August trip, so tell me....

[Dislifer]

Ok...I know it's going to be H-O-T in August but does anyone have any stories to share about "how hot it was" AND also.... what are some tips/strategies to deal with the heat in August in Florida???

Thanks!!!

 

[pepperw23]

We went in Aug in 2000, and had a blast. It rained everyday around 4-5:00, but only in short spurts. This is a good time to plan for dinner because it gets really muggy after that.

There are a lot of ways to cool off at Disney, if the heat gets to be too much, find something inside to do.
Drink lots of water
Don't over do it. Rest when you are tired.
Most important, have fun!!!

Yea, it was hot, but honestly, we didn't really seem to notice all that much. We were too busy having fun!

just remember the water water water water. Long as you don't dehydrate, you should be good to go.

 

[sz9144]

we went last week of august last year with two 3 yr olds. we went to the parks when they first opened, toured until about 12noon when it got very hot, we would go back to the resort for pool/nap/lunch, (for us it usually rained everyday sometime between 1-3pm, and then left around 4 pm to go back to the parks and had dinner out at the parks, coming back around 10pm and using the pool again until midnite.

most important things we had with us, especially with small kids:

1) cheap umbrella strollers (easy to collapse to get on and off bus, allowed us to wheel kids from bus stops to and from the parks- which was often a long hike); and some form of storage bag (ours came with a netted bag) to store water bottles, wipes, etc; I recommend single strollers even if you have 2 small kids- there were many times when one kid wanted to go one place and the other wanted to go somewhere else.

2) small battery powered fans (buy them at local store for like 1-2 dollars, they charge like $6 if you buy at disney

 

[dyna]

I used a wet paper towel to wipe sweaty face and arms with when I was there last Aug/Sept. It was small easy to carry in hand. When it got hot I'd wet it again at water fountain or in bathroom. Went thru several a day usually just got a fresh one when I went to bathroom. The paper towel was great in the sense that I didn't have to worry about dropping it and loosing it.

Take lots of breaks seek out places to cool off. Know where those places are before you go. Go back to room when park gets crowded and the sun intense noon or so works well. Walk in the shade when you can big difference just walkin in the shade verses the sun. I'm a person who at disney normally seeks the shortest route to where I want to go not takin those extra steps but last summer I took those steps to get in the shade.

Off peak times you just want a drink go inside get a drink at the counterservice no one says you have to eat anything there. Not the thing to do at peak meal times but when off peak why not.

The monorail a easy break and is good place to cool off as well no one says at off peak times you have to get off when it stops.

1 rule we have always had a disney no matter the time of year is to go back to the room take a break in afternoon. EVERYONE rests for 1 hour no tv no talking so those who wish may actually nap. Then swim time for those who wish. That way ya make sure everyone in group gets rest if ya swim 1st chances are ya gonna hang to long at pool or kid is gonna cry just 10 more mins whatever. GET the rest in 1st.

When DD was to young to go to pool for a little while by herself DH and I took turns gettin up and goin to the pool with her. The other could stay in room nap longer or just relax in room gettin a few mins quiet time to ourselves or do things around room that needed to be done. Sometimes we chose to go to pool with them and have family time in the pool as well.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Our August trip was the best one we've taken! DD was 8 and DS was 4. They loved the misting fans, both to spray themselves and to drink from. One of my strategies was to plan an attraction with A/C every so often, which worked great. While I had been prepared to return to the hotel for a swim in the afternoon, we did that only once. The AK was the worst for heat and humanity (!), but several runs down KRR really helped us deal with that. The heat bothered us more during our June trip, actually.

 

[janice1234]

like previous poster said, plan on being at park when it opens, stay until noon. drink plenty of water, when you think you have had enough water, drink some more. swim or nap in the afternoon. plan on dinner and parks in the evening. for us last year it rained late afternoon. also plan on diffrent clothes to bring and change into, the humidity is just gross. be prepared to take it slow, you will have a blast. we are going back in august, stay cool.

 

[Dislifer]

Thanks everyone!!!

So far we will remember to:

Drink lots of water
Take a break midday (no t.v., no talking...I like that!)
Buy one of those mist/fans (but isn't it a pain to have to carry that all over with you???)

Thanks!

 

[prplcrzy]

We've been in August and are going back this August for 2 weeks (5-20th)! Like everyone said, it will be hot, but you need to pace yourself and take A/C breaks every once in a while. Even going into stores will cool you off.

We would take breaks mid-day and go back for a swim/rest, then shower and head back out later.

We did laundry so it wasn't a big deal, but we would go through 2 complete changes of clothes each day. You may want to make sure you bring extra clothes and just make sure they are light, both in fabric and color. Nothing worse than having a dark shirt on while baking in the sun!

Have a great trip, maybe we'll see you there.

Nancy

 

[HiddenMickey3018]

My very first trip to WDW was in August 2003. The one thing I recommend is ponchos! It rained everyday at around 1:00pm. Buy them first before you go, they are less expensive, we found green ones for our kids at Walmart, the fact that they were green made them stand out more. Also, it will be extremely hott!!!!! Mostely in the morning to late afternoon hours, we spent them watching shows in the air condition, and our kids had a blast at Epcott, the educational things in airconditioned buildings are a blessing on a hot day. Drink plenty of liquids, listen to your body, if you feel tired, relax!!! And have fun!!! It's disney world baby!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

If you are visiting the parks the best tip is to get there early, leave at lunch time and return, if you wish, in the evening - you will avoid the worst of the heat.

 

[Drnifer]

In August 2004 it was so hot that we had to line the curb with maps before sitting to watch the MK parade because the tar was melting! It also rained (thunderstormed) 4-5 hours daily, but at least it kept the crowds down. Definitely get there early and take an afternoon break. Unfortunately during our breaks there was always lightning and the pools would close, so the kids didn't get to swim much. Remember your ponchos/umbrellas and go for it!

 

[kizzy212]

i can always remember the first time i went to florida from the uk. it was 1996 and we didnt know any one that had been before so i didnt know what to expect. i knew it was hot but could prepare me for what was about to come.
we landed at sanford at 2pm, we stepped of plane into the tunnel in our jeans and t-shirts. i said to my partner "god this tunnel is warm" ( now i aint telling fibs but it felt like i had walked into a small room with a central heating on full" i couldnt breath. we collected our luggage and headed for the doors.
OH MY GOD. the doors open and the heat returned straight in our faces. within 5 minutes our jeans was stuck to our legs. no wonder the parents on plain was changing there childrens clothes. my son had long sleeve t-shirt and joggers on. he was in his vest within 15 minutes. it felt asif you was breathing in hot aiir. after a while you get used to it.

a/c is a god send. its great. everywhere we went we had races to get in the building first. like everyone as said be seniable in aug the weather is very hot and you need to take care. listen to your body and drink loads.

we always go in aug and love it...

have a great holiday and take care...

 

[dsnymomof4]

Yes, we had a wonderful time when we went in August. But, I remember when we returned from our trip and people would ask me "how was your trip?", I would say "hot!" From the time we left our hotel room to the time we got to the bus stop, we were already drenched with sweat. In most, if not all, of our pictures from that trip, everyone had red faces and slicked-back hair. We would take a bathroom break even when we didn't need to, jsut because it was air-conditioned in there! Even at night when the sun went down, it still felt like it was 90 degrees! (Do you get the picture that it was HOT!) Seriously, though, you can have a wonderful time by utilizing all of the above-posted tips, especially the afternoon breaks in the pool, drinking plenty of water, having the mister-fans, and seeking out the air-conditioned attractions to break up the heat. Have a great trip!

 

[Melissa]

HOT! Tarzan HOT! We did it last Aug. and we had a great trip but you'll notice this year we did Jan and May. I won't do Aug. again! That said you'll have fun , a plastic baggie with a wash cloth left overnight in the freezer was a big help. Lots of breaks go to the parks first thing then get out and swim for the afternoon.

 

[chrrycolalola]

Although it is really hot in August, we love touring during that time. We went the last week of Aug 2004 and the 1st week of Sept 05, both times it was very hot and it did storm a few times later in the days. One of the best tips that I took from these boards was to invest in ponchos. If you buy them beforehand you can get a few from a dollar store and they can really be life savers, they are also great for keeping cameras dry while on Splash Mt . Breaks are important, eventhough we don't have children yet, we always took breaks and toured rather leisurely. A great escape is heading back to the resort pool in the afternoon. I also love taking late afternoon showers. It sounds wierd but it is very refreshing if you are park hopping or going out to a nice dinner, to stop back at the resort for a quick shower and wash away all of the days stickiness .If we are touring Epcot and it gets too hot we love to pop into Mexico or Norway and just relax in the air-conditioning while on the rides. I HTH and I hope you have a wonderful trip. We will be there again this Aug. Lets hope for no bad Hurricanes this season!!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We used to go in the late summer months years ago and lately have been doing the October through December trek, but we really miss the hot weather. October-December weather is nice but unpredictable, could be hot or cool, and being from Ohio, I want the heat of Florida, I'ld rather sweat than shiver any time. In August, we usually spend more time at the resort pool or a water park. We stay in the parks until the real heat comes out and then mosey back to the resort and return to the parks when the sun goes down. We usually stay over 8 nights and seeing everything and taking breaks is very doable. We really enjoy the pool area, we stay deluxes, and lounging around with a picnic lunch and some beers is great. Wife will boat to FW and get some of that great HDD chicken and slaw and bring it back for lunch. Plus, the A/C in the room is great for the really high heat or better yet a movie at DTDS on bad days.

We just go with the flow, go slow, take breaks and not beat ourselves to death mainly cause we've been here before and are coming back.

 

[Dislifer]

Sounds very "doable" !!!

 

[RumpleMom]

If you are wearing tennis shoes, bring an extra pair. When you are caught in the rain, they will not dry out over night because of the high humidity. It isn't pleasant to put on squishy shoes in the morning.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Extra pair of sneakers is a must!!!

I also would reccommend the misting fans, they might be a bit of a pain, but beleive me it will be well worth it. Even when you are standing in line for only 10 minutes when it is 95 plus degrees you want the misting fan.

The small battery operated portable ones were the greatest, but don't forget to bring EXTRA BATTERIES!!! Disney will charge you an arm and leg.

We were there for 10 days in Aug 2005 and while we did have a great time. I will never go that time of year again.

I do not do well in the heat, especailly at the Animal Kingdom, hardly any shade and it was one of the hottest days there 100 degrees!!!

The best part was we finally were able to get our fast pass for Kali River Rapids and our side got SOAKED!!! That was the best part of the day, I was glad I had brought the extra pair of sneakers though because the ones I had on were soaked and it took 2 days for them to dry out!

 

[stahshee]

I make sure we have plenty of water. I go to the park when it first opens and leave at 12pm when it is HOT!. I come back around 4pm. Between those times we swim!