Humidity in August (aka is persuading the lLs to join us an exercise in futility?)

[Bonnie151]

We have this grand family holiday planned (and about to be booked!) for August 2010 and then this weekend, FIL/MIL were speaking to some other family who categorically stated that they would never go back to Orlando in August because of the heat & humidity. FIL/MIL are no longer coming on holiday with us because FIL is worried that he won't cope with the humidity.

Just how bad is it? Being a Yank native I'm not convinced my perception of heat/humidity is the same as the average unsuspecting (the ILs) Brit so can I get some honest opinions? FIL/MIL came with us last time which was roughly from 9-23 May and DH & I have been several times in September. I *know* August will be worse, but how much worse than May? Weather reports seem to add a few points onto the temperature/humidity, but not an astronomical amount.

So - August:
- miserable month, would never go back then?
- barely tolerable but manageable via keeping indoors at the height of the heat strategies?
- if you didn't think May was that bad, you'll be fine in August?

 

[orangetiggs]

out here at the moment and its around 93 today, i'm 23 weeks pregnant and I'm finding it fine, we got married here last year in full wedding wear and didnt find it too bad

 

[matty624]

Well, having been to Orlando in August more times than I care to remember, my answer may surprise you! It's hot hot hot!!!!

The first time we went, for our honeymoon, I remember walking out to the car hire place, it felt like I'd stuck my head in an oven!

That said, you do get used to it... although I cant begin to imagine wearing a dress suit for a wedding! Oh, and as everywhere is obviously airconditioned, your inlaws just need to seek shelter if it gets too much.

And the main reason we always go in August, we're teachers and that's when we can go for an extended time... Believe me, if we could go for a month in March or October, we would!

Oh, and having just come back from France, where it was in excess of 35 degrees some days i.e. Florida like temperatures, as the humidity wasn't high, it was really lovely... its the super high humidity that makes it so blinking uncomfortable.

 

[tink too]

...if you didn't think May was that bad, you'll be fine in August?

I would compare May temps/humidity to October.

August is way hotter and the humidity can be stifling for us Scotties!

... its the super high humidity that makes it so blinking uncomfortable.

ITA. And, although the air-con is nice, going into freezing shops/restaurants from sweltering heat can be pretty unpleasant.

 

[Kath2003]

It's so humid, you can practically swim in the air.

That said, it's my favourite time to visit because it's so beautifully, wonderfully hot! Gotta love those 95 degree days; it's about the only time I can thoroughly defrost!!

In fact, I said that I wouldn't ever go back in April because it was too cold (80 degrees most days - but some were in the 70s ). August is WONDERFUL!

Kath
(3 April trips, 1 July trip, 5 August trips )

 

[team harris]

The heat is not so much of a problem as the humidity. Taking on plenty of fluids and timing indoor shows and shopping helps too. Have done August twice now, first time in 2007 and youngest DS then 9 suffered towards the end, but this year he coped well and was constantly drinking.

 

[Bonnie151]

I would compare May temps/humidity to October. :

See, I would have said that our May trip was noticeably worse than September which is when we always used to go pre-kids. :lol: I wonder whether the fact that we used to stay at the WL in September (i.e. lots of air conditioned places to escape to) vs POFQ in May (unless in room, boiling hot) skewed my perception? Or maybe it was just a bad May...

From the responses I think it probably is an exercise in futility and we'd be better off doing it ourselves this time (WL here we come! It was going to be OKW with the ILs) and if it's bearable, start trying to persuade the ILs to come along in 2013.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Have a look at humidity reading for the UK in August
This island is very high in the humidity stakes, thats the way to sell it to them

 

[leise]

We went in August in 2007, having been previously in Dec, Jan, Feb, Apr or Sept.

It was hotter and more humid than any of those, and noticeably so.

I love the heat, but DH and DS2 really can't handle it , and struggle on a "hot" (anything over 75) day at home, so we were dreading it. DS2 has Tourettes and ADHD and really struggles to manage his body temperature (doesn't sweat etc), and being hot puts him permanently on the edge temper wise. So we knew it would be hard.

We made sure we took it easy, plenty to drink, lots of breaks for ice cream and sitting down in an air conditioned building. We often left the parks for a swim at lunchtime on the really hot days.

We had some days when the temp was over 100 with very high humidity, and even our friends who lived in Florida were wilting. We all spent the day sweating buckets and going on Kali River Rapids alot!

So, having said all that, we survived, and it wasn't unbearable. DH was fine (which leads me to believe his need for a lie down on a hot day at home is not quite as desperate as he makes out), and DS2 was hot but not too bothered for the most part.

Last year we went in April, which was perfect for us temp wise, but next year we are doing August again (won't get them out of school two years running!) and everyone is happy with that, and accepts that it will be hot and they will have to live with it and adapt if they want to go to WDW.

The key for us is being flexible and if it is too hot for something, to go and find something cooler....

We would all rather be at WDW in August than anywhere else.....

 

[cannp123165]

We really found it okay - you are in and out quite a bit, so you are always in air conditioned buildings. If you do sit down meals they are good for a break. We find going to the parks in the morning and evenings best. We would definitely return in August.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Partly depends on your tolerance to the heat.
Most of our holidays have either been at Easter or August time, mainly because generally they have been the only times we can go.

I don't actually mind the heat but wife & son struggle a bit with it, ideally you want nice sunny weather - that's one of the Florida attractions for us, however the later summer months can be stifling and uncomfortable.
At times the temperatures can be close to 100 degrees, and some of the magic around the theme parks can be lost especially if it's crowded too.

Your third 'option', August is much hotter and more humid.

We are planning a return next year in August but that's purely down to the school holidays, if you can go another time of the year I would - but if not with sensible precautions you can have a great holiday, I certainly wouldn't consider not going, but there are better times to visit.

 

[Clare D]

We were there from the 2nd - 12th Aug this year and it was hot with little rain. We had a 6 year old and a 16 month old in tow so we just went to the parks early, had lunch and then, depending on the park, went back to POR for a swim/sleep and then went back again later.
It only rained during the day probably twice and on when of those days we were in Epcot so just headed into one of the indoor interaction attractions and then managed to stay until closing as the temperature had dropped slightly.
The best park in the heat is Epcot as we just headed as I say into the indoor attractions or went on those rides with very little wait time. At the other parks we just headed for the shops or back to the hotel.
We bought DS one of the Disney fans that you filled with water and he loved it as it kept him nice and cool and the water spray was lovely.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Been hear from 12th August to today at MCO apirport now, it has been very hot and humid all the time, very uncomfortable, usually sunny until about 5pm, then heavy thunder storms last nights was very very heavy, and lightning set off a number of fires reported on the TV.

Only last weekend Saturday and Sunday was it sunny all day as the tropicial storms drew the clouds and storms away from us and hot air in.

The attendance at WDW was interesting, it was rammed the first week, from August 22nd the attendance fell off a cliff, you had 5 min wait times when we saw 230 min wait times at the start, its due to USA kids going back to school free DDP didnt seem to effect.

Today just getting our luggage into the boot/trunk of the car brought me out in a sweat, any manual type work is hard, we headed for the shops and air con.

Oct is far better, with Halloween parties, but it was nice to see the MK dressed for Halloween this week.

 

[scojos]

we did may the 1st visit in 2004, and then due to me retraining to become a teacher we were then forced to respect school holidays and go aug.
except for last year when we had TS fay, and got very wet, but got to do loads cause there was no crowds.
the difference is massive, really, i would not consider taking my parents despite them be active, as it is hard work the heat and the humidity. what kills you is going from air conditioning, out into the park, and then back into air conditioning....
good luck, the only way i can explain it- you know when you leave a public swimming pool and the horrid humidity when you try to get dressed? its the same only x10 worse

 

[Bonnie151]

Yeah, I think we'll leave the grandparents this time. We're stuck with August because of the school holidays & may as well take advantage of free dining. I remember being in New Orleans in August and was rarely anywhere air conditioned and it was fine, but that was way back when I was a teen and able to stand the heat & humidity - FIL doesn't cope so well with it.

Now I just need to decide where to stay. DH is desperate to go back to WL but I did a quote for OKW and it is seriously less expensive than a bunk beds room at WL! And we'd get a separate living area which DH would love. Decisions, decisions! Good thing I think planning the holiday is almost as much fun as the holiday itself!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think at the end of the day as I said earlier, a lot of us go in July & August because it's difficult to go at other times, ideally we would go at cooler times of the year but we cannot. That is kind of a contradiction because we went at Easter this year, but found it difficult fitting in a 2 week holiday so any future trips will be in August probably.

 

[HeresYourEars]

DH and I were sitting in the Rose and Crown having a drink last August, and this British couple came in and sat next to us at the bar. The lady was beet red and looked like she was gonna die, the man was miserable as well. She told me that she would never come to Fla in August again, that she was totally unprepared for how hot and humid it really was.

I think it just really depends on individuals. Some people love it and some just can't take walking around all day in tropical heat.

With high humidity, your sweat doesn't evaporate on your skin as quickly to cool you off. If you come from a cool climate and you're not used to it, it can be tough.

Luckily there are lots of cool places at Disney to stop for a few minutes....