Best week in September to visit Orlando, Florida

[dman]

It's nice right now.

 

[blackdogdeek]

we're planning on going the week after thanksgiving for the following reasons (according to my wife):

still warm, nice weather
fewer kids, less crowded
christmas decorations will be up

 

[moshquerade]

I'll be there the third week in February. Going to do Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure this time. Tix were $85 for 7 days.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Mursilis

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Disney World, Epcot center, etc.

What's the best time of year to visit Orlando, Florida?

The past two years, they've thrown in the dining plan (1 table service meal, 1 counter service meal, and 1 snack each day) free with trip packages for between mid-August to the end of Sept. (hurricane season). Sept. is a fairly slow month, with schools starting back up, and a dealhound such as yourself would appreciate free food. Disney hasn't announced free dining for this year yet, but keep keep checking www.mousesavers.com for this and other discounts.

You may also want to consider whether you want to take part in any special events. They have special halloween parties in late Sept. through Oct., special Christmas parties between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Star Wars Weekends in May and June, etc. Plus, the Christmas decorations at the parks and resorts are quite elaborate, and worth seeing on their own. Check www.wdwinfo.com for the year-round schedule. Have fun - both Disneyworld and Universal Studios are fun, fun places.

Thanks for the information and PM

Right now my only concern is WHEN I'll be going since it's my turn to request vacation time at work. I'll worry about accomodations/plans later on.

I'd like to go in October but the free dining plan is just too good to pass up.

The million dollar question, assuming Disney announces the return of the dining plan ... What's the best week in September to visit Orlando, FL?

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: RossMANRight now my only concern is WHEN I'll be going since it's my turn to request vacation time at work. I'll worry about accomodations/plans later on.

I'd like to go in October but the free dining plan is just too good to pass up.

The million dollar question, assuming Disney announces the return of the dining plan ... What's the best week in September to visit Orlando, FL?

For the past 2 years, the free dining package offer has included the entire month of September. 8/13 - 9/30 and 8/21 - 10/4

Pretty much all of September will be low crowds. So personally I'd pick the last week of September because it has the lowest chance of being unbearably hot. Value season (lowest resort prices of the year) is August 5th to October 3rd, so again, all of September is included.
Of course, there are no guarantees that free dining is going to be offered. But the good news is that if it isn't offered, crowds will be even lower and it will still be one of the cheapest times of year to visit. Disney is actually already running a special that is equivalent to free dining for that time period, but the only way to get it right now is if you were already staying at a Disney resort in the past couple months and signed up at that time. Many people expect that they will eventually offer this discount to everyone.

 

[Queasy]

February right before they go to "Prime Time" prices. Decent weather and light crowds.

We did this last year and saved a bundle. We're going in April this year though as a birthday surprise for our son.

Yes...I do realize that you said September though.

 

[geckojohn]

My favorite time to visit Florida is June - August - nice and warm... love it!

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: ranmaniac
I had a great time at DisneyWorld during the winter break and for New Years celebration, the weather was very nice also. It's also one of the few places where the French are nice to you.

I remember seeing you there!!







...not really, but might have.

 

[dud]

Rossman,

I've lived in Orlando for decades. If you need any info/advice let me know. You've helped me out in the past and I'd like to reciprocate. That being said, here's some free (free is good) advice:

1 - DO NOT visit Disney or Universal or Seaworld. The prices are insane. Just realize that I've lived here so long that I can't believe that anyone would want to visit just to pay a lot for all the hassels of the tourist traps.

2 - If you just HAVE TO visit, come anytime from mid-October through late March. This is one of the nicer places to live during that period of the year. If you like steambaths then come from April through September.

3 - Consider some of the less touristy places like the beach and Kenedy Space Center.

4 - Prepare to spend the bucks, even if you get a discount plan for anything. The establishment (Disney/Seaworld/Universal) knows that they have a captive audience and they suck you dry.

Good luck ...

 

[RossMAN]

dud,

Thanks. We're leaning towards Vegas instead of Orlando now

 

[DrPizza]

Having been to a LOT of theme parks, I've always considered Disney to be way over-rated, especially for the price. We took our kids there when they were young. Tip: You do *not* want to ride the "it's a small world" ride. It may be a small world, but that thing apparently circumnavigates it 3 times. That, for me, was by far the most hated part of the place. The ride never seems to end... if there was an abort button, I'd have pushed it. It just winds from room to room to room where you're serenaded the same song over and over in every language on earth. You approach a door, thinking, "this HAS to be the exit" and you enter yet another room where you could hear "it's a small world" in yet another language. Well, almost every language; they may have missed 2 or 3 of the 70 dialects of Swahili.

As far as dud's statement goes, there are tourist traps everywhere in the Orlando area. But, you seem to be pretty smart with saving money, so hopefully you won't return with a lot of regretted purchases.

 

[dud]

Rossman,

I travel to a town between LA and Lost Wages a lot and have been there and done that.

A few years ago I flew in/out of McLaren International. Let me share my story. I arrived in Lost Wages and checked into my hotel (off the strip). I walked to the strip. Within a few minutes a group of near-teenagers walked up to me and one guy (about 18) stopped and yelled (at the top of his lungs) right into my face. The kid was so drunk. That was fun! Every 20 feet or so (walking down the strip) you will see guys with "complementary" pamphlet full of porn (your wife will love it). You walk, you get handed this crap, you throw it in the first trashcan you see.

Rossman, I've been there and done that. Consider a vacation to someplace less "touristy" and with less porn.

Good luck!

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
dud,

Thanks. We're leaning towards Vegas instead of Orlando now

LOL. I think you'd save a lot of money at Disney!

Anything you do in vegas will cost you $75 an hour, unless you do "that thing you can do in vegas other than gamble" which will cost you $150 an hour and up.

Seriously though, either is a good vacation - but at either, I think the more you spend the better time you'll have. (within reason) Obviously it is possible to do either one on a budget - but as people mentioned, they thrive on tourists. To the disney point, last time I checked hotel costs were insane - but you lose half the fun if stay off site and have to drive in. Ditto with Vegas, half the fun is staying in a nice hotel on the strip, which is pricey.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dud
Every 20 feet or so (walking down the strip) you will see guys with "complementary" pamphlet full of porn (your wife will love it). You walk, you get handed this crap, you throw it in the first trashcan you see.

LOL yeah that happened to us numerous times on past trips. It's very annoying but we just ignore them.

 

[sandorski]

OMG! They just hand out free porn on the street in Vegas? Vegas just went up on the list of places to go in my book!!