End of August trip thoughts ..

[Mersmom98]

We booked with the same travel agency Ginny Favers used and got an awesome deal at the Polynesian for August...Try searching the internet for Disney magical deal. Your dates definitely fall within the timeframe of the great rates. I'm nervous about the heat but we went July 2013 and dealt with the 4 teenagers, a toddler, heat, humidity and HUGE crowds and still had a great time.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I've also gone often at the end of August. After the third week the crowds subside a lot. Normally August is hot and it rains every afternoon, it's manageable as long as you're prepared for it but this past summer we had a few days that were beyond brutal. The heat index was 115 for about three straight days. As you can imagine, we spent our afternoons in the pool or napping in our room!

We've gone the past couple of years at the end of August, and this past end-of-August was really bad. We must have been there at the same time because I remember staring in disbelief at the heat index on my phone!

 

[anniemae]

We must have been there the same time too, it was truly hotter than the surface of the sun. We had locals who worked at the hotel telling us it was not safe to go outside and we should stay at the hotel. We went to the parks because, hey we came all the way to FL to go to the parks, not sit in a hotel room. I think that was the day we saw someone faint.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We must have been there the same time too, it was truly hotter than the surface of the sun. We had locals who worked at the hotel telling us it was not safe to go outside and we should stay at the hotel. We went to the parks because, hey we came all the way to FL to go to the parks, not sit in a hotel room. I think that was the day we saw someone faint.

Yes, I was asking CMs/TMs if it was hotter than usual, and they were all like "Heat wave." Which is not what you want to hear from a local in Central FL!

 

[EvilQueenLiz]

We must have been there the same time too, it was truly hotter than the surface of the sun.

LOL! I told my friends that the plane had accidentally landed on the cool side of the sun! We were there 8/20-9/1 this year. The worst of it was at the beginning of our trip.

 

[Pete S]

We went the end of August two years ago. It was crazy hot and humid. But the crowds were lower than even our trip in January this year. And as long as we drank a lot of water we were fine. Just allow yourself time to change before dinner so you are not wearing the same sweat soaked clothes you have had on all day, that break will help restore your stamina for the evening!

 

[msb578]

We must have been there the same time too, it was truly hotter than the surface of the sun. We had locals who worked at the hotel telling us it was not safe to go outside and we should stay at the hotel. We went to the parks because, hey we came all the way to FL to go to the parks, not sit in a hotel room. I think that was the day we saw someone faint.

I ended up in First Aid, leaving my wife to deal with three kids 5 and under

I drank lots of water, but it didn't help! The nurse said I needed electrolytes. I get migraines, and that made the situation much worse.

Really, really make it a priority to take care of yourselves. I *will* go back in August because the crowds were low, but obviously I need to do better next time I have even gotten myself sick at the New York State Fair in August, so I'm weak in the heat.

 

[WillAustin]

Our trips have been mostly in the summer, but every time we've gone in December or January/February we always say "why do we ever do this in the summertime?".

 

[Frozen2014]

I think it will be very crowded this year since labor day is so late. Many schools up north and in the mid west start after LD, which is Sept 7th or 8th this year, so families get in a trip at the end of Aug and first week of Sept. If you can swing it, I would go after labor day when everyone is back in school.

Agreed. There seems to be an extra week of summer this year....at least we have here in Canada as kids don't go back until Sept 8th. (Realized recently that we need to book an extra week of camp). Not sure if that effects school return time in the US.

 

[Tanooki]

We also go in August every year and we've found that the best thing to make the heat somewhat acceptable is the Frogg Togg Chilly Pad cooling towels. I also have a very hard time with heat and humidity but these made a world of difference! And I also second the suggestion about the magical deal : they do have amazing rates!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Our trips have been mostly in the summer, but every time we've gone in December or January/February we always say "why do we ever do this in the summertime?".

It's so true. I'm always amazed at how much we get done in the cooler/drier months too.

 

[tlmadden73]

We booked with the same travel agency Ginny Favers used and got an awesome deal at the Polynesian for August...Try searching the internet for Disney magical deal. Your dates definitely fall within the timeframe of the great rates.

The issue I may have with some vacation packages is that I really just need the hotel. We already have tickets (no-expiration), and most packages seem to be bundled with tickets.

We are trying to make this a "quick" an relatively inexpensive trip (since the park tickets are already paid for) .. and since we have a toddler .. just planning 2 park days and a third "pool" .. resort exploration day.

Still tenative about the heat .. still worried about the crowds (because of how late Labor Day is this year) .. but I think we are going to gamble and start planning.
Again .. thank you everyone for the advice.

 

[hookedonears]

I was hoping to take my family (wife, me, 2 year old (turning 3 at the end of August)) on a short trip (2-3 park days) to WDW sometime this year (to take advantage of the fact that my son will still be free and we are within a days drive of Orlando).

I had two thoughts:
End of February - (Feb 27th and beyond)
End of August (August 27th and beyond)

February has the advantage of being a lot cooler, but with it being so soon, getting Fast Passes and reservations I would prefer seem to be a struggle.

I am leaning towards August because:
1) My son will turn 3 during the trip - fun way to spend birthday.
2) More time to plan (Fast Pass, dinner reservations, etc.)
3) Resort hotels seem cheaper

My wife is concerned about the heat and humidity .. so just asking some advice here.
We are from coastal North Carolina, so summer heat/humidity isn't strange to us (just not walking around in it all day).

So my questions:
- Would you recommend an end of August trip or stick with end of this month?
- How are the crowds?
- How bad is the heat?
- If my son turns 3 during the trip, will I be required to buy him a ticket for those days he is three?

Thank you ...

February is by far the better between the two. May be a little cool, though the weather is generally much better. Crowds are much lighter as well. The only issue I see here is planning ADR's etc. Obviously a pretty short window here.

 

[rizzo0904]

If one day is forecast to be hotter than the rest, go to Epcot that day. There is so much to do in an air conditioned environment there. My young boys love the Innoventions section. Mexico has the indoor ride and shopping. The movies in France/China/etc are a good break from the heat.

 

[JasonMouse]

We got the YC last year for about $200/night.

Where did you find that? Lowest I've seen is Orbitz at the $250 range...