Disney In August - Are We Nuts

[tresas]

Does Anyone Regularly Go To Disney In August. Is It Unbearable Heat, And What About Hurricanes? Going Aug 16th For 10 Nights. Thanks

 

[Divamomto3]

That is the week we went last year. Yes, it is unbelievably hot. We have been to Disney many times so we don't need to worry about grabbing the park map and hitting every attraction. Some days we don't go to a park at all. Other days, we try to go early in the morning and then go back to the resort for a rest or to the pool. Then back to the parks after dark. I find that 12p-4p time frame absolutely unbearable to walk around in. I'm cranky, miserable, and sick. I find the 12p-4p time frame unbearable May through September in Florida. But I'm a New Englander at heart I guess.

If you don't want to be a park commando, I'd say you'll be OK. I really have minimal other times to go to WDW due to school and sports conversation.

 

[disgirl]

We have gone to WDW twice at the end of August and once to DL at the end of August. Yes, Forida is very hot and humid that time of year. In 2004, we were very lucky because that is the year we decided to do DL instead because DH has a few friends in Los Angeles that we have always wanted to visit. We were lucky because that was the year we would have been caught in the hurricane if we had gone to Orlando instead. We went in 2003 and 2005 at the end of August and had Great trips. Yes, it is very humid, but go to the parks early, take breaks back at your hotel pool, and stay in air conditioned places as much as possible. Freeze water bottles at night and bring the water into the parks with you!! You should be ok. We are going for the 4th of July this year so you know it must not be that bad or we would not be going in the hot humid summer again. We would like to go end of August again but DS has high school orientation then. You should also notice the crowds lessening by then too because many schools reopen around that date. Good Luck and happy planning!!

 

[4mcbjCtr]

It is miserably hot, but there are plenty of ways to try and stay cool. For me, as long as I am not hungry or tired and the kids aren't winey, the weather doesn't bother me terribly. Definately plan like the previous poster said and go early in the morning and take the afternoons off for swimming and resting.

The park has a lot of places to attempt to stay cool as well - water, air conditioning. I am used to DL where it isn't as hot, and all the lines are outdoors there. At DW, a lot more seemed to be inside in the cool wherever they could do it. I would go again in August in a heartbeat. No weather can keep me away from the mouse.

 

[bigsmooth]

We've done WDW twice in August, got hit by Hurricane Charley the second time. I think the crowds are pretty manageable in August, especially the later in August you go. I'm not a fan of the heat, and we'll probably not go in August again. Since we come from an area that is usually not that hot and humid, we found it to be pretty uncomfortable and an abrupt transition. But like others say, there are plenty of things to do to beat the heat, and since we found the crowds to be manageable, we were not queued up outside that often. I definitely swam quite a bit.

Really looking forward to our first trip home this year in October.

 

[jennypenny]

We go around that time every year (we also go in Feb). It is very hot. But even though it's just as hot as June and july it's not as sunny--does that make sense?! Storms and cloudy skies roll in most afternoons and it gets dark earlier. I can't travel in June or July--the sun is too intense--but August is ok.

Also, the crowds are much lighter then. That makes it easier to get a lot done during the morning hours, then take a break in the afternoon. By 4 or 5 we are willing to venture out again.

I find that we use the resort and the resort lounges more during our August trip (think breezeway/iron spike room) and we have more times to play games and have a drink. When we go in Feb the weather is gorgeous so we go, go, go all day (the parks also close earlier). In August, you can take a long break and catch some nice evenings out at the EMH parks.

We really think August is a nice time to go.
Jenny

 

[NYMomof4]

We love going in August and will be there again this year! Bring your bathing suits and drink plenty of water. The crowds seem lower and the evenings cool off a bit (usually after a daily thunderstorm). It's our annual end of summer trip before the kids go back to school

 

[georgia4now]

We lived down there for a while, and went almost every weekend in July and August. Sure it's hot, and it will probably rain every day (for about an hour) but it's not too bad. We were lucky though, we had AP's and could go home if it became too much.

I don't know how you tour, but if it's just the 2 of you, you should be fine. I have to admit though, we always felt bad (in the summer months) for people pushing 2 strollers and carrying backpacks through the Florida heat. The kids seemed miserable. But hey, it's WDW. How bad can it be!

I hope you have a great time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I like the fact that you can't do commando touring in August (because the extreme heat won't allow it). So you're forced to relax more-sit around the pool, read a good book, poke around in some shops, and eat plenty of ice cream.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Are you nuts? Yes! I agree that you will need to hit the pools around noon, that's the only way to endure the heat. I am from the midwest, so that heat is brutal to me, especially since I am near retirement! Having said all that, I am going the end of September, which I have heard is about the same as August!

 

[Boston5602]

I like August too, it is HOT ....BUT knowing this before hand and willing to work with it it makes it ok. We go slow and drink loads of water and head back to rest every day. Plus resting everyday gives us a chance to shower and change since we get all sweaty and we can start new midway through the day.

 

[las3888]

We're in the same boat - I wonder if we are nuts as well!

We have gone many times in both early May and late May. I find it to be pretty hot and humid at that time as well. Will August seem that much different?

The storms that come by for maybe 1 hr - do they tend to be earlier say 12, 1, 2pm or later, 3,4,5,6 pm?

We have been during times when everyone says it storms but only for an hour, and it usually seemed to cloud up, storm, and then NOT get nice anymore for the rest of the day (either the storms continued, or they just kept threatening so you never knew what to expect). I know one trip I was bummed the whole time because everyday seemed to be like that.

I am not even going to think about hurricanes. I just can't go there!!!!

 

[DizGeek]

We go every August. Its our way of closing out the summer. We were there 2 years ago when the parks closed for 2 days due to a hurricane (Francis?) and that didnt change our mind for last year or this year. Is it hot? Yep, but isnt that what you want during vacation?. Air fares and room rates are usually down, the kids dont miss any school...plus the free dining.

Go for it!

 

[VMS]

We also were down there during Hurricane Frances (and ended up staying 4 extra days because of it). In fact, an AP reporter wrote on these boards looking for info from anyone who had been down there then, I was interviewed, and it has been carried nationwide! We are going again this year. My kids go back after Labor Day -- the end of August the parks are less crowded. It is hot, but it doesn't bother us that much.

 

[Anewman]

We do August also, but not by choice.

Kids sports and schooling only allow us to go during CIF dead period(CA high schools not allowed to practice) Aug 1st - 20th, last year I swore I would not do it again. We arrive on the 12th.

 

[byoung]

Don't think it would bother me, I can take the heat but DW can't take it.

 

[MrsG]

Yes, I think we're both nuts! But what better way to be nutty! We usually go down in July but are going this Aug. instead. We've been in Aug. once before and actually had to buy a sweatshirt to wear at nite. That might have been an aberration, though. We also hibernate during the day, much as we do in July. Enjoy!

 

[WOW]

August is one of my favorite times to go......Go to the parks early or late (or both) and hang out at the pool and take a nap and you will be fine. PS Airfare and DVC Points (I think) are much less starting around 8/15!!! It took me a while to realize that!!

 

[Granny]

Does Anyone Regularly Go To Disney In August. Is It Unbearable Heat, And What About Hurricanes? Going Aug 16th For 10 Nights. Thanks

We've gone in August before, and yes it is hot as is the entire Orlando summer.

I think it really depends on what you're used to for summers. Here in St. Louis we have hot and humid summers, so the Florida heat was not a big deal to us. For others who are used to less humidity or heat, I can see where it would be pretty rough.

I don't know if you have little kids, but be sure to watch their hydration. Kids tend to forget things like drinking a lot of water in the excitement of being at WDW and in the summer it is very important to stay hydrated. Also, plan time to relax, probably in the afternoons, and take advantage of your DVC resort amenities.

 

[AnnaS]

Another family here that vacations in August.

Vacation/school/sports/activities limit our time when we can also visit - if I have to choose between July and August - I like August - have something to look forward to all summer and a great way to end it before kids go back to school.

The only other times we have visited was once in November and once during Easter Break. I am dying to go for Christmas (decorations) and President's week.

Of course, someday, when school schedules are not a problem - would like to pick up and choose anytime of the year that we want