anyone been in August?

[essmom]

What are the crowds like? Will go around 8/9 possibly- will we need fast pass?

 

[WDW LOVR]

Early August is crowded, hot and humid. Fast passes will be a must.

That being said, we've always enjoyed ourselves when we've gone in August. Do things early, swim or relax during the heat of the day and stay late as the parks are usually open later during the peak times. You just have to be prepared for bigger crowds. We are always able to do anything we want because of the extended park hours, but there are more people.

 

[dfuller]

Please believe it when you're told it's hot and crowded. If you love VERY hot and humid weather, and some people do, then it's a great time to go. If you have anyone in your family with an aversion to crowds or heat, do NOT GO in the summer.

 

[Lizardbeth61]

. . . did I mention it's HOT!!!!

We did it last year, and even though it WAS hot and pretty croweded, it doesn't stand out as a terrible trip. You just have to go into it with the knowledge that it will be steamy. However, the inside rides cool you off and roller coaster are a big fan! So, it's really not that bad. In fact, we had a good time. Just don't do it commando style then!

Having said that, I would never make my first trip to WDW in August when you want to try and do EVERYTHING. It won't happen unless you drive yourselves crazy. For a first trip, better to go during an off time and take the kids out of school. January is great for short lines and lower temps, but it can keep you from doing much swimming.

Anyway, did I mention August is HOT?????

 

[OhioGrumpyGirl]

I went the last week of July/first week of August in 1997. I don't remember much about the trip other than standing in line!!!! I did not think it was possible for a human to sweat as much as I did !! Then while at Universal, it was so hot that I passed out while standing in line for the Hercules/Xena show! So I would definately reccommend NOT going in August for your first trip!!

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Not sure if any mentioned that it will be VERY, VERY HOT
And crowded. If we go in August we go very late in the month (right before Labor Day) when it is still VERY, VERY HOT but not as crowded, so at least you can duck into some air conditioned attraction...

 

[Pixiedust34]

It'll be HOT, HOT, and HOT.

The only time we can travel is through late June to early August is because dh is a teacher. We make the most of it, but the heat and crowds can be overwhelming.

If you go in Aug. do plan an afternoon break at the pool or at least plan to go back to your room for an a/c and shower break mid-day. Getting out of the heat and away from the crowds for a few hours will recharge you for the evening. Drink plenty of water, and then drink some more. Wear sunscreen.

 

[essmom]

I think we may pass- it is NOT our first trip- did i say that? anyway we went in '99 when kids were 5 and 7 and were looking at pics the other day and they want to go back but they are older and can't really miss school- well I guess they could but it would be around a holiday of course (crowds still) so I don't know when we 'll get there maybe never-In summer we do baseball in June and summer camp in Julu so August is it unfortunatley and Ii don't have much desire to stand in lines in the heat!!!

 

[FromVatoDisney]

Wow, I am sorry that nearly everybody has scared you like this! We went in mid-July last year and we had a fabulous time! I think you should go for it, especially since you are sounding like it's summer, or you don't know when it would be...

Yes, it's hot, but you're from Alabama... I'm pretty sure you would be conditioned to the weather.

Also, let me tell you, that by getting to the parks early and using Fastpass, we stood in exactly ONE long line the entire week, and that was only because we had to leave for the airport and would have been gone by the time a Fastpass time rolled around.

Another nice thing about that time of year is that it's value season for deluxe resorts. We sure enjoyed the WL!

 

[scouthawkk]

DH and I were there last August (2-7). Had a great time! Yes, it was hot, humid, but not much different from the DC area where we live. Just drank more water and found cool off spots.

Fastpass was a blessing. We did everything we wanted at MK and the longest FP line we had to stand in was 20 minutes for Buzz. But that is because everyone with the FP showed up right at the beginning of the time, and all at once it seemed. We decided to jump in line anyway. The best FP experience was for BTMR. We picked up the FP, went to eat, came back a short while into our window to ride, and just kept walking. The stand-by line sign said over a 2 hour wait, we were literally in and through the line, and on and off the ride in 11 minutes...I timed it. Truely amazing!

We didn't have too much of a problem with the crowds. And we didn't follow any real tour plan, or get there early at any of the parks. Just used the FP. I would totally do it again, and am in July 2007 with DH, DS (will be 4) and my sisters in law (they will be 11 and 13). FP here we come!!!!!

 

[jorodopo]

If you can make it a little later in Aug it will still be hot but the crowds will have thinned alot. We were there 8/22 last year. Soaring was the only thing we had to wait for over 15 min. We were running back and forth between BTMRR and Splash Mountain with no waits. Best suggestion I had was found on Dis: Bring powdered lemonade or iced tea, etc with you. Use it every time you refill a water bottle at the water fountains.

Hope you can go!!!

 

[lorli]

We have never been during that week of August but we do love the last two weeks. Although as many have already shared it is very hot, we walked on most rides and at most waited 20 minutes. This will be our plan most years we go. However we are trying early August to take advantage of APs. We'll se how that goes.

 

[square pond]

When exactly do the crowds thin out in August?? We are there from the 13 to the 19th. I KNEW I should have booked a week later but I can;t now because we are arriving the previuos week and staying at orange lake and those dates cant be changed!! We are going to be at the WL for the 13th -19th. I am getting scared hearing about the crowds!!

 

[luv2nascar]

we were there 6/18-6/25/05 and it was crowded and hot. But we are trying to go same time this year. It was just as hot and humid when we left PA as FL this year.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

My mom said that we willl possibly be going in early Aug -- the 6th to 13th (We'd go later Aug, but my tennis season starts the 18th)

I've been down there late Aug, last year (my school started late, due to construction, and I decided that I would miss a couple days of tennis for WDW ) and I can deal with the heat. But is it really crowded, like middle of summer crowded?

My mom heard that it wasn't busy then, or atleast as busy as the summer months (June & July ). But from what I've been reading, it sounds like it's still really crowded. I hope not. I hate crowds

Thanks for any info!!

 

[square pond]

We have been in January...No crowds but whether was cool at night and things closed early. We went over July 4th....Crazy crowds and hot! Then this year in the middle of April... crowds ebbed and flowed..and we actually had to buy sweatshirts one night it was so cold. I heard the weather in New England where we are from was actually warmer then in Orlando!! This year we are beginning to middle August so I have no idea what to expect except I am sure we won't need sweatshirts!! Lets just hope no Hurricanes show up!!!

 

[Ishy]

It is hot and its crowded - yup.
Parks are also open late.
I just remember preping the family - you navigate thru A/C (stick to the shops) to avoid the crowds on the streets during the hot days and keep cool, - keep the ice water flowing, water/fan bottles full of ice, you enjoy your dining reservations totally, the afternoon breaks at the water fountains, or pools and I remember my teen saying that the sun looked like it was only 3 or 4 in the afternoon, yet it was 7.30pm. The days are forever, and I loved the late nights. It is not all bad if you dress and play the part.

My children are teens -- so this is possible.
Enjoy.
It is still magical beyond most dreams and expectations.

 

[chach]

When exactly do the crowds thin out in August??
Thinking of going 8/11-8/25/06.