For over a decade, we’ve been singing September’s praises (no, not the Cosmic Rewind tune), with the early “fall” low season being among the many greatest occasions to go to Walt Disney World. However are mid-August by way of late September nonetheless good occasions to go to Walt Disney World? That’s the query this put up 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. There was a quick window when Free Eating was provided however our college had but to return into session. We took benefit, and it was unbelievable. Hours had been simply as lengthy however crowds had been a lot decrease. We did the Pirate & Princess Events, noticed SpectroMagic, loved night Further Magic Hours till after midnight, all whereas having ridiculously good–and large–meals. It’s wild how a lot of that’s gone or not doable.
We turned hooked on this time of yr and located ourselves routinely returning throughout this ‘candy spot’ at Walt Disney World, particularly as soon as we acquired Southwest Companion Passes and joined Disney Trip Membership. Then we began spreading the great phrase about mid-August by way of September to anybody who would hear. Lengthy-time readers of the weblog in all probability already know that our #1 month of the yr at Walt Disney World was September for a very long time. That’s not the case, nevertheless it was for the higher a part of a decade.
As we’ve identified for a number of years, mid-August by way of September have remained reliably uncrowded at the same time as different previous low season months have gotten busier. For us, what totally “cemented” the standing of mid-August by way of late September was when not even the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge moved the needle on crowds.
September 2019 was our first time experiencing the month as Floridians, and we took full benefit. For those who weren’t there, it’s unimaginable to clarify how gloriously uncrowded the parks had been and the way superior ‘Further, Further Magic Hours’ was. It’s virtually unbelievable given how issues modified ~6 months later when the parks closed (and so they nonetheless haven’t totally recovered).
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 in all probability clouded my judgment, and triggered me to maintain on my rose-colored glasses about this stretch. Nevertheless, actuality has actually set in over the course of the final couple years…
June 1, 2024 Replace: Properly, we aren’t placing our “cash the place our mouths are” because it seems. For all the digital ink spilled right here final yr in regards to the warmth and humidity…we’re doing it once more! I simply need to disclose that now, a number of months upfront, so that you all can plan accordingly. Or not. 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 clear away the crowds for our personal egocentric enjoyment.
In my protection, this text initially ended by (spoiler alert) saying I’d be again throughout the early fall low season as a result of it’s my civic obligation as a blogger to cowl Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration and the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant. However it additionally indicated that we in all probability wouldn’t do a household ‘for enjoyable’ journey. And that’s what is nearly definitely altering.
There are a few causes for the change. The primary is that the delayed begin of the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant means we are able to take an early September journey (versus early August) and hit each, growing our probabilities with higher climate. To that time, my September and October visits final yr had been a lot, a lot better than July and August. I do know that gained’t all the time be the case, however the odds of decrease temperatures do improve–even when barely–in September and October. (Sadly, the chances of hurricanes additionally go up!)
The opposite large distinction is that my summer time and fall journeys to Walt Disney World final yr had been solo. Because of this Sarah didn’t expertise any of this firsthand, and if we’re being sincere, I believe possibly she’s underestimating simply how dangerous it was. (After all, we’ve lived in Florida and skilled brutal summers, however they are saying time heals all wounds–so maybe she’s forgotten simply how dangerous it was.)
Extra considerably, Megatron hasn’t skilled Halloween at Walt Disney World. After an unimaginable first journey, we’re actually wanting ahead to each the Halloween and Christmas seasons within the parks. Seeing Walt Disney World by way of her eyes has already been unimaginable, and we need to do as many household holidays to WDW as doable. Appears like extra of these Southwest Companion Passes are in our future, once more!
The large eye-opener of the early fall low season the final couple years was the climate. It was scorching in 2021-2022 to the purpose that we discovered ourselves taking extra noon breaks than regular and actually being ‘beat’ by the climate. On 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 sudden or traditionally dangerous. Simply worse than regular.
Then the early fall low season of 2023 occurred. I’m no stranger to scorching summers in Central Florida, and the couple weeks I used to be there in mid to late August had been the worst climate I’ve ever skilled at Walt Disney World. August was so terrible that there have been extreme warmth advisories regularly and the Florida Division of Emergency Administration warned residents and guests of dangerously scorching and humid situations.
Precise temperatures typically flirted with triple digits, and appears like temperatures routinely hit 110-115° all through month. It was a record-breaking summer time for Central Florida, with August being particularly terrible.
You would possibly suppose that Florida is all the time scorching and humid this time of yr. Not solely that, however climate forecasts are regularly full of hyperbole, discovering new methods to sensationalize and scare. So possibly these 110°+ appears like temperatures aren’t really all that a lot worse than the 90s you’ve skilled in Florida and elsewhere in different months, proper?
Mistaken. No less than, in my view. I don’t have an incredible tolerance for warmth and humidity, however I at the least turned accustomed to it whereas dwelling in Florida. This was in contrast to something I’ve ever skilled in Orlando. About the one factor that compares was a summer time just a few years again at Hong Kong Disneyland, which by some means manages to surpass Central Florida in relation to warmth and humidity.
By definition, report warmth waves are unprecedented and atypical. And this was the second yr in a row that I’ve encountered unseasonably scorching climate throughout the early fall low season. The following few years might be downright nice by comparability, however the development will not be your good friend in relation to temperatures. You’re playing on climate this time of yr, and Walt Disney World journeys value lots.
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 in regards to 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. After I first purchased my ticket to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration–the primary she had missed in over a decade–she was disenchanted to be lacking out. That wore off by the point the get together 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 the primary Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration was notably brutal. Initially of the occasion, the temperature was 100° with a appears like of 115 levels. This wasn’t at the same time as dangerous because it acquired this specific day–the precise temperature hit 102° and the appears like reached 118 levels. Nothing says “Halloween” like triple-digit warmth in early August!
There was virtually no reprieve from the warmth and humidity. I acquired up each day on the first light for Early Entry, and it was scorching even at 7 am. I started protecting my digicam bag on the balcony in a single day so my lenses wouldn’t be fogged up after I wanted them the subsequent morning.
Night was an analogous story. Sundown was a welcome aid, 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, while you go from blazing solar and 118° appears like temperatures to darkness and “solely” 101° appears like temperatures, the distinction is fairly 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 Entry and twine drop, and discovering methods to keep away from the warmth. However even that wasn’t sufficient. 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 analysis.”
I additionally wore my dorky bucket hat paired with athletic shirts, and nonetheless managed to sweat by way of these each day by 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 late, gave me a “good” deathly look.
If this had been a visit with Sarah and Megatron, we’d need good household pictures. I’m unsure the extent to which that even would’ve been doable 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. Though it’s not one thing that’s measurable, I can say with full confidence that I overhear and observe extra meltdowns–amongst each youngsters 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 aggravated by issues I usually would’ve dismissed. The distinction is that I used to be flying solo, so it was merely an inside 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 and not using a noon break or taking time to decompress. This alone can undermine any effectivity positive factors from the decrease crowds.
For those who’re skipping just a few hours or going at a slower tempo as a result of climate, you would possibly find yourself carrying out simply as a lot throughout the slowest days in August as you’ll throughout barely busier (however rather more nice) weeks in late October to December.
Unscheduled breaks or mandatory downtime also can exacerbate tensions and stress. In case your months-in-the-making plan dictates being within the park from opening till closing–nevertheless it turns into clear that’s not possible–it may be crushing to see that slip away. One of many causes we’re anti-spreadsheet is as a result of we’ve seen precisely this state of affairs play out too many occasions.
Whereas I did a number of full days from Early Entry till after park closing in August and September, my batting common was in all probability lower than .500. And that’s simply me, an grownup who likes to energy by way of each time 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 yr.
In contrast, 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 when crowd ranges are larger, that may solely quantity to an additional ~5 minutes of ready per attraction. However for those who’re spending an additional ~2 hours within the parks per day, you’ve greater than offset the added wait occasions.
And though it’s robust to quantify, I’d argue that the entire vibe is merrier throughout that point of yr, from friends to Solid Members. Foolish as it would sound, I totally imagine you feed off of the vitality round you at Walt Disney World. It’s a lot simpler to be reinvigorated and upbeat because of the collective vitality in November and December than August and September.
One other difficulty that’s changing into extra pronounced is park hours. There’s now fewer hours that the parks are opening after darkish, which is essentially the most nice time of day to do Walt Disney World throughout September.
I did Prolonged Night Hours a pair occasions 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, regardless of a lot decrease crowds throughout the day. I’m guessing there are a number of causes for Prolonged Night Hours getting busier, however the obvious to me could be climate.
Eligible friends in all probability took noon breaks with the intention of returning to the parks within the night. (Relatively than staying all day, getting burnt out, and heading dwelling earlier than ExEH began, as typically occurs.) The inflow of friends at the beginning of Prolonged Night Hours would appear to corroborate this.
Equally regarding is how Walt Disney World quietly shortened hours in September. A whole lot 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 slicing hours at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is simply as large 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 is going to considerably change the calculus on which of those occasions is the “greatest” to go to.
With all of that stated, mid-August by way of late September stays a very interesting timeframe for just a few causes. Firstly is that it’s persistently uncrowded. Yeah, it’s busier now than it was in 2008 or 2017, however relative to different months in the identical calendar yr, it’s #1 for crowds.
Not like different months that had been as soon as the low season however have since seen spikes ( you, January and October!), August and September are more likely to keep uncrowded. The primary components protecting attendance down–college schedules and climate–aren’t going to vary. Walt Disney World can’t get artful scheduling runDisney, ESPN Huge World of Sports activities, 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 most of August and all of September, and oldsters are unlikely to tug their youngsters out after the brand new college yr simply began. For tons of individuals, it’s merely an undesirable time to go to, and that has remained true regardless of what number of occasions they’ve heard effusive reward in regards to the early fall low season. Many followers, maybe the wiser ones, would possibly view that because the Siren’s Track of September (and August).
One other is occasions. In an try to reverse the low season lull, each Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant now begin as college goes again into session. Once more, that didn’t all the time was once the case–it wasn’t even that way back that each started in September, slightly than August.
Lastly, there’s pricing. For those who take a look at the Most cost-effective Instances to Go to Walt Disney World, you’ll see that the early fall low season usually 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.
An arguably higher comparability is how the early fall low season compares to the ultimate three months of the yr. 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 arduous ticket occasions like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration. All of it provides up!
In the end, I can see why the early fall low season continues to be such an interesting time for therefore many Walt Disney World diehard followers to take journeys. It’s cheaper and fewer crowded, harking back to less complicated days in previous many years when costs and attendance had been decrease. The seasonal occasions are a ton of enjoyable, and there’s one thing so satisfying about strolling onto sights with nearly no waits. You’re feeling like a VIP.
Personally, I like the concept of August by way of late September. I see pictures of us in empty parks that fire up fond recollections, conveniently forgetting the warmth we endured alongside the best way. To some extent, I believe that’s how nostalgia works–your thoughts savors the great and lets go of the dangerous, creating an idealized model of a previous that by no means existed.
However like an egg on the Magic Kingdom sidewalk, this yr’s recollections of the warmth are fried into my thoughts. It’s robust to see myself wanting that have once more. (Properly, till I overlook all in regards to the climate however proceed to recollect the low crowds!)
In equity, now we have warned about climate and even made ‘qualitative’ suggestions to go later in September or October, avoiding the most effective stretch of crowds in favor of the probability of a extra nice expertise. Neither our Greatest & Worst Months to Do Walt Disney World nor our 10 Greatest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025 advocate the weeks that usually have absolutely the lowest crowds.
We’ve as an alternative suggested ready till later in September when it’s barely busier (however nonetheless gradual relative to the remainder of the yr), late October, or the low-crowd home windows in November and December. Although none of these dates are as objectively uncrowded as mid-August by way of early September, they’re subjectively superior.
I’ll undoubtedly be again for the beginning of the 2024 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration and EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, however as a result of I’m a blogger who doesn’t be taught from previous errors and that’s what my folks do. In relation to household for enjoyable journeys or suggestions to buddies (together with you all), it’s getting more durable and more durable to justify mid-August to late September with out critical caveats. Even for those who suppose you recognize what you’re getting your self into…it’s robust to completely comprehend that warmth till you’ve felt it. And by then, it’s too late!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it is advisable to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you suppose it’s nonetheless value braving the climate in August and September for the bottom crowds of the yr at Walt Disney World? Or, would you are taking the marginally larger crowd ranges however subjectively superior total expertise throughout the November and December lulls? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!