My husband and I are staying at the POR near the end of September through the Magic Your Way - Free Dining Plan promotion. I know that September would normally be considered low season but because of this promotion, I'm sure there are a number of people travelling then that wouldn't normally. So, my question: how busy will it be, both at the resort and at the parks? Would you still consider it low season or is it moving toward high season now with the promotion?
Thanks.
How busy is resort and WDW in September?
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Re: How busy is resort and WDW in September?
I just wanted to add another comment to my question. I read on a later post in this forum that someone was there last September and it was not busy at all, including making ADR at various restaurants. I've learned in the last few days, though, that this is not the case this year as there have been a number of restaurants (not character meals) that are all booked up for the time we're there. Could it be possible that this year will be busier than in the past? or are more people just using the ADR system??
I know this isn't really a question...just found it interesting that my dinner reservation experience was so different from those a year ago...
I know this isn't really a question...just found it interesting that my dinner reservation experience was so different from those a year ago...
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route66fam
- Posts: 9
- Joined: March 25th, 2009, 6:42 pm
Re: How busy is resort and WDW in September?
A lot of people are making ADRs in September because Disney is offering free Disney Dining Plan packages the whole month...this will most likely make for a busier than normal September...but it should still be less crowded than the summer! No worries...Disney is always packed with people...it is your attitude that makes the difference. Put on a smiling face and you'll enjoy yourself no matter what 
Re: How busy is resort and WDW in September?
I don't think you'll find the parks particularly busy - once the main summer break is finished the crowds really deplete a lot and it's a great time to visit. However, a good proportion of the people who are there will be on the free dining plan, so even if the ride queues are fairly short the restaurants will still be full. So if there's anywhere you particularly want to eat, get it booked early (as in now, ideally).
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- The Unofficial Visitor's Guide to the Port Orleans Resorts in Orlando, Florida -
Re: How busy is resort and WDW in September?
we stayed at riverside last year in september. we got there right on labor day. a few years prior to our last years trip we went to riverside the end of august. the parks were so much more crowded in august than compared to september. when we took our trip in august, my grandmother needed an evc and wanted to rent one at the park. it was so crowded that she was unable to get one and they were turning people away. tommorowland's rides (august) had at least 30-60 min wait. last year (sept) the waits were less than 5-10 minutes.
last year (in sept.) there were plenty of evc's (even in the afternoon). i even remember finishing animal kingdom by 2:30/3:00 and we saw everything. this even included the time we took to eat at our sit down meal at tusker house. in sept. i think i used fastpass twice for the whole vacation (mission space and sourin). most rides, even test track we waited 5 minutes or less. comparing sept. to the end of august, sept. is a better bet.
tip i want to give you is do not go to a park when they are having their extra magic hour (morning or evening). those are the days that they are the most crowded. dd and i looked at the schedule for the extra magic hours from the disney website and planned what park we would be going to from look at this schedule. we avoided the parks that had the extra magic hours. doing this we really did not see crowds.
i strongly suggest that during free dining- if you want to eat your sit down at the parks or more popular restaurants, make sure you make your advanced dining reservations. last year when we were waiting at the sci-fi for our table cast members were turning people away. they just were fully booked. i did make 2 last minute reservations for boatrights (breakfast and dinner) and did not have any problems, although we did have to eat a little later than usual. during free dining-adrs are very important.
last year (in sept.) there were plenty of evc's (even in the afternoon). i even remember finishing animal kingdom by 2:30/3:00 and we saw everything. this even included the time we took to eat at our sit down meal at tusker house. in sept. i think i used fastpass twice for the whole vacation (mission space and sourin). most rides, even test track we waited 5 minutes or less. comparing sept. to the end of august, sept. is a better bet.
tip i want to give you is do not go to a park when they are having their extra magic hour (morning or evening). those are the days that they are the most crowded. dd and i looked at the schedule for the extra magic hours from the disney website and planned what park we would be going to from look at this schedule. we avoided the parks that had the extra magic hours. doing this we really did not see crowds.
i strongly suggest that during free dining- if you want to eat your sit down at the parks or more popular restaurants, make sure you make your advanced dining reservations. last year when we were waiting at the sci-fi for our table cast members were turning people away. they just were fully booked. i did make 2 last minute reservations for boatrights (breakfast and dinner) and did not have any problems, although we did have to eat a little later than usual. during free dining-adrs are very important.
Re: How busy is resort and WDW in September?
Thank you for the info. I am also going in sept 19 very concerned with the crowds with the free dining. Have been before with the free dining this year seems so much busier with adr's I think. Never stayed at POR always at a value so I am looking foward to this vacation
