Has anyone been to WDW in august?

[stephanie23]

Hows the heat factor? Im taking my husband and 2 children 5 and 1. Im just concerned with the heat and how bad it will be then?

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!


August is relentlessly hot and relentlessly humid. There are afternoon thunderstorms almost every day that last anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours. Then it heats up again. The next day will probably be exactly the same.

But...as you can see from my signature below, we LOVE to go in August! No need to worry about what to pack...shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear is all you need.

My advice is: get to the parks when they open, take a midday break for some air conditioning in the room and/or swimming, then go back to the parks for dinner and the evening.

 

[Metsoskil]

Have you ever been in a really moist oven? Me either, but Disney in August is about the same.

I lived in Phoenix and there were plenty of days when it was 118 degrees. Disney in August is just as bad - less heat, more humidity, and you're outside more.

That being said, if you plan it well, it's manageable. Go right when the parks open, leave at noon, and come back after the sun goes down.

 

[Robmom]

I've been in August. We just tried to go into a lot of a/c attractions. I also had to break down and buy the expensive fan/spray bottle. It really helped a lot. I would go again in August even though it was extremely hot.

 

[SuziQZee]

We go in summer every year and yes...August is REALLY bad, but...it's Disney and you don't want to ruin your vacation by worrying about it. We always bring Misty Mates and spray bottles, we freeze water bottles for the next day at the parks and I bought some of those Mira cool bandanas to put around your neck (my husband refuses to wear them). You just make sure you do an air conditioning attraction in between the outside ones cuz you could become overheated if you're not careful. (I get extremely cranky when I get tooo hot.) Also, go back to the hotel and nap or swim in the middle of the day, the parks are open late in the summer so you'll have plenty of time to see things in the eve. Just know that you're gonna be sweaty, not a little sweaty....but a lot! As long as you go prepared, you'll be fine. Have a great time and enjoy!!!!

 

[Jakesmom504]

Have you ever been in a really moist oven? Me either, but Disney in August is about the same.

I lived in Phoenix and there were plenty of days when it was 118 degrees. Disney in August is just as bad - less heat, more humidity, and you're outside more.

That being said, if you plan it well, it's manageable. Go right when the parks open, leave at noon, and come back after the sun goes down.

Really moist oven!

We're going Aug 30-Sept 6. I'm already trying to mentally prepare! We went a few times as a kid in August and I don't remember it being so bad when I was really young but I do remember as a teenager almost dying at Typhoon Lagoon mid-day because it was sooo hot. Forget the fact that I wasn't drinking enough water and hardly put any sunblock on! Needless to say I was a lobster! People were literally stopping and staring and making comments. DM was pregnant at the time and I felt bad leaving her alone at the wave pool so I sat with her the whole time literally baking! It wasn't a pretty sight!

Moral of the story...drink lots and lots of water, and use lots of sunblock! Ditto to the personal fans too!

 

[coruth4]

My first trip was in July and I didn't think the heat was bad (2005) - but it could have been my oversite due to the excitement of my very first trip to WDW!
This past year I went in August - and it was HOT!!!!!!!!!!! So hot that our t-shirts were sticking to us. Nasty hot. It took us a good two days to acclimate to the weather. My youngest son - who never complains about the heat - now mentions how hot it was when ever he talks about the trip.

All that being said - if you mentally prepare yourself, take breaks, drink lots of water, take breaks - you should be ok. The heat really drains your energy and makes those crabby crankies hit quicker. So get lots of rest!

If it is the only time you can go - then be prepaed and make the most of it. Remember - you are still at Disney World - it could be worse!

 

[2boyshere]

We have gone at the end of August a few times but no more. So hot that you feel defeated every step of the way! When it rains, it pours in buckets. You need more clothes (unless you do laundry) because after your morning visit you are wet right down to the underwear! Even in the evening it was brutal just no sun. But...... the crowds are lower this time of the year. We have been choosing other times of the year now and enjoying it much, much more!

 

[LAH LAH]

We went this past August and boy was it hot (heat index was 120+) But you know what...my 11 yo Autistic son and 8 yo daughter never bring up the subject of how hot it was when they recount their vacation...they only remember the fun they had...

...but boy oh boy was it hot!

 

[disneyworldmom2]

We go in August every year. It may be hotter, but the crowds are smaller! My best advice is to invest in "Cool Downz" bands, or something like that, for each of you. I got my from QVC, and they work like a charm. They are a bandana-type scarf filled with little beads that expand when soaked in water. They are wonderful! They kept everyone cool. Also, look into a clip-on fan for your 1 year old's stroller. Those are great, too! Good luck!

 

[annaj]

We usually go in late July or early August. Everyone is so right. It will be HOT!!! But, if you prepare yourselves you can have a great time, we always do. Bring misty mates and personal fans. We use those around the neck coolers, they are great.

Everyone (me, DH, DS13 DS7), gets a bandana to wipe our "moistness" away. You can get them at Walmart for under $1, so I buy every person 2 in "their" color. That way, I wash the "moist" bandana at night and we take new ones in the morning while the other ones are still drying.

Drink lots of water. Don't ruin your trip by dehydration. Before checking into our resort, we usually stop at a grocery store and purchase a case of bottled water.

Body Glide is a lifesaver. It prevents chafing in sensitive areas that could ruin a day. You can get it at many sporting goods stores.

Wear moisture wicking socks and really comfortable shoes. I love Keens, but there are a lot of other comfortable walking shoes that allow for airflow.

Don't worry about how you will look. Everyone is hot and sweaty. Everyone. I pull my hair in a ponytail, put on a moisture wicking baseball cap, put on a big smile, and enjoy the parks.

Sunsceen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen.

Have a blast!!

(by the way, we leave this Sunday... it will be our first trip in winter!!!)

Anna

 

[Smile4Me]

Really moist oven!

We're going Aug 30-Sept 6. I'm already trying to mentally prepare! We went a few times as a kid in August and I don't remember it being so bad when I was really young but I do remember as a teenager almost dying at Typhoon Lagoon mid-day because it was sooo hot. Forget the fact that I wasn't drinking enough water and hardly put any sunblock on! Needless to say I was a lobster! People were literally stopping and staring and making comments. DM was pregnant at the time and I felt bad leaving her alone at the wave pool so I sat with her the whole time literally baking! It wasn't a pretty sight!

Moral of the story...drink lots and lots of water, and use lots of sunblock! Ditto to the personal fans too!

JakesMom- We're going August 30- Sept 6th too!!

We went the last week of August last year, and it was hot. Nothing out of the ordinary for some hot and humid midwest summer days. Get to the parks early, get in what you want to a couple times, and then get in some A/C/ by hitting some shows during the noon heat, make a TS reservation or go back to your hotel and nap or hit the pool.

The break is really important whether you go back to your room or not, just get in some A/C and off your feet, then after the midday heat has passed, get back into park mode and enjoy the rest of your day!

Can't wait to go again!

 

[clockworkmonkey]

My wife and I have been down to WDW in May and December a couple of times and last year for our first trip in August (our honeymoon). I knew it was going to be a lot hotter, but it was even more tiring because of the heat than I expected. On top of that, the crowds were much bigger too, the combination resulting in seeing and doing a lot less in a day than in our other trips.

So if you have an option, go some other time. If you don't have that option, though, it's still totally worth going.

 

[TizianaL]

I am probably going to repeat everything others have said but, August is EXTREMELY hot!! This has never stopped us from going! Getting there at park opening is key because it will bring light crowds and coolER weather!! Also, we LOVED the sprayer/misty fans that you can buy at Wal-Mart... SOO nice for a cool down!! Bottled water, too, is a must!! Perhaps to save money at the parks, have some water shipped to your hotel? Hope this helps!! Have fun at WDW!! I wish I was going...

-TizianaL

 

[Momsquared]

Okay, does this sound paranoid?!?!?!
Anyone ever run into the scare of a hurricane, or is WDW usually out of the way of this. My dh thinks I'm nuts. We're thinking July, but if it's cheaper in August, just as hot and perhaps less busy, maybe August is better?
Thanks!!!!!

 

[CampbellScot]

Yup, it gets HOT HOT HOT in August, but that is the only time we go. I would take hot and humid with small crowds over pleasant weather with packed to the gills parks. How much fun is that?! My husband and I went in December and I was vastly disappointed in the experience parks wise. The lines were so long. Most of our trip would have been wasted waiting on lines that were miles long!

It does take a day or two to adjust. Just bring Misty Mates and little fans, stay hydrated and get out of the heat whenever you need a break. It's really not that bad. You just have to plan for the heat!

My husband I were there two years ago when Hurricane Ernesto hit...we went to MK!!! We walked on to every single ride. We were allowed to stay on Splash Mountain as many times as we wanted. (We did five trips before my husband was so sick of the music he couldn't stand another go!) It was the same with Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. We just stayed on until we wanted off!! The parks were deserted! It was the best day we had at Disney!! Our feet were soaked, but our Ponchos protected the rest of us. We had SUCH a fantastic time.

Of course Ernesto was basically a little sneeze of a drizzle storm, and a real hurricane would probably close the parks...but bad weather can just empty the parks out and make for a super fun day!!

glass is half full!!!

August is a great time to go. It really is.

 

[IDoBelieveInFairies]

We went in August and would not do it again. If we had to go in August again, I would rent a car to avoid waiting in yet another line in formidable humidity for the buses. Our kids were much crankier on the August trip. Fall was heavenly! We are going to try late May this year.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Our past 2 trips were in August!
August 2005 -hot but bearable
August 2007-Very hot and pretty untolerable....I was sweating at an early opening day at MK at 8 am , and it just was not enjoyable.
Maybe I'm getting old ,but this last August was just too hot for me . Make sure you take lots of breaks in the air-conditioning and drink plenty of water (it is FREE inside the parks ,just ask), take a mid afternoon break (2-4pm) and rest in your cool room and go for a swim at your pool ! You can have fun if you are "prepared".

 

[Silver Queen]

We went in August '06. It was hot, but not unbearably so. The humidity and thundershowers were more of a problem. It poured every afternoon. We still had a great time but it was a series of really bad hair days!
Our favorite time to go is April (as long as it's not Easter). It's just warm enough to get up and put shorts on at 7:00 am for the entire day, but not terribly hot. Can't wait for our next trip!

 

[sunny_stace]

It is VERY hot in august just like everyone has said! Of course, and of course the rainstorms in the afternoons - this is something you may want to warn your older child about! I remember clear as day being there in August as a child and everytime a raindrop fell, I asked my mum if it was "gonna hurricane?" I was terrified of them! (and then the next year was Hurricane Andrew!) But maybe warn your child of the weather before you get there! My mum was pretty exasperated with me by the end I remember! Also, Hats and sunscreen, hats and sunscreen! - Oh! and some ponchos!