September vs October Trip - Help Please!

[TEMAmama]

Hey all,

I need some input here. The only time I've been to Disney was the first week of August and it was HOT as HECK and the crowds were insane!

This time around - I am looking to either book the last week of September or the second to last week of October.

I am interested in going to the MNSSHP and I heard it does start in Sept but that will be pretty far out to really get into the Halloween spirit and dress up, etc. I feel like October would be better for that.

But what about weather and crowds? I would like it if it were still warm enough in the days that we could go to the water parks/rides.. but I don't want to be sweating bullets like we were in August. That was not fun. I assume that September is still pretty hot, but is mid/late October too late for the water attractions?

Help me!

 

[popcenturylover]

We went the last week of September in 12'. Still pretty hot, upper 80's & 90's! (went to MNSSHP & it was very warm!) Never was in October but, I would imagine it would be hot enough for the water parks. We were just there the 1st week this past December & we went swimming. (Upper 70's & 80's)

 

[Tuvalu]

We went the last week of September and it was as hot and humid as summer! When we went in October the following year, the weather was still warm enough to swim but not nearly as humid. Crowd wise was about the same, not as crazy busy as summer or holidays, but still busy. Lots of folks are there for the free dining in September and the Food & Wine in October.

 

[Disvillain63]

We've been both months. Most recently was October 2013, first week, it was quite warm still. In October 2010, we went the last week of October, Halloween week, and it was 90 degrees that week too. We've been in September 1990 and 1993 and it was pleasant both times. It will vary from year to year and week to week in the fall.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I would go with the second to the last week of October. Food and wine festival, Halloween party and hopefully free dining. It's still very hot and humid but not as bad as August. August is just plain brutal!

Pam

 

[jlsHouston]

I went once the end of October. It was warm and breezy during the day, to the point it was too chilly in my opinion to swim. The nights were cool and required long pants and jackets. But I freeze if the temps dip into the 60's. In fact I am freezing now. THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE COLDEST WINTER IN A LONG LONG TIME!!
I would say mid October would be good because the nights will cool things down but the days very warm still just not sweltering like Aug/Sept and you can enjoy some pool time without freezing and of course as mentions F&W is October!

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

september will probably still be pretty warm, the end of october can go either way. the end of september will not be as bad as august - usually the humidity isn't quite as bad. most times in october you should be warm enough to swim during the day, evenings you'll want a sweater.

i really don't like the heat. when we lived in florida, i wouldn't go back to the parks until mid-late september because it became bearable for me then. the big bonus for late october will be the food & wine festival, as others have mentioned. mnsshp may be busier toward the end of october, especially halloween week. it will sell out quickly.

 

[TEMAmama]

We went the last week of September and it was as hot and humid as summer! When we went in October the following year, the weather was still warm enough to swim but not nearly as humid. Crowd wise was about the same, not as crazy busy as summer or holidays, but still busy. Lots of folks are there for the free dining in September and the Food & Wine in October.

I'm actually not at all familiar with Food & Wine Festival? What is this?!

 

[TEMAmama]

september will probably still be pretty warm, the end of october can go either way. the end of september will not be as bad as august - usually the humidity isn't quite as bad. most times in october you should be warm enough to swim during the day, evenings you'll want a sweater.

i really don't like the heat. when we lived in florida, i wouldn't go back to the parks until mid-late september because it became bearable for me then. the big bonus for late october will be the food & wine festival, as others have mentioned. mnsshp may be busier toward the end of october, especially halloween week. it will sell out quickly.

Everyone keeps mentioning this Festival How do I not know about it?! I guess I have even more digging to do!

Thanks everyone!

Sounds like October will be the better bet. Free dining won't apply to us because we will be going with the military salute, so it works out better that way - only problem is, the 2015 Salute won't be renewed until typically August - so I wouldn't be able to make reservations for October til then!

I will likely make the Sept reservations while I still can with the 2014 Military Salute, and then come August if it's renewed I will switch to October. Hopefully it isn't announced too late so I can still switch and keep the ADR's!

...Or I could throw a curveball into this whole thing and go in May.. since the excitement waiting til the fall may just kill me

 

[oommggitskait]

I vote october! I was there in the middle of October this past year and it was great. Not too crowded. Food and Wine fest (yes... look it up... AMAZING). The weather, at least while I was there, was still pretty hot and humid, but like everyone says, October can probably go either way!

 

[popcenturylover]

When we went in 12' the last weekend in Sept was the start of the F&W Festival, MNSSHP, & the TOT ten miler. It was quite busy but, not as busy as December.(also had free dining) I believe the Festival usually starts that last weekend every year. The festival is in World Showcase at Epcot. They offer food & drink samples (for a small fee) in each country. It's very good!!!

 

[JillC LI]

Definitely October. Slightly less humid but definitely still warm. MNSSHP. F&WF. Reasonable crowds. Possibly free dining.