****August, 2012!!!****

[beachmama3]

This year we are going on a bounce back with free dinning from our trip last year in late August. Remember if you don't have a bounce back offer in your room be sure to ask for one. Sometimes people take them home and mouse keeping misses it and forgets to leave one in your room.

Our last trip was a bounce back with free dining and I am really hoping that they offer the same this year. I MUST return next summer since Fantasyland is not completed. Already warned my husband! haha

Okay-- obsessing over my ADRs for the hundreth time. I need EPCOT recommendations!! I booked Garden Grill but then read some not too good reports on it and I already have two character breakfasts booked- which is more than enough. What WS restuarants do you recommend? We have eaten at Biergarten (loved and would return but have eaten there every trip) and at Marrakesh (did not enjoy our meal there.) What places do you all love? I keep trying for Le Cellier, but it's booked.

PS sorry if we have talked about this before, sometimes I skim quickly and might have missed food talk! I am going to head over to the Disney Dining page too.

Also, Nikki, thank you sooo much!!

 

[crostorfer]

I'm so worried about my DH having this problem when we go, too! He's not a big crowd person, doesn't like theme parks, gets sick on spinny rides, and can be a total bear when hot, tired, and/or hungry. Oh, and he is 18months post-gastric-bypass surgery, so I'm guessing that he'll get sick from WDW food at least 3 times while we're there. I've told him that if he starts to be a PITA, I'm sending him back to the resort by himself for a time out. In fact, I booked CBR over AoA because the CBR was the only part of the trip planning DH seemed remotely excited about. So even though I REALLY wanted to go to AoA, I booked CBR so that he will have a quiet place to go when it gets to be too much!

The funny thing is that he keeps saying that he'll take our DD for breaks because he's sure "she" will need them. But DD is a trooper- I think we'll be dragging her from the parks kicking and screaming and DH's breaks will be have to be solo!

If you'd like to, read my trip report from last year, the link is in my signature. It's not very long. I have tips to try to keep a grumpy Gus happy.

 

[OneBadApple]

For all experienced August goers, I have a couple of questions:

1. We are going the 17th - 24th, how bad are the crowds?
2. Is rope drop a must during this time?

I'm actually thinking of winging it this year and just decide day by day. I'm also thinking of sleeping in and staying out later. What are your thoughts?

 

[Megs114]

Nikki ~ Please add me to the list ~ my name is Sandra! If I would have made the connection sooner, I could've met you before I got back from NJ last week. I grew up in Cranford & my parents are still in the same house right on the Cranford/Clark line by Friendly's! My brother & his family live in Garwood.

I just can't seem to get into the groove of planning this trip. I've printed out the info from easywdw & touringplans as far as crowds, park hours, etc but I just can't seem to sit down and concentrate on it.

I live in Clark and have friends that live right by that Friendly's too!

 

[Megs114]

Welcome and congrats on your one year anniversary!

Awwwwww....love where you got engaged! Have a great trip!

Thank you!! You too!!

 

[litlpixie]

For all experienced August goers, I have a couple of questions:

1. We are going the 17th - 24th, how bad are the crowds?
2. Is rope drop a must during this time?

I'm actually thinking of winging it this year and just decide day by day. I'm also thinking of sleeping in and staying out later. What are your thoughts?

I have only been in August 1 other time, but the same time (3rd week) and although the parks arent at all dead, we never found crowds heavy. Of course, Im used to going Easter week-so keep that in mind. The only reason I am in favor of ropedrop for this trip is to have as much touring time as poss. before the heat of the day settles in. We'll tour till lunchtime and then we're outta there until about 6pm. It's more the heat/humidity that I worry about than the crowds.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I live in Clark and have friends that live right by that Friendly's too!

No way!! My friends live on that dead end street the friendlys is on the corner on. I'm technically in garwood but in the crannies border, right near Frosty freeze.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

For all experienced August goers, I have a couple of questions:

1. We are going the 17th - 24th, how bad are the crowds?
2. Is rope drop a must during this time?

I'm actually thinking of winging it this year and just decide day by day. I'm also thinking of sleeping in and staying out later. What are your thoughts?

I'll be there te same week! Hope to run into you! I go in the summer most of my trips and the only time I ever worried about crowds was my 4th of July trip and even that turned out to be fine. We do not do rope drop every morning but do try to get there early. Obviously you want to hit up your headliners first and make good use of fast past and you'll be fine!!

 

[mrstomrice]

For all experienced August goers, I have a couple of questions:

1. We are going the 17th - 24th, how bad are the crowds?
2. Is rope drop a must during this time?

I'm actually thinking of winging it this year and just decide day by day. I'm also thinking of sleeping in and staying out later. What are your thoughts?

I think that you will find it busier the first half of your trip and less so on the 2nd half of the trip. Have you seen the crowd calendars? What I have seen have crowds dropping after the 19th from 8's and 9s to 5-7. http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/crowd-calendar
We have been during many August trips and like the rope drop at least once per park so we can get on the headliners with little wait and get fastpasses (back during the laid back return times, that is).

 

[NightAngelX]

For all experienced August goers, I have a couple of questions:

1. We are going the 17th - 24th, how bad are the crowds?
2. Is rope drop a must during this time?

I'm actually thinking of winging it this year and just decide day by day. I'm also thinking of sleeping in and staying out later. What are your thoughts?

I obviously do not have personal experience but on easywdw.com they have crowd predictions and they are all 4s and 5s for that week(I know bc that's when I will be there!).

I will likely go to rope drop just bc I've never been before.

 

[Stan Solo]

For all experienced August goers, I have a couple of questions:

1. We are going the 17th - 24th, how bad are the crowds?
2. Is rope drop a must during this time?

I'm actually thinking of winging it this year and just decide day by day. I'm also thinking of sleeping in and staying out later. What are your thoughts?

1. Like everyone else said. It's busier then Sept or even the last week of Aug but not as bad as the first two weeks of Aug.

2. We like to do rope drop because of three reasons
a. It's not as busy in the AM.
2. It gets hot quick in Aug and
Finally you can usually count on some rain in the afternoon and that eats into part of your day. On the other hand I can see why some people would rather get a later start to the day and spend the whole afternoon and evening at the park instead of going back to the resort mid day.

My thoughts about winging it and deciding day by day is something I'd like to do someday. I think it would be great to just hop on the first bus that shows up to our resort.

 

[Stan Solo]

I finished by DIS and Team August buttons for my hat. Hopefully I will be able to meet a few Dis'rs with them. I just hope they survive in the rain

Left side

Right side

I still need to make a WDW RADIO one yet for the box people.

 

[litlpixie]

My thoughts about winging it and deciding day by day is something I'd like to do someday. I think it would be great to just hop on the first bus that shows up to our resort.

UGH, I wish I could do this and I would if I wasnt so anal!! omg, just thinking about wingin it is givin me the twitches

 

[Victoriasmom98]

UGH, I wish I could do this and I would if I wasnt so anal!! omg, just thinking about wingin it is givin me the twitches

Just breathe!!! In and out...that's it...slowly now....in and out! No more twitches!!!

 

[Iso320]

Me!!!! 49 days to go!!! 27th August-10th September at the all star music resort. Last couple of holidays were spent at the animal kingdom lodge....but I'm sure this will be just as magical!!!!

 

[4Joyces]

If you'd like to, read my trip report from last year, the link is in my signature. It's not very long. I have tips to try to keep a grumpy Gus happy.

thanks- I will check it out! I think with my DH, it's going to come down to either taking breaks with him, or making sure he knows that we won't be mad or disappointed if he takes breaks on his own. I know it's a family vacation, but we don't need to spend every second together!

 

[LifeIsDis]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/07/freshening-the-air-with-disney-parks/
They are going to be released sometime in August! BOO YA!

 

[beachmama3]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/07/freshening-the-air-with-disney-parks/
They are going to be released sometime in August! BOO YA!

haha! Love them!

 

[KarmaLady]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/07/freshening-the-air-with-disney-parks/
They are going to be released sometime in August! BOO YA!

Very cool!

 

[OneBadApple]

Thanks for all the replies. If we can handle july, mid to late August should be a piece of cake.

1. Like everyone else said. It's busier then Sept or even the last week of Aug but not as bad as the first two weeks of Aug.

2. We like to do rope drop because of three reasons
a. It's not as busy in the AM.
2. It gets hot quick in Aug and
Finally you can usually count on some rain in the afternoon and that eats into part of your day. On the other hand I can see why some people would rather get a later start to the day and spend the whole afternoon and evening at the park instead of going back to the resort mid day.

My thoughts about winging it and deciding day by day is something I'd like to do someday. I think it would be great to just hop on the first bus that shows up to our resort.

We actually winged it our first trip and had a pretty good time.

I obviously do not have personal experience but on easywdw.com they have crowd predictions and they are all 4s and 5s for that week(I know bc that's when I will be there!).

I will likely go to rope drop just bc I've never been before.

I love easywdw.com and did see that. But sometimes I don't those predictors. 2 years ago, on a green DHS day, it was unbelievably busy.

I think that you will find it busier the first half of your trip and less so on the 2nd half of the trip. Have you seen the crowd calendars? What I have seen have crowds dropping after the 19th from 8's and 9s to 5-7. http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/crowd-calendar
We have been during many August trips and like the rope drop at least once per park so we can get on the headliners with little wait and get fastpasses (back during the laid back return times, that is).

I have a subscription to touring plans and did see the crowd levels. My one fear with going later is not being able to get FPs for Soarin' (due to TT being closed) or TSMM.

I'll be there te same week! Hope to run into you! I go in the summer most of my trips and the only time I ever worried about crowds was my 4th of July trip and even that turned out to be fine. We do not do rope drop every morning but do try to get there early. Obviously you want to hit up your headliners first and make good use of fast past and you'll be fine!!

Just be on the lookout for the badge you made me. We are getting Mobile Magic for my DHs phone, so we will know what FPs are available once we get into the parks, planning on getting the headliners first, if any are left.

I have only been in August 1 other time, but the same time (3rd week) and although the parks arent at all dead, we never found crowds heavy. Of course, Im used to going Easter week-so keep that in mind. The only reason I am in favor of ropedrop for this trip is to have as much touring time as poss. before the heat of the day settles in. We'll tour till lunchtime and then we're outta there until about 6pm. It's more the heat/humidity that I worry about than the crowds.

I'm hoping by getting there later and staying late, we can avoid some of the heat and humidity.