We just went to Disney about three weeks ago (early September), and I think it was a great time to go!

First, September is traditionally a slower time at Disney, and they'll often offer really attractive deals to lure people down. We were able to get free dining -- one sit-down meal, one fast food meal and one snack a day for our entire trip. We brought cereal bars and a few healthy snacks with us to cover breakfast, and just ate free all week.

Second, the crowds when we were there were amazing! I had anticipated a lot of waiting in line, but we didn't wait for a single thing all week. In fact, there were a few times when the rides were so empty we were just allowed to stay on and ride them more than once without having to go through the line again. Now, part of this can be attributed to the fact that we went right between hurricanes Hannah and Ike, but the crowds are still pretty light in September.

The downside to September is, of course, that it's very hot and humid. But the heat isn't really all that much worse than NC in August, and you can avoid the worst of it by getting to the parks at opening then leaving right after lunch for a middle-of-the-day swim or nap break.

Good grief, I could write a book...

We drove to save money. The drive really is not bad from the Raleigh area. We left at 2:00am last Saturday morning and were in our resort's pool by noon. Yes, we may be crazy, but we enjoy driving in silence for at least a couple of hours.

A few good tips for Disney:
- Pack drinks, snacks for the parks. Yes, you can bring them in. We freeze Capri Suns and water bottles the night before, and they keep other stuff cold during the day at the park. Snacks are not only expensive in the parks, but not necessarily healthy (unless Mickey Mouse ice cream ears have hidden broccoli in them).

- If you have two kids of varying sizes (aka one kid is tall enough for rides, the other, not so much), make sure you have cell phones to call each other to meet up. Wandering around looking for your spouse is not fun.

- You have to do a character dining experience. Yes, you do. The kids will love it, and the desserts at all of them? Amazing.

- Try to stay on your kids' schedules. If they "need" a real nap (and not one in a stroller) to make it through dinner, but all means go back to the room for a nap.

- September is really a good time. So it October. And December. And January. And any month except June/July/August.

- Do the other fun stuff at Disney. We ate smores on the beach at the Beach Club Resort. We rode a 4 person bike around the Boardwalk.

- Be prepared for kids to want "stuff". Like the glowing light-up stuff at night. Or the stuffed Mickey. We made our oldest save up money, and we said we would only buy her one thing, everything else she wanted, she had to buy herself. Otherwise, I would so be broke right now.

I will NEVER go from June to August!! When I worked there-May to August 1996-not only was it HOT HOT HOT (I worked outside) the Brazilian tour groups come to Disney and it is 10000000 times worse then a regular very busy day! I could tell some stories lol, but I don't have a lot of room!

I would love to go down on my bday, since it is in February!

Becka+Chris= Nick 8 Michele 5 Wyatt 18 months
www.learnandgrowtogether.com

The hardest thing about visiting Disneyland is coping with the relentless hubub and noise. At least in March, Tom Sawyer's Island is a good place to escape the crowds. When we were there, Aunt Polly's snack bar was closed, so we had a nice sitting area with rocking chairs all to ourselves. My husband actually took a nap, and my son and I had a nice quiet time. Go placidly amid the noise and haste.

A couple of tips from someone who's done it with small kids a couple of times(like you need MORE info to digest:-) Definitely schedule a character breakfast! When were young, you may remember the characters were walking around everywhere-these days not so much-your kids may never see one up close if you don't do the breakfast! Also, you MUST do a parade! And finally....you must be there the minute they open in the morning. It's the least crowded and least hot! Now this part is optional according to your family's preferences: but we pushed our kids until noon, got out when it started getting hot and crowded and before we were on the hook for an expensive lunch. Went back to the hotel, made sandwiches, napped and swam in the hotel pool all afternoon. We found this leisurely pace much more practical and enjoyable with the little ones. Other people want to push the kids the entire day to feel like they don't miss anything and they get all their money's worth. I say, have at it. I was sipping pina coladas by the pool at 5:00 while others were pushing screaming exhausted kids in strollers all over Dizzy World. Whew! We also stay at Embassy Suites Resort Lake Buena Vista, which is an unbelievable deal 1 mile from the disney gates(free snacks and drinks in the evenings, full huge breakfasts, pizza hut, starbucks, and italian restaurant on site, indoor outdoor pools-a two room suite-)all cheaper than disney and they provide free shuttle service to the parks. It was AWESOME. (and personally I think May is the best time to go-less crowds, gorgeous weather, and cheap accomodations. The same room was almost half price in May compared to other months.

Check this story out if you're planning a trip this year. Says there are some pretty good deals to be had because Disney attendance is slipping: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/travel/22pracdisney.html?8dpc