I know it's going to be hot and miserable, but August tips/hints?

[floridadream]

We went last August and tried to get out as early as possible, drink lots of water and take a break in the afternoon. I was debating on getting frog toggs and so happy I did. They were a lifesaver in the parks (esp for the kids 6 & 9). They seriously saved the day! People were coming up to us asking where we got them. Also, you could bring travel sized squirt bottles filled with water for a quick cool down. Hope this helps- good luck!

 

[bear_mom]

Thanks for all the tips so far, glad to hear that people go in the summer and still manage to have a great trip!

What do you carry for a bag in the summer? I don't think I will carry my camera bag (DSLR) because it will just be dd and I. So, my point and shoot, water bottle, poncho, sunscreen (travel), maybe a frog togg. I don't think I want a backpack.....

 

[Tomh]

I am from NY, so the August heat in Disney is REALLY hot for me. The first time we went, I thought before hand that I would be miserable the entire trip. Honest truth, it wasn't as bad as I had been expecting.

It certainly is hot, but if you are ready for it, you can manage. We always get to the park for Rope Drop. First thing in the morning, it isn't as hot, you can move a bit faster, and there are lower crowds, so you get a lot done. Towards mid day, we take a long, leisurely lunch, giving us about an hours break from the heat. Then, in the afternoon, we do a lot of the longer rides, shows, shopping, things that keep us in the air conditioning as much as possible.

Supper is usually our table service meal, and we expect to burn about an hour and a half on it, again a nice long break from the heat. After supper, it is usually starting to cool off a bit, and we will usually do a couple more rides, and partake of the evening entertainment.

Remember sun screen, you will burn, and that will make you miserable. Remember quick service restaurants will give you water for free. Drink often. Bring along flavoring packets if you aren't used to Florida water, the flavor can be unsettling. Pay attention to your body, and to your kids. If they are getting grumbly, something is bothering them. Take a minute, and find out what it is. Give them a break, a drink, a snack, what ever it is they need, and do the same for yourself. Finding a shady spot to sit down, have a drink, and just people watch can be just what your body needs. In Epcot, I particularly like the outdoor seating near the quick service in japan, up near the top of the water falls. It is a wonderful little area.

 

[soniam]

Which hoodie did you get from there (there are several)? I'll have to look into those - I'm a fair skinned Texan too!

Unfortunately they don't sell the exact same one now. I got them the summer before last. They are made of a very thin, gauzy material. I thought my bra would show through, but since they have a colored design, it doesn't. The hood is nice, because the back of your neck doesn't get burned. I often wear the hood underneath a hat to protect my face.

Once when we were at the race track in the direct Texas summer sun for more than 8 hours, my arms got a little pink. I didn't put any sunscreen on underneath. This is the only time it happened, including wearing them at WDW, DLR, hiking, and kayaking. I think it was the constant, direct sun that did it.

Either call the company or go to one of their stores and look for something that's very thin. They may not have it in the catalog yet, because they don't have a lot of summer stuff out. I guess they don't realize it will be summer here and in Florida very soon

 

[soniam]

Thanks for all the tips so far, glad to hear that people go in the summer and still manage to have a great trip!

What do you carry for a bag in the summer? I don't think I will carry my camera bag (DSLR) because it will just be dd and I. So, my point and shoot, water bottle, poncho, sunscreen (travel), maybe a frog togg. I don't think I want a backpack.....

I am usually able to cram stuff in my purse, and DH carries a mini-backpack, about the size of a small to medium purse. That's for 3 of us, including DS9.

 

[anniemae]

water water water. Be very careful in the sun, you will burn. The sun is still very strong in the late afternoon/early evening. We saw someone faint last Aug, so keep hydrated. Seek out air conditioning, take breaks in the shade and go slow.

 

[DizDaD7]

Agh....And remember this.... Plenty of shows....Nice air conditioned areas....Plenty of breaks, and freeze water bottles so they'll act like ice packs & will thaw out by the time you need to drink them... Plenty of Pool time too

 

[minniemous]

My cousin goes in late August every year. I know one strategy they have is to use meal breaks to their advantage to stay cool and get out of the sun. I have also heard people spend more time at the pool in the afternoon and go to the parks early morning and evening. I wish I could tolerate the heat because I would love to join them one year but we are October-April Disney travelers.

I have also heard those Frog Togs are well worth it. Also saving the rides that have indoor air-conditioned waiting areas for afternoon when it is the hottest.

 

[eeyore45]

Agh....And remember this.... Plenty of shows....Nice air conditioned areas....Plenty of breaks, and freeze water bottles so they'll act like ice packs & will thaw out by the time you need to drink them... Plenty of Pool time too

I should add a caution to freezing water bottles... Be careful where you store that water bottle, as it thaws it could ruin anything you may have in that pack (don't ask me how I know this..

Frogg Togs worked well for my nephew when he was in Afghanistan - but those bottles with the spray misters? They will cool you off, but we found them to heavy to carry all day! much preferred the towels around our necks - - (way back long time ago you could get neck scarves that had those bead things inside, so when you added water, they grow and absorb the water, but aren't wet... just cooling, I think the frog togs are a more advanced technologically speaking, and dh wouldn't wear those neck scarves! lol)

and do reapply sunscreen!

 

[edk35]

August is HOT but we still had GREAT trips. Sure we would love to go during OFF times but it is too hard with kids/school. We usually go at rope drop til lunch time then back to the resort for pool time or indoor activities.... then head back out in the evenings. Honestly ..... I would rather be hot in Disney than hot back at home.

 

[ArwenMarie]

August can be fun. I would just keep your expectations realistic as to how much you can get done in a day. We find we get a lot less done in August than we can in the cooler months, between the extreme heat and the daily thunderstorms with lightning. So just make sure that you are ok with that before you go. Get your must-dos done in the mornings!

 

[WDWAtLast]

Great tips here! When we went in August,, one thing I learned the hard way was to let my camera "warm up" from being in the AC and then going outside in the humidity. We missed some great shots at an empty MK (early ADR) because the camera fogged up. Also happens to photo pass photographers! So give your camera time to warm up! Seemed to happen more in the AM than PM

 

[Monykalyn]

All of the above advice is great. I like the suggestion by cakebaker of fresh clothes in the evening.
Only thing to add: Frogg Toggs- we love our frogg toggs as they seriously bring down your body temperature!

A 4th (5th?) vote for the Frogg Toggs-I got 3 for our family of five but cut one in half (got the bigger size ones) for the younger kids. LOVE these. so easy to rewet and instant cooling. Had lots of people ask about them while we waited in lines. I also used them all summer when I worked in the garden or even just sat on the deck (we went late June last year)

My number one tip for women - if you wear a bra with any padding in it whatsoever change it every time you're in the room. I ended up not caring in the slightest if I changed clothes in the afternoon as long as a swapped out my bra!

Not only a change of undergarments but we bought sports bras designed for runners-lighter weight and moisture wicking! Also helped keep the girls from being jostled on some of the wilder rides lol!

We carried water bottles (frozen overnight) and collapsible water bottles (we filled with free QS ice water) and added our flavorings to them. We usually used the electrolyte replacement flavorings.

If you are able-schedule your FP for the water rides after lunch-great way to cool down.

 

[asbyrneva]

At MK there is enough to do where we are inside for one thing then outside for the next. If you have to do Tomorrowland Speedway do it early morning or fast pass if you dont mind using the fast pass. We were at MK enough days that we used a fast pass one day last August, since the whole wait is outside in the sun by all those fumes, its miserable.

 

[Vowelmommy]

These are all great tips!
We are headed back in August again this year, and my number one tip is to take as many breaks as you need. Sometimes it feels like you have to keep pushing, but it workers much better to sit in the shade when you need to.

 

[Lovetherodent]

Have been in May, June, July, and August. We have a 1 quart plastic drink cooler with a handle. Fill it with ice from the ice machine and then your water. I see people walking around with regular water bottles and think yuck, that,d be warm in 30 minutes. Go back to your resort after lunch to swim and head back around 5. Think about character meals for lunch instead of breakfast. The AC will feel great.

Oh, and ladies, a little diaper rash ointment under the bra band.

 

[holden]

I know water has been mentioned, but you really need to drink more than you think. I underestimated how much water I needed last August and was suffering from dehydration after my first day. I swear I drank enough, but apparently I didn't. Drink every chance you get! Lots of free ice water is available in all parks.

 

[holden]

I got the hoodies from Title 9.

I think Lands End has a similar product too.

 

[nono]

We used to cut our hair very short (his and hers crew cuts) for August trips. Alternately, I've also gone with long hair. Two showers a day, and embrace the wet look pony tail! Happy head, happy day!

 

[lroger01]

August is a good time to plan an "indoor" trip. Think of all the indoor activities in and out of the park and focus on as many as you can afford. Possible options include: Hoop-De-Do, La Nouba, Disney Quest, the exit areas of most attractions in Epcot, a detailed tour of Innoventions, the movies you've always skipped in WS. and so on. Oh, and avoid World Showcase during the daytime! It was surface-of-the-sun hot the day I tried it. On my August trip 4 years ago, it was the indoor things we did that we all remember the most.