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September 2017 Disney World Crowd Calendar now available

September 2017 Disney World Crowd Calendar now available


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I’ve just completed creating my September 2017 Disney World Crowd Calendar.  It includes the initial park hours, Extra Magic Hours and the fireworks schedules that have already been released.  I’ve marked all the probable dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as well.  Here’s some info you’ll likely want to know:

Any night in which the Magic Kingdom closes at 7pm has been marked as a probable night for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  There’s one date in which the Magic Kingdom will close at 6pm, which is likely to be some sort of park buyout or media event that hasn’t been released.  While the initial Disney schedules list “Wishes,” my Crowd Calendar mentions “Happily Ever After,” which is the proper fireworks for Magic Kingdom from May 12, 2017 onward.

Illuminations isn’t listed on Fridays or Saturdays.  I believe that is because the park usually closes at 9:30pm during Food and Wine Festival, so they didn’t confirm that detail.  Once Illuminations is added to the official calendar, I’ll add it to mine, but I’d expect 9:30pm on the unlisted nights.

Hollywood Studios doesn’t list Fantasmic or Fireworks.  It doesn’t mean it won’t occur, it just wasn’t added to the initial release.  I’ll add those into the park hours when Disney releases them.

Animal Kingdom doesn’t mention Rivers of Light.  I’m sure it will be added later.

You’ll notice that I’ve predicted a number of mid-week days to be Light or Very Light crowds, but I have trepidation predicting weekend days at those levels.  I’ve been seeing each weekend date as more Moderate or higher, even when the weekdays are very light.  If I over project, you’ll come out the winner.  If I under project, you can wear your angry eyes.

Just understand that it’s not based on how it “FEELS” in a park, but average actual wait times at rides in the various parks.  If you haven’t visited before and expect to have the park all to yourself on a very light day, that is a misnomer.  You’ll still wait 30-45 minutes for most headliners without Fastpass and the most popular rides will have an hour or more wait, even on the slowest days.

Use Character Locator to choose your days, then choose your parks.  Book your dining at 180 days out and add that to one of my awesome Touring Plans and then add your Fastpass+ selections at 60 days out.  Those important dates are always listed on the bottom of the Crowd Calendar!

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Beth

Saturday 18th of March 2017

How bad is a yellow park day on a blue crowd day??

kennythepirate

Sunday 19th of March 2017

Not terrible

Falon

Saturday 18th of February 2017

We will be at WDW from Sept 16th to the 21st. Would you recommend doing the Halloween party on Sun the 17th on a mod crowd day and then doing a full MK day on the 19th when the crowds will be lighter? We will not be going to a park earlier in the day on the day of the party. I was just trying to figure out which way would make more sense bc those are the only 2 green magic kingdom days on our trip.

One other question. We arrive on the 16th prob mid afternoon. We wanted to spend a few hours at a park but the only one that is green is HS. It says the park closes at 7pm which is earlier than any other night. Do you think the closing time could change or should I just go to a park that has a larger crowd projection to get more park hours in?

kennythepirate

Saturday 18th of February 2017

Yes, I'd do the Sunday party as you described. Closing times can change several times between now and then. Rule of thumb is shorter hours equal lower crowds.

Jessica

Friday 17th of February 2017

Hi Kenny! Thank you for all your hard work. What are the chances that Disney will be offering Club Villain again this year? We are going the week of September 17 and I was just wondering if you THINK they will bring it back this year.

kennythepirate

Friday 17th of February 2017

Could return for Halloween, but haven't heard

LM2017

Thursday 16th of February 2017

Thanks for all your hard work on this. We are getting ready to book dining reservations. Do you think we can book dinner at MK on Tuesday the 29th or would we have to be out of the park before 7pm?

kennythepirate

Thursday 16th of February 2017

If you begin dinner by 6:30pm, they won't force you to leave, but will escort you out when you're done

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