August Weather?

[englishman]

Has anyone been in August?
What's the weather like...how bad is the heat, humidity, storms?
Thanks.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Hot and humid, with sharp showers frequent from mid-afternoon. If you have a choice, there are better times of year to visit for the weather. But if you don't have a choice - school holidays, etc - then don't worry as the heat and humidity isn't unbearable. I'm not a great fan of very hot weather (it's often mid or high 90's) but I manage OK. The trick is to make sure that you take frequent breaks (the weather can be energy-sapping) and kids in particular should drink lots to avoid dehydration.

There are also advantages to August: the parks are often open later into the evenings, and there is usually a full roster of parades, entertainment and fireworks.

Regards

Rob

 

[matty624]

We always go in August.
The first few times we went we just had a quick thunderstorm, usually late afternoon. What we didn't know then (and didn't appreciate how good it was either) was that Florida was experiencing a 4 (might have been 5!) year drought. The last couple of years there has been a lot more rain. It's still drier more than it's raining, but a few times it's rained for hours at a time. And it's not UK rain either, it really comes down... We even saw ducks swimming in Kennedy's car park once! I know it's not related, but last year there were at least a dozen vultures circling the next door villas bins, it was a bit like the old westerns that used to be on tv!
Ian

 

[signtalker]

We had experiences the same as matty, not just a short sharp storm, were talking torrential storms here, I thought England was bad!!! , very very very heavy rain!!!!!!!!!.

I personally would never go in august again.
The heat and humidity wasnt a problem, we didnt find it that hot, again I think its how well you cope with heat in general.

Jules

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

It is very hot and very humid with regular pm thunderstorms. As previous posts said, this is Florida rain, very different to our UK wet stuff. It does clear the atmosphere somewhat though and cools the place down temporarily.

It's the humidity which can be tough to take really. The heat differs from European summer weather in that respect because the water in the air doesn't allow sweat to evaporate from your skin. Be prepared to feel sticky for the duration

Just make sure you drink lots of water, take breaks, and go into air-conditoned buildings whenever you can. It's not unbearable as long as you're sensible. I've been 9 times all in July, with trip number 10 coming soon so I'm well used to it by now.

Louise

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I guess we've been really lucky in the rain department. We've been four times in August ('98, '99, '01 and '02) and only twice have we been caught in heavy rain. The first time we were in Epcot and got very wet as we walked from around World Showcase. The second time was in Animal Kingdom, when we got soaked as we headed out of the park to our car. On other occasions the rain has not been so heavy (just one day of light continuos rain during those four holidays), or has lasted such a short period that it's been possible to sit out the shower while having a drink and a muffin. While we would all prefer dry weather, in my experience the afternoon showers cause very little problem if you plan around them.

Regards

Rob

 

[englishman]

Thanks for all your comments..as others have stated, these Boards are so helpful!

What time slots in the day is the weather more tolerable?

Finally, has anyone stayed in a Villa in the Davenport area & how convenient is it?
Pinewood Country Estate...any experience of this place?

Thanks again.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Get to the parks as soon as they open for the best of the weather, and the smallest crowds. We aim to arrive 15 minutes before the official opening time so that queues for the entry gates aren't too big. The heat and humidity seems worst between about 2pm and 5pm. This is a good time of day to leave the parks for a break, sleep, swim, etc., allowing you to return for the evening feeling refreshed and having missed the worst of the weather.

Regards

Rob

 

[bengunn]

We went for the last half of August last year; it was hot and humid but you got used to it - drink lots of water.

The thunderstorms were not as bad as we expected; mostly in the evenings but the odd short one in the day. The rain only stopped us doing what we wanted after we had moved on to the Gulf Coast in early September and then it rained all of our last full day.

We would go again then; the parks were not too busy and we managed to do everything that we wanted to do.