Anyone going in the August heat?

[N2DSNY]

I am really nervous. We have had to move our trip from June until August this year and we are worried about how hot it will be and how crowded? Crowds and hot really don't go together. My DH says we can't go in August due to the heat, but I'm hoping for a cool week when we go. We are planning on going August 8th for 9 nights (which is $250 cheaper than staying 7 nights in June). We were suppose to be leaving on Wednesday of this week, but have had to postpone this trip for many reasons...right now in Raleigh, NC it has been 100 degrees all week long, it couldn't be worse in Disney in August, could it?

 

[LadyZolt]

The weather this week has been unusually hot for the time of year in many spots, and it's not really common for Orlando to hit 100 degrees, but yes, it will be hot in August. It is likely to be in the 90's with lots of humidity. There will also be crowds because many schools will still be on summer vacation. It probably won't be as crowded as, say, the Fourth of July, but there will be lots of people. So if you go in expecting heat, humidty and crowds, you can plan accordingly and make the most of the cooler times of day, like early morning Extra Magic Hours, then going back to your resort in the heat of the afternoon, and heading back to a park for evening Extra Magic Hours. Bring hats, sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. I'm going the first week in August myself and I'm ready. LOL! (I grew up in the Philly area, and also went to Navy boot camp in Orlando in the summer months, so my frame of reference is "If I don't have to stand at attention for two hours in the hot sun in Orlando in August, it just isn't that bad." <hee hee>) Enjoy!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[NannyPooh]

We will be there for the last week of August through Labor Day!
We haven't been at that time of year - usually go in either May or December, so this will be new to us! We KNOW that it will be hot and humid, but we are hoping for lower crowds that week - unfortunately, free dining will be starting at the same time!
I think as long as you are prepared for the heat and humidity, you will be okay. Lots of water and breaks throughout the day...
Have a great trip!

 

[teachingmyown]

August for us as well. It's the only week in the entire YEAR that I can get all of us together for a trip...so, that's when it is. Kids' calendars can be a real challenge sometimes!

We're planning on getting some of those UV blocking, quick drying shirts in hopes that will help. Otherwise...plenty of water and a huge dose of Zippidydodah!

 

[IandGsmom]

We will be there last week of August. I will be there melting happily

 

[ladyjane63]

August for us as well. It's the only week in the entire YEAR that I can get all of us together for a trip...so, that's when it is. Kids' calendars can be a real challenge sometimes!

We're planning on getting some of those UV blocking, quick drying shirts in hopes that will help. Otherwise...plenty of water and a huge dose of Zippidydodah!

We were just there at the end of May and it was hot. Now I'm from Alabama. I can talk to you about heat in August. However, be encouraged... The great thing about Florida is there always seems to be a breeze blowing. We don't get that here in Alabama...it's just hot, sticky, motionless air. Also, most of the ques take you through shaded areas and Disney usually has fans blowing on you.

 

[stemikger]

This will be my fourth year in a row going in August.

I was very nervous about my first August trip. I'm not going to sugar coat it. IT IS HOT!!!

However, as long as you are prepared, you will be o.k.

Here are some of the things to be prepared for:

The Heat. We usually leave the parks mid-day and go back to the resort to enjoy the pool. It is really not worth going commando and getting heat stroke. Drink lots of water and take it slow.

The Smells: On my first trip, we got stuck in the middle of a mob going into Philarmagic and all I could do was pray we get into the theater soon. The smells of BO were so overwhelming that I felt like I was living in someone's arm pit. I noticed on several occassions where we were in close quarters with other sweaty guests.

The daily rain showers: Other then last year, every other year we went, we got about an hour a day of rain. This was usually around 2:00. It was almost like we could set our watches to it. It came down hard and furious for about an hour (sometimes less) and it was over.

Some Tips:

Take breaks in the gift shops. The air conditioning feels really good when you are hanging out in this heat. It helps to take these breaks several times throughout the day. Drink lots of water and wear hats. I wear my cap with a cool rag underneath it and wet it throughout the day.

Get to the water parks very early. They fill to capacity very fast during this month.

Animal Kingdom is the only park that is very hard to deal with in this heat. The gift shops are not as cool, becaues they are open and have ceiling fans. I know this was done to fit in with the theming, but it is not very practical for this time of the year.

If I had my choice I would not go this time of year, but due to my daughter's schedule with school and camp, it is the only time for us.

When the sun goes down, it is much easier to hang out at the parks. Midday is the worst.

Good Luck and no matter what the weather you are in Disney. Enjoy!!!

 

[stacy6552]

Here's the thing about August. The parks are open pretty late. So when it starts to get too hot, head back to your resort, for AC and the pool. Then go back to the parks in the evenings and stay until closing or you drop.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

August here too!! We were supposed to go at the end - but due to some HS sports scheduling we've had to move it to the first week. Been in Aug before so know about heat -but always went at the end when the crowds were a bit lower. Planning on maximizing EMH, FP, drinking water - and going back for a swim. Either way - I'm in Disney!!

 

[coolbeans]

August here too, I'm not worried. It's Disney! We have our misting fans, washcloths to soak in cold water, ponchos for rain, comfy shoes, fast drying clothing and will bring plenty of water to drink...oh and sunglasses and sunscreen!

 

[lucysdad]

After going last year in May, we said we'd never go in the summer again! Well, we'll be there in August this year, and, you know what? We're excited! Yeah, it will be hot and crowded, and it will rain, but we'll be at Disney!!
Lucy's Mom

 

[stepdisney]

Went last year, the last few days of August until the 8th of September. Though it was hot, there were no lines anywhere. It's only hot if you have to stand outside in long lines. We were in the air so much that we didn't notice until it was time for us to wait for the bus. We got everything in the parks done in the morning to early afternoon, went back to WL and hit the pool and went to another park or DTD in the evenings. We also drank a lot of water and used a cool water misting machine which really helped us.

 

[isma]

We will also be there on our first trip and are sooo excited. We are planning on going to the parks early, tour until midday and leave to take a nap in the room. Since we will only have 1 day at each park we made a must-see list and accept that we will not be able to see everything at WDW. I am sure we will have a great time despite the heat!

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

We went that week last year and will be there again that same week this year. I thought the crowds were pretty decent and although the weather is hot and humid, it's hot and humid here at home too and I'd much rather be in WDW than at home!

 

[tobylars]

We are going the week before free dining, so we are hoping for a few less people. I have been reading the boards and I feel we will be as prepared as possible for the heat. We are from MN and used to 80-90 with high humidity, so hoping it's a little like what we are used to. I was in FL 2 summers ago, but don't remember the heat being any worse than here.?? We are bringing misters, ponchos, water cups, hats, sunscreen, sunglasses and planning to buy some of the moisture wicking clothing.

Early mornings and evenings in the parks and hotel for afternoon breaks.

 

[Disney Fool]

I often go in August; and yeah, it's hot! But, you learn to adapt. Interesting point: about 4 years ago, I decided to be cool (literally) and go in October instead. Guess what? Mid October was hotter than August. I thought I'd die. I didn't bring enough clothing for hot weather. May can be tricky too. sometimes a very, very hot spell will sneak in. Go, and enjoy yourself. Swim in the pools during mid-day, and relax in your air-conditioned room. come out at night and play. Personally, I think it's much worse to come to Disney in the winter during a very cold snap and it's too cold to swim, or you don't have enough warm clothing, or you can't do any of the things you associate with "sunny Florida".

 

[DizzDoll]

Another Auguster here!! For us as well it's the only time we can go due to school schedules, and work schedules, and activity schedules... Yes, August in Florida is oppressive . But then, here in New Jersey, we're in the middle of a 95+ degree heat wave - with matching humidity . I wouldn't hesitate to go in August as long as you're prepared, and the PPs have given you excellent tips . We too go to the parks early in the AM, head back to the resorts by 11 or 11:30 and enjoy some pool time, then go back to the parks at night. Ya get the best of everything !! Enjoy !

 

[eliza61]

We mainly travel in August and always had a good trip. You're from NC which can get pretty toasty in August as well so you might as well be at Disney world. Just follow all the suggestions here. The parks are open late, this gives you a lot of time to go back to your resort and swim during the hot afternoon or hit a water park during the morning.
Tour slowly, now is not the time to run from attraction to attraction.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We're going back in August as well ... third year & the prior two years we went in July. Yes, it is hot but we just pace ourselves and drink a ton of water.

It has been so hot here this week! My DS said that it "feels like Disney heat without the benefit of being in Disney and that is just unfair!" I have to say, I agreed with him!

 

[J&J'sMOM]

We are also going in August! I figure a hot day in disney is better than a hot day at home. We plan on taking afternoon breaks to hang out on our balcony at OKW!!