2 part question re mid-late August hours/touring

[Castillo Mom]

I have questions for those of you who have been to WDW during mid to late August. We'll be there from 8/14-8/23. Approximately what time do the parks close? Would the hours be extended at least on weekends during that period?

Now for the second part: We had planned on taking a break mid day and heading back to our resort for a swim/rest and then back to the parks for the late afternoon/evening. If they close around 7 or 8, should we just tour a full day and skip the break? I just don't want to tire out my family.

 

[Castillo Mom]

bump

 

[disgirl]

We have been to WDW during the last two weeks of August for the past two years and although the crowds are not so bad, the parks do close early, especially when you reach the last week of August. I believe MGM is usually open until 8 and MK until around 7, except for the weekend when it is a little later. Epcot is open the latest, I believe until 9 (The World Showcase), with illuminations at 9 every night. I found the days we did MK, we usually did not go back to the hotel for an afternoon break because it closed early, but it is always nice in the summer, especially if you have small children, to take a break from the heat, if you can.
I hope this helps somewhat. I hope you have a great trip. This year we are going to California at that time, instead. Have fun!!

 

[Selket]

There are places where you can get the historical park hours (prob. here at DIS somewhere!). I was there last year the 3rd week of August (like Aug 16-23rd) and it seems like MGM closed around 8:30 and the MK's hours were varied. We had 2 eride nights - both early - one starting at 7pm and one at 8pm and those were awesome! Very much worth it. I know we were at the MK late one night for fireworks (maybe at 9?) and there was a 2nd spectro added for that night so MK must have been open until 10 or so. That got added after we were there I think so it may not show up on the official hours list you find on some websites. (This is my recollection - I could be wrong! But I remember thinking the 2nd spectro would have been much less crowded but we could not stay of course with 2 little kids!) The parks are not open as long that 3rd week and after but having those 2 eride nights more than made up for it! Epcot always seems to close at 9 after the fireworks and AK closes early - like 6 pm...but that is typical I guess.

As for swimming, it was VERY rainy in the afternoons when we were there. Not just rain but storms so the pools were closed most days in the afternoons for several hours. We ended up rearranging our schedule a bit to go to the pool in the morning one day just to get some pool time in for our son who LOVED the AKL pool. We did get in pool time every day somehow it seems. We did go back to the parks in the evening and have dinner and do something (see Fantasmic, Spectro, Illuminations). The problem in staying all day at the park is how hot it is that time of year. It depends on the ages of your kids perhaps (my 2 were 5 and 20 months old at the time). We did a long break every day at one end of the day or the other or in the middle of the day.

If you get eride nights take advantage! Those were the last eride nights of the summer (of the year too?) and it was well worth it.

 

[NUHuskies#1]

Hi there,

We have gone mid to late August as well the past two years and have plans for this year as well. Yes, the parks do close around 8PM but what I have done in the past is not go into the parks until 12 noon. We swim and hang out at the resort in the morning instead, grab some lunch at the food court and head on in. Ive been doing it this way for a long time because while in the parks my boys would bellyache about going back to the pool and my husband and I just wanted to get it out of the way and make it a non-issue! It worked for us. This way too you are actually only eating one meal (dinner) in the park and you save a bit of money. The crowds tend to taper off around 3pm so it is not so bad. Also the pools at the resort are usually open until 10PM-12 so we let the boys go for a dip when we come back from the parks after closing. Hope this helps

Enjoy!

 

[Pixie Mom 3]

We go the second week of august... Skip the rest and just kick back at the parks you will loose to much time in transport... If you can kick back inside you will feel refreshed. Dont miss the fireworks they are the best

 

[Pixie Mom 3]

Get there when they open you will regret it if you dont,,, lines are shorter in the am eat lunch at 11 and dinner at 4 take a rest at the park when ever you or the kids need one but what ever you do get ther when they open we get there 1/2 hour before at the latest... and I can say we rarely wait in line... Just imagine Mk fantsy land and no lines all the kids favs done first thing with no lines.. Im not kidding...no lines