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Universal Orlando Resort: Where to Stay & Play for a Few Days

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My recent stay at Universal Orlando Resort was so much fun and I’m going to share and highlight my favorite moments with you. First and foremost, I stayed at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort on the property which allowed me early access (one hour) to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. It was my first time experiencing Diagon Alley™. I took advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to Universal Studios Florida and was able to … [Read More...]

Life & Style

Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

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I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Strike a pose at Pose Selfie Studio

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I recently had an opportunity to visit the NEW Pose Selfie Studio in Raleigh, NC with my daughter and it was so much fun. The great thing about this studio is that you have all the tools you need to capture your perfect photos alone or you can go … [Read More...]

Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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I am excited to be collaborating with my fellow foodie lover Hannah Victoria on this listing of places to eat in St. Thomas USVI whether you are visiting or local to the island. We are giving you our personal opinions based on our dining experiences … [Read More...]

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Travel

Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

By

I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

By

I am excited to be collaborating with my fellow foodie lover Hannah Victoria on this listing of places to eat in St. Thomas USVI whether you are visiting or local to the island. We are giving you our personal opinions based on our dining experiences … [Read More...]

Food

Rosé All Day at Seasons 52

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I recently had the opportunity to experience the Seasons 52 Summer Menu paired perfectly with Rose cocktails. The menu changes with the season and I can really appreciate that. My reservation was for 7:00pm and it … [Read More...]

Why I Prefer Visiting Orlando in September and What the Crowds Are Really Like

September has become my favourite month for an Orlando holiday. The city is still warm, the pools are inviting, and the pace inside the theme parks feels much easier than it does during the major American school breaks. I can fit more into each day without feeling that every attraction requires a military-style schedule.

For travellers leaving Australia, the timing also has a practical advantage. September falls during our spring, when Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are shaking off winter but the busiest domestic travel periods have not fully arrived. I enjoy having a Florida escape on the calendar before the end-of-year rush begins.

My experience is that Orlando in September is quieter, but never empty. There are still popular rides with long waits, busy restaurants and occasional surges around special events. The difference is that the crowds are usually more predictable, and a little planning goes a long way.

The Weather Sets The Pace

September in Orlando is hot, humid and prone to short afternoon storms. Mornings can feel wonderfully clear, while the sky may turn dark by two or three o’clock. I usually start early, take a slower lunch break during the hottest part of the day, and keep indoor attractions or shopping for the wettest period.

The heat is more intense than a typical spring day in Melbourne or Sydney, and the humidity can make a moderate temperature feel exhausting. Comfortable shoes, breathable clothing and a refillable water bottle matter far more than a carefully coordinated outfit. I also pack a lightweight poncho because a sudden shower is common rather than unusual.

September falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, so I watch the forecast in the week before travelling. A storm does not automatically ruin a holiday, but it can affect flights, park hours and outdoor plans. Flexible bookings and travel insurance are especially sensible for Australians who have already committed to a long, expensive journey.

What The Crowds Really Feel Like

At Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, September generally brings lower attendance than Christmas, Easter, summer and the major American Thanksgiving period. I can often walk through areas that feel packed in July and find them noticeably more comfortable. Queue times for headline attractions still build quickly, but the overall day feels less compressed.

The quietest periods are often weekdays after the Labor Day weekend, which takes place in early September. Weekends can be busier with local visitors, annual passholders and families attending seasonal events. The first few hours after opening remain valuable, particularly for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, popular Universal attractions and newer rides that draw attention regardless of the month.

Halloween programming changes the atmosphere. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights can bring evening crowds, even when daytime attendance is moderate. On event nights, some visitors leave the parks early while others arrive specifically for the entertainment, so the crowd pattern can shift dramatically after sunset.

I use JenOni travel stories when I want to revisit the personal details that make a trip memorable, from a good meal between park days to the small discoveries that do not always appear in an official itinerary.

A Flexible Park Strategy Works Best

I prefer booking a combination of full park days and lighter days rather than trying to visit every attraction without a break. September makes this approach easier because a lower crowd level can allow me to cover more ground before lunch. I can then return to the hotel pool, explore Disney Springs or enjoy a proper dinner instead of treating every day as an endurance event.

Early entry, mobile ordering and advance reservations still matter. Lower attendance does not mean I can arrive at midday and expect to walk straight onto every major ride. I usually choose two or three must-do attractions, then leave space for shows, character encounters, browsing and repeat rides if the queues cooperate.

Rain can be useful if approached sensibly. Outdoor queues may temporarily close, and some guests leave when the first heavy shower appears. I often use that window for indoor attractions, a snack or a shop, then return to outdoor areas once the storm passes. Lightning, however, is taken seriously, and water rides or exposed attractions may remain unavailable until conditions are safe.

Costs And Travel Details For Australians

September can bring better room rates and flight deals than the peak American holiday seasons, although prices vary considerably by dates and events. I compare accommodation near the parks with hotels farther along International Drive or around Lake Buena Vista. A cheaper room is not always cheaper once parking, resort fees, rideshare costs and daily transport are added.

Australian travellers should remember that American shelf prices commonly exclude sales tax. In Australia, the displayed price generally includes GST under our single-price rules, so the final bill can feel unexpectedly different in Florida. Orlando purchases may also include state and local sales taxes, while restaurant tips are normally added separately. I allow extra room in the budget rather than converting every amount too optimistically from Australian dollars.

Long-haul travel changes how I plan the first few days. A flight from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne can leave me awake at odd hours, even after a reasonable night’s sleep. I prefer a gentle first morning, a supermarket stop and an early dinner before tackling a full theme park day. The American habit of tipping servers, hotel staff and drivers also needs to be included in the daily spending plan.

Driving is convenient for villas, outlet shopping and attractions spread across the wider Orlando area. Visitors using a hire car need to understand Florida toll roads, parking charges and local child-restraint requirements. Australians should also organise an ESTA through the official US process well before departure; it is travel authorisation for eligible visitors, not a substitute for checking entry rules and passport conditions.

The September Plan I Rely On

My ideal visit combines theme parks with ordinary Orlando days. A supermarket breakfast, an afternoon by the pool and a relaxed meal can be as valuable as another set of rides. This balance is particularly helpful for families travelling from Australia, where the time difference and long flight can make consecutive early starts surprisingly tiring.

I also keep an eye on American school calendars and event dates. Australian school holidays vary by state, and a family travelling from Perth may have different break dates from one leaving Adelaide or Canberra. September can therefore be an attractive alternative to our April, June or December travel periods, but flights may still rise around Australian holidays and major sporting or entertainment events.

My practical checklist for a September visit is:

September suits me because it offers a useful middle ground: fewer people than the headline holiday periods, plenty of warmth and enough flexibility to recover when the weather changes. The parks still have energy, but the trip feels less like competing with a crowd and more like enjoying Orlando at my own pace.