August Weather?

[englishman]

How bad is the heat/humidity/storms in August?
What tips does anyone have to survive!?

I normaly visit at Easter, but can't in 04.
Help!!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Originally posted by englishman
How bad is the heat/humidity/storms in August?

The answers in order are - Bad, Bad, Bad!!! It is still very hot and humid in August and the daily thunderstorms are still the norm. They do usually blow over quickly though. The good news is that it's not as crowded because so many schools - especially in the South - are already back in session. I take it by your user name you are from Great Britain - so trust me - you will be very hot! We talked to a girl that played in the orchestra for RiverDance when they were at Epcot 3 years ago - she said her children would only come out at night because they couldn't take the heat! Living in Georgia, I'm used to it.

My advice (and what I do ) is to hit the parks EARLY, EARLY, EARLY for the rides, take a long leisurely sit down lunch, see a show, go back to the hotel for a swim and a nap and come back out in the evening. That way you miss the worst part of the afternoon when it is scorching, muggy and storming!

 

[englishman]

Thanks DD for your prompt reply & yes, my family is from GB.
We will stay at the PBH & so will have FOTL.

How early does Universal & IOA open during Aug (taking your early advice) & at what time does the weather become too much so we ought to head out of the park?
Will FOTL make things more tolerable?

My daughter is very fair & my better half gets heat rash so the ladies will be worse off...I guess.

 

[UniversalAddict]

Wear something you don't mind getting wet and do the water rides at IOA. Also, the water area in US is great for the kids to cool off in.

Then, of course, there is always happy hour at 3 (see the Happy Hour! thread for more details) inside a nice cool restaruant/pub. Being from GB you'll appreciate Finnegans. Although I always wonder why people from GB/Ireland like to hang out in fake American english pubs.LOL.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by englishman

How early does Universal & IOA open during Aug (taking your early advice) & at what time does the weather become too much so we ought to head out of the park?
Will FOTL make things more tolerable?

My daughter is very fair & my better half gets heat rash so the ladies will be worse off...I guess.

The parks will open at 9, maybe a smidgeon earlier if you luck out. The heat gets to its peak usually around 2pm. The early hours (9-11 am) are okay, and the evening (6/7 pm-park close) are good too. From 12-4 are easily the hottest hours.

FOTL should help you, as you wont have to be standing in outside queue for more than 20 minutes. Definitely take sunscreen/sunblock (SPF 15+) and use it. I've seen many people get seriously burned because they didn't expect the sun to be as bad as it is. Also drink plenty of water. It'll help immensely. I've also seen many people get totally exhausted, get sick, or even pass out due to the heat.

 

[Disney Debbie]

Other's have answered your questions - but want to add a big ditto to the sunscreen. Also wear hats or visors and since your DD is fair I'd highly recommend t-shirts with sleeves. I know lots of folks go to the parks in tank tops and bathing suit tops thinking they'll be cooler. It seems to me they're just giving the sun more skin to fry! I always wear a shirt with short sleeves and a visor to keep my nose from frying. No matter how much sunscreen you use - your shoulders and face will get the brunt of the sun without covering them.

 

[englishman]

Thanks for all your advice....it seems it is possible to survive Aug. & have a blast...I'm up for it!!

 

[robvia]

When in August are you coming?
The first week is crowded. Orlando and Tampa schools start in the middle of the first week. Other schools (South Florida) start later in the month. The last week of August and moving into September have light crowds.

Yeah, what others have said is true. If you're at the gate at 08:30am each morning, you get a lap of walkon rides and light crowds. Around noon, you'll start to notice the heat and humidity, plus the crowds of people walking around. That's when you go back to your room to eat lunch, and rest. If a storm comes, it will usually pass by 6pm, then you can go back. If you look on the hours page, you can see the park closes at 10pm the first week, then drops an hour each week. The first week of August is crowded, then it drops a little each week.
http://themeparks.universalstudios....o_park_hours.html&year=2003&month=8&year=2003

 

[Beckles]

Originally posted by UniversalAddict
Then, of course, there is always happy hour at 3 (see the Happy Hour! thread for more details) inside a nice cool restaruant/pub.

Happy Hour! ... Drat, I can't find the thread (without Search), anyone know where it is?

 

[Cindy B]

We are going on our third year in Orlando in August... We love it!

It is hot, but very very fun.... We usually go the last two weeks of August becauseof my work schedule/kids school schedule.

Wear sunscreen, go on the wet rides, look for thundershowers in the afternoon... and you will be fine!

 

[Disney Debbie]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=342065

I subscribed to it so I could find it when it was time to go!

 

[Beckles]

Thanks Debbie!