Does anyone notice a difference?

[excited4dis]

I was originally planning to book our WDW vacation for the first 10 days of August in 2018. However, after looking at crowd calendars, I see that from August 15 and on, it's less crowded. Has anyone who has gone in mid to late August really notice a difference? Is it worth for me to wait?

 

[goofygal531]

Absolutely! We used to always go the last week of August since our kids don't return back to school until after Labor Day. However, we've gradually moved our dates up each year after experiencing really bad weather. The rain was non-stop. The crowds are very low but the weather is iffy. We're trying the week of Aug 12 this year. We're hoping for sunny skies and low to moderate crowds.

 

[johnnydakota]

I believe the 2nd week of August is when a lot of schools go back in session so the high crowd levels are stated based on people getting their last minute summer vacations in. I've read many reports of people saying they've gone in early and mid August and said the crowds were very manageable. The worst part was the weather. Must state this is what I have read and not from personal experience.

 

[elle101me]

We've been going for 2 weeks in mid August for the past several years. The later you get into August the less crowded it is. The local kids are back to school.

 

[DisFam95]

We went the last week of August and left on Labor day weekend. I thought I had missed a closed sign as we walked all the way up to loading at Splash Mountain. If you can wait it will be better!

 

[excited4dis]

Absolutely! We used to always go the last week of August since our kids don't return back to school until after Labor Day. However, we've gradually moved our dates up each year after experiencing really bad weather. The rain was non-stop. The crowds are very low but the weather is iffy. We're trying the week of Aug 12 this year. We're hoping for sunny skies and low to moderate crowds.

I'm thinking of going Aug 14-23. I'm currently looking for a teaching position in NY, so I don't want to make it too close to the end of August in case I find a job and have to go to work early. The last time we went to WDW was back in 2011, and we went at the end of July/beginning of August. If I get to wait on less of a line for rides and have better options for ADRs, I will wait if people think it's worth it. However, I don't like the sound of iffy weather either, lol. Thanks for your input!

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I have not, but I have friends who always go around the last week of August. Our kids go back to school after Labor Day, while the southern schools start much sooner. I asked her one time how she managed to get so many pictures with no one in the background.

 

[excited4dis]

Thanks everyone for your input! I think I'll definitely switch from August 14-23 then. I heard it's cheaper to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, so that's why I am choosing the 14th to start.

 

[goofygal531]

I'm thinking of going Aug 14-23. I'm currently looking for a teaching position in NY, so I don't want to make it too close to the end of August in case I find a job and have to go to work early. The last time we went to WDW was back in 2011, and we went at the end of July/beginning of August. If I get to wait on less of a line for rides and have better options for ADRs, I will wait if people think it's worth it. However, I don't like the sound of iffy weather either, lol. Thanks for your input!

August is hot, which we can tolerate for the shorter lines. The dining reservations fill up fast as it's usually free dining time (we always book a "free dining bounce back offer".) If you plan early and get all your ADRs when your window opens, you'll be fine. The only negative we've found is the rain. August 24-27 has a history of being peak hurricane time. (I know hurricane season is June to November but we always traveled that week and something's always brewing). I'll be there this year Aug 12-20, I'd be happy to report back with my experience.

Best of luck with your job search. NYC schools have the BEST teachers! My kids have always adored theirs.

 

[jpeterson]

We are going August 16-21 for a short trip. We were lured in by the AP room discounts and cheap (really cheap!) airfare. Glad to hear the crowds might be lower. We are from Texas so the heat doesn't deter me and we are used to downpours as well. This will be a "low planning" trip so should be fun!

 

[excited4dis]

August is hot, which we can tolerate for the shorter lines. The dining reservations fill up fast as it's usually free dining time (we always book a "free dining bounce back offer".) If you plan early and get all your ADRs when your window opens, you'll be fine. The only negative we've found is the rain. August 24-27 has a history of being peak hurricane time. (I know hurricane season is June to November but we always traveled that week and something's always brewing). I'll be there this year Aug 12-20, I'd be happy to report back with my experience.

Best of luck with your job search. NYC schools have the BEST teachers! My kids have always adored theirs.

Thanks so much! I would love it if you can report back since that is basically the time frame I want to go in for 2018. I currently live a hour north of NYC, but I may eventually have to make the long commute to the city to get teaching job since there doesn't seem to be anything in my area.

 

[excited4dis]

We are going August 16-21 for a short trip. We were lured in by the AP room discounts and cheap (really cheap!) airfare. Glad to hear the crowds might be lower. We are from Texas so the heat doesn't deter me and we are used to downpours as well. This will be a "low planning" trip so should be fun!

I've always gone in the summer, so the only way I know how to do WDW is in the heat. Therefore, I'm not worried about it either.

 

[Cuchman]

For several years we have gone the last week of August into the first week of September and agree that crowds are far better than summer peak. It's hot though - be ready.

 

[excited4dis]

For several years we have gone the last week of August into the first week of September and agree that crowds are far better than summer peak. It's hot though - be ready.

Even hotter than July/beginning of August? Those are the only other times I have gone.

 

[excited4dis]

Is it more expensive to go at this time? I know someone mentioned free dining, but I heard that room discounts are the better value.

 

[jpeterson]

Is it more expensive to go at this time? I know someone mentioned free dining, but I heard that room discounts are the better value.

For us it was very affordable, but we have APs and are using that discount on a moderate (POR)

 

[Accident]

I was originally planning to book our WDW vacation for the first 10 days of August in 2018. However, after looking at crowd calendars, I see that from August 15 and on, it's less crowded. Has anyone who has gone in mid to late August really notice a difference? Is it worth for me to wait?

I just want to point out that MNSSHP and Food and Wine are for the first time happening in August. My sister who works in a school system that doens't start school until September is extremely excited about the first year she can come down and go to both of them..

I don't think this year is going to be as quiet... Also this is generally when I would go over the years and I would call it less than the rest of summer, but don't read anyones comments wrong, it's still very crowded, just not peak summer crowded.

 

[goofygal531]

Is it more expensive to go at this time? I know someone mentioned free dining, but I heard that room discounts are the better value.

It depends.... For my family, free dining is a better deal since we are 4 "Disney adults" (kids over 10 are "Disney adults").

Price out everything. Free dining and all the discounts that are available.

The airfare will be cheaper. JetBlue drops its rates towards mid-August. Use the monthly fare finder and you'll see the whole month. The best rates are when they first release the calendar in November.

The weather is hot but honestly, the lower crowds will take your mind off the heat. We've gone in February for winter break and my kids have walked past attractions with anything over a 30 min wait saying "we'll do it when we come back in August"!

The food festival and Halloween parties now begin the last week of August, so that wouldn't effect your trip. Although, one year we attended the Halloween party on Labor Day and practically had the park to ourselves. A CM told my husband it was the lowest attendence for a party. We loved it!

 

[Cuchman]

Even hotter than July/beginning of August? Those are the only other times I have gone.

I'd imagine statistically it is a little cooler than earlier in August. But I think a couple degrees when it is 10000% humidity doesn't matter too much.

 

[Elisa84]

We went last year at the end of August for the first time, and it was awful! The crowds were not your typical summer crowds and they were just being rude. Never again! My favorite summer month to go is beginning of June.