Orlando in September: the quietest parks of the year, with a storm caveat

Why September is so quiet

Schools across the country are back in session. Summer travel is over, and fall breaks have not started. That leaves the parks to adults, families with young kids and visitors from abroad. After Labor Day weekend, waits for big rides often drop to their lowest of the year, and hotels cut prices to fill rooms.

Labor Day weekend itself can be busy, and Halloween events add crowds on certain evenings. Otherwise, September is the month for walking onto rides.

One thing changes for the worse: some parks shorten their hours after summer. Check the calendar, since a 9-to-7 park day gives you less evening time than in July. With lines this short, though, you usually get more done in fewer hours.

The storm question

Hurricane season usually peaks around early to mid-September. Most weeks bring no tropical trouble to Orlando, which sits inland and usually sees weakened storms. But when one does come, parks can close, flights can cancel and plans can change fast. Take it seriously without letting it scare you off.

1. Book hotels with free cancellation, and check the park ticket change policy.
2. Price travel insurance that covers named storms, and buy it before a storm forms.
3. Watch the National Hurricane Center outlook in the week before you leave.
4. If a storm threatens, follow your airline's and hotel's instructions, not social media.

If a storm does hit, parks usually give notice before closing and reopen quickly once it passes. Resort hotels are built for it, and staying put is usually the safest plan.

The weather on a normal day

Highs usually run 88 to 92°F, with lows of 72 to 75°F. It is still humid, and afternoon thunderstorms are still common, though they tend to thin out late in the month. Sunset slides from about 7:50 to 7:20 p.m., so evenings start to feel shorter. Pack for summer: light clothes, rain gear, sunscreen, a hat and spare dry shoes.

What's usually on

• Halloween Horror Nights usually runs on select nights at Universal Studios. Early weeknight dates are usually the least crowded.
• Disney's Halloween party nights usually continue on select evenings.
• EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival is usually in full swing.
• Magical Dining usually runs through the month, with fixed-price menus at many restaurants.
• Florida resident ticket deals are often on offer.

Making the most of short lines

This is the month to do the big parks without fighting. If you have never decided which park to start with, our guide to picking your first park helps. Arrive early anyway, since the heat still peaks by noon. Pay attention to party nights: on Halloween party evenings Disney's Magic Kingdom usually closes early to day guests, so do that park on a non-party day.

Outside the parks, the springs are calmer once summer crowds leave. Go early in the day to beat the heat and the storms. Museums and food halls fill the afternoons nicely.

September is also a good month to eat well for less. Magical Dining menus make pricier restaurants affordable, and the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival gives you a cheap way to graze through small plates on a quiet evening. Lines for the festival booths are usually far shorter on weekdays than in October.

Prices, and what you save

Hotel rates are usually at their lowest of the year in the weeks after Labor Day. Restaurant deals peak with Magical Dining. Park tickets are often priced at their lower tiers on weekdays. Airfares follow the same shape. The savings can be large, but keep some of them aside for a flexible booking; paying a little more for free cancellation is the right call this month.

One last trap: some restaurants and attractions trim hours in the slow season, and a few close for a week or two of maintenance. Check opening days before you plan a meal or a tour around them.