Do you prefer visiting WDW in April or August and why?

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

We like to go in August. We prefer the lower crowds to Spring Break time. And although it is hot we dont really mind it. We just make sure to take breaks and go at a slower pace.

How much less are the crowds in August than April? We went on Spring break and it was insane. Wall to wall to wall people.

 

[Magical2017]

That depends on when in April you plan to travel. We just went in August--loved it so much. The whole family said they would definitely go again in August.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

That depends on when in April you plan to travel. We just went in August--loved it so much. The whole family said they would definitely go again in August.

What was the weather like? Rain daily? Extremely humid? Crowd level?

 

[DOOM1001]

Wow, intersting replies. We went in April this year on our child's spring break (Easter) and it was insanely crowded. Wall to wall to wall people! I would have no choice but to go again on Easter break because my child cant afford to miss school otherwise and we like to take a 9 day trip. So it's either Easter week for us or the second week of August, neither choice is great but leaning towards August. Plus the August trip for us would be about $2000 cheaper with airfare and a Deluxe stay. I so wish I could go early May!! But it's just too much school to miss.

I think theres a reason most people are suggesting April,is it going to be crowded sure,but aside from the last week of August,August is also crowded,the first two weeks are straight up summer crowds.But more than anything if you've never been during the summer months(June through September),its oppressively hot,like 95-98 and it rains/storms like every day,you actually want it to rain so at least the temperatures come down,those 95-98 degree temps have heat indexes of 105-110,so its either get shredded by the sun or get soaked,as others have said the summer months are not fun.

 

[DOOM1001]

And Food and Wine starts the last day of August,you go in August you're not going to experience much of it,if any,Flower and Garden runs Feb 27th through May 27th!

 

[Magical2017]

What was the weather like? Rain daily? Extremely humid? Crowd level?

I think we enjoyed it because the weather at home was the same. If I lived in a cooler or less humid climate, I would have hated it. We went August 20-25. There was rain almost every day, but only pockets of heavy rain. The rain was very refreshing. We were able to swim every day. We stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek for this trip and the pools felt refreshingly cool in the August heat; I had read that the pools would be really hot, so I was glad they weren't. We were mainly at MK and AK, and were either dining or on an indoor ride for the heaviest rains. Pixie dust! The ponchos were not used much because it was hot and humid wearing one, so for the light rain I just wore a rain hat. It worked well.

Crowd levels were good. The only time it seemed to get really crowded was late in the day at MK on a party day (Friday the 24th), as well as during the fireworks/nighttime show at the MK on the 22nd. We left by 4PM on the party day. It also happened to be the only day that we had rain all day long. There were thunderstorms that evening. We went back to our resort and swam before the storms came in--we had a good three hours of pool time.

eta: The crowd levels on the 24th were due to the party that evening, but also due to the fact that the outdoor rides shut down due to rain/thunder. We rode all of them in the morning, but their closing had an impact on the other rides. The only coaster open in the afternoon was Space Mountain. I was still able to refresh and get it, so we rode it twice.

 

[a11ie]

So I see a lot of pro August people here. How do we feel about the week after labor day? Yay or nay? I'm planning my 1st trip in 8 years and I imagine things have changed a bit. Mid September, the week after thanksgiving and Mid-end May use to be our best times. Im wondering if they still are?
I'm hoping to go Sep 14ish (2019)

 

[Bork]

We've done late August 3 times now and we love the lower crowds. The last week is the best. We definitely noticed the crowds were higher for Labor Day weekend (and F&W). Yes it's hot and humid but you're in and out so much, that it's not a huge deal. We just make sure to drink enough water and take a late lunch somewhere with AC. This year it rained most afternoons, but we really only had 1 day where it rained a lot. We wore ponchos and went with it. Lightning closed outdoor rides a few times, but usually not for long.

 

[crazedprincess]

We just got back from our trip this past August and we LOVED it! The crowds were very manageable and we didn't mind the heat. We've gone the end of April and I thought it was just as hot then and it was way more crowded.

 

[Mikey15]

So I see a lot of pro August people here. How do we feel about the week after labor day? Yay or nay? I'm planning my 1st trip in 8 years and I imagine things have changed a bit. Mid September, the week after thanksgiving and Mid-end May use to be our best times. Im wondering if they still are?
I'm hoping to go Sep 14ish (2019)

Mid September is glorious. It's not usually as hot as August, and anytime after Labor Day kids everywhere are back in school. It's a wonderful time to go; anytime mid September to mid October is my favorite (though October starts to get busier). You do have to keep the Halloween Party in mind in planning your days, but that works for us as we enjoy going to one each trip.

The days are still long too, which is nice. I find it more fun than in the winter when everything's dark by 6.

 

[a11ie]

I appreciate your input! I haven't been since 2010 and this will be my first time planning my own vacation. We went every year the week after Thankgiving when I was a kid and sometimes we had extra trips in February, May or October. I am thinking of going September 8-14 or September 15-21. I want to avoid the people booking the end of September hoping SWGE will be opening on time/early.

 

[Darkhaund]

We have been several times in April...

We think it is NOT SO crowded
Weather is ok..
The festival at Epcot is good.

 

[moose81]

Our past 2 trips were April and August. We got similarly great rates both times so that was about equal.

April - We inadvertently went during a spring break week (MA) but crowds actually weren't bad at all, weather was gorgeous, Flower and Garden festival was a nice extra.

August - We went during Labor Day weekend so we expected crowds but it could definitely have been worse. Weather was crazy hot/humid. Food and Wine had started, as well as Halloween decorations. I preferred F&W to F&G.

 

[momimouse27]

April is mostly hot and mostly crowded
August is mostly hot and somewhat crowded.

If its late April or late August, I'd say its a toss up. Both of those times see a small dip in crowd level.

But overall, I'd say choose April because 1)Its still hot just not AS hot as August. August is like Satan's backside. 2)You get Flower & Garden festival. And 3)You don't have the constant possible threat of hurricane weather.

 

[kathy884]

I don't go to Florida in the summer due to the heat and humidity if I can avoid it. August counts as summer, so for me that would leave April.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Absolutely APRIL! Too hot in August and I don’t call being hot and miserable a vacation.

 

[TJA]

We've always had good luck in April with weather, but room rates are pretty high and crowds can be spotty. I'd choose the tail end of August every time. We just went at this time and were able to hit MNSSHP and the very beginning of Food & Wine, AND a huge plus was the very low crowds AND room rates weren't nearly as high as in April (if around Easter anyway).

 

[kwdw]

April - but not if its the week before or after Easter. Weather is typically awesome. Flower and Garden is beautiful.

August - too hot, too humid, more rain chances. Late in the month the idea of lower crowds is appealing, but the two times I've been to Orlando in August the past 10 years - the weather was more than I could handle.

I think it depends on your heat tolerance in terms of if you can handle August. I can't - makes me physically ill - even if I drink lots, stay in the shade, try to avoid heat of the day. Some folks can just plow through that. Me - nope. I'm a morning person - humidity tends to be high then - so having heat indices in the upper 90's/100's by 10/11 am -- I'm done. I can't transition on vacation to being a night person when the sun is down and the humidity sometimes drops - and hence - weather more manageable.

 

[illinidp]

Mid-late April. Much better weather and lower crowds.

 

[fla4fun]

Well, I always do an April or May trip and an August or September trip. I usually prefer April to May, but it depends on when Easter falls which month I pick. In the fall, it depends on when in October my non Disney vacation falls, as I try not to schedule trips too close together.

Comparing the two trips, I prefer the spring because I really like Flower and Garden and really hate Food and Wine. It’s usually a little more crowded in the spring but with milder temps I don’t mind it so much.