hand, determined to get to the front of the crowd. What made matters worse is that it was raining. But, this is about the only rude thing we encountered during our 9 day trip.

 

[mac41099]

I'm both sorry and glad to hear about your trip.

Sorry in the fact that your trip wasn't as good as you hoped.

Glad in the fact that I think Sept/Oct is the best time to go based on there is nobody there. Granted I didn't go this year (going in December instead), but we were there the past 2 years and it was great. Weather was high 80's/low 90's and probably rained a combined 1 hour each week/each year. We walked onto 90% of the rides and did whatever we wanted, when we wanted.

So, if you stay away from Sept, that will be better for me and my family.

 

[jjgoo]

We just got back too 15-23. We had an excellent time though the humidity was really tough at times. We also found that the crowds were heavier than they were in October of last year.

We probably will not go back in Sept. again but only because of the heat. I would have been happier with a little less crowds too because we like to tour more on the fly and not have to get to a show over an hour before it starts (we missed Nemo in AK because we were too late).

Great things about our trip though: First time at Coronado and we loved it, We got a free upgrade to a suite!!!, MNSSHP always a lot of fun, 3 times on the refurb Haunted Mansion, 3 times on Peter Pan with no more than a 10 min wait each time (only used FP once), we got to eat at Le Cellier!!!! (got our ressies 2 days before even, thank you to whomever cancelled), just being in WDW makes it great!
:wave:

 

[DisneyGigi]

We just got back too 15-23. We had an excellent time though the humidity was really tough at times. We also found that the crowds were heavier than they were in October of last year.

We probably will not go back in Sept. again but only because of the heat. I would have been happier with a little less crowds too because we like to tour more on the fly and not have to get to a show over an hour before it starts (we missed Nemo in AK because we were too late).

Great things about our trip though: First time at Coronado and we loved it, We got a free upgrade to a suite!!!, MNSSHP always a lot of fun, 3 times on the refurb Haunted Mansion, 3 times on Peter Pan with no more than a 10 min wait each time (only used FP once), we got to eat at Le Cellier!!!! (got our ressies 2 days before even, thank you to whomever cancelled), just being in WDW makes it great!
:wave:

I really did not think it was that bad, my brain must already be fried from the Southern Heat! We are already planning on going back next September. WS at EPCOT was warm though.. Thank God for the frozen drink stands, those Margaritas are a little strong...:lookaroun

 

[Ausdaddy]

We're halfway through our trip. As for the heat, some days are better than others due to cloud cover. Crowds are a bit heavier than I expected. Still, we're having a great time. Most waits are no longer than 30 minutes. The reality is that there aren't too many down periods any more. Haven't noticed many tour group problems. One time on The Great Movie Ride and that was it.

 

[jjgoo]

I really did not think it was that bad, my brain must already be fried from the Southern Heat! We are already planning on going back next September. WS at EPCOT was warm though.. Thank God for the frozen drink stands, those Margaritas are a little strong...:lookaroun

Well we're from CT and when we get 92 degrees with 98% humidity a thunderstorm usually comes along and cools things off and everyone is happy. Either that or we stay indoors. We are just plainly not used to that temp and humidity consistently. It was fine while sitting at the pool but when we were walking around a paved area and there was no breeze it was tough for us. We'll take Oct. over Sept. from now on. I have been when it was in the 90's in Oct. but not with the humidity and it was wonderful.

I will stress though we still had an excellent time!:sohappy:

 

[blackerbys17]

Coming from someone who had an annual pass until this past June, I concur. I will NEVER get an annual pass again, I'll stick to a seasonal from now on. I just have no interest in ever going during the summer again. The heat was horrible, and believe me, I know heat. I have lived in Miami all my life. The tour groups, insane! Rude and obnoxious most of the time.

Nowadays, I only go to WDW from mid-October through mid-April. My favorite time is definately mid-October through February. I find that is the best weather. No free dining plan or room discounts is worth putting up with the opressive heat, just my 2 cents.

 

[EPCOT.nut]

HEAT: Crazy hot. It was almost unbearable, the type of heat you're looking for AC after a short time outside. Thus made enjoying the parks difficult. You just speed from attraction to attraction as quick as you can, plus it didn't cool off much at night.

RAIN: Every day between 1 and 4 hours. Not just sprinkle, but I mean a hard pounding downpour everyday. Although I'll admit that the only time it really affected us adversely was for Mickey's Not So Scary Party on the 14th, where it was pretty much rained out.

1 - I just have to ask where you are from. I am from Florida all my life and I get p/o'd at the heat, too. I can deal with it but I am constantly drinking water.

2 - The rain is a PIA on vacation but I keep telling myself if it didn't rain my well would dry up. Literally.

3 - The tour groups are horrible. It is evidently politically correct to let them make the rest of us miserable. Too bad it is not politically correct or legal to shoot them. I would love to get my hands on a taser and I have suggested that CMs carry tasers also. Flame on, I really don't care.

 

[bfbulldog]

1 - I just have to ask where you are from. I am from Florida all my life and I get p/o'd at the heat, too. I can deal with it but I am constantly drinking water.

2 - The rain is a PIA on vacation but I keep telling myself if it didn't rain my well would dry up. Literally.

3 - The tour groups are horrible. It is evidently politically correct to let them make the rest of us miserable. Too bad it is not politically correct or legal to shoot them. I would love to get my hands on a taser and I have suggested that CMs carry tasers also. Flame on, I really don't care.

Thanks, I'm from New Hampshire, I expected heat but was just a bit surprised at just how hot it was.

I couldn't agree more, the tour groups were horrible. Unfortunately I also agree with a previous poster about the weak dollar that I think will just make this worse and far more common.

 

[the-reason14]

Im sorry but to the op, have you ever been to WDW any other time? I mean yea, the heat, but I guess since Im from the south as well Im kinda used to it and come to expect it when I go to FLA. Ive been in the winter and spring and it is nice when its cooler. But this past trip I had was the first time Ive been to WDW in september and during the "off season" It was hot, but nowhere near as bad as July, and the crowds were practically none existant again compared to July. I was amazed, I walked right on almost everything. I even got to see the second night of joy and see Mary- Mary and Smokie Norful(A very very good treat, because we didnt know or plan our trip around it and found out at check in, and went to the MK and found someone and bought the wristbands.) And now that Im able, I should be able to vacation to WDW more during a non peak time, so I plan on going every chance I get when there are hardly any crowds.

And I also didnt see but like 3 tour groups in all of WDW this past trip. Compared to the like the 500 or so you see down there in July. So it was really great. I will def. try to go back down there again during this time of year.

 

[wdwmomof3]

I just got back, was there the 7th until the 14th. I used Fastpass twice the whole week I was there, and I really didn't have to use it then. When you Soarin's wait time at 30 minutes, that is reason to celebrate...LOL

I am from the south, so the heat and afternoon showers does not bother me at all.

I never saw any tour groups, not to say there were not any, I just never encountered them, or either did not notice them.

Sorry you did not like September. I really think it's one of the best months of the year to go.

I couldn't agree more. We were there from the 11th -16th and it was hot but I had rather deal with the heat than large crowds. About the rain... we went several years ago in Oct and it rained everyday, almost everyday. I said to my self then that I would never go back again in Oct but we did and it was great the second time around so I learned my lesson about never saying never. It end up eating my words every time.

 

[Emerald Rose]

We were at the parks this past July and there were huge tour groups. At some times they were disruptive and noisy. So it's not just Sept.

 

[LoriMistress]

During the summer the tour groups are flooded throughout the parks. If people are that bothered by tour groups, then either write to Disney and complain about their behavior, if a CM handled the situation--was it appropriate or made the situation worse, and add your suggestions that you would like to see change.

The only way Disney will really listen to the tour groups issues will be with numerous complaints, and if people get so fed up going to the parks during the peak season to avoid them all together. Disney losing money because of the tour groups will make Disney listen. Though, Disney makes so much money on packages for these tour groups, that it may be less then likely Disney will do much to control them.