I'm a little confused about August crowds

[homemaker]

We have been to WDW in August 4 years ago and it was not crowded at all. I have read other posts saying the same about the crowds. Almost all the books and guide sites state differently. The crowds are high until after Labor Day. Is this true? I wont change our plans, but I would love to mentally prepare DH.

 

[grinningghost]

We went in August, 2003. The last week of August. It wasn't very crowded. I'd say it was average. Nothing Fastpass couldn't cure.

 

[Bob P]

Crowds drop off SIGNIFICANTLY beginning the week of August 14, because many schools re-open that week.

 

[JulyGirl]

Crowds drop off SIGNIFICANTLY beginning the week of August 14, because many schools re-open that week.

However, many folks have rescheduled their vacations to go during this time for the free dining plan.

 

[Bob P]

However, many folks have rescheduled their vacations to go during this time for the free dining plan.

Maybe so but it will still not have a major impact on park attendance. Free dining was available last year, same time period, and crowds were not bad. It's the restaurants that fill up with people using their dining credits!

The fact is: any time schools are open WDW will be less crowded than when schools are closed, free dining or not!

 

[phalynx]

We went in August 2005 and it was nice. The crowds weren't bad at all. All 5 days were avg. crowds at best. We are going again in August this year because of it.

 

[wdwnut61]

Maybe so but it will still not have a major impact on park attendance. Free dining was available last year, same time period, and crowds were not bad. It's the restaurants that fill up with people using their dining credits!

The fact is: any time schools are open WDW will be less crowded than when schools are closed, free dining or not!

Great news

 

[Princess89]

I have been in August before and I have to say the crowds were not bad at all. I got to see and do everything with minimal effort. Last year we went in May, and I did not have the same experience. Longer lines and bigger crowds. I did brush it off to the beginning of the 50th Anniversary celebration. But, I would like to know what others consider average crowds?

 

[JESW]

We were there last august and will be going back again this august. I've got to say that JUNE crowds were much larger than the august ones!

Jill

 

[teentoddlermom]

We've been in August 4 times and are going back this year. I've noticed that the crowds are certainly picking up! I think you can expect pretty dense crowds till at least the end of the second week in August, but because of free dining, I am expecting it to be still fairly crowded until after labor day. The good thing I've noticed is that Disney has really brought back the park hours to late closings. When we were there in '98, the parks closed at 6pm! In 2003, there were some 7pm closing times at MK, except for Friday and Saturday. The last 2 years the parks have stayed open till 9 or 10 or even later, so even if it is crowded, the parks are open longer and people spread out their time visiting! See you there!

 

[Darian]

We were there last august and will be going back again this august. I've got to say that JUNE crowds were much larger than the august ones!

Jill

Not that I want to hijack the thread but what about the heat in August? Are the heat and humidity terrible? DW and I usually go in mid to late October for the cooler weather and the food and wine festival. Even then I find the humidity hard to take. How bad can it be in August?

 

[Seahunt]

Be aware that it will be different for 2007!

Florida has passed a new law starting 2007 that no school can start earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day - in my county (Volusia) they have set the start date to August 20 for 2007 compared to the August 7 back to school date this year:

from local news

SCHOOL YEAR START DATE PASSES

Starting in 2007-2008, schools throughout Florida will start no earlier than 14 days before Labor Day. There were a total of 4 bills dealing with the subject. Those bills sponsored by Sen. Margolis and Rep. Gelber died on the calendar. The "14 day" language was added by the FRLA to the Governor's A++ Education Bill. The House and Senate versions of this bill were not identical, but a last minute compromise of a school start date to no earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day emerged in the final days of session.

After taking up and amending the House's A++ Education bill that included start date provision, the Senate sent the bill back to the House where it was passed with a 90 to 24 vote. A special "thanks" to Sen. Evelyn Lynn who lead the fight to save our summers!

With a standard start date of no earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day now established, and a traditional summer returned to Florida's children, families can again spend the first 3 weeks of August vacationing together.

 

[momof2inPA]

Be aware that it will be different for 2007!

Florida has passed a new law starting 2007 that no school can start earlier than 14 days prior to Labor Day - in my county (Volusia) they have set the start date to August 20 for 2007 compared to the August 7 back to school date this year:
[/I]

That stinks. Not only will the crowds be bigger at Disney during August, but the August beach rentals will be more expensive. Bummer.

 

[homemaker]

Thank you everyone for the help. We will be there 8/21-31 so it sounds like we will be okay. I am really glad be decided to go this year before Fl. changes school start dates. Again thanks everyone.

 

[SammieG]

Not that I want to hijack the thread but what about the heat in August? Are the heat and humidity terrible? DW and I usually go in mid to late October for the cooler weather and the food and wine festival. Even then I find the humidity hard to take. How bad can it be in August?

Its hotter than hell

The humidity can be difficult to cope with... but its not unbearable (apart from one night about 2 years ago.. OMG.. that was soooo bad!)

We go the last two weeks of August every year. Whilst it is busy the crowds are do-able and we always get what we want done with no problems... although we only ever follow TGM's advice as to what park to go to.. and that has made a HUGE difference to our touring strategy.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Be aware that schools in the UK have different holidays starting late July and ending often the first couple of days in September so the WDW parks are full with Brits at that time.

We cannot take our kids out of school, and so after this time period its Christmas or Easter as they have two weeks then.

 

[bigthundermountain]

i'll see ya there! it'll be HOT HOT HOT every day but everyone that has posted says the crowds aren't that bad.

 

[Jobie]

I was there during the last week in August last year and well........
I am doing it again! Both times with free dinning. The crowds are not small but they are not huge either. Pretty much an average day. I personally like it when crowds are average rather than small, becuase then the park is usually fully staffed and you get to enjoy everything. You in other words, you get to see the park ran at its finest. When the crowds are low, then things a lot of times move by too fast and you aren't able to soak it all in (although sometimes it is fun when you feel like you are the only ones there). When it is crowded, CMs can and will stress a bit, and it is hard to get the full experience.

Last year the majority of the waits posted was at most 45mins. A couple of the E-ticket rides were about an hour wait, and soarin'..... well..... it had a three hour late. The longest we ever waited for a single ride though was between 15-20 mins. Why? Fastpass BABY!!

 

[teentoddlermom]

It is amazing how many UK visitors we see every August! They have the right idea closing down the whole country for a month! By the end of our trips, we are saying cheerio, right then, excellent, ring me...etc.etc..they are all so nice!