How silly is August?

[ThePylon]

So we're first timers looking to maximize our value. We're 4, me the wife and 2 girls 12 and 9. Looking at a 5 night at CSR in august; planning on driving there from Ottawa in 2 days then maybe a more relaxed timeframe returning. With the dining promotion it works out to approx $3300 in cdn funds. (Hotels there and back covered by airmiles...)

The question is - Is it a good idea? May be our only time ever going and I've heard one really should experience the on-resort hotel if only going once. We're alternatively thinking March break but would have to fly and go off resort to afford it. also hear end of August, though there's a chance the weather might be iffy, is not very busy. Whereas March Break will be packed.

But is it a bit crazy as a Canadian to go south the hottest time of the year...?

 

[Tanooki]

As you'll be able to see from my signature, we go pretty much every August
Yes it's hot, yes there are often showers/thunderstorms in the afternoon (but not EVERY day) but between this and not going
We go early in the morning, there are lots of inside attractions with A/C, we drink a lot of water, we use Frogg Togg cooling towels and you know what? We make it work!
Crowds are definitely thining as you go later in the month so we appreciate this a LOT.
The extreme hot and humid climate was a shock the first time but we've kinda gotten used to it. We do go back to the resort in the afternoon for a break (we do rope-drop until 2-3pm) and we go back in the evening sometimes but not all the time. Since we are rope-drop people, we need a good night sleep so we can't stay late and get up early EVERY day, we try to alternate and we do a few waterpark days in between to relax even more
We also usually drive down (from Montreal) but we found a great deal on flights from Manchester, NH so we're flying down this summer A 4-hour drive definitely beats 2 days...

 

[Disneylover99]

We go EVERY August for two weeks or more. Love it!!!! Not silly at all.

 

[MammerJammer]

We're going this August!! End of August--trying to beat some of the summer crowds. We're flying from Pearson (Toronto). We're first-timers too, so we'll see. I think it'll be fine (we'll do rope drop, go back to the hotel room in afternoon for pool swim, etc.). Def stay on site for a one-time deal.

 

[Madame]

We love tbe end of August! We went March break this year & crowds & weather were good (we hit rope drop every day & took a 4-5 hour break to avoid the worst of the crowds).

Not March break next year though. Easter is literally the week we get back from break & I'm thinking it'll be crazy!!! So we decided to go at Christmas instead.

 

[ThePylon]

As you'll be able to see from my signature, we go pretty much every August

I also see you're going to Pop; How is it with the older kids? Still good?

 

[alkc71]

We are August folks too this will be our third Stay at pop for the last 2 weeks in august. We are not rope drop people we sleep in and usually close down the parks! the heat does not bother us at all and we are coming from nova scotia. I think you will love it. Crowds are not bad and early free dining

 

[Tanooki]

Since we've only been to Pop when onsite, we all love it
The kids are all still very happy to go to WDW every year, even the teens
I personaly like the real "Disney" feel we get, I don't have any attraction for the moderates. I'd like to try the Contemporary or the Beach Club someday, but with 6 people, it gets expensive...

 

[canadiankim]

We are there early August, flying from Buffalo. We had to fit in with friends we are meeting up with from England. I have never done August before and am concerned about the heat but like everyone else is saying, go early, have some time 'off' during the hottest part of the day and then if you have the energy to go back for a few hours in the evening- Bonus!

We did think about driving (we have done it before) but would rather fly and have more time there!

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

We go every August (10-14 days each time). Yes it's hot but we love it. Purchase Frogg Toggs, drink water, take pool breaks and arrive at rope drop! It's awesome

 

[OnceUponATime15]

We did our first August trip last summer & wouldn't hesitate to go again in August!

It was hot, yes.. but we've done end of September trips that were just as hot & were more rainy then what we had last August.

It just means adjusting your touring style to accommodate mid day breaks for swimming or napping in the air conditioned comfort of your room. But mornings, late afternoons and evenings in the parks worked out just fine for us.

 

[3pletprincesses]

what they all said! We do August almost annually and it's hot but we take pool breaks daily. we do rope drop, back to resort to spend the afternoon swimming and chilling and back to parks in the evening. You will do far more that way than trying to stay at the park all day and everyone becomes miserable .

 

[chrispeto]

We go the second last week of August, every other year. We have gone at Christmas and it is insane, we have done March break another busy time and one year we went in July suicide busy and hot. August is our favourite time. Less crowds. Too beat the heat we go back to the resort for mid day break and a swim and head back to parks at night
This years we are going August 23 for 5 nights and staying at the Contemporary.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We have also visited in August many times. We stay 10-14 days. I think it's key to be mentally prepared for the heat and then it's very manageable. Like most of the other PP's we go to the parks for RD(or very close to it) and stay until around lunch time. Then head back to the resort for either a nap in the room or a dip in the pool. Then go back to the parks around dinner time. We don't go into the parks daily, it's just too tiring. We spend entire days at the pool, visit the waterparks or DTD. For us, we have been to WDW so many times there is no push to do it all anymore and we have a very relaxing vacation.

Generally, the best way to handle the late summer heat is to plan lots of rest time and the best time for that is in the afternoon when it's hottest. It also rains then so if you plan to be napping then you're not missing anything.

I have also visited during March break and it's super busy then because our week is the same week as the state of Florida break. Weather wise though, it's perfection.

 

[ohcanada]

Have been late August, early September...was not as busy as I thought it would be. We rented a car and some days we were parked right by the front entrance at some parks. Yes is it hot...but summers and humidity in Southern Ontario are like a practice run! We went early to the parks and spent the afternoon at the hotel pool. Always seemed to rain in the afternoon for an hour or so, but it didn't bother us. Our first choice would be the end of August, but this year with schedules we are going end of June....Im sure there it will be pure madness ...but hey we're Canadian....if we can handle months of -30 in the winter then we can handle Florida in August!!

Have a great trip!

 

[EastCoastCdn]

We've travelled to WDW several times in August. I love the heat, but I could do without the humidity. Like others have already said - stay hydrated and if you're saying onsite, going back to your resort midday to swim will help a lot. That said, we travel at that time of year because it is the best time for us to take vacation from work.

 

[disneyred]

which airline did you find your great deal from manchester ??? I have colleagues living there for the next year and want to mention that there could be deals from there as they mentioned in passing they could not find any good deals to florida this year ....

 

[Tanooki]

which airline did you find your great deal from manchester ??? I have colleagues living there for the next year and want to mention that there could be deals from there as they mentioned in passing they could not find any good deals to florida this year ....

We are flying with Southwest. It came up to 1380 U$ for all 6 of us (plus 2 free bags per person!) so it can't be beat Like I said, well worth the 4 hour drive, especially when you're used to driving 2 days to get there...

 

[disneyred]

wow, i have not done any research on this.. but at first glance it seems like an amazing deal.. i will pass this info to my colleague .. and let him plan.. btw how early did you book to get this deal?

 

[Evelyne]

We did both March break and end of August, they both have pro and cons :August hot temp. garanteed, long park hours. If you drive and that allows yoh to stay on site is a big pro.
March break! Crowds are very managable, heat you will never be sure, but always better than what we have here in March we always drove from Quebec (close to Gatineau) we were always lucky but true, you can get caught in snowstroms, even flying.
I would definitly consider staying on site.Have a magical trip.