Comments on going to Disney in August

[jformica]

My family and I (wife and 3 children) are planning a Disney trip in August 2009 (8/7-8/15). Can anyone give me comments on how hot the weather is and if it is crowded at this time. We've gone about 5 times (November, December, January, April). I know its going to be hot but is it oppressive? Is it overly crowded are average? We are staying on property at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[nessz79]

We were there last August 3-6th.

Yes, it can be oppressively hot, but it depends on what you're used to. We're from SW Florida so we tend to have a bit more of a heat tolerance. However, it will be very humid and therefore feel extremely hot. A temperature of 90-92 can feel like it's 100 or more due to the humidity.

It's doable, though. Go early in the morning and leave around lunchtime. Come back in the late afternoon. Crowds are more manageable that way, too.

It may be moderately crowded, though I doubt as crowded as mid summer (July).

 

[kldmom2000]

We went in August the last 2 yrs. The time frame was the exact same week both years....

In late August 2007, it was VERY hot and VERY humid/sticky/gross. We dealt with it-we were in Disney after all! We would hit the park @ opening (or EMH) and stay until lunchtime. At or after lunch, we'd go back to the hotel (Yacht Club) and swim all afternoon. We'd then head into a park for dinner and stay a few hours once the sun went down..... it "felt" cooler then We stayed hydrated by drinking plenty of water, made sure we wore hats and plenty of sunscreen We didn't get a drop of rain the entire week-not a single drop. Very unusual for FL in August!!!!

This past August 17-24, 2008, it was not as *nice* The day we arrived was fine.... then the first full day, we got some rain showers in the afternoon @ AK. It was actually kind of refreshing because it was so humid..... The 2nd and 3rd day (Sun. and Mon) were fine..... (hot, humid, etc) but then Tropical Storm Fay rolled in and it was AWFUL the rest of the week..... the temps dropped, it was sooooo gusty and rainy. The umbrellas were useless as they would come apart. We were pelted with HARD rain.... our shoes never got dry as it rained for the last 5 days we were there... I just felt gross most of the week We were staying at the Beach Club and sadly, we almost never got to use Stormalong Bay because it was really on the chilly side during the TS Fay.....

It's purely luck of the draw in what you'll get..... it's totally doable no matter the weather. The crowds were not *that* bad either time-more crowded than late September... but not like a school vacation week in Feb., April, or December IMO.

Good luck in your decision!!! Hope you have a magical time!!!!

 

[Nissan_Rogue_Squad]

we're planning on being there right after you, well sort of, we're staying at POFQ.

I looked at the UG's crowd Calendar and when we arrive 8/23 they were expecting up to a crowd level of 8 or 9, but by the end of our trip it'll be down to a 3 or 4.

I believe school starts in Mid August in FL? Some locals may be going to the parks before school starts/end of summer.

I believe I read on the UG's site as well that August is the 2nd or 3rd most rainy month. I'd plan to bring rain gear. Remember it's also hurricane season then. To me that just means more humidity

we were there in July '07 and it was rainy but it felt good to get a break from the heat. only a few storms were severe and those just help thin the crowd.
Don't let the weather scare you from enjoying your trip, just plan accordingly and enjoy your vacation.

 

[Crystal824]

I worked at WDW in the summer and in the fall. My first CP began in Aug. and I worked outside. It is hot to the point of oppressive but as others have said it depends on your heat tolerance. I grew up in N.C. so I was used to some heat. If you live in the North, you might find it overly oppressive. My DH finds Aug/Sept. too hot there and he is from PA.

 

[Aliceacc]

We were there from Aug 13-18th, and left the day Tropical Storm Faye arrived.

The weather was kind of steamy, with lots of drizzly rain as the storm approached. (One HUGE lifesaver was the Misty Mates misters we brought along. They were the size of an electric toothbrush and made a HUGE difference. We got them at BJs for 3/$15.)

The BEST day was our last; the day the storm was due. We got a phone call saying the parks would all open at 8, anticipating an early closure. So we were at the Magic Kingdom at rope drop and walked onto every single ride all day long! We rode Peter Pan twice in a row, after avoiding it all week because of the lines. THe kids did Indy Speedway 3 times, with a maximum wait of 10 minutes. That day was GOLDEN!!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

HOT HOT HOT.
Be prepared for HOT and WET and STICKY and CROWDS.
Saying that, we go late August and LOVE it, though we could care less how hot it is, we like it HOT! Strange, I know........

Have a GREAT Time, Its DISNEY after all.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

like others said , it is HOT.............but we have gone so many times in aug. we have had GREAT trips..........we just take our time. go back to the hotel for a swim, maybe lunch, just take your time and obviously make sure you have enough to drink. plus you can go in and out of restaurants for snacks with ac, go into the little stores after the rides. you will have a great time, but take it easy.

 

[bianca]

I must have an entire family of wimps! We went in August a couple of years ago and vowed never again. Of course, we're northerners ..... which could explain it. I'm also in "that period of my life when women get warm" which doesn't help. Nonetheless, I know what hell is going to feel like if I head there after I'm dead ........ after all, I've been to FL in August ...... LOL!

 

[cerberus]

We went this year from Aug 17-24. It was very hot and sticky, but we just too it easy and brought a misting fan and everyone did well. We knew going into it that it was going to be bloody hot and just planned to deal with it! We love to travel to the caribbean, but we had no ocean to jump into when we needed to cool off

We did not think the crowds were that bad, but Tropical storm Faye wa also hangin around. We spent most of our time only in the areas with kid rides (my DDs were 3yo and 17 months)

 

[Nie0214]

I went Sept 5-9th this year and it was super hot, humid but not horribly so. It was so hot that I didn't want to eat much, and we took many breaks to get out of the sun. I won't be going back in the hot summer months any longer. Dec-Feb for me, and as a Northerner, it's 25* here daily so 65 will be a heat wave in those months.

 

[squirrlygirl]

We went this past August. It was hot, but sitting here now the only time I remember being miserable is when we showed up for rope drop at MK and sat in the sun for an hour waiting...we were sticky, cranky, and it was awful. Oh, and Animal Kingdom. Not sure why but it always seems hotter....my BIL thinks it's because there aren't any Itsakadoozie bars
The rest of the time we were in and out of shaded or air conditioned areas so it wasn't bad. BUT, we left the park every day about 2 pm and didn't come back until around 6.

 

[LadyShea]

It's usually very hot and humid. To some it is bearable because they are accustomed to heat, others do not do well. It's very individual.

My friend from SoCal was ready to pass out from the heat and humidity when we wnet in Sept 2007, we are used to it however so were okay.

I have also been in July, and was decidedly uncomfortable at times, until we could get in the shade or AC.

 

[TxRabbit]

We went in Aug 2007 and liked it compared to March 2007.

March actually still had a bit of chill in the air. It made it hard to know what to pack and what to bring into the parks to be comfortable. August was way more straight forward. No threat of chill at all!

The crowds were totally managable. But I think that is all apart of your mindset. We tended to get out early, leave after lunch, swim in the afternoon/evening. AM EMH is your friend. People have a hard time getting up early on vacation. If you can, then you can really get in some good not too hot park time.

August evenings are beautiful. If you can pack a change of clothes to head on out again, you'll be happy to lose your sweaty duds from the morning.

I know somepeople who took the total opposite approach. They slept in really late. Ate brunch, swam, and hit the parks in the late afternoon/early evening and stayed until close. Sometimes MK would be open well past midnight (like 2am for MK with pm EMH)...it just depends on the ages of your kids.

Where are you coming from? How old are your kids?

 

[LoveKermit]

We did August 2007 with a 7 month old and did just fine. We did the afternoon pool/nap thing. Then shower and to Epcot for dinner. It was hot. It takes us about a day to grow accustomed to the heat and then we're fine. So much so, that when I get home (to Chicago) the AC bothers me in the car and in stores. The same happened when we went to Mexico in August in 2003. I couldn't stand the AC when I got home (and we had an AC apt and an AC car). AC is just different in the hotter climates.

Once I get used to the heat, I don't mind it--as long as I can cool off and shower a couple times a day.

You'll be fine.

 

[daleswife]

We were there from Aug 13-18th, and left the day Tropical Storm Faye arrived./QUOTE]

We were there the week Faye was there!!!! It was rainy, but the crowds were low....get you a rain jacket....It was a great experience...as a matter of fact, we are going back August 16th through the 22nd....Pray for no hurricanes or tropical storms....

 

[Schmeck]

We've been to WDW in August twice - yes it is very hot and humid, the trade off is that the park hours are ususally pretty awesome. At least one park is open late every night, not including EMH. With EMH, you can stay out until after midnight, and sleep in or take a mid afternoon nap when it gets too hot!

 

[Cadiewampus]

We went this year from Aug 17-24. It was very hot and sticky, but we just too it easy and brought a misting fan and everyone did well. We knew going into it that it was going to be bloody hot and just planned to deal with it! We love to travel to the caribbean, but we had no ocean to jump into when we needed to cool off

We did not think the crowds were that bad, but Tropical storm Faye wa also hangin around. We spent most of our time only in the areas with kid rides (my DDs were 3yo and 17 months)

Hey just wanted to tell you we had a dog for 15 years that looked just like your in your pic. She was the best dog. When I am able to post attachements I will post a picture of her.

 

[monorailsilver]

Hot but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love the summer & going in the summer & I prefer August to July because some school are already back in session.

I like to go the first 2 weeks of August but I would go the 3rd if my arm was twisted enough.

We get up early, go to the EE park of the day & get there before EE.

We leave the park at about noon give or take. We grab a bite to eat before we head 'home' & since my kids needed a nap (dh included) they all rested in the A/C room while I did laundry (next trip my youngest will be 6 so no naps, maybe rest time, not sure yet).

Then we showered & went back to the park at around dinner time. If there was time we went for a quick swim.

Next time we go it will be swimming during our break since hopefully none of my kids will need a nap, just dh.

Just drink, drink, drink & take breaks.

 

[cerberus]

Hey just wanted to tell you we had a dog for 15 years that looked just like your in your pic. She was the best dog. When I am able to post attachements I will post a picture of her.

Can't wait to see her!!