August advice

[BAST]

I am beginning to plan our August trip - 17th through the 27th. When I look at last years hours, the first week has MK open until 8:30 every night and the second week has MK open unitl 6:00 every night. Is there really that big a drop off in attendance? I would like to split our stay (MK resort and EPCOT resort) and am thinking about doing the MK portion first, but do not want MK to be too crowded.

Any advice/ experience?

 

[bobcat]

There really is that big of a drop in attendance. Many Florida schools are back in session in early August and Northern schools are starting earlier too, sometimes mid August. I think the latest we have stayed is around the 18th of the month and can tell the sttendance differnece throughout our stay.

 

[4407mark]

We were there roughly the same time last year and what bobcat is right on - Florida schools go back in mid-August and I know midwest schools are back in the last Monday. We had a good time but we did have rain every day, sometimes for hours at a time which we found unusual for that time of year. However, we didn't find the lines to be that bad. As for the earlier park closings, when the parks close, head to Downtown Disney or go back and enjoy your pool or your hotel. Have a great time!

 

[Selket]

We were there the 3rd week in August last year and although the MK closed somewhat early some of the nights we had TWO eride nights that started early (one at 7pm and the other at 8pm) and that was awesome for us cause we have 2 young kids. I'm more used to going at less crowded times of the year so I can't compare to what it is usually like in the summer but the parks were somewhat crowded. The FP wait could be well over an hour to sold out for things but the afternoon. The 2 eride nights made the difference in the trip for us! I'd go again that time of year just to get those early eride nights! Have fun!

**edited to add that the MK did not close at 6pm every night that we were there - I know it was open later at least a couple of nights cause there were 2 spectromagic parades on one of the evenings we were there (the 2nd spectro after the fireworks) so the park must have been open until 10 or 11 or so.

 

[deedee67]

We have traveled to Disney at the end of July and in the middle of August. I noticed a considerable difference in crowds. The parks did close earlier but because we didn't have to spend so much time waiting in lines we felt it was worth it. The weather, well, that is another story. It was hot, hot, hot and it rained every afternoon. But, as long I am in my favorite place - who cares!

 

[goofy4tink]

The hours from 8/16-8/23 last year at MK...
8/16....9-9:30
8/17....9-8
8/18....9-10
8/19....9-8..E-night
8/20....9-9-9:30
8/21....9-7
8/22....9-7..E-night
8/23....9-9:30
8/24....9-7
8/25....9-8:30
8/26....9-7
8/27....9-8:30
8/28....9-7
8/29....9-7
8/30....9-10
8/31....9-9
Copied this off my WDW official hours sheet from last year. And yes, it sure did rain. That E-night on the 22nd sure was soggy, but fun. The crowds did tend to be less the further into the week we got. I can't tell you about any E-nights after the 22nd since that is the last one during our visit. I believe it may have been the last one for the summer.