??? About crowds mid to late August

[3PRINCESSMOM]

These darn AP's are burning a hole in my pocket so I am thinking of trying to squeeze in an extra Summer time trip, before our annual December visit. Since we are off-season guests, we are spoiled by the low crowds found the first couple of weeks in Dec. I am preparing myself by having realistic expectations regarding longer lines, etc. So REALLY, how bad are things at the end of the Summer? I've read that since many Southern states begin school in August the end of that month brings slightly lighter crowds. Is that true?

On top of having AP's, the fact that this past December was SO chilly that we were not able to do anything besides the parks makes me want to get there in the heat to have a pool day and do a water park.

Anyway, I want to hear from you experts. What's your opinion on mid to late August crowds?

 

[wilderness01]

Very, very hot. An afternoon thunderstorm and mid to high crowds. Doable because you don't "have" to do everything and are going back a few months later. Take advantage of early open days and E nights if they have them. I swore, swore, swore we would never ever go back in the summer again after our last August trip. We have since been in January and February. Well.......we are taking our kids this summer! July to boot! That is ok because we too will be back in early December. If it is too crowded we will go back to the pool to swim and see other things. That is what I love about DVC and AP's. Good luck.

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there from the 15-23. It was incredibly rainy. But, from what I understand the amounts of rain were quite unusual!! There are normally brief thunderstorms each day but then it clears. It was hot/humid. But, I didn't think it was too much worse than the weather in Mass the past few summers! The crowds were bigger than I thought they would be. I believe that is due, in great part, to the FTP that was offered. Hard to tell what the impact of the crowds was since the rains really messed up our touring plans. A lot of the attractions were shut down due to the thunderstorms, so more lines at the inside attractions!! But after suffering the cold in Dec., the summer months look pretty good. I swore I would never go back in Dec again after this year. Mittens in WDW is an unnatural thing. But, we are going for Thanksgiving. Now, I understand that is REALLY crowded. Oh, and we are going back this August, same time frame. So how bad could it have been? At least the rain was warm!!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I've gone in late August about 7 times. It was very hot and rained every day. Luckily, each "rain storm" only lasted about 10 minutes and cooled everything down a bit. Crowds were unbearable, but you have to expect that at Disney. Personally, I wouldn't recommend going at that time of year.

 

[donac]

We've ben there several times in AUgust and the latter you go in AUg the less the crowds until it is the Friday before Labor Day trhen it gets crowded again. I love it there in Aug. The last two summers it has been hotter in NJ than it was in Fla.

dona

 

[Blondie]

The last two weeks in August are very doable since most of the southern based schools are already in session.

It does do it's fair share of raining though, and last year (2003) it wasn't your typical rain for 30 minutes and be over with. It rained for several hours before letting up! I heard it was unusual though, and it wouldn't deter me from going during that time frame again.

It will be hot and humid, so be prepared!

 

[js]

We were there the last week in August a few years ago and left the day before Labor Day. The parks were pretty quiet, not really any big lines, but it was HOT and rained every day. I love the hot weather but this wasn't only hot it was very very humid. I would go again at this time since the crowds were very low but be prepared for very humid weather and make sure you have more than one rain coat LOL Hope you can get back before December We're leaving November 28 and can't wait!!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

More opinions, please. Weather, heat or rain, is not what I am most worried about. It is the crowds... tell me about the crowds. What kind of wait are we talking for SM in MK? How about RnRC in MGM? That's what I'm talkin' bout. HELP. THANKS DISers!

 

[MinniMama]

We were there 7-14th and it RAINED the crowds were awful in the early open park so we avoided them after we got a clue also if you went early at 8:45 to a non early open park you were all set for the first two hours walk ons then if you used fast pass you were all set the passes were not running out like I have heard on really crowded days we never wait in lines we skipped around and went on rides during parades especially the night parade if you are smart you can do fine just don't stand in lines! There are corwds but with fast pass and being up early it never got us down also go in the rain!

 

[js]

As I mentioned above, we went the last week in Aug. right up until the day before Labor day.
My daughter and I went on RnR two times in a row, just ran right on. We also did ToT two times, even though we shouldn't have LOL We did not experience any lines in the week that we were there.

 

[Kuzco]

When I worked at Disney during the summer of 2000, August was extremely busy until about the 15th or so. For the last few days I was there, it seemed like the crowds significantly diminished. I wouldn't consider it to be "not crowded" but I also think it is pretty bearable.

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

Like I said, I am just looking to set myself and my family up for realistic expectations! I don't need no crowds, I need bearable. That is all.

 

[beglluvr]

We were there the last week of August last year and found the crowds to be quite low. There were days where some attractions didn't even have the fastpass machine open because they weren't needed. We had wanted to get fastpasses to bring home as souvenirs, but were only able to get one for the Pooh ride. I think the longest wait we had was at Peter Pan and it was only about 20 mins... we were mostly able to walk on the rides (but we were always there at EE and took a break in the afternoon to escape the humidity). Have a great trip!