Need advise - Going Early August

[Victoria'sMom]

My family and I have been to WDW numerous times. In the past we have been fortunate enough to go during the slower times. I am in law school now and can only go during peek times. We are planning a trip in early August and I need some help with questions from those of you have been during that time

1 - We are staying in ASMo, preferred room, please advise me on what section to request

2 - I have access to TGM but I would like more detailed information on what to expect regarding crowds at that time. Can anyone confirm what I suspect are the crowd levels around this time of year? We are early birds so I hope that helps some.

3 - I could possibly go around May 16- May 21 but I would have to take my second grader out of school...I really hate to do that. Would the crowd levels make it worthwhile?

Thanks in advance. This site is a Godsend!!

 

[SB in KY]

Personally I would take the 2nd grader out of school and go in May...crowds and temperatures are going to be much more moderate then.

We too have had to go the last 2 summers...have been the first week of August times 2....and while we have had great family times the parks are just not much fun that time of year....we have found that in August we are better off doing just a couple of park days and then doing things at the resort and water parks the other days.

By being at the park when they opened in the AM we had 1 maybe 2 hours tops before crowds became huge and lines unmanagable (i.e., to me unmanageable means lines of more than 30 minutes for minor attractions and 45 minutes for major ones). Animal Kingdom was the worst, but all of the parks were very hot and crowded. It was cooler in the evenings, but crowds did not seem to drop off much....my one piece of advice is, if you go in August, we found that by being at the park that had evening EMH that day, first thing in the AM it seemed like the crowd arrived later in the day so we had a little more time in the AM before the crowds got bad)...also we did find that the last hour to hour and a half of the evening EMH's crowds seemed to fall quickly and we really enjoyed the last 90 minutes or so....if you can stand the crowd for the first 90 minutes!!

We always took our children out of school once a year for a week for a Disney trip...if it is any consolation....DD #1 is doing well in college and DD#2 will graduate from HS in May first in her class so they didn't suffer academically! I just miss the days when we could take them out!

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

We usually go around August and although it is hot and can be crowded the later into the month, but before Labor Day week-end is good. The rates start going down in August and schools are starting up so that explains alot of the "lighter" crowds. Of course, everything is relative. The parks are usually crowded on the week-ends, especially the MK.

 

[kathyg]

We always go early August because the crowd levels aren't as bad. We did go once in May and I will admit that the weather was more tolerable. August is hot, but not unbearable. We also did not do any EMH. TGM's advice seems to be on target. Also, some discounts begin to kick in n August.

 

[psu1978]

We went in early August several years ago and are going back 8/3 this year. We found the crowds and the heat very managable. We are also early risers and I think that really helps.

Our routine was to be at the parks for rope drop (I was surprised how few people actually get up early), leave the park after lunch, spend the afternoon in the pool, and head back out after an early dinner. We don't stay out really late so that we can get up early in the a.m.

Following this routine and the advice found on TGM (he was right on the money with best day recommendations), we were able to minimize crowds and avoid the scorching heat. We never waited in line more than 15 minutes. It was a great trip and we easily did everything we wanted to do. I teach, so for us it is summers or holidays. After reading about the crowds for spring break and Christmas I think summer is a better option for us.

 

[Victoria'sMom]

Thank you all for the input - I see that there is info up on the May offer for the WP and PH freebee. Will have to discuss options w/ DH. If anyone has any input on the best building/room for the ASMo - would love to hear that too!

 

[Native NYer]

August is considered value season (at least at the deluxe resorts). It actually may be cheaper to go in August.

 

[pooksma]

Another Auguster here. We're going again in Aug. because that's DH's vacation time. Last year we noticed a significant dip in crowds over the last 4 days of our stay. That being said, if you do what you can handle (our DS is 6 and full park days weren't so bad) We also did a lot at night.

Our first trip we stayed at ASMo and the Toy Story Section building 3 was great.

 

[Teacher510]

We went in early August several years ago and are going back 8/3 this year. We found the crowds and the heat very managable. We are also early risers and I think that really helps.

Our routine was to be at the parks for rope drop (I was surprised how few people actually get up early), leave the park after lunch, spend the afternoon in the pool, and head back out after an early dinner. We don't stay out really late so that we can get up early in the a.m.

Following this routine and the advice found on TGM (he was right on the money with best day recommendations), we were able to minimize crowds and avoid the scorching heat. We never waited in line more than 15 minutes. It was a great trip and we easily did everything we wanted to do. I teach, so for us it is summers or holidays. After reading about the crowds for spring break and Christmas I think summer is a better option for us.

We'll be arriving that same day! This week is better (though not as good as the last week in Aug) than July when the Brazilian tour groups descend.

 

[Tam1067]

We're July veterans (3 times), but we're going August 6 this year...partly because we have to go in summer, and partly because we want to avoid the Brazilians (sorry if I offend anyone, but 3 years with them is enough).

 

[Aliceacc]

Try this link for answers: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=6778927#post6778927

 

[Rylee]

Our preferences... We request the Toy Story Buildings, mainly for our little guy, but I also think they are somewhat quieter. Our second choice would be the Dalmations, (located between the 2 pools.) Of the preferred, Fantasia would be my last choice, the front side seems like it might be the noisiest... open to the main pool and foot traffic from the Herbie buildings.

You can view a map of the resort at the allearsnet site.

 

[Victoria'sMom]

Try this link for answers: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=6778927#post6778927

Thanks for the link. All the info was good. I guess we will brave early August - I have done the free dining last few years late August/early Sept. Nervous about the crowds, but ready to start planning!!