What about September?

[kangaand2roos]

I'm trying to plan for our next trip, it will be me, my husband, my son (4y.o) and my daughter (2 y.o). We have been in December twice and loved it because of lower crowd attendance, the weather was average 80 one time and 82 the next. We are thinking of trying another time of the year though, just to mix it up. What are your thoughts about September? Obviously warmer, but is it hot? With the potential of free dining would I have to worry about an increase in the crowd level? Should I be really concerned about a hurricane potential? Any pros or cons would be appreciated.

 

[peters]

We've gone the past four Septembers and have never been there during a hurricane. In 2004(our first trip to WDW) we just missed one and left before another hit. As for temps, it is still warm, but only last year was it really humid too, but we went in early September, whereas our other trips were always later in the month. I guess I would say plan on it being very warm, but not as bad as July. We've also gone once in December and enjoyed the weather then, although it wasn't the warm Orlando we were used to.
As for crowds, they have increased every year since 2004(our only base of reference), but are still very quiet compared to our December, April & even January trips.
Hope that helps!

 

[Rob562]

Free Dining tends not to affect the crowd levels in the parks at all, except for Table Service restaurants. During Free Dining they're PACKED because everyone's trying to use the credits they have, but not everyone knows to make advance dining reservations.

Disney's hotel room occupancy level is relatively high year-round. I don't know the exact figures, but I'd assume that on any given day easily 90% of all of the rooms on Disney property are filled. So that gives a fairly consistent base of guests in the parks.

What makes the difference between crowded vs not-crowded at WDW is how full the OFF-site hotels are. In the peak of summer, spring vacation or Christmas, you have a hard time finding a hotel room anywhere NEAR Disney. ALLL of those off-site people come onto Disney property and go to the parks. But if you go in a slow time like September, early December, January, etc, you could probably walk into any off-site hotel without a reservation and get 10 rooms for you and your extended family.


Free Dining simply is a way for Disney to get people that are coming (or thinking about coming) to stay in a *Disney* resort (which is where they really make their money, along with souveniers) as opposed to an off-site resort. The profit-margin on the hotel rooms (paid for at full-price by the Guests) is MORE than enough to offset the slight loss they have in giving away free food. Of course from the consumer's standpoint, food is a much larger piece of their own vacation budget, so it's cheaper for them (most of the time) to take the Free Dining promotion. It's the classic win-win situation. It just can't be done year-round because Disney doesn't have a problem filling rooms 11 months of the year.

The problem I see is that at SOME point in the future, occupancy levels will rise in September to the point where Disney won't NEED to offer the Free Dining promotion at all, and then there'll be cries of "Why didn't they offer Free Dining this year?!?!??? They ALWAYS offer Free Dining!!!!" It might not be possible to wean people away from the discounts. Disneyland had a similar problem with ALWAYS offering discounts (especially to DCA), and it became the norm, and when they tried to ease back on the constant discounts, people practically revolted.

-Rob

 

[sissa216]

Disney's hotel room occupancy level is relatively high year-round. I don't know the exact figures, but I'd assume that on any given day easily 90% of all of the rooms on Disney property are filled. So that gives a fairly consistent base of guests in the parks.
What makes the difference between crowded vs not-crowded at WDW is how full the OFF-site hotels are. In the peak of summer, spring vacation or Christmas, you have a hard time finding a hotel room anywhere NEAR Disney. ALLL of those off-site people come onto Disney property and go to the parks. But if you go in a slow time like September, early December, January, etc, you could probably walk into any off-site hotel without a reservation and get 10 rooms for you and your extended family.
-Rob

That's interesting. I would never have thought about that.

 

[RedBaron]

I'm trying to plan for our next trip, it will be me, my husband, my son (4y.o) and my daughter (2 y.o). We have been in December twice and loved it because of lower crowd attendance, the weather was average 80 one time and 82 the next. We are thinking of trying another time of the year though, just to mix it up. What are your thoughts about September? Obviously warmer, but is it hot? With the potential of free dining would I have to worry about an increase in the crowd level? Should I be really concerned about a hurricane potential? Any pros or cons would be appreciated.

I was there last September right after labor day and hot does not even describe how hot it was. It was near 100 every day with near 100% humidity, and it rained every day, and some days almost all day. It was so hot that by the time you left your room and walked to the bus stop you felt like you needed another shower. I don't know if we encountered weather that was stranger than usual for that time of year or maybe I am just getting old. I had not been to WDW in 10 years but always used to go right after labor day and don't recall feeling that hot and sweaty in the past in September. And yes we were also there for the free dining (it was a total coincoidence since that is when we were planning to go anyway and this was just a very nice surprise and bonus) and the parks were very busy (compared to what I was used to for this time of year, but probably not too bad in the big picture) and so were the sit down restaurants obviously. We waited over an hour for Le Cellier. It was just me and my mom so it was not that big of a deal, but if I had the kids with, we would have had to leave since they would not have tolerated such a wait. Most other restaurants were pretty quick though. It used to be so quiet there in September since in my past experience most people don't take their kids on vacation missing the first day of school, but I guess that has changed too. I am thinking of taking my 2 kids for the first time this year too (ages 2&4), and we plan on going right after Thanksgiving.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

What about it?

 

[fizzle75]

I was there last September right after labor day and hot does not even describe how hot it was. It was near 100 every day with near 100% humidity, and it rained every day, and some days almost all day. It was so hot that by the time you left your room and walked to the bus stop you felt like you needed another shower. I don't know if we encountered weather that was stranger than usual for that time of year or maybe I am just getting old. I had not been to WDW in 10 years but always used to go right after labor day and don't recall feeling that hot and sweaty in the past in September. And yes we were also there for the free dining (it was a total coincoidence since that is when we were planning to go anyway and this was just a very nice surprise and bonus) and the parks were very busy (compared to what I was used to for this time of year, but probably not too bad in the big picture) and so were the sit down restaurants obviously. We waited over an hour for Le Cellier. It was just me and my mom so it was not that big of a deal, but if I had the kids with, we would have had to leave since they would not have tolerated such a wait. Most other restaurants were pretty quick though. It used to be so quiet there in September since in my past experience most people don't take their kids on vacation missing the first day of school, but I guess that has changed too. I am thinking of taking my 2 kids for the first time this year too (ages 2&4), and we plan on going right after Thanksgiving.

I echo those sentiments 100%! We were there in Sept/Oct of last year and I just knew that at any moment I was going to spontaneously combust! The heat and humidity were so oppressive that it almost ruined our vacation and the incessant rain just made it that much worse. We were in our most favorite place in the world so we still managed to have a good time but the weather definitely affected our enjoyment drastically.

The crowd levels were nowhere near as low as I thought they were gonna be during that time of year as well. The night we went to MNSSHP it was standing room only, it seemed much busier than it was in December at MVMCP.

If I were you, I would stick with going during the holidays, it's the absolute best time to go and the holidays at WDW just can't be beat. We always go in April as well and even though it's hot it's still bearable plus get to enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot and Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party at MK.

I hope this helps!:wave:

 

[kangaand2roos]

Thanks everyone for your opinion. I think we'll stick with the second week of December then:xmas:. I hate humidity and humidity with two small children and a husband that complains when the temperature is above 72 or so, I'd rather go with what we know has worked well for us.

 

[KC82271]

Hurricane Season - Be Careful

My DH and I were impacted by 3 different hurricanes in 2004. The first hit the day before we were scheduled to arrive. We postponed a week. Next one came in as going to hit FL the day after we would arrive. We postponed two weeks - had a blast - the weather was great until the last. Next hurricane was shutting MCO down at 6pm. Our flight was for 6:05. Somehow, Contiental changed it to 5:55 and we were literaly the last flight out of MCO that night.

If it were him and I, I would definitely do it again. However, with an almost 3 year old - I have to say that I wouldn't tempt fate. Maybe in 3 or 4 years when she is a bit old I might try.....but not with a little one.

I know hurricanes haven't hit in the last 3 years in September, but I am hesitant. Sorry for the "cons"!

 

[lac628]

I agree with other posts! Living in Florida, I can tell you that July/August/September are the HOTTEST and most HUMID months in Florida. August/Sept/Oct are usually the most active part of the hurricane season. The past few years we have been lucky to not get hit (Hurricane Charley came up the river about 5 miles from my house on Aug 13th 2004), but I know the odds get worse for us every year that passes. Stick to December, you'll be much happier!!!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Wow, we went in September for the first time last year and we loved it. Before that we had always been in November/December or February/March. It is hot but not that bad, it rained alnost everyday but it was only a quick thunderstorm. (I am used to Southern heat though)We liked it so much that we are going back again this year. :shrug: