For over a decade, we’ve been singing September’s praises (no, not the Cosmic Rewind music), 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 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. There was a short 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 grew to become hooked on this time of yr and located ourselves routinely returning throughout this ‘candy spot’ at Walt Disney World, particularly as soon as we obtained 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 most likely 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, but it surely 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 whilst different previous low season months have gotten busier. For us, what absolutely “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 unattainable to clarify how gloriously uncrowded the parks had been and the way superior ‘Further, Further Magic Hours’ was. It’s nearly unbelievable given how issues modified ~6 months later when the parks closed (and so they nonetheless haven’t absolutely recovered).
To be totally sincere with you, nostalgia for each our first low season visits collectively and people more moderen heyday of early fall low season has most likely clouded my judgment, and brought on 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: Effectively, we aren’t placing our “cash the place our mouths are” because it seems. For the entire digital ink spilled right here final yr in regards to the warmth and humidity…we’re doing it once more! I simply wish 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 photographs 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 Get together and the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition. Nevertheless it additionally indicated that we most likely wouldn’t do a household ‘for enjoyable’ journey. And that’s what is sort of definitely altering.
There are a few causes for the change. The primary is that the delayed begin of the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition means we will take an early September journey (versus early August) and hit each, rising our possibilities 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. Which means Sarah didn’t expertise any of this firsthand, and if we’re being sincere, I believe possibly she’s underestimating simply how unhealthy 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 unhealthy it was.)
Extra considerably, Megatron hasn’t skilled Halloween at Walt Disney World. After an unbelievable 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 unbelievable, and we wish to do as many household holidays to WDW as doable. Seems like extra of these Southwest Companion Passes are in our future, once more!
The massive eye-opener of the early fall low season the final couple years was the climate. It was sizzling 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 surprising or traditionally unhealthy. Simply 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 had been the worst climate I’ve ever skilled at Walt Disney World. August was so terrible that there have been extreme warmth advisories frequently and the Florida Division of Emergency Administration warned residents and guests of dangerously sizzling and humid circumstances.
Precise temperatures typically flirted with triple digits, and looks 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 sizzling and humid this time of yr. Not solely that, however climate forecasts are ceaselessly stuffed with hyperbole, discovering new methods to sensationalize and scare. So possibly these 110°+ looks like temperatures aren’t really all that a lot worse than the 90s you’ve skilled in Florida and elsewhere in different months, proper?
Improper. At the least, for my part. I don’t have an amazing tolerance for warmth and humidity, however I at the very least grew to become accustomed to it whereas residing in Florida. This was not like something I’ve ever skilled in Orlando. About the one factor that compares was a summer time a number of years again at Hong Kong Disneyland, which one way or the other manages to surpass Central Florida in terms of warmth and humidity.
By definition, document warmth waves are unprecedented and atypical. And this was the second yr in a row that I’ve encountered unseasonably sizzling climate throughout the early fall low season. The following few years may very well be downright nice by comparability, however the pattern is just not your buddy in terms of temperatures. You’re playing on climate this time of yr, and Walt Disney World journeys price quite a bit.
It wasn’t simply triple-digit temperatures and looks 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 affix me for apparent causes. Once I first purchased my ticket to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together–the primary she had missed in over a decade–she was dissatisfied to be lacking out. That wore off by the point the celebration rolled round. I had been sending periodic updates on the climate, with screenshots of the temperature once I first left my room every day.
The day of the primary Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together was notably brutal. Firstly of the occasion, the temperature was 100° with a looks like of 115 levels. This wasn’t whilst unhealthy because it obtained this specific day–the precise temperature hit 102° and the looks like reached 118 levels. Nothing says “Halloween” like triple-digit warmth in early August!
There was nearly no reprieve from the warmth and humidity. I obtained up daily on the break of day for Early Entry, and it was sizzling even at 7 am. I started preserving my digicam bag on the balcony in a single day so my lenses wouldn’t be fogged up once I wanted them the following morning.
Night was the same story. Sundown was a welcome reduction, however solely partially. There have been nights once I left the parks and the looks like temperature was nonetheless over 100 levels. Now in equity, whenever you go from blazing solar and 118° looks like temperatures to darkness and “solely” 101° looks 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 sluggish after Early Entry and cord 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 daily 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 might need good household photographs. I’m undecided the extent to which that even would’ve been doable until we prioritized footage very first thing within the morning or took second-showers and returned for post-sunset photographs.
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 kids and adults–in August and September than throughout November and December.
This isn’t me passing judgment. The warmth and humidity are in charge, 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 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 wanting full meltdown territory, the warmth and humidity simply beat you down. The climate is exhausting, making it exceedingly tough to do a full day within the parks with out a noon break or taking time to decompress. This alone can undermine any effectivity positive aspects from the decrease crowds.
For those who’re skipping a number of hours or going at a slower tempo because of the climate, you would possibly find yourself conducting simply as a lot throughout the slowest days in August as you’d throughout barely busier (however far more nice) weeks in late October to December.
Unscheduled breaks or needed downtime also can exacerbate tensions and stress. In case your months-in-the-making plan dictates being within the park from opening till closing–but it surely 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 situation 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 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 not fathom full days throughout this time of yr.
Against this, I can do full days throughout the vacation season with ease. The temperatures are far more conducive to it, as are the less hours of daylight. Even when crowd ranges are increased, that may solely quantity to an additional ~5 minutes of ready per attraction. However in case you’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 company to Solid Members. Foolish as it would sound, I absolutely imagine you feed off of the vitality round you at Walt Disney World. It’s a lot simpler to be reinvigorated and upbeat due to the collective vitality in November and December than August and September.
One other situation that’s turning into extra pronounced is park hours. 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 Prolonged Night Hours a pair occasions at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT throughout the latest 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 can be climate.
Eligible company most likely took noon breaks with the intention of returning to the parks within the night. (Reasonably than staying all day, getting burnt out, and heading house earlier than ExEH began, as typically occurs.) The inflow of company initially of Prolonged Night Hours would appear to corroborate this.
Equally regarding is how Walt Disney World quietly shortened hours in September. Quite a 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 beneath the radar. It’s actually unlucky and if this pattern repeats itself in September 2024–however not October, November, or December–it’s going to considerably change the calculus on which of those occasions is the “greatest” to go to.
With all of that mentioned, mid-August by way of late September stays a very interesting timeframe for a number of causes. Firstly 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 yr, it’s #1 for crowds.
In contrast to different months that had been as soon as the low season however have since seen spikes (taking a look at you, January and October!), August and September are prone to keep uncrowded. The primary elements preserving attendance down–college schedules and climate–aren’t going to vary. Walt Disney World can’t get artful scheduling runDisney, ESPN Vast 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 faculties are going to be in session throughout most of August and all of September, and fogeys are unlikely to drag 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 irrespective 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 Competition now begin as college goes again into session. Once more, that didn’t all the time was the case–it wasn’t even that way back that each started in September, moderately than August.
Lastly, there’s pricing. For those who take a look at the Least expensive Occasions 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 certain 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 latest 4-Parks Magic Tickets. Then there are considerably decrease costs for arduous ticket occasions like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together. All of it provides up!
Finally, 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, paying homage to easier days in previous a long time 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 are feeling like a VIP.
Personally, I like the concept of 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 believe that’s how nostalgia works–your thoughts savors the great and lets go of the unhealthy, creating an idealized model of a previous that by no means existed.
However like an egg on the Magic Kingdom sidewalk, this yr’s reminiscences of the warmth are fried into my thoughts. It’s robust to see myself wanting that have once more. (Effectively, till I overlook all in regards to 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 the very best stretch of crowds in favor of the chance of a extra nice expertise. Neither our Finest & Worst Months to Do Walt Disney World nor our 10 Finest 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 a substitute suggested ready till later in September when it’s barely busier (however nonetheless sluggish relative to the remainder of the yr), late October, or the low-crowd home windows in November and December. Though 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 Get together and EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition, however as a result of I’m a blogger who doesn’t study from previous errors and that’s what my individuals do. With regards to 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 severe caveats. Even in case you suppose 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? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Motels Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you suppose it’s nonetheless price 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 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 may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
