Am I completely crazy???

[dianachaney77]

My husband is retiring from the military the end of July and we have decided to move to the Jacksonville area. Neither of us have ever lived in Florida, but every time we have been there, with the military or for leisure, we have really enjoyed it. Last October was our first trip to DW and we absolutely fell in love. We have lived in California since 2002 and have been to Disneyland too many times to count, but since we returned from our trip we have been trying to figure out how soon we could get back to DW. As it turns out we will be there in August!

Once we arrive in Florida we will have a few days before my son starts school and my husband starts working (fingers crossed) so we wanted to make a quick trip down to Orlando and visit the parks for a day. I know August is extremely hot and humid and the crowd level will be very high, but we are too excited not to go! We also have longer trips planned for late October and mid-November.

The current plan involves us staying offsite on a Thursday night with an early dinner reservation at 'Ohana. We plan to get up early Friday, head to AK for rope drop and get in line for FoP. This is our favorite ride and feel like it will be worth the wait, we did the same thing in October and we waited just over an hour. We all agreed then that the wait was totally worth it. I explained to my DS (12) that we may not get on many rides because the parks will be crowded and he said he didn't care as long as we go on FoP. lol

The only other plans we have on the agenda for the day is a dinner reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe and eating a carrot cake cookie after dinner! I keep wondering if I am crazy for going in August, but I have to remind myself that no matter what we will have a good time, we always do. For those of you who have been in August I am curious what your agenda might look like for a day in the parks. Should I really try and plan anything else or just go with the flow and see where it takes us?

I appreciate your feedback!

 

[minnieandtink]

We are going in August and find it tolerable. We have a couple nights booked at Shades of Green find it good for the convenience since you are military.

 

[dianachaney77]

We are going in August and find it tolerable. We have a couple nights booked at Shades of Green find it good for the convenience since you are military.

We have Shades of Green booked for our trip in November! It will be our first time staying there.

For the trip in August we are staying at a Fairfield Inn by Marriott, they have a free continental breakfast and it was under $90. I couldn't pass it up!

 

[wisteria1019]

Definitely not crazy!

 

[dianachaney77]

Definitely not crazy!

Thank you!!!

 

[kreckl]

We’ve gone several times in August ( mid-late) and it’s never been very busy. The rain has been a factor a few times. A huge factor. It’s very hot, and we never found the rain to be cooling as it’s so humid.

Be prepared for the heat and potential for bad weather. And have a great time!

 

[dianachaney77]

We’ve gone several times in August ( mid-late) and it’s never been very busy. The rain has been a factor a few times. A huge factor. It’s very hot, and we never found the rain to be cooling as it’s so humid.

Be prepared for the heat and potential for bad weather. And have a great time!

Thank you!!!

 

[Shanti]

My husband is retiring from the military the end of July and we have decided to move to the Jacksonville area. Neither of us have ever lived in Florida, but every time we have been there, with the military or for leisure, we have really enjoyed it. Last October was our first trip to DW and we absolutely fell in love. We have lived in California since 2002 and have been to Disneyland too many times to count, but since we returned from our trip we have been trying to figure out how soon we could get back to DW. As it turns out we will be there in August!

Once we arrive in Florida we will have a few days before my son starts school and my husband starts working (fingers crossed) so we wanted to make a quick trip down to Orlando and visit the parks for a day. I know August is extremely hot and humid and the crowd level will be very high, but we are too excited not to go! We also have longer trips planned for late October and mid-November.

The current plan involves us staying offsite on a Thursday night with an early dinner reservation at 'Ohana. We plan to get up early Friday, head to AK for rope drop and get in line for FoP. This is our favorite ride and feel like it will be worth the wait, we did the same thing in October and we waited just over an hour. We all agreed then that the wait was totally worth it. I explained to my DS (12) that we may not get on many rides because the parks will be crowded and he said he didn't care as long as we go on FoP. lol

The only other plans we have on the agenda for the day is a dinner reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe and eating a carrot cake cookie after dinner! I keep wondering if I am crazy for going in August, but I have to remind myself that no matter what we will have a good time, we always do. For those of you who have been in August I am curious what your agenda might look like for a day in the parks. Should I really try and plan anything else or just go with the flow and see where it takes us?

I appreciate your feedback!

Summer is not the crazy busy season at WDW that it used to be. Now fall is the busiest season, and summer is moderate. Your biggest concern will be the weather, not crazy crowds.

 

[NH-to-FL]

DisBoards might not be the best place to ask if a quick trip to WDW is crazy...

But first, thank your husband for his service. And congratulations on your decision to settle in Jacksonville. Also, given your plans for multiple trips to WDW have you looked into getting resident annual passes?

As others have noted the weather will be your bigger challenge. Crowds start to diminish through the month of August and are never "holiday crazy". Be prepared for hot and humid weather with a high probably of an afternoon thunderstorm. Since you have lived in CA near DL you understand hot but perhaps not the tropical humidity. Depending on your family's stamina consider planning for a mid day break.

Your plan to rope drop FoP is a good one. I did that last August during a quick trip I made to Florida. If you can be at the park 60-90 minutes before opening you will be near the front of the line. I predict you will be back into the park soon after the official opening time and able to head off to your next attraction. I went right to Navi River and rode with a short wait. Or you could head off to your next 'must do' attraction.
Wishing you a visit!

 

[dianachaney77]

Summer is not the crazy busy season at WDW that it used to be. Now fall is the busiest season, and summer is moderate. Your biggest concern will be the weather, not crazy crowds.

That's good to know! I remember last October there were several families there because their kids were on Fall Break.

 

[dianachaney77]

DisBoards might not be the best place to ask if a quick trip to WDW is crazy...

But first, thank your husband for his service. And congratulations on your decision to settle in Jacksonville. Also, given your plans for multiple trips to WDW have you looked into getting resident annual passes?

As others have noted the weather will be your bigger challenge. Crowds start to diminish through the month of August and are never "holiday crazy". Be prepared for hot and humid weather with a high probably of an afternoon thunderstorm. Since you have lived in CA near DL you understand hot but perhaps not the tropical humidity. Depending on your family's stamina consider planning for a mid day break.

Your plan to rope drop FoP is a good one. I did that last August during a quick trip I made to Florida. If you can be at the park 60-90 minutes before opening you will be near the front of the line. I predict you will be back into the park soon after the official opening time and able to head off to your next attraction. I went right to Navi River and rode with a short wait. Or you could head off to your next 'must do' attraction.

Wishing you a visit!

Thank you so much! Yes, we plan on getting the resident AP's, but we have to wait until we have an address, which may not be for a month to two. Since we are going in October we are buying our Salute the Military passes in August so we can make our FP+ selections. I spoke to the ticket office at Shades of Green and she told me on our last day of our 5 day park hopper we can trade it in and use the value of that ticket towards our AP.

Yes, we live in the Central Valley and it definitely gets hot here, but you're right we aren't used to the humidity. I think we will require some sort of break during the day and I am trying to figure out what we can do so we don't overdo it.

I will definitely plan on being in the line 60-90 minutes prior!!!

Thank you!!!

 

[NH-to-FL]

I will definitely plan on being in the line 60-90 minutes prior!!!

Thank you!!!

You are welcome! Here is a link to the trip report for my August 2017 visit to FoP:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/first-visit-to-pandora-8-4-17.3623699/

 

[zobow02]

No, you're not We live over 17 hours away from Disney and one time even decided one day to go to Disney at the very very very last min (and what I mean by last min is pack our bags and leave in one day ). We have taken many monthly prior last min trips though. It's kind of how my family rolls our most recent vacation was in late Aug and it wasn't terribly busy. It was HOT though. So plan on maybe cooling off by the pool

 

[dianachaney77]

No, you're not We live over 17 hours away from Disney and one time even decided one day to go to Disney at the very very very last min (and what I mean by last min is pack our bags and leave in one day ). We have taken many monthly prior last min trips though. It's kind of how my family rolls our most recent vacation was in late Aug and it wasn't terribly busy. It was HOT though. So plan on maybe cooling off by the pool

Thank you!
I love spontaneous trips, especially to Disney!!! We have done that to DL a few times since we are only four hours away.
I told my husband it was going to be crazy hot and humid so I ordered fans that we can wear around our necks. I also told him if we don't take a pool break midday then we need to focus on several indoor rides/attractions so we can cool off. We are getting so excited, only 42 days!!!