Differences in crowds 2nd and 3rd weeks in August ?

[maryj11]

I'm planning next years vacation and we are only staying 1 week. I'm trying to decide which week to go. I wanted to know is there a big difference in crowd levels the 2nd and 3rd weeks in August ? I have read that most schools are back in session starting around the 3rd week in August. I have also looked at easywdw crowd calendar and the 2nd week is mostly 7's and the 3rd week is 6's. So is there a big of difference in 6 and 7 crowd levels ?

 

[OKW Lover]

The later you get in August the lower the crowd levels. That reflects the beginning of many schools and parents needs to get kids ready for that. So yes, there will be a noticeable difference between the 2nd and 3rd weeks of August.

 

[maryj11]

Ok thanks

 

[Tomh]

In our experience, the 2nd and 3rd weeks are pretty similar, the 4th week can be significantly quieter.

A good indication of what Disney expects are their hours. If you find that the hours the parks are open for on a particular week are shorter than the previous week, it is a fair bet they are expecting smaller crowds. If the hours seem pretty consistent, then they are expecting similar crowds.

To be honest, the past two years, I didn't really notice a big difference even in the 4th week of August, where as years prior, it was often a LOT less crowded that week, compared to the third week. I think this might have to do with the free dining not starting until later in the month the past couple of years.

 

[isaboo]

I was wondering that too. We'll be there the 2nd week. I really wish we could push it to the 3rd week but my kids start school that next Monday.

 

[maryj11]

In our experience, the 2nd and 3rd weeks are pretty similar, the 4th week can be significantly quieter.

A good indication of what Disney expects are their hours. If you find that the hours the parks are open for on a particular week are shorter than the previous week, it is a fair bet they are expecting smaller crowds. If the hours seem pretty consistent, then they are expecting similar crowds.

To be honest, the past two years, I didn't really notice a big difference even in the 4th week of August, where as years prior, it was often a LOT less crowded that week, compared to the third week. I think this might have to do with the free dining not starting until later in the month the past couple of years.

Thanks for the info. I never thought about looking at the park hours, but that is a good idea

 

[maryj11]

I was wondering that too. We'll be there the 2nd week. I really wish we could push it to the 3rd week but my kids start school that next Monday.

Same thing here kids go back the last Monday in August but was hoping to have a week rest before they start back to school, so the 2nd week would be better if it isnt overly crowded that week.

 

[cliveywolves]

Rule is the later you go in August the quieter the parks get, but I only seem to spot the difference myself the last week...

 

[maryj11]

I checked the park hours and they are pretty much the same except HS is open 30 minutes longer on the second week of August compared to the 3rd week.

 

[maryj11]

Anyone else go during these weeks ?

 

[fripouns]

Anyone else go during these weeks ?

I will be there the third week. I hope there will be smaller crowds.

 

[maryj11]

I will be there the third week. I hope there will be smaller crowds.

Yes me too We may go the 2nd week though not sure yet.

 

[bethbuchall]

We were there both the 2nd and 3rd weeks in August last year (2013). There was no noticeable difference between the two weeks. It seemed a lot more crowded last year than it did on our previous August trips, but I still wish we were able to go again this year.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

Our previous trips were the first and second week in August both times were pretty busy. This trip is the last week in August. I'm hoping for a lighter crowd.

 

[maryj11]

We were there both the 2nd and 3rd weeks in August last year (2013). There was no noticeable difference between the two weeks. It seemed a lot more crowded last year than it did on our previous August trips, but I still wish we were able to go again this year.

I have been reading about how hot and humid it is in August. What was your experiences with that ?

 

[Aurora0427]

We've gone the second week in August, and it was madness. I've never seen WDW that crowded. It was a UK holiday invasion- I've never heard so many English and Scottish accents in one place! There were lines at MK at 2am. We went the last week in August in 2012, and it was great. We are from Texas, so immune to the heat and humidity. But yes, August is HOT and very HUMID.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

I have been reading about how hot and humid it is in August. What was your experiences with that ?

There are no words to describe it. Imagine needing a shower again as soon as you step out of your hotel room. It's like hitting a WALL of heat. I am from NY we don't get heat like that. It is hard but we go to the parks early...step into stores when we need a break, take it slow. ...go back to the hotel mid day and back to the park after dinner. It is manageable. It would not stop me from going.

 

[spewey]

We were there the last week of August this past year. Crowds were very manageable and got lighter as the week went on. Seemed most of the guests were from Canada or the Northeast, places were school hadn't stated yet.

On our last day (Friday) we hit Magic Kingdom at rope drop. We headed over to BTMM and rode it three times in 15 minutes, once by ourselves. We sat for a bit by the exit, killing time until 10AM (as that's when Jasmine makes her appearance for a meet and greet over by the Aladinn ride), and for at least 10 minutes the only other people we saw were a family whose daughter is classmates with ours (we're from Toronto, and we had no idea they were at Disney).

When we went to meet Jasmine my daughter was the only one in line. So Jasmine took her hand and they jumped on the Flying Carpets together.

Based on our experiences, we are returning next month, again for the last week. Of course, it did pour rain every afternoon ...

 

[Aurora0427]

When we went to meet Jasmine my daughter was the only one in line. So Jasmine took her hand and they jumped on the Flying Carpets together.

Oh. My. Goodness. Was your daughter just ecstatic? What an amazing memory. What a wonderful Jasmine! My daughter would die!!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We were there the last week of August this past year. Crowds were very manageable and got lighter as the week went on. Seemed most of the guests were from Canada or the Northeast, places were school hadn't stated yet.

On our last day (Friday) we hit Magic Kingdom at rope drop. We headed over to BTMM and rode it three times in 15 minutes, once by ourselves. We sat for a bit by the exit, killing time until 10AM (as that's when Jasmine makes her appearance for a meet and greet over by the Aladinn ride), and for at least 10 minutes the only other people we saw were a family whose daughter is classmates with ours (we're from Toronto, and we had no idea they were at Disney).

When we went to meet Jasmine my daughter was the only one in line. So Jasmine took her hand and they jumped on the Flying Carpets together.

Based on our experiences, we are returning next month, again for the last week. Of course, it did pour rain every afternoon ...

Awesome! We're heading down the last week of August for a short 3 day trip and I'm looking forward to light crowds, but am prepared for awful heat and humidity.