August crowds?

[irish dancer]

DH and I are toying with the idea of a trip the last week in August before the kids go back to school. We have APs this year so we need to take this years trip before they expire. My push is for before the kids go back to school, he thinks Sept or Oct would be better. We usually go the first week in Dec which I know is super low season but as long as it is not insane like Spring Break I think we could handle it. Anyone out there with some experience?

 

[popy]

Last week of August is a great time to go.
No crowds with very little wait times.
The weather is a bit warm, chance of a few
after noon showers, but it is a good time to
go.

 

[joe1946]

We used to always go in October or November, but last year we decided that the kids were getting a little too old for us to yank them out of school for a week, so we went at the end of August/beginning of September. I think a lot of schools in the south start up again in mid-August, so by the end of August WDW is not very crowded at all. We had a great time, plus as an added bonus we got to stay an extra two days because the airport was closed due to Hurricane Frances.

-- Joe

 

[Harambe]

We are trying it for the first time, too. Ususally go in the off-season (Jan.) but tried September this year. VERY hot and humid, but you do adjust after the first day. Drink plenty of water and you should be fine. Also want to go before school to avoid the disgusted look of our principal. LOL!

We'll see you there!

 

[beattyfamily]

We normally go Oct and Dec but I took my 2 DDs last August on the last full week in August (no Labor day weekend involved).

I knew it would be hot and it sure was but we were prepared. It took a day for my DDs to get used to it. But I was pleasantly surprised by the crowds. They weren't that bad, but I did what many advised and I went to the parks early and left by noon or as it got really hot. We'd go eat or go back to the room to cool off and swim and then do something else in the late afternnoon/evening. Drink lots of water and bring a fan, or a misty mate or at least a rag to keep wet and cool you off.

It did rain almost every day around 4:00 or 5:00 but it wasn't that bad. It never rained our Fantasmic night so that was great!

We were so lucky that we missed all the hurricanes too!

Enjoy!

 

[Leota]

The end of August is great, crowd-wise. It is hot, be prepared & take the necessary precautions & you'll be fine. I really love it. So much, I just booked 8/24 - 8/30 for a quickie Mom & Son trip.

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

We went in August of 2003 (last week of August) and found the crowds weren't so bad most of the time. Of course we used fastpass as well! OUr MGM day was probably the most crowded as it seemed we couldnt take one step without getting closely aquainted with other families! The weather tends to be very humid, so make sure you drink lots of water! Afternoon showers (a truly Florida thing...sky stays bright usually while you get hit with a short shower of bath-water temperatured rain) are a daily occurence so bring a poncho.
I also can offer a view about September as this is when I ALWAYS went with my parents as a child until I was 18. Crowds are manageable, weather is a bit cooler then August and though you still can expect afternoon rain, it is more likely to occur once or twice in a week during your stay then every afternoon.