Disey in August/Pop Century Rate Are We Nuts?

[srobinet]

I am taking my granddaughters to Walt Disney World sometime between May and August. Our original dates were May 28-June 3 but it looks like we are not going to be able to go then. My granddaughter is having knee problems and I am not sure they will be resolved by then. She may have to have surgery waiting to find out. Our other dates are August 6-12th.

I have AAA and got a rate for 6 nights at Pop Century in a standard room for $648.00 which includes tax. This is the lowest priceI have been able to find a room on property. I don't want to stay at the All Star Movies or Sports because they share buses.

Are I nuts for considering August? I lived in Tampa for 10 years growing up and currently live in South Alabama so I know how hot it can get. I went to WDW for a week in early September a couple of years ago. It was tolerable but the humidity is horrible. Could August be any worse? Hot is hot. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make it more tolerable? The kids are 9 and 10 so we don't have to deal with little ones and hopefully they won't whine too much about being hot.

We are planning on going to the water parks one day. I have another adult trip planned for November so I have to get this trip in before then. I also need suggestions on how to save on meals since we will not be on the dining plan. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Manders77]

Sorry to hear about your granddaughter. Hopefully she doesn't need surgery. August is hot yes but tolerable. Plan early mornings and if the heat gets to you, take a break middday. Pool, restaurant, etc... Then go back in the evening. We went August 2012 but we had little ones. They never complained, but us adults couldn't handle the heat. LOL.

As for meals, I would suggest eating breakfast in the room and taking some snacks for in the park. Then maybe having dinner in parks, and/or having kids split a meal.

BTW, just remember if your granddaughter needs surgery, make sure there is enough time for recovery before going to WDW. I know it depends on what is being done, and kids bounce back faster, but my DH needed 6 months to recover from his knee surgery. He couldn't do all day walking for awhile after and if he did his knee would be sore the following day. Good Luck and have fun planning.

 

[Eastern]

Tons of people do it, but I couldn't. We went end of June one year, and the heat and humidity started at 8am. I don't ever book June-Sept, but again, lots of people do it and have a good time.

 

[Darcy03231]

We live in Southern NH and have gone several times in August.

Honestly, I didn't think the heat and humidity were any worse than it was at home. We do pace ourselves, make sure we drink plenty of water and if anyone needs a break we take one.

We get up early, hit the parks, take a break from around 1pm-4pm for swimming, nap, etc. and then back to the parks until closing.

 

[bound4wdw]

We go to the. POP almost every September for the last four years! great resort and not too hot! have never been in August but we are planning it this year. It is hotter and it rains a lot more, from what I've heard.
You'll get a cheaper rate as it gets closer to the vacation date. WDW will put out some type of offer for that time frame good luck!

 

[emma'smom]

In August, you might end up with the beginning of free dining if you watch for it......we went in august last year (after I swore I never would again). IT WAS HOT! I'd forgotten how incredibly humid and hot it can get!

That being said, we still had fun. We did buy park tickets that "and more" option and this splurge is well recommended. Seriously, it wasn't that more and made a huge difference for us---see if you can find it is your budget. We skipped the park hopper option in favor of the "and more" option.

What this allowed us to do was hit the water parks whenever (and we did end up going to parks til after lunch and then left and went to a water park) we wanted and we went to Disney Quest one evening (which was air conditioned bliss). The kids thought all the free video games they could play was a blast and I was quite content to let them have at it while I relished the cool air.

 

[rdevine10]

We went last august and I was a bit worried. I too had lived in FL for several years and knew the summer could be brutul. But we are in CT now. Honestly, August was no worse than what our CT summers are like. We made sure we were at rope drop and took an afternoon break at the pool and headed back in the evening.

Honestly I enjoyed it more than our april trips as we made sure we had down time in the afternoon to swim (which in april we planned but did forgo often as we were having so much fun, and then of course we were exhausted!).

Enjoy!

 

[dpswift]

I would bring extra shirts and bras and start fresh after an afternoon break. I also would try some of the wicking shirts that look like regular tshirts. When I have gone in Sept. this has helped me a lot.

Eat meals inside and drink plenty of fluids.

 

[sjs314]

I've gone twice in August and the Heat and Humidity can be terrible but I was younger then and could never tolerate the H&H now that I am older.

The daily downpours can play havoc with your plans unless you enjoy it, I hated wearing a poncho since they make you sweat so back to the resort for a break everyday for me.

August can be a great time to go because of the good room rates and lower crowds if you feel you will be fine with the weather I say go for it

 

[Colleen27]

I love going down in Aug or Sept. Yes, it is hot but hot is easier to deal with than cold IMO, and I'd rather be hot in FL where everything is air conditioned than here in MI where it is also hot and sticky but many places don't have a/c.

We're all so fair-skinned that mid-day breaks to cool off in the pool aren't the best idea but by stacking dinner with some longer, indoor attractions like The Seas, Innoventions, any of the 4D movies, Hall of Presidents, any of the World Showcase shows, etc. at the hottest part of the day we get a nice break from the heat and from the sun when we need it most. Hopping from a morning park to DisneyQuest or an early afternoon movie at DTD (or now, bowling at Splitsville - we haven't taken a summer trip since they opened) and then going back to the park for the evening entertainment works well too. We save most of our swimming for late at night and/or early in the morning, when the sun's not strong enough to cook us.

 

[MomToOne]

We always go one of the last few weeks of August, since our school district doesn't start until after labor day. I like that time because after mid-August, the crowds start decreasing dramatically. I grew up in the South, so the weather doesn't bother me too much. It's hot, but you just pace yourself appropriately - hit the parks until early afternoon, then head back to the hotel to swim and rest, or do something indoors in the afternoon (and avoid the afternoon showers that will often pop up), then go back out to the parks at night. We have loved each and every trip, and I am considering yet another August trip this year, so that that for what you will!

 

[BabyFu18]

If you are used to the heat I think you will be fine. I'm from GA and we go to Disney all the time in July/August and it's fine for us. Yes it's hot and humid but no more than we are already used to in GA so for us.

I say go early to the parks then head back to your resort for a midday nap or swim and then back to the parks in the evenings.

If you happen to be in the parks during the daily afternoon downpour try and stick it out, because it will thin down the crowds a little and that's always nice. I usually can try and deal with the the rain most days, I mean I look like a drenched rat after walking around in the pouring rain but it's okay you'll dry quickly when the sun comes back out (though do pack a raincoat or poncho if you can and that will at least help a little).

I think August is a great time to go, and Disney of course is great anytime, it's all about managing expectations. Yes it will be hot, crowded, raining, etc. but it'll still be Disney and that's great! You guys will have a blast I'm sure...

 

[srobinet]

Thanks for all the great responses. I'm sure we will have fun and will most likely have the water park and more option on our tickets.

Has anyone ever seen free dining offered so early in August? I know I have seen it for later in the month. Free dining would be awesome and probably convince me to turn our trip into a package instead of using military discount for tickets.

I love having everything paid for ahead of time and this is a budget trip for us so every little bit helps. I saved $68.00 dollar buying Disney gift cards at Target. In case it helps anyone they would not authorize all of the gift cards at one time declined my red card. I called the previous night and was told I did not have a daily limit. I don't use the card very much so I am thinking that's why it did not accept it. I called the red card number and they talked to the cashier and let me use my regular bank debit card. I was able to buy all of the gift cards in one transaction.

 

[kpgriswold]

We've gone several times in late August to take advantage of Free Dining. It is humid, and you do have to cope with daily thunderstorms, but we find it a great time to be there. Crowds are low, lines are short, and ADRs are easy to come by!

My family arrives at park opening, tours until early afternoon, then heads back to our resort for a swim or nap. We hide from the hottest part of the day, then head back to the parks in the late afternoon and stay until they close.

Try it! You'll like it!

 

[squirrel]

Thanks for all the great responses. I'm sure we will have fun and will most likely have the water park and more option on our tickets.

Has anyone ever seen free dining offered so early in August? I know I have seen it for later in the month. Free dining would be awesome and probably convince me to turn our trip into a package instead of using military discount for tickets.

I love having everything paid for ahead of time and this is a budget trip for us so every little bit helps. I saved $68.00 dollar buying Disney gift cards at Target. In case it helps anyone they would not authorize all of the gift cards at one time declined my red card. I called the previous night and was told I did not have a daily limit. I don't use the card very much so I am thinking that's why it did not accept it. I called the red card number and they talked to the cashier and let me use my regular bank debit card. I was able to buy all of the gift cards in one transaction.

Free Dining usually starts in the last week or two of August. You never know what Disney might do this year.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Free dining in 2013 didn't start until September 2nd. (Just FYI)

 

[bubba]

We've been to WDW several times in both May and August and to be honest, everything from crowds to heat and humidity were very similar. There was a little more rain in August but nothing intolerable. We went in thinking that the crowds would be ridiculous in August, the heat would be awful... we managed just fine (and I am not the most tolerant of people if that gives you an idea )

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We have been to WDW is August but it was the last week of August. Crowds were non existent.
I can deal with crazy heat but not crazy heat + crowds. I would book the May trip and cancel last minute if needed. If you book as room-only, not a package, you have up until 6 days prior to cancel.

I've never seen free dining offered earlier than around Aug 20. Not sure of exact dates but it seems when kids down south return to school, attendance drops and discounts are offered.

 

[buzz2400]

I have done august. It is doable however I always joked that after I took my shower and left the hotel room, I needed another shower because you just start sweating right away. A few things that might help:

1. your feet will sweat so make sure you buy and bring moleskin or bandaids for blisters. I apply before I even leave for the park.

2. Drinks lots and lots of water. Ask for ice water at any counter service. it is free. You might want to bring a few packets of drink mix since some water is really not that great. You can also suck on the ice cubes to cool down.

3. Buy cheap ponchos at walmart before you go. They are small enough to fit in a backpack. There will be a few afternoon thunderstorms. Disney sells their ponchos at a very high price. Walmart sells one for about $1 in the camping section.

4. If person having surgery is not recovered fully, you might consider renting a wheelchair.

5. There are a lot of fountains around disney where kids can run through and get wet. Let them.

6. Apply sunscreen a few times per day since the sweat will wash most away. Especially the nose area.

7. To save some money on food, bring crackers or granola bars. I find that when it is hot, I don't want to eat so much and just filling up on something small is enough for me. Or you can split meals.