August horror stories?

[Leota]

No Horror stories here for August. We've been twice at the end of August. Loved both trips. The crowds really clear out around the 3rd week of August, so we enjoyed relatively easy touring (way better than Spring Break was this year!)
Yes, It's Hot in FL in the summer. Just go in with the mindset that it's hot & be prepared for it. If you don't go in dreading it, you'll be ok. I'm a firm believer in mind of matter when it comes to that.
Hit the Parks early & leave around noon for lunch, pool & downtime. Go back later in the evening. Use Common Sense & Fast Passes & you'll have a great time. Aug. 2005 we never waited more than 15 minutes for anything except Star Tours. (we waited about 20) and that was only because we had to kill time anyways.
We didn't see tour groups either August Trip.
Afternoon rainshowers/thunderstorms are common. They can be torrential, but usually brief. Touring during one is really good tho, clears alot of folks out.

I personally love August. I love going to the Water Parks when I don't freeze between slides. I love going to PI late at night in shorts. I love roasting in the sun by the pool & then diving into to cool off a bit before roasting some more.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

May is great. Hot but that is part of why i want to go to Florida.
June is surprisingly hot. Hot enough that DS couldn't take the heat.
August is so hot and humid and raining every afternoon that we only spent about 3 hours a day in the park before we were too miserable to do anymore. At USF/IOA we spent more time in the waterplay area than in rides or shows. We were in Orlando this past August and i passed up extending 3 days for WDW with free dining because it was just too hot to do the parks.The water parks were wonderful however.
But we live on Cape Cod where it is so chilly that i stick my feet under the dog in July just to warm my feet.
From Texas the heat might not seem so bad.

 

[noladave]

We went last week in July & 1st week in August 2 trips ago, and I swear I will never, ever, ever, ever (get the point?) go in August again. Torrential rains almost every day, and the heat and humidity - what a combination (and I'm from New Orleans, so I'm used to the heat and humidity).

Get everyone up early in the morning, hit as many attractions as possible, then head back to the hotel for the 2pm - 5/6pm time frame (swim or nap), and then head back out until midnight (or later during EMH).

Beware, though, busses took as long as an hour, or more, to get you back to the hotel.

Remember, you will still have fun, you just have to schedule, and DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS!!! I can't tell you how many people were having problems because they were not drinking enough (especially young kids).

 

[Kitty 34]

My brother and family went to WDW this past August (the 1st week) and tho it was hot they absolutly loved their trip!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We always go to WDW in the winter (Dec, Jan, Feb, March and a few times in May) We decieded to go Aug 2003 because it was our 10 year wedding aniversary and we had AP so why not? I mean how bad could it be? 10 days at OKW in a studio. (with no car.) Agu 13 to 20th. It was also during the major north power outage, being from Detroit we missed it, so that was good!

1st off I asked all over DIs and other message boards about hurricanes and everyones said "Orlando is too far inland, never happens." Everyone said that. One year later and everything changed.

Our biggest problem was the rain. It rained, not just for an hour everyday but many many many hours every day, some days all day. I think it rained more hours total in the 10 days then it didn't. There was some sun, and we did have a good time over all. I think we got less done in those 10 days because of the rain then a nomral 6 or 7 day trip. When it wasn't raining it was hot. I remember one morning we were standing in line for tmw speedway and it was 8:45 am and the sweat was just running of us! I don't remember the crowds really being an issue (it was more near the end of Aug for us.)

So we said Aug, summer? Never again. Let's stick to winter months. (Going winter is always part of the fun, getting away from MI's cold weather).

However I say never again. Giving the choice between Aug Disney or No Disney, I might take my chances with Aug. The crowds weren't the problem. For us it was the rain. I think that summer was a really wet one for FLA. Normal ones it rains a little bit every day (in the afternoon.)

 

[The Sweetness]

We go August 4-12 or we don't go at all. I am absolutely sick over it. I wanted DS to go to Star Wars weekend, I wanted to miss the absolute blatantly brutal heat, I wanted to miss crowds of "9". DH is actually pleased. He is excited about having our dates set in stone. But I can NOT get excited about going in August.

I have to know if it is really worth bothering to go in August of 2006 or if we should just scrap it. We have never been when it is really crowded OR really hot. I can't imagine this being a good thing, but DH wants to try. So let me have it - tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly for August!

You may not like my opinion, but Im in a mood today anyway, so here it is~ Since you arent greatfull for the opritunity that you have, send the DH and the kids on their own. When they return, they will either complain, and make you glad you passed, or rave, making you feel like a donkey for passing up the chance. Either way, complaining wont solve anything. But, I am glad that there are web sites, such as this one, who allow us all to vent our vacation frustrations. The heat and tour groups can be a real mother flower, along with the throngs of families not wanting to take their kids out of school for a vacation. But, when you go to a place like WDW, only wanting to show your kid(s) a great time, and dont over plan, you cant miss. I apologize if this response seems rude, just trying to give my honest opinion

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks for all of the info & opinions!

It is hot in Texas in the summer, but we don't typically go stand out in the heat. If we are out we are at the pool. We don't go to Six Flags in the summer because it is too hot, but the water park is pretty good. I asked DH if he wanted to go NORTH, to Vermont or Cape Cod and he said no. So much for that.

I know about rain every afternoon because I moved to Dallas from Tampa. It rains every afternoon at 4 PM all summer long in Tampa. Those days with all day rain are bad, and I can see how a hurricane would cause those. But when we went in January of this year we had one day where it rained over 3 inches. It was raining when we woke up and didn't stop raining until after dinner. Luckily it wasn't that cold.

You guys have given me lots of good tips and I will keep them all in mind as we make our way to the World in August.

As for sending DH and DS without me, that would never happen. I plan every detail of our trips, they just come along for the ride. I suppose I could plan a solo trip and leave them here, but that wouldn't be nice. We'll all go. If I hate it then some of you will be able to say "Told you so" when I come back.

 

[justmitype]

We went to Disneyworld for this summer, in August. August 15-19. Yes, it was hot - heat index of 115, but we took the advice of the boards and got to the parks right before they opened. We did everything we wanted to do, several times, and left the park by 12:30 - 1:00. We brought the Mr. Cool fans, drank lots of water and had a GREAT time. We went back to the parks at 5:00 and had more fun. August definitely is not my first choice, but we had a blast.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks for all of the info & opinions!

It is hot in Texas in the summer, but we don't typically go stand out in the heat. If we are out we are at the pool. We don't go to Six Flags in the summer because it is too hot, but the water park is pretty good. I asked DH if he wanted to go NORTH, to Vermont or Cape Cod and he said no. So much for that.

I know about rain every afternoon because I moved to Dallas from Tampa. It rains every afternoon at 4 PM all summer long in Tampa. Those days with all day rain are bad, and I can see how a hurricane would cause those. But when we went in January of this year we had one day where it rained over 3 inches. It was raining when we woke up and didn't stop raining until after dinner. Luckily it wasn't that cold.

You guys have given me lots of good tips and I will keep them all in mind as we make our way to the World in August.

As for sending DH and DS without me, that would never happen. I plan every detail of our trips, they just come along for the ride. I suppose I could plan a solo trip and leave them here, but that wouldn't be nice. We'll all go. If I hate it then some of you will be able to say "Told you so" when I come back.

That was the type of rain that we were expecting. We rather figured it can be hot in MI in aug too so what differnce could it make? The thing was 2003 was a abnormally wet summer. Who's to say 2006 will be. The normal afternoon rain we could handel, heck we had a 2 year old so we were in the room around 3:00 and 4:00 every day for a nap anyway.

If it is a normal summer and you do it like justmitype said it might be good. But then again, what is normal in FLA in aug now a days?

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Hey! You ARE going to WDW. What is there not to be excited about?


Sure it is really hot(we have been 3 times in summer) and crowded too. But the atmospherre is so much fun. The crowds make the place feel really alive. Everyone is having fun i the pools and around the resort.

Just have a plan and make sure to get up early. We did everything we wanted to do and we had a blast. Just enjoy the wonderful pools, extra long parc hours, no closed attractions, water parks extra night time shows.....there really is alot of advantages to going in the summer.

Come on! You're gonna have a great time.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Ok - If your in TX then Orlando is NOT that hot! It's about the same! YOur humidity is definitely the same. A lot of schools start that week in the south so that's a plus for you....I'll think of other things later..

 

[luvmyfam444]

May is incerdilt hot too & in fact last week in the afternoon it was quit hot - oh of course not 95 degress or anything but hot enough to be in shorts & sandals all day- which you don't expect in Nov!

We've learned by going in the summer that when we feel like we'e getting a little hot we jump into an a/c ride/show...so you can plan around that. Like pirates or the Presidents or the Tiki room would cool you off enough to tolerate another 30 mins outside in the heat....just play that game of going inside once you get a bit hot.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Your little guy is adorable!

I have decided that if I could go around Disney in a stroller, topless, eating popsicles, that August would be just fine!

It will be a challenge to keep DS9 hydrated because he doesn't like water. None of us do. But there again, we'll have June and July in Texas to get all these habits established. He goes to camp outdoors in the summer, but usually just in the morning. When it gets REALLY hot he usually does indoor camps like art and drama instead of golf and tennis.

I am coming around to the mindset that August won't be ideal but it will be workable. DH is already talking about touring in the morning, then going back to the resort for the heat of the day or going to FW at Epcot where we can spend time in the pavilions that we haven't really paid attention to before. Of course everyone else will have that same plan, so we will need lots of patience, too!

 

[The Sweetness]

Its been years for me, so please dont blast me if Im wrong here, but~ Dont a lot of FW attractions have indoor (airconditioned ) cues? If so, that would minimize your sun exposure

 

[PrincessLindy]

If you were going over Memorial day weekend August may be the same or even less crowded. As far as heat with Florida you can have heat at any time. The last time we went in October we were there during record heat. It was well into the 90's sereral days and very humid. The next week we had to wear jackets.

Just plan for heat and crowds and have fun! Probably will be better than you expected!

 

[Syrreal]

a couple of quick notes about the rain
most of the time it's just an afternoon thunderstorm and then it's over and back to business. You can always go eat at that time or just take a break somewhere. If it's pouring the whole day. take your poncho or rain jacket or whatever and take advantage that the parks are practically empty- no waiting- sometime scertain rides may be closed down temporarily because of lightning but there are plenty of other thing sto do as well. Just have fun- after all you're on vacation

 

[kmkja1]

Well, vacation bidding is over at DH's company and we didn't get the week we wanted. We are booked for May 27-June 5, all ADR's secured, everything except airfare. BUT DH didn't get that week. I only slept 3 hours last night because I was so nervous about the bid. I had a feeling it wouldn't go well, and it didn't.

Bottom line is this:
We go August 4-12 or we don't go at all. I am absolutely sick over it. I wanted DS to go to Star Wars weekend, I wanted to miss the absolute blatantly brutal heat, I wanted to miss crowds of "9". DH is actually pleased. He is excited about having our dates set in stone. But I can NOT get excited about going in August.

Please share ALL of your August experiences - crowds, heat, Brazilian tour groups, whatever. I have to know if it is really worth bothering to go in August of 2006 or if we should just scrap it. We have never been when it is really crowded OR really hot. I can't imagine this being a good thing, but DH wants to try. So let me have it - tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly for August!

I can really symphathize with how you are feeling. We were going to be in Florida this last July and my wife pinned me down that we were going to be taking our 3 kids for our first Disney trip while we were there. She has been after me for years for this. I said OK if that is what you want but it is going to be hot and crowded and I was sure that we would be miserable. I thought I was so smart and that she would hang her head and tell me how smart I was after the trip. Boy was I wrong. DW, DD9,DS8 & DD6 and I all had a great time. If it is the only time you can go then do it. We were hot, the parks were crowded but it was still wonderful.

 

[DaisyGirlAllTheWay]

for my first time in disney I had a great time in august! Granted I ended up missing a lot of rides due to sheer frustration from the heat, I just wasnt prepared at all. I think with a good touring plan, scheduled breaks and proper hydration you should be great! Have fun!

 

[marc1477]

By all means....stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. Go and buy the Brita Fill N Go personal water bottles. They are great and have a water filter in each one.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

HEY! Why didn't any of you guys mention that August is VALUE season at the Deluxe resorts?

I mean, since it will be my BIRTHDAY, I think we should stay at AKL instead of Pop. Hmm. Maybe August won't be so horrible...