August trip....am I crazy?

[firstwdw]

We live in the northeast (hour north of Boston). We have been to Disney in April/May/November but never in the heat of the summer. How bad is the heat and humidity? If you had the choice between Disney in August or Universal during Thanksgiving week(Disney resorts sold out)....what would you pick? Conflicted with the weather in August but also the crowds of Thanksgiving! It would just be a quick summer trip....5 nights....4 day base tickets to celebrate milestone birthday. Then we go back next spring for a full week with hoppers and possibly will do Universal for 2 nights on that trip. We aren't sure what we will think of Universal but know we love and miss Disney!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We always go in August. We do Waterparks and it's hot for sure. You hate hot? Do Thanksgiving

 

[Cheburashka]

We live in the northeast. We have been to Disney in April/May/November but never in the heat of the summer. How bad is the heat and humidity? If you had the choice between Disney in August or Universal during Thanksgiving week(Disney resorts sold out)....what would you pick? Conflicted with the weather in August! It would just be a quick summer trip....5 nights....4 day base tickets to celebrate milestone birthday. Then we go back next spring for a full week with hoppers.

I would choose Disney in August because we have no interest in Universal. We've been to Disney World 3 times in July and enjoyed it. For each of those trips, relaxing and swimming at the resort (and sometimes water parks, but imo they're optional if your resort has a great pool) was just as important to us as going to the theme parks. If you don't like to swim and really just want to be in the four theme parks all day, then I don't recommend Disney World in summer and you should go to Universal in November instead.

If you can avoid park touring in the middle of the afternoon (which is harder these days with their shorter hours), then you can still enjoy yourselves at the parks. Forget about dawn until dusk commando park touring: that's a recipe for misery in summer. Stay at the nicest resort you can afford, because you'll have more resort time in summer due to the more difficult weather, and enjoy the pool and/or relaxing in your room for a while each day.

Be prepared for a daily thunderstorm (or even dry lightning sightings) that will last for a few hours on most days and probably close the outdoor rides down for while. It rarely rains before noon in summer (and almost always does rain in the afternoon, even on days when morning skies are clear as a bell), so morning is the most reliable time of day to try to ride outdoor rides. Wear clothing that is bearable when wet. Things to avoid wearing are jeans material (shrinks & stiffens when wet and takes forever to dry), leather shoes, and tennis shoes. Wear supportive waterproof athletic shoes (I like Tevas) so that you can keep going without being uncomfortable when your feet get soaked.

 

[Darcy03231]

I live in the Northeast and for years we always went to WDW the last week of August. I really didn't think it was that much hotter than at home. Our strategy was to get up early, do the parks for a few hours, back to the resort at the pool for the afternoon, and then back to the parks in the evening.

Personally, since you're going back to WDW next spring, I'd do Universal Thanksgiving week.

 

[Moliphino]

We used to go in August every year. Yeah, it's hot. Just know where to get some AC breaks during the day.

 

[maltdizzy]

The old saying is true, "it is not the heat, but the humidity". If you get a lot of Summer humidity (like the Boston area) and are used to it, Florida isn't drastically worse.

We like Universal as well, but not sure I would do either during Thanksgiving week crowds.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We live in the northeast. We have been to Disney in April/May/November but never in the heat of the summer. How bad is the heat and humidity? If you had the choice between Disney in August or Universal during Thanksgiving week(Disney resorts sold out)....what would you pick? Conflicted with the weather in August! It would just be a quick summer trip....5 nights....4 day base tickets to celebrate milestone birthday. Then we go back next spring for a full week with hoppers.

We always do an early August trip right before our kids go back to school but we live in the south and just a drive away from WDW. It's usually a little hotter where we are than it is in WDW. We don't thrive in the heat, but we manage ok and we always have a great trip. For me there is no choice between Universal and Disney, it's always Disney so that would have no bearing on my decision. Even without the heat, if for some reason a TS or hurricane rolls in, that can mess up your flight or your trip. There are lots of ways to "beat" the heat so to speak, but if you really hate heat, humidity and rain, then a summertime WDW visit should not be on your radar.

 

[firstwdw]

The old saying is true, "it is not the heat, but the humidity". If you get a lot of Summer humidity (like the Boston area) and are used to it, Florida isn't drastically worse.

We like Universal as well, but not sure I would do either during Thanksgiving week crowds.

Yes...we live near Boston-an hour north actually. And I agree about the Thanksgiving week crowds. Thought August before school might be better schedule wise-hard to miss high school!

 

[Geomom]

We're about an hour northwest of Boston. We've been going to Disney in July/August the past couple years as the kids are in high school and college and the only time breaks line up are summer and Christmas. We have been to Disney in February, April, July, August, October, and November. We can handle the heat and humidity in July/August as it's similar to the weather at home. Just seek out some a/c midday, either some longer indoor shows or lunch and drink plenty of fluids. I find October worse as it's so comfortable at home we can't deal with the heat and humidity in Florida. April can also feel too hot to us as we're not used to warm weather yet at home.

 

[Kmedders]

We live in the northeast (hour north of Boston). We have been to Disney in April/May/November but never in the heat of the summer. How bad is the heat and humidity? If you had the choice between Disney in August or Universal during Thanksgiving week(Disney resorts sold out)....what would you pick? Conflicted with the weather in August but also the crowds of Thanksgiving! It would just be a quick summer trip....5 nights....4 day base tickets to celebrate milestone birthday. Then we go back next spring for a full week with hoppers and possibly will do Universal for 2 nights on that trip. We aren't sure what we will think of Universal but know we love and miss Disney!

It's hot... but I wouldn't trade Disney for Universal. Disney in August is like this... you walk out of your hotel room at 9:00 and you instantly sweat. And I'm from Texas. So you go from 9 - 12, then hit the pool until 4, then go back from 5 to close. You drink tons of water, wear hats, take cool towels to drape around your necks, etc. Step into air conditioning when you can, etc. It's doable, otherwise people wouldn't go. But, that's just my opinion... from Texas.

If you want cute pictures though... you don't really get them in August. Your hair... your clothes... everything is sweaty.

 

[glocon]

We love both WDW and UO and frequently do both on the same trip.

The last couple of trips have been July into August. Not gonna lie, the heat was intense. We did take breaks from noonish to 4-5, and every day there were thunderstorms that closed the pool so didn’t have much time in the pools. But the a/c break in the room was definitely needed. If you go in August, plan for down time in the afternoons to help with the heat whether in your room/pool or at a longer sit down lunch.

Never been at Thanksgiving so can’t help there except to say if you do UO definitely stay at one of the deluxe resorts for the included unlimited EPs. That will help with the crowds. The free unlimited EP is a game changer.

I say try UO to see if you like it there. If you have Harry Potter fans, you will love those areas!

Otherwise, just plan for the extreme heat of August and enjoy. They are both great options.

 

[_19disnA]

We would never go to Disney in June/July/August. It tends to be so hot it just isn't enjoyable walking for miles in the blazing sun or waiting in line for rides. No amount of water or comfortable clothing will make it any more enjoyable. Even if you live in some part of the country where it is hot in summer, I doubt you walk x miles or do your most strenuous outdoor activities on the hottest days of the year.

 

[Jaimet]

We've always been in late August, and are planning to go again this year. We are also from the Northeast. It's hot, no doubt about it. I found that I needed more breaks last trip, but my kids couldn't care less. If you are prepared going in, then it's fine. We pack several cooling towels, which really do help. Make sure you are well hydrated and take breaks. But if you are someone who truly cannot handle heat then I wouldn't go.

 

[Heather07438]

Since you’re going next spring I’d choose August. It’s sooner and probably cheaper than Thanksgiving trip, especially if you go late August which should also be much less crowded.

During the week of August 22 sounds great. Ropedrop, break noon-5, close the parks and catch the fireworks. Maybe do Boo Bash after hours. From the 50th on, might be a long time before it’s not crazy crowded again.

 

[MrsPete]

Conflicted with the weather in August but also the crowds of Thanksgiving!

Why are these the only options?

If you want cute pictures though... you don't really get them in August. Your hair... your clothes... everything is sweaty.

Your best bet would be to take pictures first thing in the morning ... of course, this conflicts with the best time for catching line-free rides.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

During the week of August 22 sounds great. Ropedrop, break noon-5, close the parks and catch the fireworks. Maybe do Boo Bash after hours. From the 50th on, might be a long time before it’s not crazy crowded again.

We are going the week August 22nd. We live in the Pacific Northwest so the weather will be a drastic change for us, but we have been in August before and know what to expect. I am hoping the parks a less crowded then our last trip in April of 2018.

 

[Heather07438]

We are going the week August 22nd. We live in the Pacific Northwest so the weather will be a drastic change for us, but we have been in August before and know what to expect. I am hoping the parks a less crowded then our last trip in April of 2018.

Sounds fantastic! It should definitely be less crowded than 2018.

With back to school being such a big deal this year I think less families would want to plan their trip the week directly before, and other schools will have already started. Plus many people decided to hold off their trip to after the 50th since WDW held back a lot of new stuff for Oct 1st. Late August and Sept might be the last dip in attendance for a long time to come. And prices only ever go up

 

[amk43]

We also live near Boston and don't usually go in the summer. We went in July a few years ago, and to be honest it was kind of brutal and we swore we'd never do it again. We usually stay at Beach Club and our favorite thing to do is walk over to Epcot in the evening and stroll around the world, but it was so hot we didn't even want to do that on some of the nights. Another time we did the "Tour de Air Conditioning," where we travelled around the world from shop to shop, spending a few minutes recovering in the AC in each country.

That said, we have a trip booked in August because we haven't been to Disney since April 2019. Reading this thread, I think our mistake last time was not really being prepared for the heat. Hats and cooling towels for all, this time!

 

[firstwdw]

We also live near Boston and don't usually go in the summer. We went in July a few years ago, and to be honest it was kind of brutal and we swore we'd never do it again. We usually stay at Beach Club and our favorite thing to do is walk over to Epcot in the evening and stroll around the world, but it was so hot we didn't even want to do that on some of the nights. Another time we did the "Tour de Air Conditioning," where we travelled around the world from shop to shop, spending a few minutes recovering in the AC in each country.

That said, we have a trip booked in August because we haven't been to Disney since April 2019. Reading this thread, I think our mistake last time was not really being prepared for the heat. Hats and cooling towels for all, this time!

we haven't been since April 2019 either and we are really missing Disney! But high school schedule makes fall difficult and waiting till 2022 school vacation feels like forever! But last week's heat wave here at home was miserable. We hardly left our home....so that makes me a bit nervous, We have done Disney in May when it's super hot but I have a feeling August is even hotter.....but hot is hot... I just don't know! We are morning rope droppers, afternoon break, back to the parks in the evening DIsney goers anyways so we would not be in the parks during the midday hours. I just wonder if it's horrible in the morning and at night too. hmmmm! Have an AWESOME trip!

 

[Mle8308]

we haven't been since April 2019 either and we are really missing Disney! But high school schedule makes fall difficult and waiting till 2022 school vacation feels like forever! But last week's heat wave here at home was miserable. We hardly left our home....so that makes me a bit nervous, We have done Disney in May when it's super hot but I have a feeling August is even hotter.....but hot is hot... I just don't know! We are morning rope droppers, afternoon break, back to the parks in the evening DIsney goers anyways so we would not be in the parks during the midday hours. I just wonder if it's horrible in the morning and at night too. hmmmm! Have an AWESOME trip!

I'm in Boston, too and often visit in August due to school. The heat wave we had here in the NE last week does not compare to FL. It is as hot, if not hotter and even more humid -all the time. Even the morning is sticky hot. And then there are the afternoon thunderstorms that come rolling through that will thoroughly soak you in a matter of seconds. And somehow the humidity gets even more oppressive. Fortunately I like the heat (I lived in Orlando for 15 years before moving back to MA), but it is definitely something to consider. May in FL is nothing like August in FL, it can get hot but the humidity is a lot lower. Oh, and hope for a quiet hurricane season, August is nearly peak time. If you can visit in November, it might be better. From all that I'm reading here and on other blogs, I think the normally less crowded end of August is going to be quite busy. Thanksgiving will be too, but at least you won't be dealing with the intense heat and humidity. Whatever you decide ,I hope you have a great vacation!