August heat

[luvMickey72]

We are going to be in Disney August 15 and 16, how horrible is the heat in August?

 

[Mommytwotwins]

It is SUPER hot! We went in August in 2010 and boy was it hot and humid but we still had a great time. You really need to get to the parks as early as possible and ride as many rides as you can before the crowds come. We stayed all day until about 3pm and just could not take anymore with the heat and would come back at night if open late. But many stay until about noon,leave then comeback after 4pm when it cools abit. It aslo helped that we did our table service at lunch to get refreshed from the heat. It can be done but have a plan and just expect it will be very hot

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

HOT AND HUMID...we are going again in August Just have to plan...bring misting fans, many attractions are inside with terrific A/C. We still until about 3ish give or take..and then return later in the evening when the temps cool down

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I see you are from PA, think of the hottest day last summer up that by 50% and add in insane humidity. Now imagine being drenched in sweat from head to toe at 10am. That's August at WDW. Managable yes but hard on our friends from up North I hear. Use smart touring strategies like arrive early, take mid day breaks, plan long attractions inside the A/C during the worst parts of the day or long lunches at TS places, stay hydrated, and you will manage.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

It's HOT ...... but bearable. The first time we went, I read reports on DIS that the Orlando heat was unlike any other heat anywhere else -- like the surface of the sun --but once we get down there, I found it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated.

I'm from Minnesota and we get can get hot, humid, sticky summers some years, and especially last time went (2010), I found it was cooler than 2009. But getting to the parks early, taking an afternoon break to swim, taking breaks to eat in air-conditioned restaurants, and drinking lots and lots of water really helps!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

PIRATEGIRIL007 has it right!! Don't even try to have a good hair day unless you have pin straight hair.. I look back at some of our pics and think "why did I even bother styling my hair in the morning?"

 

[richmo]

As a Pennsylvanian that has visited in mid-August several times, I can tell you that it will be hot and humid. That said, its hot and humid in Pennsylvania that time of year as well. It is a little more intense, but I don't find it unmanageable. Interestingly, and it might just be me, I find the late morning at WDW to be the warmest. Although the temp goes up in the afternoon, I think some of the humidity must burn off. What I do find difficult on occasion is the transition of going in and out of air conditioning constantly.

The daytime highs in PA sometimes exceeds the daytime high in Orlando that time of year. However, you don't get the break at night or early morning in WDW...when you get out and about in the morning, its already quite warm.

If you're reasonably tolerant of summer in PA, you'll do fine in Orlando.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Horrible.

Imagine turning on your Oven. Let it heat up as high as it goes...all the way to broil. Then get face level to the oven and open the door. That blast of heat? Nothing in comparison to Orlando in August.

(and I lived there for several Augusts...it was like that for me each time)

 

[cbnsoul]

Think "jungle", but with more humidity

 

[KTJAY]

We went the last week in August in 2010 and I didn't think it was as bad as it thought. My advice would be to:

~Bring misting fans-you can buy cheap ones at walmart for $2-3.
~Plan for lunch/early dinners around 3-4 if you are staying in the parks. We tried leaving parks and going back to the hotel to the pool but it seemed like the pool was packed with people with the same idea.
~Go to Animal Kingdom on the coolest/rainy day-for some reason this feels like the hottest park.

 

[DisneyDude1]

August is very hot and humid! I suggest you go to the parks at opening, leave around 12 or 1, go back to resort and take a nap or swim, go back to park when temps start to drop a few degrees like around 6 or 7. This is what we do and it works great.

 

[tzolkin]

PIRATEGIRIL007 has it right!! Don't even try to have a good hair day unless you have pin straight hair.. I look back at some of our pics and think "why did I even bother styling my hair in the morning?"

I usually put my hair up in a ponytail and then braid it and it still looks frizzy in my Disney pics.

My teen DD (also super thick wavy hair) just got a short haircut that involves ironing and styling. I asked her if she was sure for several days before taking her to get it cut, specifically worrying about/discussing what the heck she's going to do with it when we go to Disney for two weeks in Aug.


DH and I both grew up in FL, but I am not looking forward to the summer heat/humidity. Even his mom (who still lives there) said "Why the heck would you even consider coming down here in August?!" Unfortunately it's the only time we can go now with our schedules. Hopefully we won't melt too much.

 

[sjbond]

We went last August. We had a great time (of course, it's Disney), but we will likely never go at that time of the year again. Breaks are a must, as is a slower pace, misting fans and bandanas, which we filled with ice at the numerous venders and placed on our necks. Water, water and more water! August also brings (almost) daily thunder showers, some of which created literally ankle deep puddles to walk through. However, Disney drainage is fantastic and takes the water away very quickly. Free dining was a huge bonus for us last year too.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been to WDW in early to mid August several times. I was actuallyl there with Hurricane Charley...never felt that kind of humidity ever again!!
Anyway...it is hot and it is humid. Yes, it gets hot up here in the NE in the summer months. And yes, it gets humid. But, we don't normally get what central Florida gets, day in and day out. When we were there in August '10, it was unbearable. Now, central Florida was in the midst of a heat wave. And when the normal daytime temp is 90/95 degrees, a heat wave is not something you want to be part of!!!!
We were there, as a family, for a week, then on Sunday, my dh went home and dd and I moved over to VWL. OMG....on Monday and Tuesday we stayed in the villa until about 6pm! Then we went out for dinner and some park time. It was just awful outside before that. People in the parks were cranky and really nasty. The wait times were nasty...free dining was in effect. It was so much easier to just stay in the resort. Even the pools were no fun or relief!!!

So...what to do in the August heat?? Wear a hat. Use sunscreen, I avoid sleeveless tank tops. If you wear short sleeves, the sun isn't beating down on bare skin. Drink more water than you think you need, then keep drinking. Make restroom stops every hour...use the bathroom and rinse off your face/neck/arms. It helps cool you.
Make at least one ADR each day....late afternoon is best. THat way you get to sit down in the A/C, you can refuel. Your body needs that food. Drink some more....water!!

 

[kpmdjm]

i have gone twice in Aug. And OMG it is really hot and humid. Walking out of the hotel to your car leaves you covered in sweat and ready for another shower. I went for the first time this Feb. school vacation and much rather deal with the vacation crowd than the heat and humidity.

 

[max'sdad]

It's hot, yes, but it's not unbearable. Disney transportation is your friend - the buses and monorail are always comfortable. There are plenty of indoor attractions, so if you need a break from the heat, go inside. We always go back to the resort in the afternoon for a nap/swim before heading back out in the evening. Best advice is to use plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water - you can get a cup of ice water for free at any counter service restaurant. Take advantage of that.

 

[Carrie772]

August heat is pretty rough, but you can do it. Here's how we managed August 3 years ago:

1. We did bring misting fans from Walmart, refilling them with the free icewater.
2. Take advantage of the ac in stores and attractions.
3. Beware of headaches from going in and out of attractions constantly.
4. Plan later lunches when the temps are at their highest.
5. Wear moisture wicking undies!
6. Use sunscreen.
7. Wear sleeved moisture wicking tshirts.
8. Remember to eat and drink. We do drink water, but that can make tummies sloshy. We drink cokes at meals and water as we go. That extra bit of calories makes a big difference.
9. And I totally agree that rinsing off faces and arms in the bathrooms really helps cool you and it can help refresh your attitude!

One more thing: wear light colors. I get totally sweaty with a completely wet shirt and will have a big dry bra outline on my front. Not cute in pictures. Just sayin!

 

[CrabbyPatty]

I think it's also a matter of determining what's your deciding factor or motivation. For example, I hate lines and would never stand in a line longer than 5 minutes (if I had my choice) for just about anything! The idea of waiting 60-90 minutes for a 3-minute ride? You Must Be Crazy.

So, personally, I am willing to be hot, humid, sticky and have that irritating bead of sweat running down my back from neck to knees in order to be able to wait minimal times for most rides and eat free Disney food!

Interesting comments from people who thought 2010 was the hottest year. We went in 2009 - it was HOT, but kept on commenting throughout our 2010 August trip that it just didn't seem as hot and humid as the year before!

 

[justakrazymom]

We are going to be in Disney August 15 and 16, how horrible is the heat in August?

Pretty horrible.. We were there 8/19-29 last year and it was hot, it rained, it was hot.. it was awesome. Drink drink drink , take advantage of a/c queues , drink drink drink.. it's all good that way!

 

[justakrazymom]

PIRATEGIRIL007 has it right!! Don't even try to have a good hair day unless you have pin straight hair.. I look back at some of our pics and think "why did I even bother styling my hair in the morning?"

ha ha ha..yep..every single day but one I just pulled mine back in a ponytail..the ONE day i didn't I got poured on anyway.. no point in doing hair at all!