Disney in August...would you go??

[queenmichelle]

I've been in August 3 times now and it's always wonderful. Definitely take an afternoon break to cool of. I you take it slow you'll have a great time. I would go back in August any time!! My next trips in April. How's the weather?

 

[Rozzie]

As much as I would love to have a bday button on, I am still too chicken to go in august. dh's and I jobs require us to cancel vacation if a hurricane hits...living on the gulf coast certainly has it's downers...

 

[LoriLea]

We will definitely book our next trip for the latter part of August. We were there this past August and the crowds were very low, and other than Hurricane Frances, we did not experience very much rain. We didn't use any of the ponchos that I had packed. Because of the low crowds, we spent very little time standing in line and we were able to take our time going through the parks. It was actually quite relaxing. If we were hot we just went into an air conditioned attraction or store. We also carried mister fans and drank lots of water.
One thing though, I will watch the weather forecast a little more closely next time and if there is a Hurricane approaching, I will postpone my trip.

 

[Harambe]

We are going Aug. 21 - 29, 2005. We usually go in the winter, but we went this past Septmeber (right between the hurricanes) and even though I expected to wilt in the heat - I was shocked to see me and the rest of my family adjusting to the humitidy in just one day! In fact, DH loved it, saying he finally feels like he's in Florida. We toured just like we usually do! We drank tons of water, though!

I am nervous about the hurricanes, but hopefully we can do this without one showing up.

As others have said, if the choice is August or not going - GO!

 

[CaipiraBob]

The only thing I'd recommend is that you keep an alternative date in mind in the event we have a hurricane season like this year. Make sure your travel plans include refundable tickets or insurance. If you cover this aspect of your vacation you'll be fine, but thousands of people had their plans disrupted last year with all the hurricanes. I'd submit it bears further precautions for planning in 2005.

Also, chances are here in Florida that school may begin earlier and earlier. I don't know when 2005-2006 begins but this year surprised me (not Mrs. Caipira, she's got things covered on this front.)

My point is you may not be running into the larger crowds that you hear about towards the end of August, but I can't truly account for that at this point.

 

[Buzzfan]

We were also there Aug. 30 -Sept. 6 along with hurricane Frances. It was hot, hot, hot. We loved it because it was our first trip and the first five days were great, but the last three were impacted by the hurricane and we weren't able to use the rest of our hopper passes. I felt totally safe being on disney property and when others lost power it stayed in tact at Disney. The only negative thing was that we were stuck in our rooms with very little food, no housekeeping, (which meant no toilet paper and lots of garbage), and two very antsy children. We lucked out because they opened the airport just before our plane was to take off so we got out - but if we couldn't it would have taken us another whole week for the next available flight - that was a little nerve racking. When we were at the parks we walked on to every ride and the CM's everywhere commented that this was the week to come. There was one point in AK that we were walking over the Dinoland and there was not a person to be seen on the entire path. It was great. We froze some washcloths and put them in a ziplack bag in our cooler and used them for a cool down - we were sooooo glad we did that, and of course lots to drink!!!! Like I said it was so hot, but it was worth it to do the parks so quickly. Would I go at that time again...probably, but our next trip will be in early December/05.

It's a question of what you prefer to avoid - extreme heat or crowds.

 

[gigi1313]

just curious, buzzfan, where were you staying during HFrances? we were at pop century and there was no shortage of food (the cm's were great about reminding people to stock their rooms w/30 hrs worth of food both by hanging notes on our doors, leaving voice mails and telling us in person at the food court area, etc plus they gave away free bags of ice when the machines ran out)... and the day before the hurricane the mousekeepers came around and super-stocked our room w/toilet paper, towels, shampoo, and extra garbage bags... i guess we were lucky!

 

[Buzzfan]

gigi1313- We stayed at POFQ, and yes they did tell us ahead of time to stock up on food. It was hard with no microwave, fridge, or ice (we weren't given any when the machines ran out). So as far as food we had apples, cookies, chips - not very healthy, but the kids loved it. We were there for three days and didn't get mousekeeping or a towel change the entire time we were there, so whatever was in the room when we arrived was all we had. No extra gargbage bags, towels, toilet paper, shampoo, soap, etc. I did mention that I was disappointed with this when we checked out but they wouldn't discount our room or anything. I didn't push the subject because I felt so bad for everything they were going through. It's just that it was our first trip to Disney and we were saving our money to be able to afford to stay on-site for a few days, and then we were not able to take advantage of any on-site perks. I was pretty disappointed, but understood.

Glad to hear they took such great care of you at POP.

 

[BigOnDis]

We were there the first week of August this year and it was indeed hot. If I remember correctly it rained almost every day as well. That said I didn't mind it too bad. It was crowded, but not overly. I say if you pace yourself and take a break in the afternoon it is very doable in August.

We are planning a late July trip for next year. Anyone able to compare late July to early August? Is it about the same?

 

[bobcat]

We've visited in both late July and early August. As far as weather they are about the same. Since we have only been in early August(I teach) we haven't had any hurricanes yet. The past couple of years the value resort discounts seem better in August. As for the crowds when we visited in August the crowds seemed to lessen as the month wore on. Southern schools are already back in session. We like to visit before the park hours lessen, usually mid month, since we get up early and go back late to beat the heat. We're planning on going back again this August after visiting in July the last two years.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Does anyone know what the park hours were for the end of August this year...that would be really helpful!!!

 

[flynnmnstr]

We went to Disney in at the end of August a couple of years ago and it very very hot and humid. Our son was almost two and we were really worried about the heat with him. It was suppossed to be our "inexpensive" trip to use our AP one last time before it expired, but we ended up eating in sit down restaurants for every meal because we were so hot and tired we wanted to relax in an air conditioned restaurant.

Would we go again? Probably. It was worth the heat to not have the crowds that are there at other times of the year. Though still crowded, with a little time management and Fast Passes we were able really enjoy. Especially compared to rest of the summer.

My tips: Take it easy; take advantage of early entry and get out of the parks by lunch time; go back to the hotel relax and swim; and then go back to the parks in late afternoon/ early evening.
Also go as late as possible in August/early September even if it means getting home the day before school starts. CMs told us that the week before we got there was much more crowded than the week we were there. We went at the very end of August into the beginning of September (I forget the exact dates).

Don't worry once you get there you'll have a blast. Drink lots of water and bring stroller fans and water fans if travelling with little ones.

Parks closed between 7-9pm when we were there depending on night and park (Epcot stayed open until 9pm every night).

 

[gigi1313]

sorry to hear that your first trip was not all it should be... i tend to "overdo" things, so when they said "extra food" i laid in enough provisions for our family and both rooms on either side! plus, we had our own cooler (although they were also selling those at our food court) which helped... i hope you are able to plan another trip soon and may that one be far more magical!

 

[wdwfan]

We have gone to WDW the last 2 times in August. August of 2003 was fine. It was hot, but bearable. Last August was horrible! It was extremely hot and humid and we have decided not to go in the summer months again for this reason. It really depends on how much of the heat you can stand. My children are now out of the stroller, so walking in heat for them was difficult.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

The only thing we found to be a bit rough during our trip one year in mid August was the heat. Crowds were manageable but the heat and humidity knocked us out.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I absolutely REFUSE to go to WDW in July or August! The heat is unbearable (especially for a baby) and the crowds are horrible. I prefer winter or spring, and my FAVORITE month to go is in February.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

I appreciate all the answers. After taking my DD out of school we decided to try August. We are going Aug 6-13 (there about) Is it still pretty crowded in early August?? Or are things starting to die down a bit??

 

[dennisnlisab96]

Thanks...to everone who has taken the time to answer me question!!!