September vs. November

[fjm777]

My family and I have been to WDW in May, January, and December. We thought we would try September or November but can't decide. We can go anytime we want so I want to make the most of my decision.

Things I have thought about...

September
1) Hot during the day but not too cool at night. We should be able to wear shorts all day every day. Can go swimming.
2) Earlier in the year - don't have to wait forever.
3) Rainy season, maybe even a hurricane.

November
1) Cool during the day but may be too cool at night. May need a jacket. May be too cold to swim.
2) Have to wait two extra months.
3) Probably won't rain at all.

How about crowds? I have read that September crowds may be less than November. Of course they both are low.

Any helpful thoughts you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[westie]

September-Even the rain is hot. Even at night.

November-Warm days, cool nights. Double the wardrobe.

.02

 

[rick3236]

September. Why wait. Besides, if it rains you get to wear a really cool poncho.

 

[Jekyll Baker]

I went in Sept last year (during the 9/11 week): light crowds, no rain - mostly clear, moderately warm (80's during the day, maybe high 50's to low 60's at night).

The last time I was there in November was in 1986 during Thanksgiving weekend. All I can vividly remember was a fairly crowded Epcot (the only park I was at that time), and waiting in line for SSE for about 40 minutes with my impatient dad and rest of the family.

 

[mandib]

We've gone early November and they're were very little lines but this was 2001 so it was right after 9/11 which may have had something to do with it. Now we go around Thanksgiving because of school schedules. Crowds aren't as bad as they are in Easter. Also the day after Thanksgiving all of the Christmas things go up which is so nice to see! If you do go early November there is also the food and wine festival. I've never been in September though so I can't help you out there!

 

[Ringo8n24]

I like both months, but prefer September due to crowd reasons. November is ok, but now with the addition of Super Soap weekend you really do not have as much flexibility to go in November and avoid Super Soap Weekend and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week is very crowded. If the weather is your deciding factor, go in November. Light crowds, go in September.

 

[fjm777]

...with the addition of Super Soap weekend you really do not have as much flexibility to go in November and avoid Super Soap Weekend...

Does Super Soap Weekend really effect crowds during the week or just on that weekend? We were thinking of being there the week before and leaving on that Saturday.

 

[Miss Bell]

My in-laws went in early November last year and had perfect weather and very light crowds.

 

[Blueberry]

We have been several times in early September and it is the lowerst time of the year to go crowd wise, at least early September. It is hot and it does rain, but the crowds are so manageable it is not really a problem unless you are really bothered by hot weather. I love September as a touring month.

November is nice weather, less rain but a slightly higher crowd. When we went over what they call Jersey Week it was much more crowded than September, and the crowds went down once Jersey Week was over...

I say go in September, it is sooner and less crowded and you can wear shorts all the time...

 

[fjm777]

When we went over what they call Jersey Week it was much more crowded than September, and the crowds went down once Jersey Week was over...

When is Jersey Week and what is that?

 

[Stitch's Cousin]

I'd suggest waiting and going in early November : warm-to-hot days with cool (shorts & sweatshirt) nights + less rain + swimming pool days + hot tub nights + Epcot Food & Wine Festival + Festival of the Masters + being able to see the Christmas decorations.
Crowds get a little heavier on Veterans Day weekend, but the rest of that week is typically quiet. The week of Thanksgiving and the week after tend to be more crowded. Good luck choosing!

 

[Ringo8n24]

Does Super Soap Weekend really effect crowds during the week or just on that weekend? We were thinking of being there the week before and leaving on that Saturday.

I have not personally gone that weekend because some friends of mine have gone that weekend and said it was pretty crowded at MGM because of Super Soap Weekend. One said you could not really get to anything because of the star appearances at several of the attractions and the parade was a nightmare. I have not heard about the other parks at that time, but I assume they all cannot stay at MGM their entire trip. With the popularity of ABC soaps and the SS weekend footage I saw on Soapnet, I am not interested in being there that weekend. I think you would be safe since you are leaving that Saturday.

 

[AEfx]

I have not personally gone that weekend because some friends of mine have gone that weekend and said it was pretty crowded at MGM because of Super Soap Weekend. One said you could not really get to anything because of the star appearances at several of the attractions and the parade was a nightmare. I have not heard about the other parks at that time, but I assume they all cannot stay at MGM their entire trip. With the popularity of ABC soaps and the SS weekend footage I saw on Soapnet, I am not interested in being there that weekend. I think you would be safe since you are leaving that Saturday.

I've heard a lot of the same...good thing for me Days of Our Lives is an NBC soap and not an ABC soap, so I haven't felt the urge to go. Yet. My mom is a big Lucci fan, so someday we may trek down to get a glimpse of her.

AEfx

 

[JBSLJames]

Also the day after Thanksgiving all of the Christmas things go up which is so nice to see!

I thought the decorations start going up in early November and are all up by Thanksgiving. We are going from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the Friday after. I was hoping to see most of the decorations in place.

I know the crowds will be big on Wednesday, Thursday (hanksgiving itself) Tand Friday, but I am hopeful that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are manageable.

Also, does anyone know if the parks do any kind of 'Traditional' meal on Thanksgiving Day?

 

[Ringo8n24]

I thought the decorations start going up in early November and are all up by Thanksgiving. We are going from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the Friday after. I was hoping to see most of the decorations in place.

I have been there around the 18th and they had started with the decorations then so I got to see a few.

 

[ZHoyt]

We're planning on going the 14th to 19th. Never been in November before, so I hope it works out well. Any advice on these dates?

 

[DDuckFan130]

We might also go in early November. Seeing as how the Play 4 Days pass has returned until November 21, we might take advantage and leave Wednesday, the 10th and return Sunday the 14th. Veterans Day lands on a Thursday so my brother and sister will miss Friday hehe (I don't have to because I won't have any Friday classes ). The only thing I see going on is the Food and Wine Festival which should be fun. I don't know when the Soap Stars weekend thing happens, but oh well. Do you think we can get any glimpse of a Christmas decoration when we go :lol:? If not, oh well that's ok. I've been twice during the Christmas season.

 

[JohnMan]

We have a trip planned for Nov 14-20. I figure the week before Thanksgiving shouldn't be all that bad crowd wise.

The last trip we had was Sep 16-21 '01. We basically owned the parks, especially at night. We went to an E-Ticket Night at MK and saw some of the characters walking in circles due to there being nobody in the park. We actually had to ask to get off of Splash Mtn (even during the day at times). This is not your typical Sep of course, you know what happened then. Though I would still expect Sep to be less crowded and hotter than Nov. Have fun!

 

[pinjim]

Go in October

Why not try October. The Not-so-scary-Halloween party is a great time! Our November trip last year was great. We could swim, enjoy the nights outside with only a couple of times needing sweatshirts. Crowds at the parks were not to be found. Also, in November, Stitch might be open for business.

7 more days until we discover the Magic again