How are the crowds in mid August?

[Biscuitsmom31]

We went to WDW last August 21-27 and I didn't think the crowds were bad at all. This year our kids' school is starting earlier (the 21st) so we are going from August 10-19. How big of a difference in the crowds can I expect? (Of course I realize it's only a prediction.)

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The crowds tend to ease off mid August as the US schools return.

 

[build2code]

How was the weather. Was the heat toralable for a whole day at the park. How did you plan your day?

 

[deide71]

It's jungle hot!

 

[michelle1]

we were there last year during the last 10 days of August...the crowds were low with the exception of labour day weekend when it was quite busy. I thought it would be worse because of the free dining promotion but it was great! The heat was another story!! Actually once we adjusted it wasn't that bad except for AK which was a scorcher..I guess it depends on your tolerance and what you are used to.

 

[beachblanket]

We were there for 11 days last August starting on the 16th. As other have stated, the crowds shrink by the day then, because of southern and Western school openings. If you plan carefully (we used TGM), you wait for little if anything, lots of walk ons.

Also keep in mind the type of crowd at WDW changes in mid August (starts to skew somewhat northeastern U.S. and British. That's good or bad depending what you're comfortable with). Yes, it's hot, but no more so than in late June, July or early August. The good news about that heat is that it scares off a lot of people (just read these boards for a while and you'll see how many), which added to the school openings substantively lowers crowd levels.

Perhaps the worst thing you can say about "later August" is that the park hours start to get cut back a little from those of true high season (9pm-10pm MK closings instead of 11 or 12, water parks close a little earlier, etc.). However, everything else (shows, parades, etc.) is still running at close to capacity.

So, overall, I give this time to tour a If offers many attributes of "high season WDW" (everything open and running) with much smaller crowds.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

How was the weather. Was the heat toralable for a whole day at the park. How did you plan your day?

It's wickedly hot & humid! There's a thundershower just about every afternoon. It will be brief but it will be a soaker!

Best advise: stay hydrated, wear light clothing, sunscreen and a hat, tour in the early morning then take a break indoors, continue your touring in the evening as the sun is setting.

 

[beachblanket]

There's a thundershower just about every afternoon. It will be brief but it will be a soaker!

Not necessarily - we 've been to WDW for extended stays in in mid/late August twice (once in 2001, again last year). On the first trip, it did exactly what you described - about 3-3:30 every day, a 20 minute thundershower.

However, last year did not follow that pattern. Believe it or not, it didn't rain once until we were six days into the trip, and then it was an extended drizzle, not a shower. We did get one subsequent afternoon "boomer" three days later (of course on our Typhoon Lagoon day, fortunately we left about a half hour before it came). And that was it. Rain on only two days out of an eleven day stay.

As the dryness dragged on during our visit, we asked several CMs if that "drought" was unusual, and they almost all said no. As one pointed out "yes, this time of year, ever day somewhere in Central Florida there's a big thundershower in the afternoon. But it's not always the part of Central Florida Disney World is in."

 

[disneyfreak7]

We were there last year from Aug 18-26. I thought the crowds were low with hardle any waits for the rides. The only ride we really needed a FP for was Soarin' at Epcot. Even though the crowds were low I don't think I would go back in Aug. It was very HOT!! Hopefully going back this November, much nicer weather. But last year Aug was the only time we could go, so we dealt with it. It was definitely too HOT to stay in a park all day without taking a break! At one point we were waiting in line for the new stunt show at MGM, which by the way is totally in the open sun, no shade, and my DD had to be taken to the First aid station because of possible heat stroke. We were very careful to have the kids drink plent of water all day and she still couldn't take the heat. Drink plent of water!

 

[jwfla422]

You will probably catch the end of the summer rush but I bet the crowds will start to taper off a lot after the weekend. Many schools in FL start the week of 8-14 so I'm going to bank that there will be a lot of locals there that weekend.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

we were there in September last year...we will be there Aug 12 thru 20 this year and the weather is about the same from what I hear...it was hot but I do not ever remember being miserably hot, then again we were running on first time Disney Highs!!! imo it does not seem too hot because a lot of attractions are indoors, so if you plan right you can plan to take several AC breaks...I would venture to say 70% of attractions are indoors or inside something (I could be wrong on that but there are a lot!!) So it is not like you are standing out in the sun and heat for hours and hours at a time~kwim??

I sure hope we hit low crowds like last year, that would be awesome!!! I would take heat over crowds any day of the week!!!

 

[hoov]

We have been the last week in August twice. I think crowds are light and alot of folks are there with pre-school age children, so their agenda is quite different then ours. Being from NJ we are used to humid weather but the combination of humidity and that strong Florida sun can take your energy away. Labor Day weekend is crowded. And oh yes, don't forget that August is hurricane season. Two years ago, the airport closed on our departure date. We just rented a car, and got out hours before landfall.

 

[jonkatony]

We were there 11/8 to 21/8 it rained heavy on 20/8 did not see much rain any other time. Crowds were o.k .

 

[beachblanket]

At one point we were waiting in line for the new stunt show at MGM, which by the way is totally in the open sun, no shade, and my DD had to be taken to the First aid station because of possible heat stroke. We were very careful to have the kids drink plent of water all day and she still couldn't take the heat. Drink plent of water!

Of all the attractions in all the Disney parks, LMA is perhaps the worst to do on a hot day. The entire show complex is a sea of asphalt, which during warm seasons turns the stadium bleacher seating section into an oven (there are ceiling fans under the roof of the bleachers, but given its size they don't do much). Of all the things we did during our mid/late August visit, that is the only one I remember that came close to being unacceptable, in terms of the "hot and humid factor." .

 

[Fourfun]

we were there in September last year...we will be there Aug 12 thru 20 this year and the weather is about the same from what I hear...


After all the reading and reading .. You are the first family I have encountered that are go to be there the EXACT same Time... We are staying at the POR .. where are you staying ??
Have a Great time... This is our First Trip...

 

[MOMOFMNM]

we were there in September last year...we will be there Aug 12 thru 20 this year and the weather is about the same from what I hear...


After all the reading and reading .. You are the first family I have encountered that are go to be there the EXACT same Time... We are staying at the POR .. where are you staying ??
Have a Great time... This is our First Trip...

We are staying at SOG this year as I was unable to talk DH into a two times in a year stay at the Poly at 320 a night... go figure.....

anyway you will love it....and to be honest it was hot but I do not remember it being MISERABLE in September....not at all....just plan to take some breaks in attractions or restaurants and it is fine!!

I hear POR is a GREAT place, there are too many of us and not enough breathing room to do a trundle bed or I would have loved to try POR...

are you getting the dining plan?? it was fabulous!!

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Wicked hot, terribly humid.