Aug scares me!!!

[DLB]

We are leaving on aug 8th to drive to FL. Will arrive on the 9th and staying for 2 weeks. Will have 8 day MYW tix. I have always gone off season and now I'm panicking!! The crowd factor and heat scare me, we will have my 11, 9 and 1 yr old.
Can anyone out there calm me down and tell me that the weather isn't horrible

 

[photo_chick]

We just went over July 4th week and never waited more than 20 minutes in a line (my son won't tolerate any longer than that) and were able to ride everything we wanted (only a few had to use FP to get that short of a line). Use FP+ wisely and be flexible with your touring plan so you can take advantage of shorter lines when possible. As for the weather just stay hydrated and plan to either take a break during the hottest part of the afternoon or use that time to do a lot of indoor attractions.

 

[LJSquishy]

Well, it's going to be super hot and super busy!

If you were staying in late August the crowds are low, but I'm assuming there is a reason you're going in early August. Crowd levels during your trip are mostly 7/10. The last week of your trip is not quite as busy (starting on the 17th) going down to 6/10 and 5/10.

Just take it as it comes...and at least you'll have plenty of park days to spend 2 days per park, though I would probably have opted for 10-day tickets myself. Plan your park days wisely using EasyWDW.com to determine which parks are better to visit on which days, and make good use of your FP+ choices! That's a pretty awesome trip going for 2 weeks!!! Be prepared for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if wait times are low, etc. Have a great trip!

 

[Junebugwv]

We had always gone off season (home schoolers) but went the last 2 weeks of August when college interfered with our schedule. Yes, it was hotter and it had some days of rain. But the crowds seemed to diminish with each day, probably because schools in the south start earlier. And we loved swimming in the hotter weather. Park hours are longer so we took more time to relax and cool off during the day which allowed us to stay at the parks for the later hours.

 

[chrisb1967]

Every time we have been to Disney, we have been in August (except February one year, never again). As you can imagine some brits (not us we dont whinge) complain about the heat, we dont mind it, we dont suffer with it, and glad of the rain to cool down a little. We tend to hit the parks in the morning, back to the hotel (Disney one of course), dip in the pool, out again later in the evening. Never hadany cause for concerns about waiting for a ride (we are brits its part of our nature to queue), if queues are too long, just go on another.

 

[darkwing818]

Well, it's going to be super hot and super busy!

If you were staying in late August the crowds are low, but I'm assuming there is a reason you're going in early August. Crowd levels during your trip are mostly 7/10. The last week of your trip is not quite as busy (starting on the 17th) going down to 6/10 and 5/10.

Just take it as it comes...and at least you'll have plenty of park days to spend 2 days per park, though I would probably have opted for 10-day tickets myself. Plan your park days wisely using EasyWDW.com to determine which parks are better to visit on which days, and make good use of your FP+ choices! That's a pretty awesome trip going for 2 weeks!!! Be prepared for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if wait times are low, etc. Have a great trip!

Pretty much right on the money...

 

[ArwenMarie]

We are leaving on aug 8th to drive to FL. Will arrive on the 9th and staying for 2 weeks. Will have 8 day MYW tix. I have always gone off season and now I'm panicking!! The crowd factor and heat scare me, we will have my 11, 9 and 1 yr old.
Can anyone out there calm me down and tell me that the weather isn't horrible

 

[Tpiejg]

We have been going in aug. for the past four years. We enjoy it that time of year. Yes its Hot hot hot, but very doable if you plan your days with FP and take it a little slow. The best advice I got is to drink plenty of water. Drink water before you are even in the parks and keep drinking all day. They say if you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. It makes a huge difference in how you feel so drink, drink, drink.

 

[njmom76]

Agree with all of the above. I HATE being hot, but we go to Disney is August as it works best with DH's work schedule. We drink a lot of water, go into shops, etc to cool off and take midday breaks. It is crowded, but we typically do whatever we want without astronomical waits (go early/go late, etc). You'll be fine and have a blast!

 

[Mel6197]

Go in Aug every year!
As other people say. HOT. Yes.
Do make the Effort for going early
We go early heat isn't bad, crowds aren't bad.
Then when we all start getting cranky we leave
Go back swim, eat, maybe watch some netflix on our devices with headphones. Just decompress
Then head out for dinner and some more rides

We leave the 8th too
18 days! Better start packing.

 

[Fly me with Balloons]

Arrive at rope drop. You can get so much done by 1:00, as the park is filling. Go back to your hotel. Pool, shower, nap. Grab a nice dinner. Go back in the evening as it cools & people leave.

 

[bjakmom]

I have survived many Augusts over the years - we go the last two weeks, so not quite as crowded, but have even thrown an occasional July in there when schedules made that the only possible time. It is HOT !! and most afternoons it storms. We also do early mornings - really early so we are there in front when the park opens LOL. We always eat lunch inside in the air conditioning, maybe hit one more ride after that, then head back to the pool and room for a nap while it rains.
We rarely watch the parades or do any outside queues in the hottest part of the day in Aug.
Stay hydrated, use FP+ wisely if you are going to stay in the parks in the afternoon - also do air conditioned queues and shows then. I would definitely make sure your stroller has a hood to keep the baby out of the sun and one of those little clip on fans for cooling - I have even seen some strollers with two fans attached - one on each side.
** Know where the BABY CENTERS are in each park. If your little one gets overheated they are a great place to take him/her to cool down and drink water while your older kids and DH keep going. If you plan well and take it easy, you can have an awesome time! Enjoy!
PS: we also swear by the cooling towels! we use the ones for runners and carry them in zip lock bags - so great to put around your neck or over your head when you need to cool down.
PSS: pack ponchos for the downpours - we use the disposable $ store kind - and don't leave them in the stroller LOL, we have needed them to exit rides even when we entered in total sunshine and clear skies.

 

[Aliceacc]

We leave a week from today, for our 4th SUMMER trip with kids; we're both teachers and can only go over the summer.

Sure, it's hot and crowded. But the days are also endless. A glass or spritz of cold water are heavenly. And those resort pools are a Godsend.

We handle it as so many others do: we're at rope drop every single day. We tour hot and heavy until lunchtime, then head back to the resort to spend the afternoon in the pool. We return for a dinner ADR and much more relaxed touring.

I realize that FP+ changes things a bit, but in the past we waited only ONCE more than 20 minutes-- when I made a rookie mistake and arrived at DHS at noon, hoping to do TSM. Now, of course, I know a whole lot better.

Knowledge is power, and you've been there often enough to have the knowledge. Stay hydrated, and do the headliners when they're apt to be least crowded. Use FP+ wisely; I'm guessing you've already taken care of that?

Go and have a fabulous time!!! I'm itching to be able to pack, but need to wait just a few more days

 

[JohnsonsRUs]

I am totally there with you. We will be there 7/31-8/7, meeting our FL relatives, so this is the only time we could coordinate with both our school schedules. I am really hoping that maybe the new Harry Potter stuff pulls some of the crowds away. We have been to DW during President's Week previously and the crowds were tolerable, so we are hoping for the same during the time we are there in August. My hubby and daughter are total heat junkies, so they will be fine, I just hope I don't melt!! I told them the only way I would agree to go was if they agree we can get up early to go to the parks and then go back later in the evening, which is when I prefer to be there anyways.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love the heat so July/August are great times for me. I live in Northern MN and swear I lived in the south in another life! The heat is doable with breaks, A/C, and lots of water for sure. I think the crowds are larger then all other times I have been there including April (Easter) and Presidents Day week, however we thought it was fine, like other posts start early. My DD and I are RD people and this works great. My DS and DH slow moving and they complained a lot about waits. They would get to the park around 11:00 well duh!! Don't fret it will be so fun wish I could go this summer. We were there in April this year and heading back in April next year, can't wait!

 

[mistysue]

Buy frogg toggs.

They will make the heat seem ok. Last year I got one, figuring it was like all the other silly gimmick "cool down" devices and DD and I spent the trip fighting over it.

It's basically a cloth that holds water, but if you rotate it every 5 minutes or so it makes it feel a good 10 degrees cooler. We just wear it like a scarf and dab our foreheads off. You can even cut it (I would do lengthwise) and split it in two. They are totally worth the money.

 

[karen1987]

Its really reassuring to see so many positive posts about visiting in August! We have to go during peak season this year because I work at a school, but we're hoping that with enough planning and staying hydrated we'll be fine!

 

[TigersLions]

I can't comment on the crowds but wanted to say that we went the last week of August the first time and I was REALLY impressed with how the park kept you cool whether it be a mister or fan in the lines or just plenty of shade available. The only one I remember being uncomfortable on was at HS - the big car stunt show. Bring lots of water to that one

 

[Aliceacc]

Its really reassuring to see so many positive posts about visiting in August! We have to go during peak season this year because I work at a school, but we're hoping that with enough planning and staying hydrated we'll be fine!

Much better than "fine"-- you're going to have the time of your lives!!!

You can order water, either with other stuff, through a site like gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com, or on its own with free shipping through Staples using their free rewards program. (Just be careful; if you're staying at a convention resort it will go to the convention center.)

We start the day with each of us carrying a bottle of cold water; it's so much easier to stay hydrated when the water is close at hand. And we invest in a few Mistymate personal misters and share-- that cool mist is a HUGE help!!!

 

[dizzyinwdw]

Doable with some planning. For us (from the North) it was VERY hot and humid (90+). To echo PPs, go early, plan on a probable shower/T-storm in the afternoon around 2-3 pm) and plan on maybe not getting back in the evening fro parades/fireworks due to weather or, in our case, hot, tired, grumpy kids or DH . Take it slow, stay hydrated, and maybe plan some indoor TS meals if you plan to stay at the park all day (for example, we like to do CP late lunch at MK). Crowds were bearable but do plan FP+ wisely. We plan to be there end of Aug and only do one or two theme parks this year (MK, but maybe add DHS for Frozen Fun) and do both water parks.
Have fun!!