What is Orlando like in September?

September is Orlando’s quietest month. Kids across the US are back in school, the summer heat hangs on and the Atlantic hurricane season hits its peak. If you can live with that trade, you get short lines, EPCOT’s food festival and Halloween events already running.

What is the weather like in Orlando in September?

Hot and humid, with storms on many afternoons. Based on NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Orlando International Airport, the average September high is 90 °F (32 °C) and the average low is 72 °F (22 °C). Day and night together average 81 °F (27 °C).

Month	Average high	Average low	Monthly rain	Rainy days
August	92 °F (33 °C)	74 °F (23 °C)	7.7 in (195 mm)	11.5
September	90 °F (32 °C)	72 °F (22 °C)	6.4 in (162 mm)	9.2
October	85 °F (29 °C)	66 °F (19 °C)	3.5 in (88 mm)	5.3
January, for comparison	72 °F (22 °C)	50 °F (10 °C)	2.5 in (63 mm)	4

Source: NOAA (NCEI) 1991 to 2020 climate normals, Orlando International Airport. A rainy day is one with at least a tenth of an inch.

The same data show that a typical September has:

• about 18 days at 90 °F or above;
• about 9 days with at least a tenth of an inch of rain, and 4 with half an inch or more;
• only 3 or 4 nights that drop below 70 °F (21 °C).

Early, mid and late September

The heat eases slowly. The National Weather Service office in Melbourne, which covers Orlando, lists a normal high of 91 °F and low of 74 °F on September 1. Around the 15th the normals are 90 °F and 73 °F. By September 30 they are down to 88 °F and 71 °F. Late September is a little milder, but it is still summer weather.

The record high for the month is 103 °F (39 °C), set on September 8, 1921. Days are still long. Per the U.S. Naval Observatory, the sun sets in Orlando around 7:47 p.m. on September 1, 2027, and 7:13 p.m. on September 30. Fall officially starts with the equinox on September 23, 2027. For the full year, see Orlando weather by month.

Why the storms come in the afternoon

All of September falls inside central Florida’s wet season. According to a National Weather Service Melbourne study, daytime heating pushes the Atlantic and Gulf sea breezes inland, and showers and thunderstorms form along them on most days. In Orlando, the dry season does not start until around October 15 on average. Plan outdoor rides for the morning.

Is it safe to go to Disney World in September?

Yes, for most trips, as long as you watch the forecast and book with a clear cancellation policy. September is the heart of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) says the Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaks on September 10, and sees most of its activity from mid-August to mid-October. An average season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

Those numbers cover the whole Atlantic basin, not Orlando. A storm crossing your exact week is not the norm, but it does happen. On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida and, per the NHC report, caused historic freshwater flooding across much of central Florida. The National Weather Service records show September 2022 as Orlando’s wettest September on record, with 22.4 inches of rain, more than three times normal.

Orlando sits inland, away from the storm surge that threatens the coast. The local risks are wind, heavy rain and flooding. What actually helps:

• Check the NHC outlook. The center publishes a 2-day and 7-day outlook of areas that could develop into storms. Look at it the week you travel.
• Know the alerts. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible and is issued about 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected. A hurricane warning means they are expected and goes out about 36 hours ahead.
• Read every cancellation policy before you pay. Flights, park tickets and lodging all have different rules. We explain them in vacation rental cancellations and hurricanes.
• Have a plan for a washed-out day. Disney’s ticket terms say parks and attractions can close or change without notice.

If you are driving down from Georgia or the Carolinas, you have one advantage: you can shift your departure day without rebooking a flight. For a fuller look at the real risk, read Orlando hurricane season.

Is it worth going to Disney World in September?

It is worth it if short lines matter more to you than mild weather. The upsides are clear: it is off season, schools are in session and the calendar already has Halloween parties and a food festival.

The trade-offs:

• Heat. About 18 days reach 90 °F. Build in a midday break at the house.
• Afternoon storms. Do outdoor attractions in the morning and save indoor ones for after lunch.
• Hurricanes. The odds of a storm hitting your week are low, but not zero. Flexible dates and a clear cancellation policy matter.

How crowded is Disney World in September?

Not very. September is usually the least crowded month of the year at the Orlando parks because schools are in session nationwide. In Orange County, which includes Orlando, classes started on August 11, 2026. Park by park crowd numbers are in the least crowded times at the Orlando parks.

Labor Day weekend is the exception. Labor Day falls on Monday, September 6, 2027, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Orange County Public Schools closed for Labor Day in 2026, on September 7. Saturday the 4th through Monday the 6th is a three-day weekend for families across the country. Right after it, Brazil’s Independence Day falls on Tuesday, September 7, 2027, a national holiday there.

Date	What is happening
Sep 4 to 6, 2027	Labor Day weekend
Sep 7, 2027	Brazil’s Independence Day
Sep 10	Statistical peak of hurricane season
Sep 23, 2027	Fall equinox

Sources: OPM, NHC and U.S. Naval Observatory. As of October 2026, the 2027 event dates had not been announced.

In practice: if your dates are flexible, skip Labor Day weekend and go the week after. Plan your must-do park for a weekday, arrive at opening and leave the afternoon for the pool at the house. The week you travel, check the NHC 7-day outlook before you lock in date-specific tickets.

Things to do in Orlando in September

September has EPCOT’s food festival and both of Orlando’s big Halloween events.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Disney runs the 2026 festival from August 27 to November 21. It is included with EPCOT admission. Food and drinks at the Global Marketplaces, festival kiosks with dishes from around the world, are sold separately, and the Eat to the Beat concert series plays during the festival.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This is Magic Kingdom’s separate-ticket Halloween party. In 2026 it ran on select nights from August 7 to October 31, from 7 p.m. to midnight, with entry to the park from 4 p.m. September had 13 party nights, and every 2026 date sold out. If you want a September 2027 night, watch for Disney’s announcement.

Halloween Horror Nights. Universal’s horror event is also a separate ticket and takes place at Universal Studios Florida. The 2026 edition runs select nights from August 28 to November 1, with 10 haunted houses. It is real horror, so check Universal’s age guidance before bringing kids. We compare both events in Halloween in Orlando.

Water parks. Disney’s ticket terms say its water parks are subject to refurbishment, seasonal, capacity and weather closures. In October 2026, Typhoon Lagoon was closed for refurbishment and Disney was pointing guests to Blizzard Beach. Disney says at least one of its water parks is open every day, except in bad weather. Check the calendar before buying a ticket that includes a water park.

Rainy afternoons. Keep a short list of indoor plans. We have ideas in things to do in Orlando on a rainy day.

What to pack for Orlando in September

Pack for summer, plus rain gear. Mornings start in the low 70s and afternoons pass 90 °F.

• Light, breathable clothes that dry fast.
• A poncho or small umbrella.
• Two pairs of sneakers, so one can dry.
• Sunscreen, a hat and a refillable water bottle.
• A light layer for air-conditioned restaurants and rides.
• Swimsuits. In this heat, the pool at the house does not need heating.

How much does an Orlando vacation home cost in September?

September is off season. The table on this page shows the median nightly rate of Orlando Best Place homes for each of the next 12 months, with September highlighted. For context, the median nightly rate across the next 12 months, before cleaning and taxes, is $162, and the cheapest month in that period is October 2026, at a median of $104.

When you book direct, the final price with cleaning and taxes is shown before payment, with no platform fee. Payments are processed by Stripe. Browse homes with a private pool or use the vacation home search.