Are we crazy? FW in August?

[normmo]

Hello Fort Fiends - we're off to the fort in October of this year but eventually we would like to come back in May. We have to sons who are 8 and 4 so we were thinking October of 2011, late August 2012 and then May 2013 for our next trips to the fort. Are we crazy for coming in August? We have a tent trailer with air conditioning and we don't mind the heat plus it would mean that we wouldn't take the boys out of school more than once in the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 school years. How is August at the fort? Are crowds low at the end of August? We know it's hurricane season and we can expect rain and high humidity. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Mo

 

[becky1960]

We have air also and live in the South ( Texas ), no more Disney in Jul/Aug, did not enjoy heat in lines. We have enjoyed FW more in the spring, Fall and Christmas time. Even the Wife who will only work outside in the yard until it gets 90+ says no more Disney when its hot...

 

[mash]

We've camped at the Fort in August many times. It's not too awful if you plan for the heat. We spent the afternoons in the pool or touring the hotels. It can get unbearable in the parks during the middle of the day in my opinion. We avoid the parks during the afternoon. It's not too bad in the mornings or in the evenings. I think you should give it a try and see how you like it.

 

[JCJRSmith]

It will be hot.

It will be humid. By rope drop at the parks, it will easily be in the high 80's and climbing. We have been to WDW in June, July and August (we will be at FW at the beginning of August this year) and have seen temps over 100 degrees Fahrenheit by 11 a.m.

It will rain every afternoon, usually around 4 pm. Then the sun comes back out and it gets REALLY steamy.

All that being said, if you stay hydrated, wear sunscreen (refreshed often), light clothing and a hat, it is doable.

One thing I noticed when Univeral opened was that they planned their queues better than Disney World to keep folks shaded and cool. Disney has gotten better over the years.

 

[normmo]

At least the good news is that it's only one trip we'd be doing in August and then we can transition back into May. We would definitely leave the parks after lunch and return later in the evening and we plan on doing a really relaxed trip with the emphasis on swimming, water parks and the Fort and only a few park days spread out over ten or nine days. No dining plan this time and doing more cooking at the site and just relaxing.
Mo

 

[North7]

Hey Mo, definitely plan the August trip. We have done it many times and if you can go during the last 2 weeks in August, the crowds will be minimal at FW. Last year we were in the 1100 loop and by the 3rd week of August, there were only 3 of us in the loop. We've noticed that a lot of Ontario campers are there during this time.

As others have said, it will be hot but it certainly isn't unbearable. We follow the same plan as othere... hit the parks for rope drop and leave around noon and then return after dinner. Remember that WDW has A/C everywhere... buses, monorails, attractions, every building... you're hardly in the heat for any length of time. The hottest spot will actually be Fort Wilderness, but the pools, your trailer's A/C, and a full cooler will take care of that

Just be sure to zip up all your flaps when you leave your site. When we had our tent trailer, we left for dinner at Trails End and it was sunny and blue skies, so we left everything open. Big mistake!! The thunder storms roll in really quick and everything in the trailer was soaked. Trust me, you'll only make this mistake once We've seen this happen to others too.

Have a great trip!!

 

[normmo]

Hey North 7! Nice to "meet" a fellow Kingstonian and a Fort camper to boot! We'd definitely do the last two weeks in August - maybe we'll see you there sometime.
Mo

 

[blessedwithfour]

Hey there! I agree with the previous post, go for it! We do the last two weeks of August because our kids don't go back to school until after Labor Day. It is hot in the parks so we do early or late and then a lot of time in FW which my kids love. The campground is low during this time. We were in loop 300 last year and there were only a few others. We are going in April and again in August. Have fun!

 

[CCIntrigue]

We did August many times when the kids were growing up. Had wonderful trips, great memories. Have fun!

 

[Colleen27]

Just jumping in because I'm asking myself the same thing. We're not supposed to be going to Disney this year (well, I guess now that should be we're not supposed to be going back... since I already took a low-budget girls only trip in this "off year" ) but we're thinking about driving down for a few nights leading up to Labor Day weekend. After three winter trips with lovely daytime weather but cold nights, the heat of Aug/Sept almost sounds good.

 

[Disneylitch]

We've gone to Disney many times in August. The bottom line is that it is hot and humid, but I'm from Maryland and it's hot and humid here too. I don't mind the heat.
You just have to use some common sense. If it's hot in the afternoon, go to the pool and just relax. Then go to the park in the evenings. That's what we do. We look at what parks have extra magic hours and that is the park that we do that evening. It's very enjoyable that way.
You will have a great time.

 

[AuntBJ]

Do you have the covers for your bed ends? We have never used them but everyone says they really help keep the pop-up cooler. This may help if you plan to return mid-day from the parks.

 

[bama_ed]

I just got back from the Fort last night and was next to some folks from Ontario.

What everyone else said is true. Hot, humid, showers daily, etc. Crowds drop down after the first week or so in August as the back-to-school crowd goes, well, "back to school".

My only additional advice (two pieces really) is to let the A/C run ALL DAY even while you are gone and take care of your pop-up canopy. By the canopy I mean slant it good to shed the rain. I kept mine out too horizontal and went out for the day. Rain shower came through the Fort and puddled on my canopy so big it tore. I would even consider letting it hang down against your trailer while gone if there's nothing under it. Then you can put it back up with the upright poles quickly when you return. That's my $400 lesson - don't make my mistake.

So come on down and enjoy!

Bama ED

 

[normmo]

My only additional advice (two pieces really) is to let the A/C run ALL DAY even while you are gone and take care of your pop-up canopy. By the canopy I mean slant it good to shed the rain. I kept mine out too horizontal and went out for the day. Rain shower came through the Fort and puddled on my canopy so big it tore. I would even consider letting it hang down against your trailer while gone if there's nothing under it. Then you can put it back up with the upright poles quickly when you return. That's my $400 lesson - don't make my mistake.

So come on down and enjoy!

Bama ED

It's funny that you mentioned hanging the canopy down because we also learned that lesson the hard way when camping in Cantley but we only bowed a support and we had an extra one. We're currently looking at an item in camping world which is an "awning/screen room for pop-ups" and the roof looks like it would withstand rainfalls because it's not flat like add-a-rooms. I'll add a link when I can find one but it's in the camping world catalogue.
Mo

 

[serenita05]

It will be hot.

It will be humid.

 

[djblu883]

I don't think I'd take a trip in August if it was free!!!! It's the only month I haven't been and won't be going again in the summer months. I live in the south full time and don't wanna vacation in that kind of weather so I'd be a reverse snowbird! I head North in Summer if I have a chance to get away from our weather!!! Good luck! I hope you have a magical vacation! Stay hydrated and use sunblock!!!! Always wear a hat and protect your eyes!!!!

 

[4Hammers]

Back in 2009 we spent the last 2 weeks of August at the Fort. Hot, Humid & wet, but is spite of that we had a fantastic time. We hit the parks first thing in the morning & the crowds weren't so bad. Our son was 9 at the time & the heat didn't seem to bother him all that much. We also went to the water parks for the first time. We all had a great time there. One lesson I learned the hard way. Do not head out to the campfire at night without applying a ton of insect repelent first. I had pants on & the little monster still managed to eat me alive.

 

[normmo]

I don't think I'd take a trip in August if it was free!!!! It's the only month I haven't been and won't be going again in the summer months. I live in the south full time and don't wanna vacation in that kind of weather so I'd be a reverse snowbird! I head North in Summer if I have a chance to get away from our weather!!! Good luck! I hope you have a magical vacation! Stay hydrated and use sunblock!!!! Always wear a hat and protect your eyes!!!!

the grass is always greener I guess since hot and humid sounds perfect after a loooooong winter in Canada and it's still cold here (-13 celcius with the windchill this morning although the snow is pretty much gone which is nice)!
Seriously don't understand why my relatives didn't turn south and keep going instead of staying up in the cold!
Mo

 

[Colleen27]

the grass is always greener I guess since hot and humid sounds perfect after a loooooong winter in Canada and it's still cold here (-13 celcius with the windchill this morning although the snow is pretty much gone which is nice)!
Seriously don't understand why my relatives didn't turn south and keep going instead of staying up in the cold!
Mo

I'm from Michigan and it is the same way. I'll take hot & humid over our 4" of snow, thanks! Our last three Disney trips have been in the winter and I don't want any part of wearing jackets on the next one. And besides, August is 90+ and humid here too and we don't have air conditioning - at least at Disney we can escape the hot & humid by going into any building!