Driving myself Crazy August & free Dining

[NJOGRE]

I started reading the boards at Lunchtime and started drving myself crazy and now need some answers PLEASE AND THANK YOU

First, Background
We own at SSR, usually go in DEC, JAN, Feb time of year. Last Feb was hoorible didn;t get over 40 degres .
Characters going, Myself, DW, DD6, DD3, DS13 months (1st trip for him)

SO LETS TRY THE OTHER EXTREME AUG 27th to Sept 4th 2010

NOW QUESTIONS FOR THE EXPERTS

Q#1 Are the crowds going to be as nuts as everyone says cause of Free Dining? I mean I made my ADRs at 180 days and had no problem what so ever, but these boards are getting me into a bunch.

Q#2 Kadain Village Questions, water area. My 13 month old loves to sit in the water and play, is there a place he can do that in the shade or is the area completely sunny?

Q#3 We plan on going to the parks at opening with a 13 month old we ar all up at 6 am anyway. We are going to do large lunches and then go back to pool and rest and back ut later. I made ADRS for arouond noon. Are we going to be able to make it from opening to noon or is teh heat going to be so unbearable that we wil ahve to go back to pool right away at like 10 am?

Any other insights into August trip planning would be great

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I started reading the boards at Lunchtime and started drving myself crazy and now need some answers PLEASE AND THANK YOU

First, Background
We own at SSR, usually go in DEC, JAN, Feb time of year. Last Feb was hoorible didn;t get over 40 degres .
Characters going, Myself, DW, DD6, DD3, DS13 months (1st trip for him)

SO LETS TRY THE OTHER EXTREME AUG 27th to Sept 4th 2010

NOW QUESTIONS FOR THE EXPERTS

Q#1 Are the crowds going to be as nuts as everyone says cause of Free Dining? I mean I made my ADRs at 180 days and had no problem what so ever, but these boards are getting me into a bunch.
Went same week last year. The restaurants are busy, the parks, not so much

Q#2 Kadain Village Questions, water area. My 13 month old loves to sit in the water and play, is there a place he can do that in the shade or is the area completely sunny?
If I recall there was some shade in the play area.

Q#3 We plan on going to the parks at opening with a 13 month old we ar all up at 6 am anyway. We are going to do large lunches and then go back to pool and rest and back ut later. I made ADRS for arouond noon. Are we going to be able to make it from opening to noon or is teh heat going to be so unbearable that we wil ahve to go back to pool right away at like 10 am?

We did the same plan, got there for rope drop and were done with the park by noon. Went back to use pool, take naps, and came out again after sunset. Worked out great.
Any other insights into August trip planning would be great

I love traveling this time of year. I love that you can really make use of the pool and relax. The crowds are def. lower as the southern states all have gone back to school already. If you already have all your dining ressies, you should be all set!

 

[Native NYer]

We always go in August and love it. The crowds aren't bad and we just make sure to go back to the resort in the afternoon to rest and cool off in the pool.

 

[kid-at-heart]

We found the crowds to be a bit smaller but the people were ruder. Not sure why, maybe we just went on an off year when folks were not feeling very "Disney". We have decided not to go again during the free dining promotion.

Early fall used to be our favorite time of the year to visit Florida. Now we go try to go November through mid-Feb.

 

[monorailmom]

we were there last Aug and found it to be fine, hot but fine!! Crowds weren't bad, but we're the type who hit the parks first thing and then head back to the pool for the afternoon. Just pace yourself.

 

[Crystal_27]

We went for 9 days during free dining in September 2008 and it was probably the best Disney trip we ever had. The crowds were very manageable and, with one exception, we never had any problems being seated within 5 minutes of check-in for our ADRs. As to the weather, it was hot, but we toured mostly in the mornings, took a swim/nap break during the heat of the day, and then went back out at night and it really worked for us. The only thing that you have to be careful of is that the weather is a bit unpredictible and you should plan on there being rain every day of your trip. Since we had a 4 year old we were fine, but with your 13 month old, the rain may pose a bit of a problem, so make sure you have a plan. Hope that helps - - good luck!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We've done WDW twice over the end of August into the first week of September. NEVER AGAIN! It is just too hot and humid for me. Crowds aren't bad, but the heat did me in.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

It's hot and miserable between 11 and 4pm. We go every Aug., this year however, don't tell Mickey but we're staying a a Universal hotel. In years past, we've headed out early (rope drop) come back at 11:30, relaxed at the main OKW pool and at the villa, had lunch . We usually head back around 4:30 for dinner and few rides. It's amazing how much cooler it is once the sun starts to come down after 3:30pm. Of course the 3pm thunderous storms help to cool it down for a bit as well!

Above all, listen to your 13mth old son, he'll be the 1st to tell you when he's had enough and it's time to head back to the resort for down time! I know everyone knows how important it is to remain hydrated but sometimes people forget that babies need to drink water too!

Take it easy, and have a wonderful time!

 

[eliza61]

We generally go the last 2 weeks in August and love it.
Now my kids are older so our reasons may not work well for you.

1) Long park hours. Since it is going to be hot, this allows us to tour leisurely. We go to the parks early in the day and then by mid afternoon we head for shade and water. Some times we do the water parks all morning go back to the resort to chill out and don't hit the parks until 7 pm.

2) Crowds are generally lighter since Southern schools are back in session. I don't eat at many TS during free dining. Sorry IMO, servers are more rushed and food is ill prepared. I willing to concede it may all be in my imagination but I swear I can tell the difference when I go during free dining and when I go in early May.

3) If I remember correctly Kadandai had some shady spots. you may have to readjust a few chairs.

4) now is the time to buy a sunscreen hat with a big brim. It came in handy when we sit by the pool.

Enjoy. I much rather deal with the heat then being cold at disney, we went in November one year and had to run to walmart and buy jackets it was unbearable cold.

 

[jjohnson]

I can only add that we always eat lunch earlier 11-11:30 to avoid the lunch crowds then head back to the resort to avoid the heat.

 

[edk35]

This is our 4th summer trip...first one was in mid Aug. the past 2 were in July as is this one. Sure it is HOT....but it has been WICKED hot here in MD. I figure why not be at WDW if we are going to swelter here too. Anyway.....our plan has always been out the door for rope drop and then head back to the resort by 1:00 ish. If we get a cloudy day then we might stay a little longer. The evenings are great after the sun starts going down...so we head back around 6 or 7. You will have fun..... OH and we don't find the crowds to be a big issue really. We follow Tour Guide Mike's best park days for our trip and we have no problems.