Is August really that bad?

[ZoZo]

I wouldn't go in August. It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

My comfort temp is 85-90 degrees, but the humidity just makes everything miserable. If you were coming from a southeastern state, I would say your body is already adapted for it. From New England, nope. You may not be able to enjoy yourself. Even the evenings are not great. The temperature goes down a bit, but the humidity remains. The only time you won't encounter oppressive humidity is early mornings.

I agree, I'm from the Pacific Northwest and am not used to humidity at all. Even in the summer, we rarely get above 80 - 85 degrees, with virtually no humidity. I even lived in Florida for a year many years ago , and eventually adapted, but now I'm not acclimated anymore and don't do well.

I think it's all about how well YOU handle heat/humidity. Many people do just fine; only you know how you're likely to do. Lots of folks here on the DIS might tell you they're fine in that weather, but that doesn't have a lot of bearing on how you'd do. Trust your instincts!

 

[traylorc]

My wife and I have visited WDW at least 3 times in August...is it doable? Sure...

But as many people have stated...you really need to be strategic about your trip. Take advantage of the morning hours before it gets to hot, actively remain hydrated, plan on spending some time back at the room daily to rest and get out of the sun, and then plan on going back to the parks in the evening when it's cooler.

The other bit of advice I would offer is to bring plenty of clothes...over pack if you have to. Given the high humidity...you are going to sweat profusely. The last thing you want to is have to wear the same sweaty, smelly clothes all day long. Each day my wife and I would go back to the resort, swim, rest, and change clothes before going out again. So plan on bringing a change of clothes for each day. If not...you may find yourself spending a significant portion of your trip washing clothes and/or wishing you had brought additional clothes.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Face of the sun hot. We won't do August again.

 

[Klinger13]

We're from from South Jersey and went the last week of August last year. We LOVED it!!! Low crowds, great stay at the Poly on a "magical deal". Was it hot? Sure, but it was roasting in NJ too so not much different. Somehow we missed every daily afternoon rain shower either being in our room or being in an attraction.

We started our mornings early (not rope drop early though), got tons done, went back to swim and rest mid-afternoon and then hopped to another park in the evening. I wouldn't hesitate to go that week again!

 

[DG25]

I grew up New England, but 35 years Washington, no humitity. That said, we have now done mid August beginning sept three times in 8 years. This could be me but it was not the heat or the humidity that got me. Fl rains way more than Seattle any day in August, but not all day. If you stay in park all day, you may have more problems than us, we are first thing in the morning, before park opens for our sit downs usually, then park and up till a good 12 or 1, then we fizzle out and need a break, an hour swim and an hour nap and we are good to go again, fast quick service usually or a sit down and back to rides around 6 pm. The rain comes everyday at 3 pm to 5 pm, so you miss the rain. Is it hot, yes and I hate hate hate heat especially after chemo, I always run hot hot hot. But since it is such a different hot maybe i just deal with it different, I live Seattle now but two of the vacations in August I lived TriCities, and there really is a desert in Washington state and temps can be 103 all summer long, it never got that hot and dry in Florida.

You will feel the heat more in AK, we usually do AK like this, first morning time for tucker house, done before park opens. First ride Everett, one with FP, one without FP, the rapid river, then fp safari. Then do a few shows and hit dinosaurs. Usually we get out of there by noon. If you want to see other things, go back at night now, because this park is just to hot.

The other parks, plan your day, do fp's at rides that have out door lines, schedule shows or rides that have indoor and a/c. Make sure you drink drink drink water. I find it manageable, and believe me, since cancer I run my a/c all year long even when it is 45 in Seattle, so you can do it and it is not that bad. Map out spots to stop, walk thru stores that have a/c. Better to take a few extra minutes getting somewhere than to rush and get heat stroke and spend two days in bed.

 

[Micca]

It's hard to exaggerate how hot it is

Couple of years ago I had a direct flight from the surface of the sun to MCO. Stepped off that plane and oh the humidity! If you can go the week after Thanksgiving (and you said you loved it) def. go then. The problem with October is that it can still be plenty hot, and with F&W and the Halloween parties it's not so slow around WDW any longer.

 

[stephd219]

We went in August last year, and we are returning again in August this year. We also live in New England. Yes, it is hot in Florida. It is also definitely humid, but it was absolutely doable. It was hot and humid at home, too. There is so much air conditioned in Disney, that it was easy to find places to cool off as needed. We did move at a somewhat slower pace, and we definitely took more time at the hotel pool, but I actually consider these benefits of going in August. We noticed things that we had been in too much of a hurry to notice before. We utilized the resort (BC) and the pool in ways that we had neglected to do in the past.

 

[vikkil70]

We went in August several years ago and are going again this year. My boys will both be in middle school and we don't want to pull them out so we opted for late August. The crowds are lower than earlier in the summer and it is cheaper. We know it will be HOT and we plan accordingly. We are a Rope Drop family so we got lots of touring done before lunch, than we head back to resort for a break and head out again around dinner time. Drink lots of water, use cooling towels, and find those attractions with AC when you need a break. It is not just doable but can be fun as well. We figure it gets hot and humid at home too and if we have to hot at least we are at disney have a great time. Happy planning.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Love the previous suggestions!

I agree about bringing extra clothes or be prepared to do lots of laundry. We go through two complete sets of clothes a day. I start sweating the moment we leave the hotel. We take a break everyday, in the worst of the heat and crowds. We put on a fresh change of clothes and then hit the parks after the sun goes down.

Drink more water and Gatorade than you think you normally would. Especially if you drink alcohol. I had read somewhere that if you have an alcoholic drink then drink a glass of water. I make sure that I have a bottle of water after my favorite beer in Germany.

I do not like misters as I just feel that I am putting more lukewarm water on my face. I like to take a washcloth and put it in the freezer or mini-fridge overnight. Put it in a zip lock baggie and take to the parks. It's a great way to keep your face cool.

 

[quandrea]

I agree, I'm from the Pacific Northwest and am not used to humidity at all. Even in the summer, we rarely get above 80 - 85 degrees, with virtually no humidity. I even lived in Florida for a year many years ago , and eventually adapted, but now I'm not acclimated anymore and don't do well.

I think it's all about how well YOU handle heat/humidity. Many people do just fine; only you know how you're likely to do. Lots of folks here on the DIS might tell you they're fine in that weather, but that doesn't have a lot of bearing on how you'd do. Trust your instincts!

I think this is true. We went in June once and it was too much for us. We go frequently and that June trip turned into a very different experience. We bowled, swam, went to the movies but we just couldn't do the parks. Couldn't handle the heat. So I'd pick another time.

 

[quandrea]

Couple of years ago I had a direct flight from the surface of the sun to MCO. Stepped off that plane and oh the humidity! If you can go the week after Thanksgiving (and you said you loved it) def. go then. The problem with October is that it can still be plenty hot, and with F&W and the Halloween parties it's not so slow around WDW any longer.

I second this.

 

[DisneyCAL]

Depending on where you live in New England it won't matter. We are in Connecticut on the shore and most of our summers are 90+ with 100% humidity so it's not that far off. By August we are used to it and know how to deal with it. I will be going this August too as now I'm working on district hours and vacation calendars, and it's no longer just the issue of taking the kids out of school.

 

[marchingstar]

I think there's some good advice here. I'm Canadian, from the prairies, and I've only visited the World once in August. A few things that I remember from a very sweaty August trip:
- afternoon breaks. Like, every day. Go back to the hotel during the hottest part of the day to swim, nap, or otherwise cool yourself/keep out of the sun. It seems to me like your possible resort picks are great options, because you'll have lots to do at the resort and they're so close to a good number of parks. At the time it can feel like an afternoon break means losing Disney time, but when you're spending deluxe prices, it seems worth it to me to enjoy the amenities at the resort too.
- afternoon breaks! Don't want to leave the park? Plan lunch reservations, like, every day. You'll still get a break from the sun/humidity/heat, but this time just by relaxing at a restaurant. If you're worried about your food budget or about having too much food, make lunch your big meal of the day, and eat smaller or quick service meals in the morning/evening.

Many have mentioned how warm AK can feel in August--I definitely remember feeling the heat that day. But the worst day for us was actually at the World Showcase in Epcot. Inside the pavilions there's things to see and do, but we spent so much time on the concrete without much shade as we wandered around that we started to feel pretty sick. Maybe a final afternoon break-type suggestion is to take the time for movies and performances in air conditioned buildings, even more than you might usually.

Oh one final point: the air conditioning is intense in August. Going from the hot, humid outdoors to overly air conditioned buildings was also a bit tough, I remember. As strange as it sounds, it might be worth carrying a very light layer (something with sleeves) to pull on if you're going to be inside for long.

August is hot, but if it's the time of year that works best for you (both with school and budgeting), it's definitely possible to make it work. Try not to compare it too strongly to past trips, and try to focus on the ways this might mean new experiences: more pool/waterpark time, new restaurants, being in the parks earlier/later.

 

[Kelly loves Food]

Thank you all so much for the great advice! I'm still not sure what to do, but I feel confidant that if we do end up going in August, I will be well prepared!

 

[happymommy]

I've been many times the last week of August (or the last two weeks on my longest trip of 15 nights).

I love it then! It's hot and humid at home, so no different really (I'm in Maryland).

The crowds are nonexistent. Last trip, one day Soarin' was a walk on. All day.

My kids didn't go back to school until after Labor Day, so it is a great time to go!

Plan for afternoon rains. They don't last long.

 

[dledger]

We love going in August and are also from the northeast/New England. Honestly? Yes it's hot. But some people will make it sound like you will melt the minute you walk out of your room. No. It's hot but the crowds are low so you can move quicker from ride to ride and you get that relief there. Plus, with it being summer, you're more than likely already used to the heat for the summer. I wouldn't hesitate to tell friends to go in August! I thought it was much worse this past end of June when we went!!

 

[BigredNole]

I am not sure how bad missing school is for your middle school. The way I see it is they won't be able to miss much of high school because it is much harder to catch up. If you have to pull her out, I would do it. In the end, middle school just amounts to time in school. Once they hit high school, your time with her will be limited and a short 4 years until they start their life.

As for August, you have heat and humidity. You have to keep hydrated and cool. It is as simply as that. It is doable and depending on what you want to accomplish it is completely easy. I dreaded my first Summer trip in forever. It turned out to work perfectly. We hit the parks at rope drop, resort about 1PM for pool and games, then back to park at dusk for evening rides and FPs. You will have nearly daily thunderstorms but if you wait 10 minutes they push through.

 

[Parker Clan]

There have been many many threads asking if August is that bad. It depends on your tolerance of heat and humidity. We have done August the last six years and are going again this August. Yes it's hot but it's totally manageable! We do mid day breaks each day, build in rest days, stay hydrated etc etc We don't mind the heat or humidity. It was almost 106 degrees the last two times we were there and we survived.
The crowds are wayyyyy lower than other times of the year and to me, that's worth it! Plus we get an amazing labor day deal with a TA that makes the GF affordable!!

 

[lampshadehead]

Another northeaster here, this year will be our 6th trip in August. Sounds like everybody covered the ups and downs of the heat/humidity/weather etc already with what I would have said. There is one thing I would like to add, and that is if you are a sneaker wearer, bring a few pairs. Or have footwear that dries well. I always pack some older, more worn in sneakers in case there is a pair that becomes too gross and wet and smelly to bring back home. There have been times that we were caught in or stayed out during a thunderstorm, and sometimes a pair will not dry even after a few days. The ponchos might keep your clothes dry but your feet will get wet regardless. With all this being said, if I could go at another time of year, I probably would. But that is not in the cards right now and we make the best of August.

 

[McFlea]

So glad to see this thread. Another New Englander here, making our first August trip this year. We've been during every other season, but summer is our only option for now. I have been a bit worried about the weather, but now I'm just excited. Lower crowds sound great to me after enduring spring break and President's Day trips. We'll heed all the great advice offered here and take it at a slower pace. As others have said, it gets just as hot here in the summer - I'd much rather deal with it at WDW than at home any day.