August 2019 - Planning a Trip

[Easto]

We were last at WDW August 2016. At the time our girls were 4 and 6 years old. We stayed at the Poly and did:

MK x 3
EP x 1
AK x 1
HS x 1

We had water park tickets as well and planned to go on day 9, but could gather the energy to make it - 10 days in August got the better of us.

Now in 2019 we are trying to go back and schedule limits us to August.

Kids are now going to be 7 and 9, our 9 year old is too cool for Princesses.

There have also been a bunch of new attractions that have opened.

I was burnt out planning the 2016 trip and haven’t kept up with WDW since then so I’m trying to get my head wrapped around things.

I don’t think character meetings will be as high on our list this year like it was last time.

Our kids love rides

I’m a bit lost on how to figure out what to do, how many days per park, etc

This may influence which resort we choose to stay at as well (or maybe not)

 

[hammie59]

This year we’ll be going in Aug for the 3rd time due to school schedules and Disney offers. We’ve found that summer in WDW takes a different plan of action than other times of the year to deal with the heat and rain. Mid-day we usually go back to the resort to swim or rest. We typically plan 2 days per park each trip and if we have longer tickets, we divide them up based on the parks that have anything we missed or want to do again. When we can, we try to schedule off days inbetween to give ourselves a break. The waterparks are fun, but I found I was still feeling rushed and unrelaxed when we had them as our off days.

My kids don’t care much for the character meets anymore, so we focus on rides or just hanging around doing things that don’t require lines. Sorcerers of the MK is kind of fun, Tom Sawyer’s Island, the Boardwalk area to name a few. The last two are good places to get away from the crowds. We eat at the Boardwalk pizza window every trip.

As far as resorts go, you may want to consider staying at one in the EPCOT area. You can walk to EP in 5 min and HS in 15, or hop on a boat. It’s really nice to have 2 parks that don’t require a bus or car. And since Toy Storyland is open, you may find yourself going to HS more than once. We stayed at BWI a few years ago and loved it. The kids really enjoyed the waterslide there and the carnival atmosphere on the Boardwalk at night is fun. Yacht and Beach Club have the Stormalong Bay pool which is supposed to be great (we’ll be trying it out this summer for the 1st time). Hope this helps.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We do 2 days in Epcot, 2 in AK, 1 in HS and usually 4 in MK. We usually take one rest day where we explore our resort and others, and do DS. With the August heat you’ll want to be in the parks early and late in the day when it’s cooler, then maybe head back to the resort for a rest or swim in the heat of the afternoon. Just don’t rush around, and take advantage of meal times, indoor shows and attractions when the heat gets too intense. HS has the most thrill rides, though all the parks have some great rides. Maybe do a couple character meals then you won’t have to wait in line to see any. And with free dining affecting the summer now, be sure to make your ADRs as early as possible because it’s always tough to get them during FD. And have fun planning, it’s half the fun!

 

[greg9x]

All depends on what you want to get done in the parks... We have been doing August trips, and yes, it is hot. So I plan by splitting days in to halves (since have park hoppers), morning/early afternoon and late afternoon/evening with a mid day cool off break. So for a 7 day trip with 5 full days and 2 half travel days end up with 12 half days to play with.

I usually start with the hard to get FP+'s and schedule those 1/2 days first.. they usually end up nearer to the end of the trip. Then fill in the rest with what you want... leave a couple free half days for rest or to make up for inclement weather missed activities.
We end up with around 3 MK half days, 2 AK half days, 2 HS half days , 2 Epcot half days, a couple water park half days. Try to stay flexible with even that.. might only spend a couple hours in one park, then go to another before afternoon break. Only do a couple rides and a show in evening, etc, depending on what want to do.

Your kids are older and more mobile now, so can move quicker and more stamina.. but probably still need a break. My son could care less about characters now also... he loves Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and Agent P's missions, so fit some time in for those. We only eat one or two table meals, so free up time that way and allows for more flexible plan.

But in the end, what you want to do in each park will determine how much time you need to plan for them.

 

[saraheliz]

My girls were 8 and 10 in April, and the one surprise was how much they loved Epcot. I'd probably due 2 days each at MK and Epcot, and each at HS and AK, but plan on your Epcot days being a bit shorter so you're not going flat out the whole time.

 

[Easto]

We have done late August before. The weather was something I’ve never experienced before but we survived the heat and humidity and ended up having a great time.

Schedule wise we are limited to Summer, March Break, or Christmas. I think with crowd levels Late August is the best of the 3 times

We used afternoon breaks and it made things more barable.

 

[Tomh]

So, first off, congrats on the upcoming August trip.

Now, for a shameless plug, or two

First off, there is a thread right here on the DIS, in the "Doing the Happy Dance" area for people planning August trips. You might want to check that thread out HERE
There is also a facebook group full of fellow DIS'ers whom are planning August 2019 trips. If you would like to join, you can find that group HERE

 

[Easto]

So, first off, congrats on the upcoming August trip.

Now, for a shameless plug, or two

First off, there is a thread right here on the DIS, in the "Doing the Happy Dance" area for people planning August trips. You might want to check that thread out HERE
There is also a facebook group full of fellow DIS'ers whom are planning August 2019 trips. If you would like to join, you can find that group HERE

I’m in

 

[Easto]

With kids that will be 7 and 9 at the time and all the new additions since our last trip in 2016 which parks should we be looking to do more than once?

My oldest loves big rides, but we understand it's WDW and big rides are not their selling point. She really doesn't care to do all the Princess meet and greets like she did back in 2016.

Our youngest is cool with doing almost anything, but now that she is taller she would probably love to be able to do stuff like Expedition Everest in Animinal Kingdom and any other larger rides. I think she is 47" right now

Last time we did 3 days of MK which we wouldn't do this time. 1 or 2 maximum.

Last time we left AK around dinner time, but I think there is enough there now that we would do the whole day, but would we need more than a day?

DHS we did everything and stayed for Fantasmic, my wifes favorite show. I assume with all the additions in Toy Story Land we would easily be able to fill the whole day, but would be need more than a day?

EP is also a full day, not sure it's more than a 1 day park for us at this time

 

[Tomh]

We always do multiple days in MK, plenty to see and do there.

Everest is one of the most intense rides in Disney World. I would say that, Rock N Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror are probably the biggest thrill rides on property.

AK went from being the park we skipped, to being a one day park, and now with the opening of Pandora, my so (15 this year) has proclaimed it a two day park. We did two days there this past August, and will do two again on our next trip.

Epcot, at least for us, is a multi day park. We really enjoy just meandering around World Showcase, sampling food and drinks, browsing the shops, and just enjoying the beauty.

 

[kniquy]

I’m a bit lost on how to figure out what to do, how many days per park, etc

I would say for MK at least 2 days - split the park in half and tackle one each day. As for Epcot your kids might like the coutries more now that they are older - so i would say 2 days here - one to hit future world and the next for just the countries. AK could be one day - FOP is a must do! HS could be one day or a half day if you don't care to hit any shows. Maybe put a water park day in the middle as almost a rest day from running around the parks. Plan to RD each park and take an afternoon break - go back in the evening to see fireworks if you want of just to hit other rides.

Your oldest might be "too cool" for princesses but they might enjoy one of the character meals. We took our twin boys when they were 9 and i was surprised at how much they enjoyed the character meals. Even our trip this year (they are now 12) they played along and did pictures with the characters -- probably more so because of their younger sister, but they were good sports. So it might be that you tell the older one that she has to play along if the younger one wants to see characters.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Since the key is to "go with the flow" of your kid's preferences. Mentally keep the park hopper feature option open in case a ride breakdown impacts your "to do" list or one of the kids really want to revisit a certain ride at a certain park.

 

[GillianP1301]

We've gone late Augusts for the last 7 years and I actually don't mind the heat and in fact like it that way. It does require you to use common sense around staying hydrated, protecting from sun (hats/sunglasses/sunscreen) and taking cool down breaks.

If you are going for 9 or 10 days again, then I recommend getting park hoppers. That move from one park to the other is a great opportunity for a cool down break and the hopper allows you to go with the flow more and make changes on the fly based on crowd levels, your fatigue, heat, etc... I tend to plan out all my mornings (we do 10 park days over 11 days) and my meals and then have a loose plan for afternoons/evenings that I can shuffle around a bit, if I want. That works well for us.

 

[Easto]

So I made up this calendar based on KennyThePirates Crowd Calendar.

Magic Kingdom is listed as Green only on days where they have the MNSSHP which means MK closes early that day to allow for the Halloween Party.

In terms of planning if we have the Park Hopper should be plan to hit MK in the mornings of these parties and hop to another park in the PM?

Should we just pick MK on another day and just spend a full day there?

Planning this August Trip has been a bit of a grind - I found our August 2016 trip was a little more pleasant.

 

[JennyDrake]

Hi! I've been in August every year since 2006. Rope drop is your best friend. Park hoppers are your second best friend. You can get a LOT done with minimal crowds from rope drop until 12-1pm in each park. MK is a crowded nightmare every day after 1 pm. With this plan, the party evenings are pretty much a non issue. Instead of assigning days per park, I would try to assign mornings, booking your FP+ for top attractions starting at 11 am.

Midday breaks are priceless and will keep you and your husband on speaking terms.

I agree with go with the flow of the kids and to not overplan for this trip. Between the heat and the rain, August weather can zap any plan!

If you choose to follow my idea, then you have your evenings free for wherever you'd like to go THAT day and you can get extra FP accordingly.

 

[Easto]

Hi! I've been in August every year since 2006. Rope drop is your best friend. Park hoppers are your second best friend. You can get a LOT done with minimal crowds from rope drop until 12-1pm in each park. MK is a crowded nightmare every day after 1 pm. With this plan, the party evenings are pretty much a non issue. Instead of assigning days per park, I would try to assign mornings, booking your FP+ for top attractions starting at 11 am.

Midday breaks are priceless and will keep you and your husband on speaking terms.

I agree with go with the flow of the kids and to not overplan for this trip. Between the heat and the rain, August weather can zap any plan!

If you choose to follow my idea, then you have your evenings free for wherever you'd like to go THAT day and you can get extra FP accordingly.

With a 6-day Park Hopper
Arriving 20th, leaving 28th

Which days would you go each park?