crowds and temps in August?

[WendyLovesPeter]

I've never been to Florida in August - in fact I said I never would go, but there was this opportunity..... so I'll be at the parks 8/16-8/20. It is supposedly a "value" time - perhaps many will be getting ready for school, so what should expect crowd wise at this time??

mainly which park on which days?

Also, I know it will be sultry and hot, but how bad are we talking - up to 90 I'm good - after that I'm looking for AC attractions. I've always read that Florida rains come and go quickly in summer - also true or false?

Thanks for reading.

I was at the parks the first week of Sept many years ago, and I don't remember being terribly uncomfortable - couldn't be too much worse than that.

 

[imthatgirl]

ok, so yeah its hot, but thats not what gets you its the humidity that will kill you. try this, turn your shower on really hot, shut the door. then go in there about 5 minutes later...thats disney in august. youll think im exagerating...youll see.
yes it will rain probably everyday. it wont rain more than 15-2o minutes most likely. and youd think it would cool off the day...the opposite happens, its worse. bhut if you walk in the rain and get plenty wet youll be cooler after. we always skip the rain gear and then stay cooler for an hour after the rain.

funny thing about disney is, its kind of like labor. its horrible while your doing it, but you liked it so much that you forget the worst parts of it.

as far as crowd levels, yeah expect it to be a bit crowded, but not unbearable.

 

[irish dancer]

We went in Aug 2005 and it was HOT, it was probably in the 90s for temps but I know it was 104+ heat index. I'm talking sweating at 8am waiting for the bus at the resort and still sweating at 11p going back to the resort. It did rain nearly every day mid-day but we were back at our room most days so it didn't impact our touring.

My suggestion would be to be at the park at opening, leave mid-day for a pool/resort break and head back in the evening. Also, drink LOTS of water and if you can pick up a mister fan before you go it will help and save you $$$. Take breaks in shops to get some air conditioning.

I would certainly go again then if that is when we had to go but to be honest I'd prefer someother time when it's not so hot and humid.

 

[orlandomom]

I agree with what imthatgirl had to say......

After the 15-20 minute rains, when the sun comes back out its like a sauna.

We are now at day 2 of no rain near the parks, its been around 95 with the humidity making it feel over 100. I went to MK and Epcot yesterday just to walk around and lost 4 lbs from sweating and I didn't have any family or kids to worry about running around with.....

Do plan on drinking lots of water, doing the parks at rope drop, going back to hotel for an afternoon rest and heading back to a park in the evening. It will let you enjoy yourself as well as save you from getting sick.

just my thoughts

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

My suggestion would be to be at the park at opening, leave mid-day for a pool/resort break and head back in the evening. Also, drink LOTS of water and if you can pick up a mister fan before you go it will help and save you $$$. Take breaks in shops to get some air conditioning.

hate to sound like a dingy, but where do you find those mister fans. I was thinking about getting a couple, but I don't know where to get them. I've probably passed them 100 times in walmart, but no memory here

you guys are making me scared!!

 

[imthatgirl]

hate to sound like a dingy, but where do you find those mister fans. I was thinking about getting a couple, but I don't know where to get them. I've probably passed them 100 times in walmart, but no memory here

you guys are making me scared!!

no need to be scared. just remember why youre there, to ahve a great time. the heat wont change that. its better to be aware now that itll be hot, then get there and be surprised. florida is considered tropical, which is why its humidity is so bad. but remember, you arent outside for hours on end, most of the time youre just outside from one attraction to the next.

i bought my mister fans at walmart. i found them oddly enough by the paint supplies. but just ask someone. they are also sold in the park, and to be honest the park ones work better, but they break easily. if you buy one in the park just keep your receipt do they can see it broke recently.

 

[fairymagick08]

ok, so yeah its hot, but thats not what gets you its the humidity that will kill you. try this, turn your shower on really hot, shut the door. then go in there about 5 minutes later...thats disney in august. youll think im exagerating...youll see.
yes it will rain probably everyday. it wont rain more than 15-2o minutes most likely. and youd think it would cool off the day...the opposite happens, its worse. bhut if you walk in the rain and get plenty wet youll be cooler after. we always skip the rain gear and then stay cooler for an hour after the rain.

funny thing about disney is, its kind of like labor. its horrible while your doing it, but you liked it so much that you forget the worst parts of it.

as far as crowd levels, yeah expect it to be a bit crowded, but not unbearable.

Yep that explains Aug. weather down here pretty well. And the rain does make it worse, you can see the steam rising off the ground and it just makes the heat/humidity worse.

Running through the water and getting wet helps, but you'll be dry in about 15 mins or less. Just make sure you drink lots of water while you are at the parks and take advantage of the air-conditioned stores and rides, specially durning afternoon when it's the hottest. But it's Disney so no matter what it will be loads of fun.

 

[Schmeck]

We've been in August twice - really didn't seem to be much worse than August in New England! There's AC everywhere- blasting out the open doors of the shops, in all the restaurants, attractions, buses, bathrooms, etc.

A PP described our very successful touring plans - get to the parks early, leave early, rest/swim at resort, then go back to the parks until closing. And drink lots of water!

 

[pooksma]

We've been in August twice - really didn't seem to be much worse than August in New England! There's AC everywhere- blasting out the open doors of the shops, in all the restaurants, attractions, buses, bathrooms, etc.

A PP described our very successful touring plans - get to the parks early, leave early, rest/swim at resort, then go back to the parks until closing. And drink lots of water!

Very true. We have been in August and going again in 26 days. Just know your limit.

 

[zefyr]

I'm going the same week you are this year...and went that same week last year. Last year it was hot and humid...very hot and humid. The temps for the week were all in the 90's plus the humidity pushed things close to 100. The crowds were manageable. I went early in the morning (never made a rope drop but was there no later than 30 min after) and did all the big attractions, taking breaks in the shops or CS. Definitely stay hydrated...alot! I brought my hotel mug and kept refilling it with water.

In talking with CMs this year when making ressies and ADRs, they said it was still pretty hot and humid but they had afternoon rain/t-storms. They said after the rain the temps cooled off a bit (although I'm not sure how much).

 

[Andyjo0930]

We went last year in august and it was HOT! The crowds are not bad, but were a little crowded on the weekend. We hit the parks early and tried to relax at the pools in the afternoon. Take advantage of extra magic hours at night. The heat is much more bearable without the sun beating down on you.

 

[irish dancer]

hate to sound like a dingy, but where do you find those mister fans. I was thinking about getting a couple, but I don't know where to get them. I've probably passed them 100 times in walmart, but no memory here

you guys are making me scared!!

They do have them at Walmart, just saw them yesterday. They were on the side of an end cap by the sheets and towels . Most of the time they are in with the regular fans which is by paint and hardware. I think the ones in the park run around $15.

Bring extra batteries! We refilled ours with cold water which felt good.

Don't be too scared afterall you're in Disney!! I think it's better to be prepared and it's all about managing expectations. If you expect it to be hot then you'll handle it better.

One more thing, we found the cool-max type clothes to be MUCH more comfortable. You can get them pretty much anywhere these days, Target/Walmart. It really did make a difference.

 

[FigNewton]

Heh, the first time I went, for my eighth birthday, was in August. I'm now 31, and I still remember how muggy and generally unpleasant the weather was.

But the good memories definitely outweigh the bad. Not sure my parents would agree though! ;D

 

[Sir Mikey]

I'm going in August too so i'm glad to read all these experiences!

 

[Veritaserum]

i always go in august, have been for years, and i also will be going the same time as you this year. im a teacher so the summers are some of the only times i can go. its not too bad in august though dont worry. yes its hot and yes it rains almost everyday, but there are so many AC places and the rain really only lasts 20 mins or so. as for the crowds , there are people but it is not quite as crowded as earlier in the summer. the only problem sometimes is is that they do not hire as many CMs this time of the summer so sometimes waiting in lines for counter service foods, etc. can take a long time. the wkends are the only times that it might get really crowded though. i would also highly recommend ADRs.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Last year it was hot and humid...very hot and humid. The temps for the week were all in the 90's plus the humidity pushed things close to 100.

so do you even bother packing sweatshirts? I always travel with a couple sweatshirts per person and may be a jacket.... may be I will cut back to just a light wind breaker style jacket per person and forget the sweats

 

[Disney8704]

Please tell me your kiding..why on earth would you need sweatshirts or jackets in August? You will ROAST to death in them. What you need is cool clothes. Shorts and short sleeved or spagetti strapped shirts.

so do you even bother packing sweatshirts? I always travel with a couple sweatshirts per person and may be a jacket.... may be I will cut back to just a light wind breaker style jacket per person and forget the sweats

 

[Melora]

so do you even bother packing sweatshirts? I always travel with a couple sweatshirts per person and may be a jacket.... may be I will cut back to just a light wind breaker style jacket per person and forget the sweats

You will never need a jacket at any time unless you want to warm up while in the air conditioning.

Even at night you will be sweating.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Please tell me your kiding..why on earth would you need sweatshirts or jackets in August?

um cuz thats how I travel - I come from Ohio. I often add an extra layer at night or while going into AC

If you read my initial post, you'll see I've never been to florida in august.

When I was there in Nov, I wore a sweatshirt nearly EVERY eve - I'm just asking to help me plan the packing this time - sorry!

oh, and, I don't do spaghetti straps

 

[teddygurl28]

ive never been to disney in august, but i have been to ft myers a few times ( have a condo down there with my family ) i will say that in general you do not need a sweatshirt or jacket .......HOWEVER im one of those people thats always always cold ....so i pack a sweatshirt anyways...because if im in a restaurant or bar for a longer period of time i will need to put it on...especially because ill only be wearing shorts and a tank top because of the heat outside. you know your body best, if you tend to get cool while sitting in an AC restuarant any time you go out, you may want to pack one....trouble is you may have to lug it around ....or you could always not pack one and jsut buy a sweatshirt as a souvenier hahha