August - is it really that bad ??

[princessjodiebo]

well after looking at my dd's school calendar i have hit a bit of a problem for our 2013 plans

looks like she will have part of her gcse exams straight after october half term so there is absoloutely no way i will be taking her out of school even for a few days

so i am left in august or a shorter holiday

am a bit worried about the weather in august as when we were there at the end of may some days the humidity was unbearable

so my dilemma is this - do i go in august and brave the weather ? ( to be honest we tended to hit the parks at rope drop then back to the hotel for a nap or pool time and back again in the evening )

or do i go for a shorter period of time and try and cram it all in ??

also as some of you already may know i have a huge fear of flying and although i got over it this year i am worried about bumpier flights in august due to hurricanes etc

any advice much appreciated ! seeing as new brochures are out in 6 months or so i want a rough idea of when im thinking of going

 

[Princess Clayre]

We went in August last year because of school holidays and I said never again. I just couldn't cope with the humidity, I felt like a complete english flake . For me it just seem to restrict the amount of things we were able to do because it was too hot. On the plus side we didn't have any turbulence on the flights

Next year we back to May crossing into the half term, thankfully his teacher cleared it before we booked.

 

[cliveywolves]

Hiya,

We went in August this year a first for us too, we went 23/8 - 4/9, As flight costs are fairly low as far as school holiday dates, Yes it is hot and very humid all the time ( still in outdoor pool at 10pm ) but as long as you plan days and allow breaks you can more than manage it. Lots of attractions have indoor air con' q's now and even outdoor ones are well shaded and fans. Always dive in a store/shop for 10 mins to cool down too,just drink plenty of water.

We normally hit parks at 9am leave mid afternoon and then go back on the night for parades/shows etc. Works well for us as DD (6) is up early but dosent really like late nights.

Hurricanes it really is hit or miss in August, Irene was supposed to hit florida direct when we were out there this year ( DW freaked out ) but it ended up missing the coast by 250 miles so we didnt even get bad winds or rain etc.. We didnt get to much rain just the typical florida thunder storms, but you can get them in most summer months ! BTW ill be honest I did think are flights were bumpier than we when we went in May or June.

Hope this helps you out and looks like we are now going back next August too! )

 

[jen_uk]

I've been 4 times in August and am going again next year. It is hot and humid but you just have to know your limits and make sure you are careful with drinking lots of water and taking breaks. If it was a choice of August or going for a shorter break I would take August every time

 

[WiganTony]

We've been in August 4 out of our 5 visits and yes - the weather is hot and humid, and you can get some fairly heavy but short storms in the afternoon.

However, we have never had a problem with spending full days in the parks - we just make sure we drink plenty of water (tip we had was to freeze a few bottles and keep in an insulated bag with some unfrozen bottles), keep ducking into indoor air-conditioned shows/rides regularly, and make good use of Fastpasses so we aren't queuing too long.

That said, appreciate that we may be more tolerant of high temperatures/ humidity than others, but I'm actually one of those who prefers colder weather rather than warmer and don't find it too difficult coping!!

It's worth going to any water parks early morning, then if heavy rain/storms arrive in the afternoon, you have had some time there and can go shopping.

In both 2009 and 2010, we visited in the first 2 weeks of August and didn't find it overly busy - again, good use of Fastpasses and a couple of morning EMHs at EPCOT and HS kept waiting to a minimum.

 

[janiebubble]

I'm a teacher, so my choice is August or a shorter holiday ... since 2003 I've picked the shorter holiday!

My last visit in August it rained daily, was so humid I found it unbearable ... but I really don't like the heat full stop.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi,

We went in August due to family members being teachers and the kids etc.

I love the heat but even I found it hard, more the humidity I suppose, but if it is the only time you can go, you just put up with it.

Rain wise I think we had three "iffy days or part days" rain wise so we were lucky again

I am like you hate flying and we were so lucky with the flight, hardly any turbulence

Next time we would probably do a "park" day then a day by pool and the same again, as we were exhausted

 

[jtlover]

August is ok, not if you are going to the Universal parks if it is too hot.

I find the Disney parks ok because you can get out of the heat quite a bit. Universal is too open so when it is really hot it is too uncomfortable.

If you are going at park drop and then going out of the parks and going back later I dont think it is too bad.

We tend to go the late part of August if we go that month as it is also quieter.

 

[Raspberry Bubbles]

We were there for the whole of August in 2008 (we were getting married) and it was hot and humid but we did just fine ~ and I managed to get married outside in a huge dress too! Hydrate well, sunscreen yourself and wear a hat. I am usually terrible with the heat in the UK but I was fine. I'd do it again.

 

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

We've been twice in August and the heat and humidity weren't nearly as bad as we feared, queues were fine too, just made good use of fastpass

 

[2Tiggies]

We've been twice in August and the heat and humidity weren't nearly as bad as we feared, queues were fine too, just made good use of fastpass

I think heat over there is easier to deal with than 'heat' in the UK because they are well equipped to deal with it. Disney has so many indoor shows and attractions and very few queuing areas are actually outdoors.

I am thinking August is going to be our only option after next year when DD is in high school and have no reservations about booking that time of the year. As I have said to her when she looked at me with big eyes the first time I mentioned this, given the choice of Disney in August or no Disney/a short one week stay at another time of the year, I would take August any day. Never been at that time of the year but I have no qualms about booking it if that is what will suit our calendar.

 

[DISWolves]

We have been during August about 9 times now (including all of August this year). Mid August onwards sees most of the county schools back, so this tends to make the parks a little quieter. Last August most days where mid 90's or above, but with a bit of planning you will be fine. Early parks starts and leave after lunch with a few hours pool time works for us. As far as hurricanes go, it's the luck of the draw. Have felt the effect of a few tropical storms, but nothing to worry about.
Go for it!!!!!!

 

[jen_uk]

We went to see my husbands family in Albania last July and I found the heat there unbearable, I found it hard to handle as you just can't get away from it. I am okay in Florida though in the summer because as others have said the air con is fantastic and there are so many chances throughout the day to get out of the sun.

 

[theminx08]

We went August last year and although humid not unbearable. Also the end of August was really quiet in the parks as USA children are back to school. Ride wait times were all 5-10 mins! I would def go that time of year again. x

 

[buddles norfolk uk]

Just to reiterate what everyone else has said- we've always gone in August (we were at school, now we're teachers!) and have never found it 'unbearable'.
It is hot and humid, but we've just popped into the air conditioned areas or gone on a water ride (this is what we did at Universal, like someone said it's very open here, but the rapids will soon cool you down!).
The crowds are fine as long as you're savvy, using TGM or something similar and make good use of fastpasses. We usually avoid EMH too.
Looking at your usual plan of going for rope drop, then popping home for a nap in the afternoon works great for August- you're really ready for that rest then and refreshed for the evenings in the parks or DTD.
Also, we've never had really turbulent flights. Congratulations on working through your fears, too.
Finally- see you there hopefully, we're going August 2013!

 

[Kath2003]

I've been in August several times and LOVE the heat!

I'd go then, but my partner wouldn't cope with the heat, and the flight prices are nuts. We do Easter instead, but I'd take August over April any day. When we went in April 2009, our first 2 days were so cold I had to go buy a jumper...

Crowds don't bother us since we go for opening. We favour Universal but have never experienced any more problems with heat here than we have at Disney.

 

[princessjodiebo]

the only other time i would go is easter but i was put off by crowds possibly beign crazy

difficult to decide - both times are going to be expensive its just wether i would cope better with heat and no queues or crowds and better weather sooo frustrating !!

 

[Kath2003]

the only other time i would go is easter but i was put off by crowds possibly beign crazy

difficult to decide - both times are going to be expensive its just wether i would cope better with heat and no queues or crowds and better weather sooo frustrating !!

The crowds will be crazy in both Easter and August if you don't arrive early?

The Easter weekend is fairly manic; we just arrive early or plan our rest/shopping days during that time.