For over a decade, we’ve been singing September’s praises. No, not the Cosmic Rewind track. That together with mid to late August, it was a part of the early “fall” low season that’s among the many greatest instances to go to Walt Disney World. (Air quotes round fall for the reason that Disney model of the calendar seems very completely different from precise seasons!) But is mid-August by way of late September nonetheless a very good time to go to Walt Disney World? That’s the query this publish will discover.
We’ve been doing WDW throughout the fall low season so long as we’ve been visiting collectively as adults. It began accidentally, as there was a short window when Free Dining was supplied however our college had but to return into session. We took benefit, and seen that crowds have been a lot decrease than our prior summer season visits however hours have been nonetheless simply as lengthy.
It was a improbable expertise. We did the now-defunct Pirate & Princess Parties (again then, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party didn’t begin till mid-September), noticed SpectroMagic (generally greater than as soon as per night time!), loved night Extra Magic Hours till after midnight (it wasn’t unusual for them to run till 1 or 2 a.m. at MK), all whereas having ridiculously good–and big–meals (the Disney Dining Plan included appetizers). These journeys shortly turned an annual custom whereas we have been dwelling within the Midwest.
We turned hooked on this time of 12 months and located ourselves routinely returning throughout the ‘sweet spot’ when hours have been nonetheless lengthy however colleges have been beginning to return into session. Over time, we additionally started doing getaways in September and October, empowered by low cost flights from Indianapolis paired with Southwest Companion Passes, Annual Passes, and decrease fee seasons for Disney Vacation Club (or room reductions, after we ran out of factors).
Then we began spreading the nice phrase about mid-August by way of September to anybody who would hear. Long-time readers of the weblog most likely already know that our #1 month of the 12 months at Walt Disney World is September. That’s been true for a very long time, because it handed the ultimate three months of the 12 months as these–particularly October–turned busier.
As we’ve identified for a number of years, mid-August by way of September have remained reliably uncrowded whilst different previous low season months have gotten busier. For us, what totally and eventually “cemented” the standing of September was when not even the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge moved the needle on crowds. (I’ve gotten numerous predictions improper through the years and am not afraid to confess it, however confidently calling the low crowds of September 2019 months upfront whilst followers have been freaking out stays an odd level of delight.)
September 2019 was our first time experiencing the month as Floridians, and we took full benefit. If you weren’t there, it’s not possible to elucidate how gloriously uncrowded the parks have been and the way superior ‘Extra, Extra Magic Hours’ was. Even having lived by way of that stretch, it’s virtually unbelievable given how issues modified ~6 months later. But it actually was unimaginable, and I’ve 1000’s upon 1000’s of empty park photographs from our many visits throughout that stretch to “prove” it truly occurred.
To be totally sincere with you, nostalgia for each our first low season visits collectively and people newer heyday of early fall low season has most likely clouded my judgment, and brought about me to maintain on my rose-colored glasses about this stretch. However, actuality has actually set in over the course of the final couple years…
The massive eye-opener the final 2 years has been the climate. It was uncomfortably sizzling final 12 months to the purpose that we discovered ourselves taking extra noon breaks than regular and actually being ‘beat’ by the climate. At the time, that felt just like the worst climate we’d skilled throughout the August and September low season. It was noticeably hotter, however not essentially surprising or traditionally dangerous. Just worse than regular.
Then the early fall low season of 2023 occurred. I’m no stranger to sizzling summers in Central Florida, and the couple weeks I used to be there in mid to late August have been the worst climate I’ve ever skilled at Walt Disney World. My return for Destination D23 in September wasn’t almost as dangerous, however then once more, I spent numerous time in icy-cool conference facilities.
August was so terrible that there have been extreme warmth advisories regularly and the Florida Division of Emergency Management warned residents and guests of dangerously sizzling and humid circumstances. Actual temperatures usually flirted with triple digits, and appears like temperatures routinely hit 110-115° all through month. It was a record-breaking summer season for Central Florida, with August being particularly terrible.
I can perceive why a few of you is perhaps dismissive of that. After all, Florida is all the time sizzling and humid this time of 12 months. Not solely that, however climate forecasts are regularly stuffed with hyperbole, discovering new methods to sensationalize and scare. So possibly these 110°+ appears like temperatures aren’t truly all that a lot worse than the 90s you’ve skilled in Florida and elsewhere in different months, proper?
Wrong. At least, in my view. I’ll be the primary to confess that I don’t have an amazing tolerance for warmth and humidity, however I at the least turned accustomed to it whereas dwelling in Florida. This was not like something I’ve ever skilled in Orlando. About the one factor that compares was a summer season a number of years again at Hong Kong Disneyland, which in some way manages to surpass Central Florida in relation to warmth and humidity.
By definition, report warmth waves are unprecedented and atypical. But this was the second 12 months in a row that I’ve encountered unseasonably sizzling climate throughout the early fall low season. The subsequent few years could possibly be downright nice by comparability, however the development isn’t your buddy in relation to temperatures. To every their very own, however I’m not inclined to gamble on higher climate subsequent 12 months. Walt Disney World journeys price an excessive amount of–the stakes are too excessive.
It wasn’t simply triple-digit temperatures and appears like warmth this low season in Florida. Add to that humidity above 75% plus UV indexes of 10/10, and it was an ideal storm of uncomfortable climate. About the one constructive I can say concerning the climate throughout my weeks in Central Florida this August and September was that it was, fortunately, a reprieve from storm season at Walt Disney World.
Sarah was unable to hitch me for apparent causes. When I first purchased my ticket to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party–the primary she had missed in over a decade–she was disillusioned to be lacking out. That wore off by the point the social gathering rolled round. I had been sending periodic updates on the climate, with screenshots of the temperature after I first left my room every day.
The day of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was significantly brutal. After leaving Magic Kingdom for a meal outdoors the park and returning for MNSSHP, the temperature was 100° with a appears like of 115 levels. This wasn’t whilst dangerous because it obtained this explicit day–the precise temperature hit 102° and the appears like reached 118 levels. I don’t learn about you, however nothing says “Halloween” to me like triple-digit warmth in the course of August!
It wasn’t simply that afternoon. There was virtually no reprieve from the warmth and humidity. I obtained up daily on the first light for Early Entry, which began as a result of I needed to check technique for park opening studies however continued as a result of it was the second-most nice time of the day. It was sizzling even at 7 am–to the purpose that I started maintaining my digital camera bag on the balcony in a single day so my lenses wouldn’t be fogged up after I wanted them the subsequent morning.
Evening was the same story. Sunset was a welcome reduction, however solely partially. There have been nights after I left the parks and the appears like temperature was nonetheless over 100 levels. Now in equity, whenever you go from blazing solar and 118° appears like temperatures to darkness and “only” 101° appears like temperatures, the distinction is fairly pronounced. But I used to be nonetheless sweating like loopy at just about all hours of the day.
This was disagreeable even for me, however I labored across the climate to the best extent doable. Plenty of noon breaks, taking issues sluggish after Early Entry and twine drop, and discovering methods to keep away from the warmth. I couldn’t assist however take into consideration how a lot my Walt Disney World expertise differs from the typical visitor, as I do the parks in atypical methods and “for the sake of research.”
As only one instance, I dressed like a complete doofus. I wore my dorky bucket hat paired with athletic shirts, and nonetheless managed to sweat by way of these daily by like 10 am. I’ve this actually thick sunscreen that offers me the complexion of a ghost (higher than most cancers!) and that plus the debilitating warmth, getting up early and staying out late, gave me a pleasant near-death look.
If you’ve seen the PhotoPass Shots from MNSSHP, you already know this. Just understand that these are the greatest photographs. There are approach worse ones that’ll by no means see the sunshine of day. This is a family-friendly weblog and I don’t wish to scare the youngsters. Well, on second thought…
Point being, if this have been a visit with Sarah and Megatron, we might most likely need good household photographs. I’m unsure the extent to which that even would’ve been doable except we prioritized footage very first thing within the morning (many households positively did this–strains for PhotoPass early within the day have been far longer than regular) or took second-showers and returned for post-sunset photographs.
Of course, it’s not simply the photographs that might be unsustainable have been we visiting as a household. That’s truly one thing about which I believed rather a lot throughout my visits these months, concluding that August and September household journeys most likely is not going to grow to be a household custom going ahead.
The warmth offers everybody a shorter fuse, too. Although it’s not one thing that’s measurable, I can say with full confidence that I overhear and observe extra meltdowns–amongst each kids and adults–in August and September than throughout November and December.
This isn’t me passing judgment. The warmth and humidity are responsible, and it’s not like I’m resistant to it. The climate causes crankiness, and I discovered myself being a bit extra irritable than regular, and irritated by issues I sometimes would’ve disregarded. The distinction is that I used to be flying solo, so it was merely an inner grumbling to myself and never outward orneriness.
Even stopping in need of full meltdown territory, the warmth and humidity simply beat you down. The climate is exhausting, making it exceedingly troublesome to do a full day within the parks with out a noon break or taking time to decompress. This alone can undermine any effectivity good points from the decrease crowds.
If you’re skipping a number of hours or going at a slower tempo as a result of climate, you would possibly find yourself undertaking simply as a lot throughout the slowest days in September as you’ll throughout barely busier (however rather more nice) weeks in late October to December.
Unscheduled breaks or mandatory downtime may also exacerbate tensions and stress. If your months-in-the-making plan dictates being within the park from opening till closing–however it turns into clear that’s not possible–it may be crushing to see that slip away. One of the explanations we’re vehemently anti-spreadsheet is as a result of we’ve seen precisely this state of affairs play out too many instances.
Parents set unrealistic expectations, issues don’t go utterly in accordance with plan (they by no means do), and both disappointment ensues or misguided efforts are made to ‘course-correct.’ This is to not say all spreadsheets are dangerous or anybody who makes use of them is “wrong” for doing so–completely different strokes and all that–however we’ve seen sufficient to not actively advocate them. But I digress.
While I did a number of full days from Early Entry till after park closing in August and September, my batting common was most likely lower than .500. And that’s simply me, an grownup who likes to energy by way of at any time when doable. Envisioning how we’ll do Walt Disney World as a household with a toddler in tow…I simply can’t fathom full days throughout this time of 12 months.
By distinction, I can do full days throughout the vacation season with ease. The temperatures are rather more conducive to it, as are the less hours of daylight. Even if crowd ranges are increased, that may solely quantity to an additional ~5 minutes of ready per attraction. But in the event you’re spending an additional ~2 hours within the parks per day, you’ve greater than offset the added wait instances.
And though it’s robust to quantify, I’d argue that the entire vibe is merrier throughout that point of 12 months, from visitors to Cast Members. Silly as it’d sound, I totally imagine you feed off of the power round you at Walt Disney World. It’s a lot simpler to be reinvigorated and upbeat because of the collective power in November and December than August and September.
Another difficulty that’s changing into extra pronounced is park hours. Long gone are the times of Magic Kingdom staying open till midnight for normal visitors. Obviously, Extra Magic Hours are a factor of the previous, too. Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours usually are not the identical, both in period or eligibility.
The finish result’s that there’s now fewer hours that the parks are opening after darkish, which is probably the most nice time of day to do Walt Disney World throughout September. I did Extended Evening Hours a pair instances at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT throughout the newest low season, and it was the busiest I’ve seen it at both park–worse than the height of spring break. And that’s regardless of decrease crowds throughout the board and the corporate self-reporting decrease resort occupancy at Walt Disney World.
I’m guessing there are a number of causes for Extended Evening Hours getting busier, however the obvious to me can be climate. That extra eligible visitors took noon breaks with the intention of returning to the parks within the night. (Rather than staying all day, getting burnt out, and heading dwelling earlier than ExEH began, as usually occurs.) The inflow of visitors at first of Extended Evening Hours would appear to corroborate this.
Equally regarding is how Walt Disney World quietly shortened hours in September. Lots of consideration has been rightfully paid to Magic Kingdom closing too early or now opening at 9 am on most MNSSHP dates. Walt Disney World chopping hours at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is simply as massive of a deal–and one which has flown below the radar. It’s actually unlucky and if this development repeats itself in September 2024–however not October, November, or December–it should considerably change the calculus on which of those instances is the “best” to go to.
With all of that stated, mid-August by way of late September stays a very interesting timeframe for a number of causes. First and foremost is that it’s constantly uncrowded. Yeah, it’s busier now than it was in 2008 or 2017, however relative to different months in the identical calendar 12 months, it’s #1 for crowds.
Unlike different months that have been as soon as the low season however have since seen spikes (taking a look at you, January and October!), September is prone to keep uncrowded. The predominant elements maintaining attendance down–faculty schedules and climate–aren’t going to vary. Walt Disney World can’t get artful scheduling runDisney, ESPN Wide World of Sports, conventions, or different occasions in September to buoy attendance, because the climate makes it a non-starter for a lot.
Most colleges are going to be in session throughout the entirety of September, and fogeys are unlikely to tug their youngsters out after the brand new faculty 12 months simply began. For tons of individuals, September is just an undesirable month to go to, and that has remained true regardless of what number of instances they’ve heard effusive reward concerning the early fall low season. Many followers, maybe the wiser ones, would possibly view that because the Siren’s Song of September.
Another is occasions. In an try and reverse the September slowdown, each Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival now begin as faculty goes again into session in August and run for the whole lot of the early fall low season. Again, that didn’t all the time was once the case–it wasn’t even that way back that Food & Wine began 2 full months later than it does now, and MNSSHP started a month later.
Finally, there’s pricing. If you take a look at the Cheapest Times to Go to Walt Disney World, you’ll see that the early fall low season sometimes trails solely the winter season. Even that’s no positive factor, as superior reductions in mid-August by way of September can greater than bridge the hole. (That occurred this 12 months!) If Free Dining returns in Fall 2024, that’ll widen the unfold even additional for households that know how one can leverage that promo.
An arguably higher comparability is how the early fall low season compares to the ultimate three months of the 12 months. Not solely are room reductions higher and rack charges decrease, however there’s a wider vary of offers–just like the current 4-Parks Magic Tickets. Then there are considerably decrease costs for exhausting ticket occasions like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. It all provides up!
Ultimately, I can see why the early fall low season remains to be such an interesting time for thus many Walt Disney World diehard followers to take journeys. It’s cheaper and fewer crowded, harking back to easier days in previous many years when costs and attendance have been decrease. The seasonal occasions are a ton of enjoyable, and there’s one thing so satisfying about strolling onto points of interest with nearly no waits. You really feel like a VIP.
Personally, I like the concept of mid-August by way of late September. I see photographs of us in empty parks that fire up fond reminiscences, conveniently forgetting the warmth we endured alongside the best way. To a point, I feel that’s how nostalgia works–your thoughts savors the nice and lets go of the dangerous, creating an idealized model of a previous that by no means existed.
But like an egg on the Magic Kingdom sidewalk, this 12 months’s reminiscences of the warmth are fried into my thoughts. It’s robust to see myself wanting that have once more. (Well, till I neglect all concerning the climate however proceed to recollect the low crowds!)
In equity, we’ve got warned about climate and even made ‘qualitative’ suggestions to go later in September or October, avoiding one of the best stretch of crowds in favor of the probability of a extra nice expertise. Neither our Best & Worst Months to Do Walt Disney World nor our 10 Best and 10 Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2023, 2024 & 2025 advocate the weeks that sometimes have absolutely the lowest crowds.
We’ve as a substitute suggested ready till later in September when it’s barely busier (however nonetheless sluggish relative to the remainder of the 12 months), late October, or the low-crowd home windows in November and December. Even although none of these dates are as objectively uncrowded as mid-August by way of early September, they’re subjectively superior.
I’ll positively be again for the beginning of the 2024 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, however as a result of I’m a blogger who doesn’t study from previous errors and that’s what my folks do. When it involves household for enjoyable journeys or suggestions to mates (together with you all), it’s getting tougher and tougher to justify mid-August to late September with out critical caveats. Even in the event you assume you already know what you’re getting your self into…it’s robust to totally comprehend that warmth till you’ve felt it. And by then, it’s too late!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you visited throughout the current warmth waves? Do you assume it’s nonetheless value braving the climate in August and September for the bottom crowds of the 12 months at Walt Disney World? Or, would you’re taking the marginally increased crowd ranges however subjectively superior total expertise throughout the November and December lulls? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Hearing your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!