How bad ARE the crowds and heat in August?

[junipertree5]

Hi There Folks!!
Im taking my two DS (4 and 12) to WDW for the week of Aug 22-29. It has been a long time since I have been to WDW in August, so Im not sure how bad the crowds are going to be. Obviously, I know that its going to be HOT. I have subscribed to TGM, but can't do anything about day to day Itinerary untill the park hours are posted in May. Just wondering if any of you out there could give me a heads up and let me know if Im getting in over my head
Any tips or advice would be appreciated

 

[RMulieri]

It is very very hot and very very humid. The crowds are moderate to lower and drop down a lot more after labor day.It is manageable if you do parks from rope drop till early afternoon, break for a pool break and rest and re-enter the park in the Pm after the sun is starting to go down.Stay hydrated and apply sunscreen like a fiend.

 

[MMmomto5]

We were there during hurricane Fay last year so I don't know that my advice would be relevent to an August without a hurricane. It was hot and we took breaks more due to the rain than the heat, but it was manageable. I wanted to comment though that if you're using TGM and follow the sample plans and tweak them according to your family, you'll see all that you want. The only time we notice crowds now is when we're walking from one point to another. Our August trip was one of my family's favorites due to the fact that we DID take breaks and enjoy the pool and resort more.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

You will definitely need to take breaks every afternoon for the pool and drink plenty of water. Crowds will be moderate. The good thing is that you are planning for it. August is also hurricane season...which means high humidity and daily rainstorms. Make sure to bring PLENTY of disposable ponchos!

 

[james'mommy]

We went for 2 days last August and it was mind melting hot. And really crowded. We've now since agreed to never ever go during July or August.

 

[puffkin]

The end of August/early Sept is absolutely miserable in terms of humidty but the crowds are very manageable. I would say they are moderate and even low some days. Great time to visit if you take it easy and are prepared for the heat.

 

[angelat]

Hi! We are going those exact same dates!! We're staying in a condo offsite, but plan to do what a lot of people have told us to do which is go to the parks early in the morning and leave early afternoon to go back to the condo and swim/cool off/eat lunch. Then we'll go back around 4ish I think. I burn easily, so sublock will be my best friend, but I'm so looking forward to this trip, since our 1st trip was a little too chilly for my liking.

Have a great vacation!!!

 

[magchavez]

We were there in August 2 years ago and it was hot! And while it was crowded, it was manageable. We used TGM for that trip and it worked like a charm, we never waited longer than 20 minutes. I just discovered Ridemax.com and have read a lot of good things about it on these boards. Gives your more options and flexibility than TGM. We're going to try that this year. I'm also a firm believer in heading back to the hotel around 1:00ish for some down time, or pool time! I wouldn't worry! You'll have fun!

 

[KAMLEM]

We went for 2 days last August and it was mind melting hot. And really crowded. We've now since agreed to never ever go during July or August.

Ditto here, never again!

 

[junipertree5]

Hi! We are going those exact same dates!! We're staying in a condo offsite, but plan to do what a lot of people have told us to do which is go to the parks early in the morning and leave early afternoon to go back to the condo and swim/cool off/eat lunch. Then we'll go back around 4ish I think. I burn easily, so sublock will be my best friend, but I'm so looking forward to this trip, since our 1st trip was a little too chilly for my liking.

Have a great vacation!!!

Always cool to discover a vacation kinship with another family The last time that my sons and I went to WDW was May of 07. It was pretty difficult with my youngest son (thank God for extended family there ) and on one MK day we left about 1pm and went back to condo @ Orange Lake for late lunch/swim/shower and I will never forget how good it felt (to everyone) when we went back to MK that evening completely refreshed while most other people were literally melted and exhausted
Thanks again!!

 

[TALB]

I know this is a little off topic, but be sure to bring extra underwear and bra's. Mine were drenched by lunch time so it was nice to change into clean dry ones before heading back to the parks in the evening. I also had my boys wear swim trunks with matching shirts and crocs so they could get wet and dry off quickly in the parks.

 

[Arielx2]

We went in July once and are heading back again this summer. Yes, it is HOT, but we found taking naps and/or swimming in the afternoon was the way to go. Also being at the park for rope drop is essential. And don't forget the mister fans! They are life savers!

 

[donac]

YOur time period is my favorite time to go. I am a school teacher and don't start work until Sept 1st.

YOu didn't say where you are from. I am from new jersey and summers here are usually hot and humid so I am used to it. We were there last year during hurricane fay and I have pictures of my crew in streets with no one else there. We did like to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day. If we didn't go back then we skipped the evening and went back to the hotel. I had to take it easy because of a bad ankle so that made it easier to go back so I could ice.

 

[princesspaige]

We are going down for Labor Day, a first for us as we usually go Nov/Dec. We are taking our 4 y/o with us so an afternoon swim/nap will defintely be in the works for all of us not just her. I am hoping it won't be to crowded, we figure most, if not all, schools will be in session by then. Hope you enjoy your vacation as much as we plan on enjoying ours!!

 

[stace1214]

We were there at about that time last August, but as someone else said, it was during Fay, so I'm not sure how helpful I'll be.... It was hot and humid, but no worse than a heat wave in upstate New York. We had a case of water delivered to the hotel and brought a few bottles with us to the parks each day- they didn't last long,but it cut down on the amount of money we spent on water. Buy ponchos before you leave- that's the best advice I can give you... the ones we bought at the parks ripped easily and we had to replace them quite a few time. In my opinion, August is totally do-able with afternoon breaks and lots of water. The crowds were not bad all either. HTH!!

 

[grace&philipsmom]

We are taking our first summer visit this year and I am really nervous too. It doesn't get very hot where we live, and I am worried everyone will melt!

 

[Jajone]

We've gone several times at the end of September and thought that was hot. So for several reasons, DD9 and I are taking a mother/daughter trip this year at the end of August. Sounds like we will be buying lots of ponchos. We already have breaks planned. DD9 has been to the world the last 7 years with us, so we are looking to only do what we feel like. It's not a do it all trip. We already use TGM, so hopefully we will be fully prepared.

 

[Manda]

We took our first summer trip last year and I was nervous about the crowds and heat, too. Then we got there and it was absolutely not that bad. Certainly nowhere near the worst case scenarios I was imaging in my mind. It was hot, yes, but the weeks I've traveled in September were hotter. The crowds were heavier than the dead of January when I've traveled previously, but it was still very manageable. It seems that no matter what time of year you travel, the parks are still pretty empty first thing in the morning.

 

[two-foxes]

We were there in late August/early Sept last year and I was looking for clippers to shave my head to get some relief from the heat!!! Seriously though....as long as you plan for it and expect it, you can deal. We took DS (14 mos at the time) and he seemed to manage it well. He was a sweaty little bugger, but there are lots of "relief" areas.....rides, restaurants, misters, the spouting fountains....and get a mister fan. A true lifesaver!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

in 2007 we went aug 11-17 and while the first shock was the humidity we adjusted okay. we found the crowds to be moderate...we did what all the tips suggest and hit all the big rides fast passes early and then avoided the heat of the day by going back to the resort and swimming.

I'm built for the heat and hate the cold so myself and my 2 girls adjusted well to the heat. dh took a bit longer with it but by the 2nd afternoon he was fine.

We had prepared and brought our ponchos but didn't get a single drop of rain during the day...there were a few good downpours in the evenings when we were already back at the resort.

However nothing beats swimming in those pools at midnight in the middle of summer! can't do that here any time of year lol...