Have questions need advice!!

[momsal]

Hi I am trying to plan a trip to wdw for my 2 dgds and myself
Due to school and work We are probally going to have to go in Aug.
Just how bad is it then ( heat and crowds)
Also When do they do the free dining and is it hard to get?
I don't know if I should book now or wait.
HELP!!!!!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Book NOW. Otherwise your options will only decrease.

From what I understand, free dining is iffy and offered much later. But if it does come up, you can always change your reservations to reflect it.

If you're not already a member of AAA, think about joining so you can get the 15-20% discount. It's well worth the membership cost, aside from all the other benefits you can get during the year.

Do you have any idea of which resort, or which price range, you're looking at?

We're arriving at WDW on Aug 13. As such, we can start making Advance Dining Reservations on Feb 15-- it's 180 days before we arrive. Once you book your resort, that's your next job: deciding which, if any, table service meals you want. I haven't been there since 1990, but I know my kids will love the character meal at Chef Mickeys-- you may want to do some homework in that direction.

 

[maxtomsmom]

I myself have never gone in August, but I do a lot of WDW research. According to the Unofficial Guide to WDW, they recommend going the end of August because the crowds will be considerably less than earlier August. Much of the country goes back in August with the exception of the Northeast. We go back in Sept. I believe, and people will correct me if I'm wrong, but the south and midwest go earlier. However, it is very hot in August. We went once in late Sept. and it was very hot. June through Sept. are considered very hot months with lots of humidity. I've been to Florida in August and it rained everyday, but for just about 1/2 hour the most and it stopped. It did cool things down a bit, but the rain was heavy during that time.

As far as booking, if you know your time frame, book it now. You can always change your ressie. If free dining is offered, you can get that after the fact.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I believe the time frame for booking free dinning as been April to June. But there is no guarantee that they will offer it again. You can change your disney hotel reservations to reflect new offers as long as there is still rooms available for that offer. Good the latest in August that you can, I've read that labor day weekend actually isn't that bad.

 

[Princessbaby]

We went this past August with our 3 kids- ages 8, 6, 3. We were there from August 12-18. It was extremely hot and humid! But with that said, we were in the park very early and we left mid-day to rest and shower and swim. We also planned a lot of meals like a late lunch (230ish) or an early dinner (430ish). And we made sure we were back in the parks for the rest of the evening and night. We took advantage of EMH in the am and night. We also went into the air conditioning a lot. We bought (I wish I had bought these before we left home) 3 spray bottle/mister fans. Those were a lifesaver to my kids!!
We just drank tons of water. Would I do it again? Not with kids as young as 3 and 6, but definitely if they were all about the age of my 8 yo and older. They can carry their water bottles and fans wothout a lot of complaint! The heat got to the 2 younger ones a lot faster. We were hoping for free dining because that had been the same time frame as the year before, but it actually started the week after. Oh well! We still did the dining plan and we loved it! Would never go again without it!!
Crowds were a lot better than we ever had, but I think with free dining starting the next week, that may have had something to do with it! There were several times we got to walk right onto a ride. The only rides that seemed constantly busy were Soarin' and Test Track! We fast-passed those every time.
Next time around we are looking at Nov or April (been there at this time and the weather was so much better).
Good luck with your planning! I would book soon, otherwise you will have slim pickings!