How bad is Aug, really?

[bekkiz]

We're thinking of a trip Aug 18-22. Is it close enough to school that crowds aren't terrible? We can deal with heat and rain, but are they awful at this time?
If people who haven't been before are with us, will they be miserable?
thanks for any insight!

 

[BrianD]

To me it's the heat that's a killer during the summer more than the crowds. If your friends can handle major heat and humidity well, then they should be alright. If they don't handle it well, then they could be miserable. Just remember to plan on taking a break for a couple of hours during the heat of the afternoon. It really helps!

 

[eeyore0062]

If you can deal with rain and heat, it is actually a very good time to go. Crowds are down, due to schools in many areas already being in session.

We have been to WDW 3 times in August. Yes, it was hot...yes, it did rain... no, it didn't stop us in the least.

Make up your mind to tour the parks early, take afternoon breaks during the hottest parts of the day (we usually schedule our main sitdown meal at this time), take an umbrella, and figure, you will get your feet wet anyway, so have fun splashing in those puddles!

Most of the attractions don't close due to inclement weather (Test Track closes most often... even for light rain). Outside attractions may close if there is a thunder storm, but there are so many attractions that are inside, you will have plenty to do.

Drink lots of water (soda, tea and alcohol are not good substitutes as caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate you), wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen and reapply often. Wear comfortable shows, take a change of socks, if yours get wet and are unbearable.

And remember, WDW while hot and rainy is still better than tempid and sunny anywhere else!!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[jwfla422]

As far as crowds go this is a good time to go. Value season just starts prior to the time you're talking about going. We're actually going around the same time & we're there last year at this time too.

Last year we found the crowds were at a nice minimum. If you go during the summer this is the best time to go for that.

As far as the weather is concerned, it is very hot and humid at this time. I swore that 2 years ago I'd never come back in the summer. We were there in June of 2001 and it was sooooo hot! We were there last May and it was well into the 90s and soooo hot!

But,after being there during those times I decided to give August a try. I realized August is not as bad as June because it tends to be more overcast, more clouds because there is more rain. Plus the sun is at its strongest in FL in May and June.

We did have a lot of rain last August but it didn't stop us. We had our ponchos and dd's stoller cover and we were set. We did the main park stuff in the morning and came back to the resort in the afternoon to rest (it usually rained then). Most nights it stopped by dinnertime.

So if you can deal with rain and heat, it's a good time to go

 

[JBurke]

I am interested in knowing too, because this is our first trip during that time of year. Going 8/13/-20. We have always gone in October where its been low crowds and moderate heat.
I guess I am most worried about the rain. I never had to use the ponchos during our October trips.

 

[Greg K.]

...that the water parks tend to clear out during a good rain storm. Which, I hear, happens almost daily during July and August. Keep that in mind: you might want to pop over to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon in the afternoon after a shower.

 

[poohbear2]

We went last August and we really had a great time. The weather was abnormally cool,,,so I've been told..but we did have the rain storms through out the week. But the storms didn't last long. We went last minute last August because we got really great rates all around. If those rates pop up again this year, we might just go again in August.

 

[tinkerbee]

We went last year August 10-24 and had a wonderful time. The parks were not that busy. The only time I noticed a difference from our trip in May of 2000 was at the time of parades. It was alot harder to find some where to sit at the last minute. But other than that it was great. It did rain alot but hey, more time to be close to my hunny under the umbrella

 

[bobcat]

We've been the last two Augusts and the crowds are low so if you can handle the heat it is an enjoyable time.

 

[eeyore1226]

Go for it!! We've been in August for the past two years and loved it. We're from Maine and it was actually more hot and humid here than it was in Orlando; and at least in Orlando we had the Mouse!! The crowds are not bad at all and it's a great way to end summer vacation for the kiddles.

 

[ktbugsmom]

We were also there last August. It is very humid. I don't mind that, but I did not bring enough clothes. My shirts and shorts were wet from sweat by noon every day (sorry for too much information!).

Also - the rain was amazing. I have NEVER seen it rain like that. Every one kept telling me to "plan on a little shower every day." Well, this was more like a monsoon every single afternoon. It would pour for 3+ hours. I did not mind so much, because we made that nap time - but it was shocking how much rain could fall every single day. So my next suggestion is bring tevas or waterproof (rubber) birkenstocks. That is what I wore, and then the ankle deep water (seriously - it was that deep in places!) did not bother me when we went back to the parks in the evening.

Crowds in the morning at the parks were not too bad. MUCH better than I expected. We could do all of fantasyland twice, plus buzz, haunted mansion, magic carpets and Tiki birds before lunch. Yes - we had kids - ages 6, 4 and 2. Evenings at Epcot were not so bad either. Have fun!

 

[snookhams]

We went in August for the first time last year and did not find the crowds or the heat to much (we went in May 1998 and it was well into the 100 degrees and horribly hot), and in fact after 4 visits in May and one in Oct we are now planning 2 more August holidays - partly because the boys attend a Church school and they just do not allow them any holidays during term time, so we book well in advance and make sure that we have the accomodation that we want. But I have digressed, you will have a great time and my best advice is arrive at the parks for opening time and when the heat becomes to much head for the pool and back to the park in the evening when its cooled down, drink plenty of non- alcoholic drinks and use a good sunscreen.

 

[donac]

We have been there several times in Aug and it has been wonderful. Last Aug it was hotter here in NJ than in Florida. Yes it does rain but pack your ponchos and an extra pair of shoes and go for it. We never had any long lines.

 

[opal]

August is our favorite time to go!

 

[zurgswife]

what about the Labor Day holiday...does it get crowded for this weekend...and is it crowded before and after.??

 

[HTHbellhop]

Yeah, definately get yourself rain gear, and try to to stay away from yellow to avoid mixing your children up with other children in the midst of a pop-up rainstorm.
The day can start off beautifully, but the humidity builds up quick, (we're talking heat index can average 105-115)and I'd say around 3pm everyday, you're going to get rain. But it's not so bad, it's a great time to take a break, catch a show, wander around Innoventions, or eat a meal. And USUALLY, the humidity goes way down after the rain, and although it will usually work back up, it's fairly nice and almost comfortable after the rain.
If the rain is more than a couple hour deal, I would say to stay away from AK, there's just not much coverage there. Epcot is good b/c there's a lot of indoor longer attractions/exhibits (Living Seas, Innoventions, Imagination). MK has a lot of indoor attractions too, but you'll mostly have to get to each by facing the rain. The Studios is OK, lots of indoor/covered attractions/shows.
You can always go to DisneyQuest, or just go from hotel to hotel, me and my friends LOVE doing that. Check out the different gift shops, arcades, pools (as long as it's not storming..well..you're already wet from the rain, right? )