How bad is August?

[brockash]

What is your experience traveling to Florida in August? I am hoping to make a mother/daughter trip work sometime next year and I'm currently looking at August. Everything in my is screaming that will be way too hot! However, that may be the best time for us to go. I might can arrange for another time over the summer but would any summer trip really matter? What about crowds, would mid August possibly have lighter crowds?

Yes, mid August should be less crowded than June/July, but it will probably feel a bit hotter (more humid) and you could end up with a lot of rain ( but no way to know for sure). We've gone in Augs tons of times and wouldn't hesitate to go back.

My ideal time is first 2 weeks of May and/or first week of September, but we'd certainly go back in Aug. if necessary. It will definitely be hot, sticky, humid and probably pretty wet at times.

 

[brockash]

Is it brutally hot? Yes.
Have we gone for four years in a row? Also yes.

Honestly there was only one year that was just beyond- 2023. It was hot even by Orlando standards and we did not see a drop of rain in our 8 days there until we were on the bus heading back to the airport. Pure sun and 100+. We basically realized we could not talk to each other while in the sun- only in shade or AC and then regroup and walk to the next shade or AC spot.
I stood in line for gelato in Italy in the sun for like 20 minutes and I swear I thought my life was ending.

But...we went back the next year. It takes patience, planning, and plenty of water and AC breaks but we've found it pretty manageable most of the time. If it's the choice between hot Disney or no Disney, or hot Disney or super crowded Disney, we pick hot Disney.

OMG...I love the we are not allowed to speak to each other unless in shade/a/c. This was a rule we should've implemented with our early trips lol.

 

[Genie+]

As far as experience, after trying Aug and Sept once each we decided summer is worth trying to avoid for now on.

Is that what you are asking?

If summer was the only time that worked with my family’s schedules we’d still go.

It’s just that there’s a long list of things we prefer about other times of the year. Like not having to bath in sunscreen the whole trip. Not having condensation constantly covering all our refreshments. Being able to walk around the parks and enjoy the ambience without the constant distraction of wanting to escape the elements. It’s taxing on CMs and guests alike. The discomfort plays into the pleasant to grumpy scale where people seem more easily agitated. Though it might not rain everyday, there’s a decent chance it could. It’s a pain ducking in and out of storms and repeatedly dealing with wet belongings. Rides going offline. Plus the potential of weather related travel delays.

Sounds like I’m a big baby I am nitpicking here for the most part. Pretty much all of it can happen any time. It’s just with the increased odds of each, altogether plays out that having a great trip feels much more effortless to us during other seasons. The lower attendance was fantastic (FoP at 10 or 20 mins early afternoon several times!), just not enough to outweigh the rest for us. But if summer was our only option to visit WDW together as a family? None of what I mentioned is such a big deal we wouldn’t go or couldn’t still have a great trip!

 

[cruising spud]

My husband and I worked in schools, so summers were our vacation time. Going to Disney in the summer requires a mindset-we all know it's going to be hot and rainy, so don't whine about it. Enjoy the parks. In addition, you need to arrange your schedule to work a bit around the heat. Hit Rope Drop, do what you can until about noon, and then go back to your resort, swim, nap, and shower. Then, head out to the parks around 5.
Once we retired, we did a Disney trip in April. Heavenly. On the other hand, we did a family trip last year in January. Three beautiful days and three days of 48-degree weather-I would have rather had the heat.
My point-of course, temperature-wise sometimes are better for Disney than others. However, if you're locked into a time, it can work out just fine.
Best wishes.

 

[nyy]

The vast majority of our trips have been in August because of school/work schedules and deals.

I think you have received excellent responses of how brutal it will be.

I agree with the others, it is like the surface of the sun. We used to have a joke that when we exited our hotel, we would be internally screaming "Go back in!"

We always did EE and came back to the resort for a midday break, including swimming, showering, and napping, then went back out. The heat just zaps your energy. And your patience. And your appetite. Just everything. We still talk about one night in HS, watching Fantasmic when we were all just dying of heat. We were sitting, drinking frozen drinks, and sweat was literally dripping down our faces, backs, and everywhere else.

Yes, we did cooling towels, misting fans, frozen water bottles, hats, umbrellas, sunblock, etc. We watched all of the shows to sit in AC, did table-service meals in AC, visited resorts for the AC, etc. When the kids were little, they would love it when the busses would arrive with condensation on the windows from the AC. They called them "refrigerator busses".

I will say the rain storms in the afternoons help with crowds. Be sure to bring more than one pair of sneakers. Nothing dries when you leave it on the balcony in that humidity.

I have detailed notebooks where I told myself never, ever again - but it was the only time we could go then.

Last year, we went to DLR for the first time - late June/early July. It was life-changing different. Cali weather is perfection. I would choose to go to DLR every time, but the (now adult) kids prefer WDW, because there are 4 parks.

This year, we are going to WDW in April for Spring Break. We know we will fight crowds, but we like crowds better than the humidity of August.

As others have said, if you can't go any other time, then go. Planning for the heat and setting appropriate expectations is key.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Our last two August trips were brutally hot and humid. But we got lucky and were able to dodge most thunderstorms. We changed our dining plans so that we ate all of our meals indoors. We did not eat at food festival booths or do al fresco dining on these trips. We would spend time at the resort pools or nap in the air-conditioned resort room. We always had ponchos with us. I also brought an umbrella.

We are returning in late August because the resort cost and tickets are some of the lowest prices of the year. The crowds are gone. We had some very empty parks, too. We had very hot weather in June and September, too. We had the best weather of any trip when we went at the end of October last year. But it was more expensive.

 

[stevelle]

We like late August but yes so hot. We also don’t like getting up early, so no rope dropping for us. We take it easy and head into the parks around 10-11, ride a few rides, then a sit down air conditioned lunch. Drink lots of water. We do split stays and would fill and freeze water bottles the night before. This is how we discovered AKL water tastes way better than GF water. When you’re chugging loads of it, you notice. Until then I would have said all tap water tastes the same. We take ponchos for rain but have yet to take then out of the package. By that point I always want to be rained on!

 

[DianaMB333]

It is totally doable and enjoyable!

plan for early time at the parks, midday break and activities at resort, then go back to the parks past the rain ~5-6pm

 

[_19disnA]

Unless July/August is the only time you can go to Disney due to your schedules, I would go some other time. Most of Disney involves miles of outdoor walking with excessive heat/humidity and the blazing sun. Won't be enjoyable, you won't be able to do as much and you will end up exhausted.

Someone from the company where I work seems to go to Disney for the first time with their family in August and they always return saying the same thing..........."too hot/humid and will never do that again !!!"

 

[lovethattink]

I’ve lived in central Florida for 26 years. August is brutal. Just walking from the house to the car works up a sweat.

When I go to a park, I bring a wet washcloth in a sandwich bag. My eyes burn from the sweat and sunscreen, and having that handy helps. I also have eyelid wipes from the pharmacy.

Hydrating the day before and continuing to hydrate is necessary. A few years ago, I overheated at Epcot and had to go by ambulance to the ER. So I take hydrating very seriously now.

An umbrella helps protect from the sun too.

When it rains, it dries up quickly. You can be on an attraction and it’s pouring, get off and it’s all dry.

Late afternoon/early evening is usually the hottest time of the day.

 

[disneymouse16]

Another bonus in addition to low crowd levels was the cost - everything was much cheaper than any other time of year.

Honestly the price of hotels is why I'm looking at August. The times we are looking at going is either May or August. May definitely sounded better but when I actually compared airfare and hotel prices I can save about $1000. Is the heat worth that much money? That is the question I'm trying to answer

 

[wabbott]

Honestly the price of hotels is why I'm looking at August. The times we are looking at going is either May or August. May definitely sounded better but when I actually compared airfare and hotel prices I can save about $1000. Is the heat worth that much money? That is the question I'm trying to answer

Where's home for you? As a life-long resident of the South, I've known folks from the West/North that have relocated and find the climate miserable. Most would plot/plan to go back to a better climate as soon as they could find another job.

We Southerners also complain, but we just deal with it. If you've not experienced summer in the South and are not acclimatized, it will be brutal. A thousand dollars is a cheap price to pay for pleasant weather during a vacation that you're probably paying several thousand for already. At least to me. But you'll have to make that value judgement.

Many, many years ago, we used to do WDW in the summer - summer vacation, kids, etc. The remarks up-thread mentioning PM thunderstorms every day are accurate. They tend to thin out the crowds and help with the temps. Nowadays, we don't even consider any summer dates for WDW.

 

[HeiHei2018]

I have sworn off August multiple times, but it is the month that works best for us. We are used to heat and humidity, but it’s still rough. Hydrate with electrolytes. We chug Gatorade every night to replenish. Take a midday break out of the sun and heat. Last year, we showered and changed midday which was refreshing. It is doable if you are prepared, but overdoing it can tank your trip.

 

[2vets]

My sister talked me into it years ago, and now I try to go in Aug or Sept after schools go back every year. The heat is brutal. The humidity is ultra brutal. The sun is brutal. The stress about hurricanes is brutal. The afternoon torrential rain is...kind of brutal (I secretly find it a bit delightful). But the crowds and prices are on point. For reference, I grew up in Florida and lived there for a few years again when I was in my 20's and in professional school, but I now live in San Diego, so I have become super wussy about humidity (although I still make fun of the native Californians who complain about the humidity when it exceeds 60%). I'm getting ready to book for Sept this year

Here is some totally unsolicited advice I can give you on products that will assist with your sanity maintenance, some are expensive, so you may want to look for dupes - I only had to buy these for myself because DH ain't going that time of year, so I'm aware I sound like a lunatic suggesting some of this to anyone who has to buy them for a family of 4. 1) lightweight, wicking clothes. Think running shorts and tanks. I dislike my upper arms, but you know when I super don't care? That's right! 2) neck fan or neck "A/C" - I used a neck fan a few times - pretty good, but I gave my mom my neck fan last year when we were there in May (ridiculously and unseasonably bad last year), and I invested in a Torras Coolify. I think mine is a 2S. It has cooling plates that get cold, I wear it when outside and turn it off/stick it in my bag when inside to preserve the battery. It was an absolute delight. I feel certain there are cheaper versions, but this was worth every penny, IMO. Yes, they look ridiculous, but I will happily look ridiculous all darn day for those cool plates in 95 degrees and 99% humidity! 3) I bring a good, solid poncho that cinches at the wrists, has snaps on the sides, and is made for truly nasty weather - explanation unnecessary. None of that disney poncho nonsense. A good poncho can make all the difference. 5) I can wear flip flops in the parks (I use Teva Voyas), so I bring multiple pairs and assume one will always be soaked - but whatever shoes you bring, bring multiple pairs. 6) I don't even try with my hair down. It gets washed (pointless, but you gotta get the sweat out), it goes up, and that's it. 7) Hat and sunscreen - I use lotion in the room and bring small bottles of spray with me to the parks and reapply regularly. I like the mission running hats since they are light and supposedly have cooling characteristics if wet, but sweating is unavoidable, so it hardly matters. 8) An insulated reusable water bottle, electrolyte packets, and mental list of all places where slushy drinks are sold. Hydration and electrolyte replacement are critical. 9) a plan to get out of the heat and sun between about noon/1 and 6/7 every day.

ETA - @lovethattink mentioned umbrellas - I have seen people swear by those U/V umbrellas!

ETA2 - I see I skipped 4). Guess that shows I’ve been too many times in August

Go for it! It just takes some forethought and planning, but it is worth it .

 

[billybobblockhead]

Been a few times in August ourselves, and it's totally doable. You know going in that it's gonna be hotter than hades, so just deal with it. For me, it's good wicking clothes that are the must, and IMO the most important are the underwear. That can make or break you. A good, wide brimmed hat is also a must. Drink lots of water, avoid soft drinks, take your time getting around and you'll be fine. My wife bought a couple of portable fans a few years ago, and they are great to have for a quick cool off when you're waiting in the lines. My wife also carries an umbrella religiously and uses it as a shade, and it works wonderfully well. I like to fill all water bottles and any lingering cups or containers with ice the night before, then fill everything again with ice the next morning as that seems to give fresher water to start the day. Also, use any quick service restaurant fountain drink area to refill water bottles throughout the day. Enjoy the longer, AC rides like Carousel of Progress (and others!) in the hot parts of the day, as that is a great cool off and short nap ride . I agree with others that say go for it and enjoy!!

 

[elvispursley]

Give me the heat and humidity any day over the crowds! We do our annual mother/dd trips in Aug/Sep to avoid the crowds as well as for the discounts, and beginning of MNSSHP. We know how to manage the heat with all the hats, clothing, hydration,etc.

 

[disneymouse16]

Well I talked with my daughter. And we decided to go ahead and book! A bonus for her is she turns 14 in August so we are going to make it a birthday trip and plan for the heat! I will definitely look into moisture wicking clothes, fans and other cooling accessories! As well as pack our patience and plan down time in the afternoons! Thanks for all you thoughts and experiences!

 

[Gurkensalat]

Congratulations on your decision, I hope you are able to book in the second half of August, since it will be much less crowded. My wife and I (56 an 57 years old for reference) went to WDW (for the first time ever) end of August 2025 and liked it very much. Yes, it was hot during midday, but we found it easy to get around that:

Get up early, early entry/Rope drop, stay until 1 or 2 p.m., then return to hotel for a nap in the room, perhaps a bit of pool time, the about 5 p.m. go back to one of the parks for the evening.

We prefer to travel light in the parks, so no neck fans or other equipment. Light breathable clothes, small water bottle which can be filled up during the day (yes, the water tasted strange, but one gets used to it and it did not cause any problems), light (shared) meals, and just act reasonable:

Don‘t ever get in a line where you will be standing in the sun! While navigating the park, use long continuus shops for a brief AC instead of sunny walkways. Switch between outdoor and indoor attractions.

We even had neck towels and used them on two of the hotter days, but in the end we didn‘t use them any more, just splashing water around the neck and wetting the shirt a bit when using restrooms was enough. The advantage of traveling light: not needing a backpack, just a fanny pack, which leads to much reduces sweating.

Have fun!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Am I the only one who hates to wear a poncho when hot and sweaty?

Hydrating the day before and continuing to hydrate is necessary. A few years ago, I overheated at Epcot and had to go by ambulance to the ER. So I take hydrating very seriously now.

That’s too bad that happened to you, but I can see how it happens. On one particularly hot trip I saw several people being taken out of parks and DS by ambulance. It must happen a lot! And I felt sorry for dogs I saw walking around on scorching pavement with no foot protection - a small dog at DS and a police dog at MK. I have seen other dogs around WDW with foot protection and that seems a lot better for them.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A few more thoughts about the afternoon thunderstorms. Sometimes they can be more inconvenient than simply having to throw a poncho on or getting wet while continuing to enjoy rides, especially when lightning’s involved. Everything can shut down as part of their rules of operation.

We were with a large group staying at the Dolphin one August. We left Epcot and got back to the resort just before it opened up and poured. But some other people we were with didn’t fare as well. Two got stuck on a Friendship Boat for over an hour when they had to stop due to lightning. No one could get on or off and they said it was awful (a baby was screaming and they were super hot and sweaty). Other friends had gone to Seaworld and got stuck in a gift shop there where they closed and locked the doors, and they were not allowed to leave. They were miserable when they finally got back. Meanwhile we had friends over with the blender going and were nice and cool and dry, thankfully! Sometimes timing is everything!

I know this happens in areas outside of parks too because it happened to us once when we were at a baseball showcase at Embry Riddle and suddenly they shuffled everyone from outside into some sort of building where we had to sit on the floor for an hour. They said it happens all the time and that it was school policy. So be careful where you go during rain storms as you could get stuck there until it passes. Find somewhere comfortable, at least.