August Advice

[Irish9697]

We decided this weekend that August 2006 was the time to go back to Disney. We've previously been in early March 2004 and late January 2005. Both of those times were excellent times crowd-wise, but hours were shorter and it was far too cold in January to swim and just short of swim weather in March (low 70's with some windy upper 60 degree days). We had hoped to go spring break (second week of March here), but dh got a new job that closes deals quarterly and March 15th is one of them, so we can't travel then. Our other option is Easter, but the prices are INSANE as are the crowds.

So, in looking at school and work schedules and prices at WDW and our other travel plans to the beach and other places, we decided for sometime during the first two weeks of August. Yes, we know it will be hot and more crowded than we are used to, but we went in 1998 in July, so we understand that and it's pretty darn muggy here in Memphis anyway, so the heat isn't something that scares us. We're very excited to be able to take advantage of the swimming pools and water parks this time though. And, now that we've been so many times, we're "smarter" and know more and know what we want to see and what we can skip.

So, my question is...are the first two weeks of August basically the same crowd wise or would we do better going the second week as opposed to the first? Or will there really be no noticeable difference? My kids will register for school (kindergarten and 1st grade) on the 14th, so we need to be back for that and then they start on the 16th. But, beyond that we're open to either week.

We also know the hurricane threat too, but we're used to that as well since 3 of our beach trips in the past few years have been delayed, cancelled or altered because of hurricanes (Ivan, Dennis & Katrina).

Thanks guys!

Oh, and it's a family of 4--dh 32, me 31, ds 6, dd 5 and we'll stay at AKL as usual.

 

[widget]

August is also a school holiday for us Brits dont forget! Most brochure prices are still very high for the first 2/2 and a half weeks of August but from around 23rd they drop a bit (as most 2 week breaks mean children are not getting back in time for school).

 

[lovmy2girls]

Here is the website for best days. I looked the first two weeks of August are 8-9. Look for yourself and make a decision.http://touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[ely3857]

I went in the first two weeks of Aug last year and found the second week less crowded as some US states go back to school then.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't have any advice for you, but we will be at AKL August 3-12.

We have been before in January and October, so we have never experienced the heat and crowds of summer. Unfortunately with DH only getting one "premium" week of vacation (translation: a week when school is out) and DS going into 5th grade we just can not travel any other time.

We are planning to get to the parks at opening every day, take a break every day after lunch, and try not to over do! We have Brita bottles for water and mini fans, plus we'll bring LOADS of sunscreen.

I am planning to have DS9 "practice" staying up later at night with a nap in the afternoon for a week or so before we leave so we will be able to take advantage of early mornings and late nights in the parks. I am also planning to "practice" spending more time outside before we leave so I will have some tolerance for the heat! We figure Disney in August is better than no Disney at all!

 

[CastMemberDWA]

second week of August will have all the local kids back in school...that will help crowds ease a bit.

 

[Hanover]

We were at WDW the last August and thought that it wasn't too crowded, but it was scorching hot. We had gone late July/early August the year before and swore we'd never go back during the summer due to the crowd and heat. Free dining twisted our arm and we had a great time. We had our 4 and 8 year old boys wear swim suits each day (they looked like regular shorts) and my husband and I wore quick drying shorts so we would be ok with the constant sweat dripping. We also drank a lot of water and had our Disney spray fans. I'd rather be sweating in WDW than home! We would definitely go again in August. I'm hoping to go again this August so we can use the 5 left over plusses at the water parks that we most likely will not use on our trip next week (we bought no expiration).