How Bad Is August?

[prgal0715]

When I was younger, our family trips to WDW were always in August because of my father's work schedule. Now that I'm "grown up," extended stays are *still* in August because of work and school schedules. So, I'll go out on a limb here and say I have a LOT of experience with August at WDW!

First of all, yes, it is hotter than hot and as sticky as can be. It will rain every, single day in the afternoon for 10-20 minutes, guaranteed. The only good thing about the rain is that it cools things off slightly! My best advice - which goes along with the advice of many other posters - is to stay out of the parks during the afternoon, which is peak for the heat. Relax at your resort or take advantage of the (air-conditioned) internal transportation and explore other WDW resorts. It's also a great time for a nap! Make sure you stay hydrated and wear lots and lots of sunscreen.

I hope you have an amazing trip!!

 

[GoMegGo]

Lots of great tips already posted. We've done one August trip, before we had kids, and it was brutal but we still had fun. Rent the scooter, take it easy and try to break up the parks and only do a little chunk at a time. There are lost of great places to stay cool and rest. We probably rode Pirates three times in a row just because the cue and the ride are so cool. We also discovered Columbia Harbor House on that trip. Hall of Presidents, American Experience and Ellen's Universe of Energy are all nice "breaks."

 

[kurts mom]

We too will be at WDW this summer something we haven't done in quite a few years so I love all the tips. My question is about leaving the park and returning later in the day. Should we be concerned about not being able to get back in due to capacity? We have an ADR in the evening at BOG and am afraid if we leave (which I really want to do) we may not get back in. Thanks

 

[SoonerSean]

The hottest I think I've ever been in my life was in Animal Kingdom in August. There's just no place to find relief for more than a few minutes (like a ride). And it was a sea of hot and sweaty people.

I highly second all the comments about hitting the parks early, then retreating to the resort pool for the early afternoon.

 

[sb682]

It is mind-meltingly hot, speaking as someone who lived her first 25 years in Florida. I don't know where you are in NC, but I live in Charlotte now and it is worse than the heat here. The humidity makes you feel like you are walking through a sauna all day long. We are going in late June/early July and I am questioning our sanity, but we have been several times recently and are not needing to do everything there is to do. Go for rope drop if you can, leave at lunch and hang out in your room or at the pool, then go back after 5 and stay late if you are able. Bring Frog Toggs or misting fans and your own refillable water bottles. Nothing like August heat to send people in your touring party into meltdown mode.

The nice thing about summer is it's still hot enough after dinner to go back to the pools. Night swimming was one of our favorite things when I went as a kid. Our son is in bed by 8-9 every night, so not able to take advantage this time, but I would if your kids are old enough. Especially because the pools will often close sometime in the mid-afternoon due to lightning in the area.

 

[MattRyan]

I went last year in the second week of August, rope drop to close each day. I didn't find it too hot, at least not as hot as I'm used to in Kentucky? Anyway, the only time it got unbearable was the time I had to wait in the hot sun for the 3PM MK parade, other than that it was okay. Just prepare to drink lots of fluids, preferably water.

Oh and if you can, I suggest planning a lot of lunch ADRs. It really is nice to have a nice sit-down lunch in air conditioning every day around 1 PM.

 

[MattRyan]

We too will be at WDW this summer something we haven't done in quite a few years so I love all the tips. My question is about leaving the park and returning later in the day. Should we be concerned about not being able to get back in due to capacity? We have an ADR in the evening at BOG and am afraid if we leave (which I really want to do) we may not get back in. Thanks

What time of year?

 

[wdwlver]

We are every year August visitors and like everyone has said it's beyond hot. Crazy hot. But parks are open late so our day begins at rd then we are back at pool by 1 pm latest. Usually do lunch at hotel and then head to a different park at night when it's cooler, well relatively cooler that is
Frogg toggs, water and walking through air conditioned shops are another way to help with heat.
As bad as the heat is I much prefer it to cooler times of year with shorter park hours.

 

[Ametista]

We went 2 Augusts ago and it was so hot we ended up driving to the beach, and we literally sat in the water most of the day. Honestly I just didn't want to move. But I am from a state with almost no humidity so that probably makes it harder for us to adjust. I can't imagine standing in lines in that heat, or walking several miles. After that we wont go from mid June to late September.

 

[isabellea]

Seems that most go back to the resort mid-day. Does that mean that resort pools are full with no spot available to sit? We are also going early August and plan to go back at AoA for the afternoon.

 

[NavyDad]

August is basically the same as June, July and Sep. Hot but manageable.

As PP's have said - stay out of the parks between 1PM and 5 PM. Be there at RD and take full advantage of the shorter lines. You should be in your car or on the bus around 1 and don't bother heading back until AFTER 5 PM. Anyone who has problems with heat should spend this time inside an air conditioned room out of the sun.

We sometimes use this time to swim so the kids can burn off some energy but honestly napping/resting inside is probably a better use of this time.

Hope that helps - have fun and stay cool

 

[NavyDad]

Seems that most go back to the resort mid-day. Does that mean that resort pools are full with no spot available to sit? We are also going early August and plan to go back at AoA for the afternoon.

Most people on these boards leave the park mid day during the summer but as a group we are extremely un-representative of Disney guests as a whole. The parks are at their most crowded during the time it is worst to be at the parks heat wise.

Depends on which resort as far as pool crowding. At most resorts pools are not very busy during the day. However at Beach Club we found the pools to be crowded all day every day.

 

[cmurray234]

The humidity is what gets you in August. I was wet all day. Literally the minute you start sweating, you just stay damp for the entire day because it doesn't have a chance to evaporate.

I won't say I didn't have a good time. I ALWAYS have a good time at WDW. But being soggy for 12 hours is so dang uncomfortable that I don't go back at that time any more.

 

[Aliceacc]

We're both teachers; we only go in August. And I LOVE it!!!

Yep, it's hot. And Humid.

So we get to the parks at rope drop and tour until about lunch. Then, by about 1 pm, we're on our way back to the resort to enjoy some quality family time in the pool. By about 4 pm-- earlier if the rain starts-- we're changing for dinner so we can enjoy the evening in the parks.

But the parks are open from morning until late at night. So even with a few hours off, there's a LOT of time to spend in the parks.

As far as the waits go: in the past 3 trips, there was only ONE time when we waited more than 20 minutes for anything-- my first trip I made a rookie mistake and thought I would be able to Fastpass TSM when we got to the Studios at noon. Never again.

Some trip savers I would reccommend:
- a few Misty Mate personal Misters (about $10 at walmart.com or amazon) They don't require batteries, are about the size of an electric toothbrush and will make you feel like a new person in the heat.

- a couple of cases of water delivered to your resort. We use gardengrocer.com and order breakfast stuff, fruit, park snacks, and 2 cases of water for my family of 5 for a 7 night stay.

- some ponchos. I like the ones in the camping section of Walmart, though you can get them at the Dollar store as well.

 

[River Country]

Going to WDW as a child i always went in August or July because my Aunt and Uncle were Teachers and we always went together. I am now returning in LATE August for the first time in 17 years. I have been going in either Nov, Dec, Apr, or May

Hot Yes
Humid Yes
Hazy Yes
But man i will feel like a kid again

I shall embrace the heat and sweat and plan accordingly

enjoy the trip

 

[Disfan1968]

Should we be concerned about not being able to get back in due to capacity? We have an ADR in the evening at BOG and am afraid if we leave (which I really want to do) we may not get back in. Thanks

I hear of people being turned away from parks mostly...

Around July 4
Around Christmas or New Years

Otherwise you should be ok. Here is a good resource which estimates the crowd levels day by day. When crowd levels get to 9 or 10 you might have some issues with parks over-filling. August doesn't generally go over 8, even in the early, busy part.

http://www.undercovertourist.com/planning/when-to-visit.html

 

[Ginny Favers]

I have just never thought August was that terrible. After going through the whole summer of heat in PA, FL is just a little bit worse. Yeah, it is hot, but it rains and feels awesome, air-conditioned attractions and like heaven, and the pools can be enjoyed at night. I brought along a mini-spray fan and necklace fan and was surprised at how it didn't bother me at all.

For some reason I feel the weather change a lot more when I go from frigid winter temperatures to warm FL.

 

[somesong2sing]

We are going in August, and I am looking forward to the extreme heat after this ridiculous Chicago winter we had. We are still thawing out

 

[AngiTN]

I have just never thought August was that terrible. After going through the whole summer of heat in PA, FL is just a little bit worse. Yeah, it is hot, but it rains and feels awesome, air-conditioned attractions and like heaven, and the pools can be enjoyed at night. I brought along a mini-spray fan and necklace fan and was surprised at how it didn't bother me at all.

For some reason I feel the weather change a lot more when I go from frigid winter temperatures to warm FL.

I think it's from conditioning. In the winter your body is not accustomed to feeling the warm air. For example, in the spring, after temps in the 30s, 60 can feel warm and make you bring out shorts. In the fall, after temps in the 90s for most of the summer, 60 feels cool and you break out the light jacket.

 

[estherhead]

We go in midAugust a lot. Just obey what everyone said on here.

Also, avoid Indiana Jones and Lights Motors Action. Especially LMA. They only have mid day shows and it is horrible. Hopefully that isn't a must do for you. Do the Carousel, Aladdin's Carpets, Jungle Cruise, Primeval Whirl, and Triceratop Spin early in the day. Anything that has a line and ride both outside with little shade.

But the worst thing by far is waiting for buses or getting in your super hot car. There is no place hotter on earth than MK parking lot at 2:00 in August. If you are driving, get a windshield shade. And turn the car on with the windows down for a minute before you all pile in. I've actually gotten burnt on my seat belt before.