For over a decade, we’ve been making a song September’s praises (no, no longer the Cosmic Rewind track), with the early “fall” low season being one of the best occasions to seek advice from Walt Disney International. However are mid-August thru past due September nonetheless just right occasions to seek advice from Walt Disney International? That’s the query this put up will discover.
We’ve been doing WDW all over the autumn low season so long as we’ve been visiting in combination as adults. It began accidentally. There used to be a temporary window when Unfastened Eating used to be presented however our faculty had but to return into consultation. We took benefit, and it used to be incredible. Hours had been simply as lengthy however crowds had been a lot decrease. We did the Pirate & Princess Events, noticed SpectroMagic, loved night time Additional Magic Hours till after middle of the night, all whilst having ridiculously just right–and large–foods. It’s wild how a lot of this is long gone or not imaginable.
We turned into hooked in this time of yr and located ourselves automatically returning all over this ‘candy spot’ at Walt Disney International, particularly after we were given Southwest Spouse Passes and joined Disney Holiday Membership. Then we began spreading the nice phrase about mid-August thru September to somebody who would pay attention. Lengthy-time readers of the weblog almost definitely already know that our #1 month of the yr at Walt Disney International used to be September for a very long time. That’s not the case, however it used to be for the simpler a part of a decade.
As we’ve identified for a number of years, mid-August thru September have remained reliably uncrowded at the same time as different previous low season months have got busier. For us, what absolutely “cemented” the standing of mid-August thru past due September used to be when no longer even the hole of Famous person Wars: Galaxy’s Edge moved the needle on crowds.
September 2019 used to be our first time experiencing the month as Floridians, and we took complete benefit. When you weren’t there, it’s inconceivable to provide an explanation for how gloriously uncrowded the parks had been and the way superior ‘Additional, Additional Magic Hours’ used to be. It’s virtually improbable given how issues modified ~6 months later when the parks closed (they usually nonetheless haven’t absolutely recovered).
To be completely fair with you, nostalgia for each our first low season visits in combination and the ones more moderen heyday of early fall low season has almost definitely clouded my judgment, and led to me to stay on my rose-colored glasses about this stretch. On the other hand, fact has actually set in over the process the ultimate couple years…
June 1, 2024 Replace: Smartly, we don’t seem to be striking our “cash the place our mouths are” because it seems. For the entire virtual ink spilled right here ultimate yr in regards to the warmth and humidity…we’re doing it once more! I simply need to expose that now, a number of months prematurely, so that you all can plan accordingly. Or no longer. And so that you don’t see our pictures from the early fall low season and suppose we’re hypocrites who wrote this strategically simply to transparent away the crowds for our personal egocentric enjoyment.
In my protection, this newsletter at first ended by means of (spoiler alert) pronouncing I’d be again all over the early fall low season as it’s my civic accountability as a blogger to hide Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween Celebration and the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant. But it surely additionally indicated that we almost definitely wouldn’t do a circle of relatives ‘for a laugh’ shuttle. And that’s what is sort of indubitably converting.
There are a few causes for the alternate. The primary is that the not on time get started of the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant manner we will take an early September shuttle (versus early August) and hit each, expanding our possibilities with higher climate. To that time, my September and October visits ultimate yr had been a lot, significantly better than July and August. I do know that received’t at all times be the case, however the odds of decrease temperatures do building up–even supposing rather–in September and October. (Sadly, the percentages of hurricanes additionally move up!)
The opposite giant distinction is that my summer time and fall journeys to Walt Disney International ultimate yr had been solo. Which means Sarah didn’t revel in any of this firsthand, and if we’re being fair, I feel perhaps she’s underestimating simply how dangerous it used to be. (After all, we’ve lived in Florida and skilled brutal summers, however they are saying time heals all wounds–so in all probability she’s forgotten simply how dangerous it used to be.)
Extra considerably, Megatron hasn’t skilled Halloween at Walt Disney International. After a fantastic first shuttle, we’re actually taking a look ahead to each the Halloween and Christmas seasons within the parks. Seeing Walt Disney International thru her eyes has already been improbable, and we need to do as many circle of relatives holidays to WDW as imaginable. Seems like extra of the ones Southwest Spouse Passes are in our long run, once more!
The massive eye-opener of the early fall low season the ultimate couple years used to be the elements. It used to be sizzling in 2021-2022 to the purpose that we discovered ourselves taking extra noon breaks than commonplace and actually being ‘beat’ by means of the elements. On the time, that felt just like the worst climate we’d skilled all over the August and September low season. It used to be noticeably warmer, however no longer essentially surprising or traditionally dangerous. Simply worse than commonplace.
Then the early fall low season of 2023 came about. I’m no stranger to sizzling summers in Central Florida, and the couple weeks I used to be there in mid to past due August had been the worst climate I’ve ever skilled at Walt Disney International. August used to be so terrible that there have been over the top warmth advisories regularly and the Florida Department of Emergency Control warned citizens and guests of dangerously sizzling and humid prerequisites.
Precise temperatures ceaselessly flirted with triple digits, and looks like temperatures automatically hit 110-115° all over month. It used to be a record-breaking summer time for Central Florida, with August being particularly terrible.
It’s possible you’ll suppose that Florida is at all times sizzling and humid this time of yr. Now not simplest that, however climate forecasts are incessantly full of hyperbole, discovering new techniques to sensationalize and scare. So perhaps the ones 110°+ looks like temperatures aren’t in fact all that a lot worse than the 90s you’ve skilled in Florida and somewhere else in different months, proper?
Incorrect. A minimum of, for my part. I don’t have an amazing tolerance for warmth and humidity, however I no less than turned into conversant in it whilst dwelling in Florida. This used to be in contrast to the rest I’ve ever skilled in Orlando. About the one factor that compares used to be a summer time a couple of years again at Hong Kong Disneyland, which someway manages to surpass Central Florida in relation to warmth and humidity.
By way of definition, listing warmth waves are extraordinary and abnormal. And this used to be the second one yr in a row that I’ve encountered unseasonably sizzling climate all over the early fall low season. The following few years may well be downright delightful by means of comparability, however the development isn’t your pal in relation to temperatures. You’re playing on climate this time of yr, and Walt Disney International journeys price so much.
It wasn’t simply triple-digit temperatures and looks like warmth this low season in Florida. Upload to that humidity above 75% plus UV indexes of 10/10, and it used to be a super hurricane of uncomfortable climate. About the one certain I will be able to say in regards to the climate all over my weeks in Central Florida this August and September used to be that it used to be, fortunately, a reprieve from hurricane season at Walt Disney International.
Sarah used to be not able to enroll in me for obtrusive causes. After I first purchased my price tag to wait Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween Celebration–the primary she had ignored in over a decade–she used to be disillusioned to be lacking out. That wore off by the point the birthday celebration rolled round. I were sending periodic updates at the climate, with screenshots of the temperature once I first left my room on a daily basis.
The day of the primary Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween Celebration used to be in particular brutal. Originally of the development, the temperature used to be 100° with a looks like of 115 levels. This wasn’t at the same time as dangerous because it were given this actual day–the true temperature hit 102° and the looks like reached 118 levels. Not anything says “Halloween” like triple-digit warmth in early August!
There used to be virtually no reprieve from the warmth and humidity. I were given up each day on the crack of morning time for Early Access, and it used to be sizzling even at 7 am. I started retaining my digicam bag at the balcony in a single day so my lenses wouldn’t be fogged up once I wanted them the following morning.
Night time used to be a an identical tale. Sundown used to be a welcome aid, however simplest partly. There have been nights once I left the parks and the looks like temperature used to be nonetheless over 100 levels. Now in equity, whilst you move from blazing solar and 118° looks like temperatures to darkness and “simplest” 101° looks like temperatures, the adaptation is lovely pronounced. However I used to be nonetheless sweating like loopy at just about all hours of the day.
I labored across the climate with noon breaks, taking issues gradual after Early Access and cord drop, and discovering techniques to steer clear of the warmth. However even that wasn’t sufficient. I couldn’t lend a hand however consider how a lot my Walt Disney International revel in differs from the typical visitor, as I do the parks in abnormal techniques and “for the sake of analysis.”
I additionally wore my dorky bucket hat paired with athletic shirts, and nonetheless controlled to sweat thru the ones each day by means of like 10 am. I’ve this actually thick sunscreen that provides me the complexion of a ghost (higher than most cancers!) and that plus the debilitating warmth, getting up early and staying out past due, gave me a “great” deathly look.
If this had been a shuttle with Sarah and Megatron, we would wish great circle of relatives pictures. I’m no longer certain the level to which that even would’ve been imaginable except we prioritized photos very first thing within the morning or took second-showers and returned for post-sunset pictures.
The warmth offers everybody a shorter fuse, too. Despite the fact that it’s no longer one thing that’s measurable, I will be able to say with whole self belief that I overhear and apply extra meltdowns–amongst each kids and adults–in August and September than all over November and December.
This isn’t me passing judgment. The warmth and humidity are guilty, and it’s no longer like I’m resistant to it. The elements reasons crankiness, and I discovered myself being a little extra irritable than commonplace, and pissed off by means of issues I generally would’ve dismissed. The adaptation is that I used to be flying solo, so it used to be merely an inside grumbling to myself and no longer outward orneriness.
Even preventing in need of complete meltdown territory, the warmth and humidity simply beat you down. The elements is hard, making it exceedingly tricky to do a complete day within the parks and not using a noon destroy or taking time to decompress. This by myself can undermine any potency positive aspects from the decrease crowds.
When you’re skipping a couple of hours or going at a slower tempo because of the elements, you may finally end up undertaking simply as a lot all over the slowest days in August as you might all over rather busier (however a lot more delightful) weeks in past due October to December.
Unscheduled breaks or important downtime too can exacerbate tensions and rigidity. In case your months-in-the-making plan dictates being within the park from opening till remaining–however it turns into transparent that’s no longer possible–it may be crushing to look that slip away. Probably the most causes we’re anti-spreadsheet is as a result of we’ve noticed precisely this situation play out too repeatedly.
Whilst I did a number of complete days from Early Access till after park remaining in August and September, my batting moderate used to be almost definitely lower than .500. And that’s simply me, an grownup who loves to energy thru every time imaginable. Envisioning how we’ll do Walt Disney International as a circle of relatives with a kid in tow…I simply can’t fathom complete days all over this time of yr.
Against this, I will be able to do complete days all over the vacation season comfortably. The temperatures are a lot more conducive to it, as are the less hours of sunlight. Although crowd ranges are upper, that may simplest quantity to an additional ~5 mins of ready consistent with enchantment. However should you’re spending an additional ~2 hours within the parks consistent with day, you’ve greater than offset the added wait occasions.
And even if it’s tricky to quantify, I’d argue that the entire vibe is merrier all over that point of yr, from visitors to Solid Participants. Foolish as it will sound, I absolutely consider you feed off of the power round you at Walt Disney International. It’s a lot more uncomplicated to be reinvigorated and upbeat because of the collective power in November and December than August and September.
Any other factor that’s changing into extra pronounced is park hours. There’s now fewer hours that the parks are opening after darkish, which is probably the most delightful time of day to do Walt Disney International all over September.
I did Prolonged Night time Hours a pair occasions at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT all over the newest low season, and it used to be the busiest I’ve noticed it at both park–worse than the height of spring destroy, in spite of a lot decrease crowds all over the day. I’m guessing there are more than one causes for Prolonged Night time Hours getting busier, however the obvious to me can be climate.
Eligible visitors almost definitely took noon breaks with the aim of returning to the parks within the night time. (Reasonably than staying all day, getting burnt out, and heading house ahead of ExEH began, as ceaselessly occurs.) The inflow of visitors in the beginning of Prolonged Night time Hours would appear to corroborate this.
Similarly relating to is how Walt Disney International quietly shortened hours in September. Numerous consideration has been rightfully paid to Magic Kingdom remaining too early or now opening at 9 am on maximum MNSSHP dates. Walt Disney International reducing hours at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is solely as giant of a deal–and person who has flown below the radar. It’s actually unlucky and if this development repeats itself in September 2024–however no longer October, November, or December–it’s going to considerably alternate the calculus on which of those occasions is the “highest” to seek advice from.
With all of that mentioned, mid-August thru past due September stays a actually interesting time-frame for a couple of causes. In the beginning is that it’s constantly uncrowded. Yeah, it’s busier now than it used to be in 2008 or 2017, however relative to different months in the similar calendar yr, it’s #1 for crowds.
In contrast to different months that had been as soon as the low season however have since noticed spikes (taking a look at you, January and October!), August and September are prone to keep uncrowded. The principle elements retaining attendance down–college schedules and climate–aren’t going to switch. Walt Disney International can’t get cunning scheduling runDisney, ESPN Extensive International of Sports activities, conventions, or different occasions in September to buoy attendance, as the elements makes it a non-starter for such a lot.
Most faculties are going to be in consultation all over maximum of August and all of September, and oldsters are not likely to tug their youngsters out after the brand new college yr simply began. For lots of folks, it’s merely an unwanted time to seek advice from, and that has remained true regardless of how repeatedly they’ve heard effusive reward in regards to the early fall low season. Many fanatics, in all probability the wiser ones, may view that because the Siren’s Music of September (and August).
Any other is occasions. In an try to opposite the low season lull, each Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween and the EPCOT World Meals & Wine Pageant now get started as college is going again into consultation. Once more, that didn’t at all times was the case–it wasn’t even that way back that each started in September, moderately than August.
In spite of everything, there’s pricing. When you take a look at the Least expensive Instances to Pass to Walt Disney International, you’ll see that the early fall low season generally trails simplest the wintry weather season. Even this is no certain factor, as awesome reductions in mid-August thru September can greater than bridge the distance.
An arguably higher comparability is how the early fall low season compares to the overall 3 months of the yr. Now not simplest are room reductions higher and rack charges decrease, however there’s a much broader vary of offers–like the new 4-Parks Magic Tickets. Then there are considerably decrease costs for laborious price tag occasions like Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween Celebration. All of it provides up!
In the long run, I will be able to see why the early fall low season remains to be such an interesting time for such a lot of Walt Disney International diehard fanatics to take journeys. It’s inexpensive and not more crowded, harking back to more practical days in previous many years when costs and attendance had been decrease. The seasonal occasions are a ton of a laugh, and there’s one thing so gratifying about strolling onto sights with nearly no waits. You are feeling like a VIP.
In my view, I really like the concept of August thru past due September. I see pictures folks in empty parks that fan the flames of fond recollections, comfortably forgetting the warmth we continued alongside the way in which. To some extent, I feel that’s how nostalgia works–your thoughts savors the nice and shall we move of the dangerous, developing an idealized model of a previous that by no means existed.
However like an egg at the Magic Kingdom sidewalk, this yr’s recollections of the warmth are fried into my thoughts. It’s tricky to look myself short of that have once more. (Smartly, till I put out of your mind all in regards to the climate however proceed to bear in mind the low crowds!)
In equity, we now have warned about climate or even made ‘qualitative’ suggestions to move later in September or October, heading off the most productive stretch of crowds in desire of the chance of a extra delightful revel in. Neither our Perfect & Worst Months to Do Walt Disney International nor our 10 Perfect and 10 Worst Weeks to Discuss with Walt Disney International in 2024 & 2025 counsel the weeks that generally have absolutely the lowest crowds.
We’ve as a substitute steered ready till later in September when it’s rather busier (however nonetheless gradual relative to the remainder of the yr), past due October, or the low-crowd home windows in November and December. Despite the fact that none of the ones dates are as objectively uncrowded as mid-August thru early September, they’re subjectively awesome.
I’ll for sure be again for the beginning of the 2024 Mickey’s Now not So Frightening Halloween Celebration and EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, however as a result of I’m a blogger who doesn’t be told from previous errors and that’s what my folks do. In the case of circle of relatives for a laugh journeys or suggestions to pals (together with you all), it’s getting more difficult and more difficult to justify mid-August to past due September with out critical caveats. Although you suppose what you’re getting your self into…it’s tricky to totally comprehend that warmth till you’ve felt it. And by means of then, it’s too past due!
Making plans a Walt Disney International shuttle? Know about motels on our Walt Disney International Accommodations Critiques web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Experience Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to begin is our Walt Disney International Shuttle Making plans Information for the entirety you want to understand!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you suppose it’s nonetheless price braving the elements in August and September for the bottom crowds of the yr at Walt Disney International? Or, would you are taking the rather upper crowd ranges however subjectively awesome total revel in all over the November and December lulls? Do you compromise or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will permit you to solution? Listening to your comments—even whilst you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
