First Week in August..Am I crazy?

[spaddy]

I am considering a trip the first week in August. My family is going down Aug 4-11 so I made reservations thinking I would cancel. Well, now I am considering going because I can't wait until December.

I was hoping to get some feedback from DVC people that go at that time.

How hot is it? I know it's hot, but too hot to hang out at the pool?

What is the best resort at that time, especially if I do not plan on doing too many days at the park? Right now I am booked at VWL for 3 night and BWV for 2. Does VWL have a slide? It seems a little more wooded over there so I thought it might seem cooler...is that true?

Are the water parks completely out of control at this time of year?

 

[Granny]

I was hoping to get some feedback from DVC people that go at that time.

How hot is it? I know it's hot, but too hot to hang out at the pool?

Heat is 100% subjective. We always go in the summer, and yes, it is very hot and draining. I personally don't like to sit at the pool at that time of the year but DW and DDs enjoy sitting out hours at a time. As I said, it depends entirely on what you are used to, and what you can tolerate. What part of the country are you from?

For us, Florida in the summer isn't much different than St. Louis as far as heat and humidity. For others, they wouldn't go near WDW in the summer!!

What is the best resort at that time, especially if I do not plan on doing too many days at the park? Right now I am booked at VWL for 3 night and BWV for 2. Does VWL have a slide? It seems a little more wooded over there so I thought it might seem cooler...is that true?

VWL does have a slide, though it is a smaller one and nothing like the one at BWV.

As for cooler...well, that is subjective as well. We find the trees and shade to be a bit cooler there but let's face it...90 degrees is 90 degrees! Still hot and humid.

Are the water parks completely out of control at this time of year?

Pretty much so. Get there before it opens and enjoy the various flumes. By mid to late morning the lines for each flume is very long. However, the wave pool (I've only been to BB) is very large and there is room to wade at all times.


It might sound like I'm painting a pretty scary picture of WDW in the summer. To us, it's all about expectations and managing the heat. Take breaks. Go into air conditioned shops to cool off and look around. Enjoy rides like Universe of Energy which keep you in a cool place for an hour while entertaining you.

Oh yeah....and drink LOTS of water, and use a good sunscreen.

Almost all of our vacations have been during the summer and we enjoy that time of year a lot (we'll be back this July). The attractions are all pretty much open (no rehabs), the park hours are long and they are well staffed.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[spaddy]

We are from Pittsburgh so not too much of a difference. It's my DH I am worried about. What do you do while your DW and DD are hanging at the pool? Is there any indoor activities a VWL? I need to offer him something to get on board.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

We're going first week of August this year and have been at that time previously, too. It's so easy to pack for that time of year. Don't forget to pack cheap ponchos. We love the early mornings and late evenings. Middle of day is pool time, shopping, and table service meals. August is DD's favorite time of the year.

 

[minnie mouse]

This will be out second year going the first part of August. Last year it was hot..yes... but we spent more of out time at the pool and did the parks late afternoon. I did rain more than I would of liked though, and I am not one to walk around in it. I don't mind the quick showers but we had a day or two with nothing but solid rain. Thank God for the DVC with offers a bigger room choice so we were not on top of each other.

 

[JerJan]

SPADDY WROTE: How hot is it? I know it's hot, but too hot to hang out at the pool?

It's NEVER too hot to go to the pool!!!! Bring on that Florida August heat!!! We will be there August 18th to August 24th!

 

[Granny]

We are from Pittsburgh so not too much of a difference. It's my DH I am worried about. What do you do while your DW and DD are hanging at the pool? Is there any indoor activities a VWL? I need to offer him something to get on board.

While DW and DDs are at the pool, I do various things. Sometimes I'll go to a park to see something that only I am interested in like Disney's "One Man's Dream" exhibit.

Or I'll head to DTD and stroll around.

Other times I'll relax in the villa and read.

Not sure what kind of activity your DH would be looking for? I've never been bored at WDW, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.

 

[starbox]

We've gone the first week of June and then again the first week of August for the past few years. There is a HUGE difference in the heat index. Still, we've always managed to have a great time. This is a great time of year to eat a late TS lunch (around 2-3). Drink lots of water andsports drinks - be super-careful about overdoing sodas as they can actually dehydrate you. One thing people don't realize is that drinking too much water while you are sweating can be very dangerous - you need to replace the lost sodium/electrolytes as well. If you are saavy, you can time your rides to avoid the hotter lines when the sun is out in force.

We've had good luck at the waterparks, but I don't do big slides - so the lines for slides may be bad and I don't know it.

As far as pools - I don't enjoy swimming, but I do like sitting in the zero-entry part of a pool to read and keep cool. There are air-conditioned community halls right by the pools at both OKW and SSR - both with large TVs. I am not sure where BWV's community hall is located.

 

[Granny]

There are air-conditioned community halls right by the pools at both OKW and SSR - both with large TVs. I am not sure where BWV's community hall is located.

BWV's Community Hall is located next to the quiet pool at BWV. I believe it too is air conditioned.

 

[eliza61]

I am considering a trip the first week in August. My family is going down Aug 4-11 so I made reservations thinking I would cancel. Well, now I am considering going because I can't wait until December.

I was hoping to get some feedback from DVC people that go at that time.

How hot is it? I know it's hot, but too hot to hang out at the pool?

What is the best resort at that time, especially if I do not plan on doing too many days at the park? Right now I am booked at VWL for 3 night and BWV for 2. Does VWL have a slide? It seems a little more wooded over there so I thought it might seem cooler...is that true?

We always go in August, in fact this is the first year we are trying a new time (1st week in November).

Yep, it's hot but then again its hot in NYC in the summer so all things being equal, WL definitely is better. I have teenagers who live at the pool, so Dh & I do end up there at least once a day, especially if we are not doing the water parks. We love the bar at the pool area, so we usually get a cool drink, do some reading and relaxing while the kids swim.

One of the things we like about August is that we have enough time since the days are longer to do the water parks. Our favorite is blizzard beach so we do end up there more than typhoon lagoon. We tend to get there early and never had a problem with getting a lounge chair. Some times the line at the lunch counter may get long but we've never encountered wall to wall people. Generally we are out of there by 2 or 3 and hit a theme park in the evening.
I think you'll have a great time.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Since my girls have gotten older we have no choice but to go in the summer!! Yes, it is hot, but not much hotter than it is here in Boston!!

We have not stepped foot in a theme park the last 2 years but have gone to the water parks!! My girls are happy at the pool!! This year they want to go the the theme parks but it may be the 'other' theme parks instead of Disney!! (ok..........now don't shoot me!!)!!

We will be at OKW from July 29-Aug 10 and a few days before over the west coast of FL!!!

 

[KAMLEM]

It looks like I'm going against the grain, but we will never go in the summer again. We stayed at SSR two summers ago and it was almost unbearable. The water in the pool was so hot that it was not even refreshing. We didn't last at the pool for more than a half hour at a time. We only went to the parks in the evening and we spent a lot of time at the water parks. It doesn't even cool down that much at night. We're leaving tomorrow for a week at BWV and we're really looking forward to some cooler weather.

 

[BillPA]

Well if your crazy we are too. We will be a BCV Aug 1-7. We have about 12 trips in Aug, it's Hot but better than being in the office. Don't rush, drink often and use lots of sun screen.Go to the pool or in the A/C during the very hot afternoon hours.

You will enjoy, hey it's Disney World!!!

 

[tvwalsh]

Disney did something that no one else was ever able to do. He got people to vacation in central, inland Florida in July or August!

 

[kddlm]

Since my girls have gotten older we have no choice but to go in the summer!! Yes, it is hot, but not much hotter than it is here in Boston!!

We have not stepped foot in a theme park the last 2 years but have gone to the water parks!! My girls are happy at the pool!! This year they want to go the the theme parks but it may be the 'other' theme parks instead of Disney!! (ok..........now don't shoot me!!)!!

We will be at OKW from July 29-Aug 10 and a few days before over the west coast of FL!!!

We will be at OKW Aug 5-10! A bit nervous about the heat and t'storms! Not sure how old your girls are rbuzzotta, but if they are in the 12-14 year old range, watch out for my DS (12) and his friend who is travelling with us! They both seem to be chick magnets already!

 

[spaddy]

Thank you for all the replies. I have until the end of June to decide. My UY is October and I need to bank the points by the end of June.

Let's say I cancel the trip the beginning of August. What do you think my chances are of being able to reschedule before the end of September? I know September is not too busy, but you think I can schedule within the 60 day window for that time? Of course, to use all 70 points I would have to use weekend points or a 1 bedroom.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We will be at OKW Aug 5-10! A bit nervous about the heat and t'storms! Not sure how old your girls are rbuzzotta, but if they are in the 12-14 year old range, watch out for my DS (12) and his friend who is travelling with us! They both seem to be chick magnets already!

LOL!! My DD's are 9, 11 and 16!!! I will keep an eye out for some 'chick magnets' and my 11 year old!!! LOL!! We hang at the main pool alot and park our butts close to the lighthouse!! See you there and don't worry about the t'storms!! we only got run out once by Hurricane Charlie!! The heat is tolerable...........just jump in the pool!!

 

[goofy4tink]

We'll be at BWV from Aug 5-10......it will be hot and very humid. We have been this time of year several times now. You do get used to the heat and humidity. You just can't act like you would if it were April or November!! You have to drink lots of water, wear a hat, take lots of breaks, and not move so quickly!! It's getting to be very hot and humid up here in Mass during the summer so we may as well head to WDW and actually do something fun! At least everything is air conditioned there and the pools are a ton of fun, even if they aren't very 'refreshing'! The water does seem to be pretty tepid in August.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

Our vacation time is determined by the school calendar, so we almost always go in the summer.

It's just as hot in Disney in the summer as it is here in Maryland. So, the heat isn't really an issue. And we're on vacation. We always go the parks in the morning and hit the pool in the afternoon. We like the scary clown pool at the BWV. It's a nice way to spend the afternoon.