Am I crazy to think about going in August?

[MNT568]

I was planning a trip for October and now something has come up and we may not be able to go then but I need ny Disney fix. Am I nuts to think about a mid-August trip? I know it will be hot, but is it really that bad and how are the crowds then?

 

[Spectro is #1]

We went last year and thought it was great. We will be returning the third of Aug.
Yes it is hot and the parks are a little more crowded but not unmanagable.

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

I went in August a few yrs ago, and YES it was hot but that didn't stop us and all the other people from having fun. when you get hot ,stop, take a rest in an airconditioned place, drink plenty of water and don't try to power walk, take your time and enjoy.

 

[Poly Pal]

Well...we went last August when I convinced my wife that a week at the Polynesian with a discount code would be less than renting a house at the Cape for a week. We also justified by saying "it will be hot and humid, but it could be hot and humid in Connecticut, too."

The humidity was awful. We watched SpectroMagic in 95 degree heat (not standing in the crowd either) and the humidity was so thick you could "see the air". My wife and older son didn't even watch most of the parade because they were so miserable (and I'm usually the cranky one!). My wife indulged me by even going to Spectro since she has had bad experiences at Disney parades with rude people. She reminded me of it all week!

The afternoon thunderstorms were not the typical hour and done type. Several days it rained from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. And the rain didn't do much to drop the temperature.

The parks were not more crowded than usual. We took advantage of early entry and were usually back in the Polynesian pool by 1:00 pm. It was so hot that my kids shouted "AHHHH-Loha" every time we returned to Tokelau and felt that blast of air conditioning!

So, mornings were good, afternoons at the pool were great except when they had to close them because of lightning, and evenings were hot. We all felt the heat and humidity detracted from our vacation.

Drink lots of water (we stopped at Albertsons right off the Greenway on the way from MCO). Bring at least 2 sets of clothes for every day. And go to the parks early in the day!

BTW, we're returning to the Cape this summer (to a house with no a/c! - wish us luck!) And our next trip to WDW will be in peak season to avoid the heat and humidity.

Have a great time whatever you do!

 

[Richyams]

We live in South Florida, I would never dream of going in August. Its way to hot to do anything down here. All you can do is walk to your car, get in, wait 30 secs for the AC to start, go somewhere, get out of you car and back in side somewhere airconditioned.

I would never dream of WDW anytime at all from may to september.

 

[montessori]

Hi,
I also live in South Florida and can understand where Richyams is coming from. We used to think it was nuts to go to WDW in the summer too. We always bought the seasonal annual passes. Last year, we bought the Premium annual passes.

Now, we feel there is never a bad time to go to WDW! It's all in how you do it. In the summer, we get an early start each day. The water parks are great fun, we always arrive half an hour before opening and spend 3 or 4 hours there. After some lunch, it's naptime! It usually rains during naptime, although our weather patterns are not as reliable as they used to be.



Wherever you go, take advantage of any shade you can find, drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, and go inside a lot! Everything is air-conditioned.

Although it's still hot, it does get more bearable after the sun goes down. But, it is still hot, so dress accordingly.

Maybe because it had been so long since we went in the summer, we are really enjoying it! It's hot here at home and it's hot there at Disney World. We'd rather be there!

Please. don't let the weather keep you away. You will have a magical time no matter what, it's Disney World!!

 

[Tesabat]

I think it depends on the person as to whether you will find August too hot to enjoy yourself.

We go in August and think it is fine. You have to pace yourself, get to the parks early, take a break mid-day...even if that means just a sit-down meal in an air conditioned place. One of the things we do if we can't get back to the resort without chopping too much out of the day (AK & MK) is tour differently. We "save" indoor, air-conditioned attractions for the afternoon, have our dinner around 2, with a light supper in the evening. Also, wear clothing that dries quickly - that way you can use the many misters, fountains and rides to cool off without feeling clammy the rest of the day.

However, hot weather does not seem to bother us as much as it bothers other people. Conversely, I'm always cold when other people aren't. We went in November once and there were a couple times when I was shivering...and I only swam once because I felt it was too cold to swim. Other people think early Nov. is perfect weather and would never dream of going in August. I guess it all depends on how you and your family tolerate the heat.

 

[crazelion]

I think August is the perfect time to go. All the rides is open and the parks is open longer. I work outside at baseball park so use to it. Best thing is to drink plenty water before go outside. Then drink cold water all day along. Though in a powerade on occassion to repalce the salt in the body. Also wear lose fitting clothes by all means go for a nap during the afternoon. By all means go to Dinsey World and have fun.

 

[DeeP]

We have gone to WDW every month of the year except Jan & June and have gone about 5 times in August and it was fine. Yes it is hot but it is no hotter than it would be if we were at a lot of other places and I would rather be at WDW in the heat than a lot of other places in the same heat. Just get an early start and then come back to the pool or a water park for the afternoon to relax and cool off. Then go out again around dinner time. The great thing is the parks are open late and the nighttime shows are usually run every night at least once and sometimes twice a night for Spectro and Fantasmic.

 

[Dogslider]

We've gone a couple times in August and though it was hot, it wasn't unbearable. Really enjoyed the lated night hours

 

[MegaDisney]

No, I do not think that anyone who plans a trip to Disney is crazy, no matter what time of the year it is!! I know what you mean about needing a fix. I was just there last September, and the earliest we can go back is Fall 2003. How will I last that long??!!!!

I do remember going in August when I was about 13 or so. Yes, it was hot, but more than the heat I just remember the good times. Just don't try to push it too hard, take the suggestions from others, and you should be OK.

Have a great trip no matter what you decide!

Mega

 

[eeyore0062]

No, not at all! If you can go after the 1st week of August, most of the kids in Florida and many other southern states are back in school, so you may miss out on some of the local crowds. Yes, it is hot, so just plan your day around it. The parks are still open late through the 3rd week of the month, so you can go at opening, until you deem it too hot, and then return in the later afternoon and stay until close. We have been to Disney once in early August, and didn't have any problems at all. In fact, we are taking an impromtu trip this August for a couple of days.

Have a great time!

 

[DisneyVirginia]

We go more often in August than any other time. Schools out, and some of the mad dash following end of the school year is over.

Crowds start to thin out in late August. And statistically speaking, while it reaches the same average high as in July, August nightfall is a little earlier and so it cools off sooner. You need access to a pool or have some other mid-day cool down strategy, however.

Anyway, if you really hate hot weather, no strategy will work, but I've found our family's August vacations to be wonderful.

 

[TJA]

We went in August last year and LOVED it!! Just go...don't fret about it. Sure it's hot. But plan your days accordingly. Get up early and do stuff. When it's 100 degrees in the afternoon, go back to your resort and swim, nap, or whatever. We like to take a 2-hour lunch break in the afternoon and eat, drink, and talk in the air-conditioning. And we absolutely love the nights in the summer. Everything is open late and it has cooled off just enough to make it comfortable. And the water parks are what make the trip complete for us. Summer time is perfect for them.

My husband is NOT a hot-weather person. But I dragged him to Disney last August and he even had to admit that there are enough air-conditioned places that you almost forget how hot it really is (especially if you stay at WL!)!!!!!!

 

[susy]

I live in south FL and was convinced I"d never go in summer, but we are going labor Day Weekend! Plan on spending lots of time at AKL. We have 8am ps's at the parks both days, so we will be getting in and out early. One night we will go to Epcot for dinner , but the other night we plan on staying at AKL and having dinner at the resort. I think you have to modify your plans so that will not be miserable!

 

[lovmy2girls]

I live in FL, and yes it is hot and muggy ! I do not think anyone could pay me enough to go in the summer months. It seems to be very, very crowded until Labor day.

 

[MNT568]

Thanks for all your replys, we are still trying to decide. We just went through a heat wave up here in MA with temps around 100, I don't think we could take that if we were touring the parks.

I love WDW in October and this will be our last chance to go in Oct since my DS will start school next year and I think Oct is too soon to pull him out for a vacation.

I think I may be able pull off a long weekend in October but if we went in August we would have a full week. Oh, decisions, decisions!