August?

[Mom2tmha]

Does anyone know how the crowds are in August, toward the middle to end? We always go in Feb/Mar/or April and dh just said we can go in August.
Thanks!!!!!

 

[SGMCO]

I haven't been in August but have read that closer to the end of August is very low crowds because most kids have went back to school.
We always go around the last week of Sept. and it's very low crowds--we have walked on most ride with no wait.
The only draw back is this is peak Hurrican season and very hot and humid. The Plus is that it is Value Season (lowest rates) and Free Dining.

 

[Mom2tmha]

Is peak hurricane season the end of August or September?
Thanks for the reply!!!

 

[OrangeCat04]

I went August 23-31 one year and the crowds weren't bad at all. Very manageable. Have a great trip!!!

 

[OrangeCat04]

Is peak hurricane season the end of August or September?
Thanks for the reply!!!

I think its both of those times. I know when we went, they had horrible weather the week before. When we got there we got some rainy days, one day was like torrential rain. But to be honest, it didn't stop us. It made things much cooler, it felt refreshing in the august heat. Also, it drove the crowds out of the park. We always stay when it starts to rain because pretty soon the park will empty out and you can walk on lots of great rides!!!

 

[WDWBW09]

My wife and I choose to wed in August and have been to WDW in August every year since 2005. It's hurricane season, very warm, and very humid at times. The crowds are moderate to heavy at any given time. Nothing like Christmas which we experienced last year.

We have been involved in one potential hurricane that ended in a strange tropical storm that parked itself over Orlando for four and a half days in 2008. If we were anywhere else it would have been a bummer but being at WDW we threw on ponchos and had a blast!

Being close to the ocean you can embark upon troubled weather at any time. We celebrate our anniversary every August at WDW and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives.

 

[Kat&Dom]

We went August 22-30 last year. Every day at about 5pm, there would be huge downpouring of rain that lasted for 20-25 minutes. Anyone caught in the rain was completely soaked. We were lucky and seemed to always time it right that we didn't get caught in the rain. It worked out great for us because all the people that got caught in the rain left the park and we had 2 hours of just walking onto any ride.

It was quite humid in August but the crowds were fine. Our plan is to be at the park at opening, stay until lunch - go back to resort to swim and relax in the afternoon and head back to park around 5pm. We still would get about 8 hours of park time in but have a good break during the heat of the day and avoid the worst of the crowds.

I would definitely do a trip in August again.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Florida schools start back 2 weeks before Labour Day...this year Aug 23. That's when the crowds die down a bit, free dining or not.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Even with Free Dining we have found that the crowds start to die down when the local kids go back to school. Dining reservations can be hard to get if you don't plan for those. The weather is definitely hot and humid and there will be short thunderstorms almost everyday, but as long as you go knowing all that you can prepare for it and have a great time!

 

[goofy4tink]

The first week of free dining (starting Aug 15) will be very busy. The next week will be pretty decent. The vast majority of families will be heading down for that last trip with free dining before school starts. So, the crowds will be heavier from the 15th to the 21st or so. After that, the crowds should be very managable.

 

[wolf29]

Historically, the peak of Hurricane Season is about Sept 10th, so as you approach that date, the chances of a storm go up. Reallistically, anytime in Aug/Sept is your highest chance of having to deal with a storm. We go annually Aug 19-29 and have had to be concerned with weather at times, landing the same day as TS Fay a couple of years ago. Even without storms, that time of year typically sees a mid-afternoon TStorm roll through, making that a good time for a hotel break. Crowds aren't too bad, but remember that that is a time when free dining is offered, so restaurants do fill fairly quickly.

 

[beccasmom]

We have been @ WDW during August several times, most recently last year (and again this year!). With free dining, the crowds tend to be moderate. It is a good idea to have ADRs lined up for that reason. The weather, is.....well pretty hot and humid but you just work around it as best as possible. We were in WDW the day before Hurricane Charlie hit a few years back on 8/13...we were lucky in that we left the day before. Don't worry....Disney handles those things very well!

 

[SmallWorld71]

We usually go towards the end of August, President's Week or April vacation. Compared to Pres. Week and April vacation, the crowds are much less. I agree with PP who called them "moderate." If you usually go during the spring break/ busy weeks of Feb., March and April, I think you will be pleased with the crowds. If you are going during the other weeks, you might find them busy. I find that it's the heat, not the crowds, that will stress you out in August. Also, as PP mentioned it is hurricane season. We've been lucky and only gotten the typical late afternoon downpours, but it is definitely a risk you take going this time of year.

 

[Mom2tmha]

Thanks everyone....I am afraid more of flying in the middle of a hurricane than the crowds LOL...I can't wait to book though!