How crowded is late Aug?

[wifemomkate]

We haven't been to WDW since early May of '96. We chose that time because we didn't have kids then and school was still in session. We figured the crowds would be much lighter then and we were right. We rarely stood in line the whole time. We got extremely lucky one day and rode Tower of Terror 5x in a row in the middle of an afternoon rainstorm.

Now fast forward to this year, us plus our 3 kids, and our first full family vacation. We will be going in late August because most schools will be back in session then and we're hoping it will be about the same crowd-wise. I have it in my mind that it won't really be crowded, we won't have to stand in hour-long lines (especially if we use fastpass), and there won't be pushing/shoving anywhere.

Am I delusional? Anyone been there in May vs. August or can anyone give me any crowd info for that time frame? I would think crowds would go down drastically when school starts, but I'm sure lots of people think this way...... I can deal with the heat better than I can deal with crowds.

(we'll be there the week of Aug 20) TIA!

EDITING TO ADD: Can anyone tell me what the crowds are like in August? Do they go down significantly once school starts for most of the country?

 

[mom23boys]

We were in WDW August 19-26 2005. It was not crowded. We walked onto most rides, I did use TGM. But we were able to get dining reservations the day of (w/o being on the dining plan) and to change reservation times.

It was so hot, but It was not a bad time to go. We are maybe planning 2007.

 

[sheepygirl23]

We go every August. We usually end up staying until around the 28th and were there for about two weeks. The crowds die down the last two weeks of august b/c most of the kids are already in school. We walk onto most of the rides, but its HOT. I dont mind the heat so much, as long as there isnt too long of a line.

 

[margev]

our past two vacations were in August and we will be there this year the 10th thru the 20th!! it has never been that crowded. i have found if you plan your day right you don't usually have to wait to long on lines. the longest we had to wait last time was in fantasyland and those waita were only 30 -45 minutes and that was because we got a late start

 

[marathonmommy]

I would have to agree with the other posters. We were there in late August this past summer, and aside from the heat, it wasn't bad at all. As a previous poster stated, the only problem area was Fantasyland at times. For some reason the Peter Pan ride had Fast Passes that kept "selling out". If you plan to ride PP, you'll want to do so and/or get a FP early! I have been there at various times of the year, and I thought the crowds were very reasonable. (We will be there again this Augst . . . but this time more mid-Augustish. I think that might be a problem, but hey, I'll be in WDW!)

 

[mgarri]

End of August is a great time to go. It is not too crowded and the weather is good. We had no problem at all with crowds or long lines.

 

[zookeeper]

We went early Sept. so I think the weather/crowds are comparable to late August.We all agreed that we would return at the end of summer again. It is hot and sticky, but if you go prepared for it then it's tolerable. The short lines more than made up for it,especially when you go with kids who are anxious to get on rides!! Have fun!!!

 

[wifemomkate]

Thank you!!!! That's exactly what I wanted to hear!!!

 

[byoung]

If you like the heat you will have low crowds.

 

[Seahunt]

Just keep in mind that it's getting into peak hurricane season then - this from a FL resident and of course I'm not saying that you'll experience one (praying that we don't!), just that my heart goes out to lots of people who post in a panic at that time of year who are booked and surprised/didn't realize that time of year was hurricane season! Have a backup plan in case it happens to your dates!

 

[lovedvc]

We arrived last year on August 22nd and stayed till September 2. There were really no crowds at all. To avoid the waits in Fantasyland make that your first stop. We do it everytime and it works out well. We've also made ADR's for Crystal Palace for 8am this way you are already down main street by the time the front gates open and you will beat everybody to Fantasyland.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

We have been to WDW in mid to late August 2004 and in mid September 2000 and the crowds are tolerable as well as the heat. With the lines, etc. so accessible it is so easy to return to your room and go swimming or do one of the water parks early. The only heavy crowds we saw were at Magic Kingdom and that was on Saturday, however, this year we (me and my DS) will be at MK on a Sunday (8/20/06) because it is the EMH and we are doing the day there. Hey, there is a first time for everything!