Early Aug vs. late Aug -- how big a difference these days??

[MickeyMinnieMom]

In years past, I would have said it was a no-brainer: if you could go late Aug (Aug 24 - Sep 3) instead of early Aug (Aug 6-17), DO IT!!

My question is given how much attendance seems to have smoothed out over the years, in recent years have people experienced these being that different??

I ask because we just found out today that my daughter got into a school she applied to, and now starts school after Labor Day instead of 3rd week of Aug!

But...

• I already have all of our dining booked, including some harder to get ADRs
• late Aug dates would cross 2 weekends instead of just one (so more weekend dates vs. weekday dates than the early Aug trip)

Trying to decide if it's worth trying to move the trip... any opinions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Animal]

I would rather do late August. We aren't picky on ADRs though. Late August will be slightly cooler and have lower sun angle. Sun will set sooner, too.

 

[meriface11]

It’s a big difference. All the southern schools will be back in session by late August.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've never been early August, but have gone the last week of August for the past 7 years. Crowds are quite low, but it is very, very hot.

 

[WedWayPilot]

It’s a big difference. All the southern schools will be back in session by late August.

We usually go the last week in August and I started calling it “Michigan week” because it seemed like everyone at WDW was there from Michigan right before school started.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Many schools here (major southeastern metro area) start on or around 8/6, FWIW.

We went Labor Day weekend last year and it was busy, but not crazy busy.

Late August will likely get you some MNSSHP and F&W dates.

Probably really hard to peg any discernible difference, I suspect.

(Although if this were me, I’d probably choose early August, but no real reason why I have that feeling).

Congrats to your DD!

 

[kandb]

I would rather do late August. We aren't picky on ADRs though. Late August will be slightly cooler and have lower sun angle. Sun will set sooner, too.

We gone last week in August the last 5 years. It's stifling. Lol No cooling off at ALL.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I would rather do late August. We aren't picky on ADRs though. Late August will be slightly cooler and have lower sun angle. Sun will set sooner, too.

The end of August is probably the worst part of summer in the south. It feels like the air is pressing down on you. We get heat indexes near 100 with 100% humidity. Nothing cooler about it.

 

[Animal]

The end of August is probably the worst part of summer in the south. It feels like the air is pressing down on you. We get heat indexes near 100 with 100% humidity. Nothing cooler about it.

Lower Sun angle and shorter days do provide slight relative relief. Days are longest in late June. By Labor Day days are significantly shorter. Although not pleasant by any means, this does provide for slight relief.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Thanks all! I wasn't even thinking about F&W as a possibility... we associate that with W&D wknd in Nov! I think I'll try a mockup of a late Aug trip and see how many ADRs I could still get.

Congrats to your DD!

Thanks!! She's really excited!

 

[Disneylover99]

We've been going to DW the last two weeks of August since 2010. It does get noticeably less crowded the last week. Two of those years it was completely dead for a day or two at the parks due to a weather related/hurricane threat. It does get a bit more crowded beginning the Friday of labour day weekend. Still totally manageable though.

 

[DizDaD7]

In years past, I would have said it was a no-brainer: if you could go late Aug (Aug 24 - Sep 3) instead of early Aug (Aug 6-17), DO IT!!

My question is given how much attendance seems to have smoothed out over the years, in recent years have people experienced these being that different??

I ask because we just found out today that my daughter got into a school she applied to, and now starts school after Labor Day instead of 3rd week of Aug!

But...

• I already have all of our dining booked, including some harder to get ADRs
• late Aug dates would cross 2 weekends instead of just one (so more weekend dates vs. weekday dates than the early Aug trip)

Trying to decide if it's worth trying to move the trip... any opinions?

Thanks in advance!

We've only gone during late August, not early. So from our experience...Being that the crowds are a lot less kinda offsets the fact that it's like being in a fryin pan... As a PP stated most schools down south will be back by the 1st or 2nd week. So it'll definitely be noticeable. HEAT IS HEAT... And you're really only talkin about a 10 day difference...So Sunrise & sunset may change by 10 mins. tops...No way you'll be able to notice any significant relief there...You might get lucky and have a cold spell during the week you pick.. Like low 90*s LoL <---This is more like it... I'd try for the latter if it were me though...Lower costs as well for the rooms...