August info please, the good, bad and ugly...

[MouseEars4us]

We usually travel Oct.thru Dec. to WDW. However, there is a possibility of a trip the last week of August next year...what to expect?

Weather? Hot and humid no doubt, but aren't the hours longer so we could break during the day and swim and return in the evening? Rainy?

Crowds? We just came back from Thanksgiving Week, we found it crowded but managable...resort wise it is value season for some...does this mean not quite as crowded?

Since we've only traveled in the cooler months, we've never bothered to do a water park, missed out on hurricanes, avoided the mosquitoes (except this year), and mostly avoided sunburn... from all who've braved the Summers at WDW do you have any thoughts? TIA!

 

[loriandmatt]

were there in Aug 03 for the last two weeks of the month. 3rd week was kind of crowded (compaired to what we are used to) but the last week was great. We got out of town before the holiday weekend crowds though.

yes on the hot and humid thing, but it wasn't that bad. Skeeters were a bugger, but we were at Fort Wilderness. We had quite a few rain storms with two days being complete rain outs - bad storms actually. Not much fun in a pop up camper!

Longer hours for that 3rd week, not so much for the last week. We took advantage of the water park - could realy get your money's worth if you go all day on a hot humid day. Just don't forget the STRONG sunblock.

- lori

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

I definitely think it's manageable if you go in with the right attitude, which you seem to have!

Usually, the parks are open later, so my DH and I will spend the day at a water park and then hop over to a park for the late afternoon and evening. The other alternative, as you mentioned, is to take breaks at the resort pool for the afternoon. You just have to do that - it's darn hot in the afternoons.

The only part that is unpredictable is the rain. It used to be that it would rain for 30 minutes around 4 - 5 pm and that was it. This past year though, it rained for hours and hours and really ruined the day. Obviously, with the hurricanes and all that, this was a wierd year so hopefully next year we'll get back to normal!

All in all, I don't think summers are bad at WDW!

 

[MouseEars4us]

were there in Aug 03 for the last two weeks of the month. 3rd week was kind of crowded (compaired to what we are used to) but the last week was great. We got out of town before the holiday weekend crowds though.

About when do those holiday crowds roll in? Friday or earlier? Should we plan for a Sunday - Thursday trip before Labor Day Wknd or earlier?

We've handled rain before...unless there's lightening, it doesn't stop us...

Anyone else have any other thoughts? Any tips on rates? We ruled out September because of the lack of AP rates...anyone get a good discount on anything this time of year?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We went Aug. 19-26. My father thought it was unbearably hot but I didn't. We took breaks in the afternoon. While I usually sit and read out on the balcony it was too warm so I just sat inside.

I thought the crowds were very low. Much lower than I expected but this was right after a hurricane. I was prepared for Easter like crowds but I really thought the crowds were low. Fl schools are already back to schools and many other activities have already started. We missed the first couple of soccor and gymnastics practice but no school.

Unlike other months when I had been there it really would pour for a most of the day.

 

[MouseEars4us]

Hmmm...daylong downpours can be a problem...so, I guess if we go, bring quarters for the arcade or Disney Trivia game? Catch the monorail and shop the resorts? Shop DTD? My 16 and 12 year old girl can handle that, DS4-5 and DH can swing the arcade... Can't hurt to be prepared!

 

[cmonroe]

We went Aug. 19-26. My father thought it was unbearably hot but I didn't. We took breaks in the afternoon. While I usually sit and read out on the balcony it was too warm so I just sat inside.

I thought the crowds were very low. Much lower than I expected but this was right after a hurricane. I was prepared for Easter like crowds but I really thought the crowds were low. Fl schools are already back to schools and many other activities have already started. We missed the first couple of soccor and gymnastics practice but no school.

Unlike other months when I had been there it really would pour for a most of the day.

I was there from Aug 16-26 and considered the crowds on the heavier side. We had significant wait times and were constantly use fast pass. Perhaps it was the heat that made me think this. It was in the 90's everday. I've been during most times of the year and had actually been in August before. It wasn't awful, but it was hotter than I like. As MaryKatesMom stated, afternoon breaks are the key. I didn't think we were going to break everyday, but we (children and parents) needed to recharge the battery in the afternoon. This worked out well as it usually rained every afternoon from about 2 - 5pm. Lightening is very common, and you should be prepared for things to stop while it is lightening. We were stuck on the boat from MGM to Epcot for over an hour in a lightening storm. We docked at the boardwalk, and the boat could not move until the lightening had passed.

MaryKatesMom is right again. Bring the umbrella. Lots of rain in August.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Lightening is very common, and you should be prepared for things to stop while it is lightening. We were stuck on the boat from MGM to Epcot for over an hour in a lightening storm.

cmonroe is correct about the lightning. My next-door balcony neighbor had to tell at a bunch of tween's playing volley ball in a lightning storm that they should go back to thier rooms.

I sat on my balcony at the Beach club watching two people in ponchos and umbrella's standing and waiting for the boat. I was really torn about calling security to get them off that dock with those umbrellas in the lightning storm.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have been to WDW the past two Augusts. Aug.'03 was really rainy with some pretty impressive thunder/lighning storms. But, the heat/humidity was managable. The crowds were somewhat heavy but I chalk that up to that Fairy Tale pkg. they had going. We were there for the third week.
Now, last August was brutal. We checked in on 8/13...same day H. Charley did. After the storm the humidity was incredible. The crowds were donw for about 3 days. Then, all the people in the Orlando area that weren't in school due to the hurricane headed to the parks!! It rained a little each day but nothing like in '03. Pack ponchos of some sort and you'll be fine.

Having just returned from our Thanksgiving trip, my dh says I will never get him to WDW during the hot spring/summer months again. He fell in love with the weather at this time of year. It was nice to be in the parks and not be soaking wet from the humidity or having to cut short your time in the parks because you are so wiped out by 6:00!!!!

 

[MouseEars4us]

gee...how could I forget Florida is like the lightening strike capitol...not the same rain we're used to in November...I'll have to remember this...

 

[Topper]

I live here in Florida and have been to Disney just once in August. Never again! Too darn hot and humid. Bugs. Crowds (kids are out of school dontchaknow).

I prefer early December or early February.

MUCH nicer.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Went 8/22 - 8/29 for a first-ever family trip. We expected the worst, but were pleasantly surprised! Yes, it was sunny, hot and humid, but there are definitely ways to cool off (pool breaks, A/C, a cooling lunch PS, Philharmagic, etc). We drank plenty of water, used misting fans and also use neck guards with those cooling beads -- unbelievably soothing!

We did not have rain every day, but nearly every day there were lightening watches in the late afternoon that cleared the pools, so be prepared! We did go to Typhoon Lagoon one day but honestly the crowd level was unnerving for me.

We thought the crowd levels in the parks were reasonable and the value season pricing was a plus for us. We plan to go again next August...

 

[Jenny]

it's definitely hot & humid - low 90s everyday. i went in late aug. 99 - we brought a Misty Mate & put it in our backpack. we put cold water in the cannister, put the cannister in the backpack, let just the hose stick out then at the end of the hose is your spout w/ an open & close valve. it also had a clip on it so DH clipped it to his shirt. he would mist/spray his head/shirt, etc then he'd be quite cool when going into air conditioned buildings. it's not enough to drink from/it's just a mist. we got it in walgreens a few years back. he loves it. crowds shouldn't be too bad since kids are going back to school. good luck.

 

[luvtoall]

The good.... WDW!!!!!
bad.......crowds
ugly......hot, rain.