A new way of doing things for us.....need feedback!

[DisneyMommy77]

Hello,
We got AP's this year for the first time and already used them for a 2.5 week in February and will use them for a 2.5 week trip in December, but we will also making a quick visit in August.

First, we have only gone in February before so crowds and humidity will be new to us. (We live in CA, so no humidity here) The last thing we want is to be hot and miserable in the parks!

We also usually stay offsite, but will have a split stay at Beach Club and Contemporary this time from 8/3-8/8. So, our plan is to try something new. We will enjoy the resort and pools during the day and only visit the parks in the evening for Dinner and rides. We will do one early morning on the day we fly home as well. 6 total days in the parks.

We have dinner around 5PM and then FP+ reservations from 630-9pmish each day.
I do realize 5PM is still a hot part of the day, but going any later would leave barely any park time.

Has anyone done a trip like this? Anything I need to consider or think about?

Thank you.

 

[mousegear]

I like to hit morning EMH and retreat back to our resort by 11~11:30 so I'm not exposed to the hot weather. I usually find that there is big thunder storm every day around 4~5 and sometimes it continues on for a couple of hours so it's even more humid in the afternoon/early night. We've done summer 6 times already.

 

[Accident]

If your evening choice is because you think it'll help with the weather, it'll still be 90 and 250% humidity overnight. You are going other times and this also sounds like a relaxing trip for you so it's just a matter of not going to extreme thinking the weather will be better. You're still going to need to treat the evening slower and lots of water and well placed attractions that take longer indoors with a/c to cool you down you just have less time to do less. You might want to go for the short time in the morning (doesn't need to be rope drop), resort and other things all afternoon and back in with your dinner and park plan.

I like sleeping in personally so it's not uncommon for us to not get to a park until later, but there is a lot of things great to do on a relaxing trip that just aren't available at night. Things like ride the main street vehicles. Linger around the front of the park for the 1 chance to ride the horse trolley to the castle (it only takes guests once and returns with the trolley show). Lots of street performances that are gone before the height of heat in early after noon happens. That's in more than just magic kingdom and things people commonly rush past but time to time on a nice trip, it's a great relaxing way to never really get anywhere or ride anything but have a wonderful time with the little things. (Terrace will be your saving grace doing this as it'll let you get into some A/C and water but not having to buy anything, have a seat and not just stand around some store).

 

[DisneyMommy77]

Thank you. Yes, I understand it will still be hot in the evenings, but hopefully a little more manageable than like 2pm! I have just never experienced humidity, so I am a little nervous.

It sounds like mornings are the best time of the day. Is that correct? I suppose we could do a couple hours in the morning, I'm just a little concerned my kids will have a hard time with such a long day. Two of them are very young still.

When you head back to the parks in the evenings, what time do you typically head back?

Thanks.

 

[glassslippergirl]

August is hot and humid around the clock. However, the plan to hit the parks in the evening is a sound one. By the time you finish dinner, the temperature will be more tolerable. There's a good chance everything will be soaking wet also from afternoon storms. Bring ponchos. Also, if you have a FPs at 6:30, I'd look into starting dinner earlier or at least showing up early for ADRs. Meals take longer at WDW.

Do you have a plan for things to do while you relax at the hotels? It doesn't have to be a hard and fast plan, but at least some ideas. I'd go stir crazy just sitting around a hotel for six days. There's a marina at the Contemporary and Beach. Maybe rent a boat from there one day. Contemporary also offers cabana rentals which may be worthwhile for a long day at the pool. Pools in FL get hot with the temperature and may be less refreshing that time of year than you'd expect. Disney Springs can be hot but is also a great place for an early lunch.

 

[MainMom]

We have gone to WDW 2 summers in a row and are heading back this July. What we do is rope drop, ADR lunch, break to hotel usually between 1-2, back to park around 6ish, Counter service dinner. We do it this way in case we don't make it back to the park in the evening or so we don't have to rush for an ADR.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

If you are able to do rope drop, that's what I would recommend. Since you are staying onsite you have access to EMH, and I have always found a lot of value in AM EMH. I would go to the park with EMH and stay until crowds and heat get worse. Should be able to get a lot done in just 2 or 3 hours. Then lay low all afternoon - swimming, napping, movie in the room, etc. Then dinner and evening in the parks using fast pass. This is what we did when we went in late July and it worked great!

 

[Cinderella94]

If you are able to do rope drop, that's what I would recommend. Since you are staying onsite you have access to EMH, and I have always found a lot of value in AM EMH. I would go to the park with EMH and stay until crowds and heat get worse. Should be able to get a lot done in just 2 or 3 hours. Then lay low all afternoon - swimming, napping, movie in the room, etc. Then dinner and evening in the parks using fast pass. This is what we did when we went in late July and it worked great!

Yep. This is what we do! Rope drop and the first couple of hours the park is open are the best time to ride things. Afternoons are spent by the pool.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The best part of the day in August is after rope drop. Least hot (not cool) and the weather is the most settled. We go almost every August and I would never skip the mornings. After the daily thunder and lightning storms roll in, there's no guarantee and it definitely doesn't cool down that much.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

Thanks Everyone! Sounds like heading into the parks at opening is a must! I am glad I asked!!

 

[DisneyMommy77]

August is hot and humid around the clock. However, the plan to hit the parks in the evening is a sound one. By the time you finish dinner, the temperature will be more tolerable. There's a good chance everything will be soaking wet also from afternoon storms. Bring ponchos. Also, if you have a FPs at 6:30, I'd look into starting dinner earlier or at least showing up early for ADRs. Meals take longer at WDW.

Do you have a plan for things to do while you relax at the hotels? It doesn't have to be a hard and fast plan, but at least some ideas. I'd go stir crazy just sitting around a hotel for six days. There's a marina at the Contemporary and Beach. Maybe rent a boat from there one day. Contemporary also offers cabana rentals which may be worthwhile for a long day at the pool. Pools in FL get hot with the temperature and may be less refreshing that time of year than you'd expect. Disney Springs can be hot but is also a great place for an early lunch.

Thanks for letting me know about the cabana rentals. That is not something I would have considered because I didn't know about that. Do you know how close they are to the actual pool? I have little kids, so I need to be pretty close to the pool edge. Thank you!

 

[stenmarks]

We are like most of the previous posters...we rope drop and then leave around lunchtime. We don't nap, so most days we just shower and change clothes, but it's amazing how much better/refreshed you feel! This may mean you miss the 3:00 parade and other mid-afternoon events, but for us it's worth it.

 

[jods]

We only go once a year, in august. Yes, its scorching. We manage though. We have only ever rope dropped HS and that is only because of jedi training. We like evenings at the park. My kids like to sleep in. We have no problem going to MK at 6 or 7 and getting a lot in. The park is usually open pretty late. We like to close the parks. Enjoy!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We have dinner around 5PM and then FP+ reservations from 630-9pmish each day.
I do realize 5PM is still a hot part of the day, but going any later would leave barely any park time.

Has anyone done a trip like this? Anything I need to consider or think about?

Thank you.

This is probably gonna sound painfully obvious, but Florida in August is hot and humid. However, as you notice anywhere in the big blue world, when the sun gets lower in late afternoon there are longer shadows and some small relief from the hellish humidity of midday. Therefore I like your plan of attacking parks after 5

 

[DisneyMommy77]

This is probably gonna sound painfully obvious, but Florida in August is hot and humid. However, as you notice anywhere in the big blue world, when the sun gets lower in late afternoon there are longer shadows and some small relief from the hellish humidity of midday. Therefore I like your plan of attacking parks after 5

Yes, that is what at least I am telling myself. I am hoping I can handle it a little better in the evenings because the sun won't be blaring on me like it would at 2PM. I am expecting the weather to feel unpleasant, so hopefully going into it thinking that will have me better prepared.

 

[disneyvoice]

It's not as bad as you think it will be. I grew up in California and lived in Tampa for a year and we have been to WDW during the most humid season many times. I only think the the heat and humidity is bad if someone is going to be outside all day long in the sun - which you won't be at WDW unless you are just aimlessly wandering. Think about how many attractions and rides are actually inside with air conditioning - many of the outside lines have fans and are in the shade. I actually find the biggest problem I have during the hottest months is freezing to death inside the attractions, shops, restaurants, etc. because I dress for the heat and humidity which makes it feel like I am hiking through the arctic because of how high they blast the air conditioning.

We do rope drop in the morning and then during the hottest part of the day we typically do the more relaxing attractions like Hall of President, Tiki Room, Mickey's Philharmagic,etc. It's a good way to relax and stay cool. Just make sure to drink water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. We stayed away from WDW during the hottest times for a very long time and then were pleasantly surprised when we starting going. Unless you specifically WANT this to be a trip where you are enjoying more time at the resort, I think you will find you will be just fine going to the parks earlier. With that said, we take many trips where we don't plan to spend much time in the parks and want to relax and enjoy our resort. Either way you will have a great time!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We usually do this in the summer too, but we do our park time in early morning as others have said and head back to the resort around lunch time for pool time. Then, we may go back to park for dinner or fireworks. 5-9p is still really really hot while the sun is still out

 

[Aurora0427]

Thank you. Yes, I understand it will still be hot in the evenings, but hopefully a little more manageable than like 2pm! I have just never experienced humidity, so I am a little nervous.

It sounds like mornings are the best time of the day. Is that correct? I suppose we could do a couple hours in the morning, I'm just a little concerned my kids will have a hard time with such a long day. Two of them are very young still.

When you head back to the parks in the evenings, what time do you typically head back?

Thanks.

I haven't read the entire thread, so please excuse me if I repeat information! We've been twice in August. It rains in the afternoons and evenings frequently- sometimes they are short storms and sometimes they last longer. I'd consider getting there at rope drop and leaving around 11/11:30 for swimming etc. Then go back in the evening. We are going again this August with our 6 year old, who has been 4 times, and it'll be our first trip with our 16 month old, who will be 19 months in August. We are planning on doing early mornings at the parks, lunch, then she'll nap and my older daughter can swim or explore the resort (Polynesian) during the heat of the day. Then we'll go back out in the evening.

I just remember frequent evening storms and clear mornings from prior August trips. But it does depend on how late you'll stay out the night before... rope drop can be difficult if you're out until midnight the evening before!

 

[Aurora0427]

The best part of the day in August is after rope drop. Least hot (not cool) and the weather is the most settled. We go almost every August and I would never skip the mornings. After the daily thunder and lightning storms roll in, there's no guarantee and it definitely doesn't cool down that much.

I can't remember... will they let you bring umbrellas into the parks? I'm guessing no. We usually just use ponchos!

 

[DisneyMommy77]

I can't remember... will they let you bring umbrellas into the parks? I'm guessing no. We usually just use ponchos!

I believe umbrellas are allowed. We brought them in last February when we had a day of rain.