just how busy is August

[MR and MRS POTATO HEAD]

This year we are goin to WDW in Aug. we always go Sept/Oct but that is no longer possible.We have heard horror stories about waiting 2 hours to do the rides in the peak months.Last trip was Sept/Oct 99 at the start of the 2000 celebrations and we noticed the place was more crowded.We waited 1 hour for Splash mountain and really noticed the restaurants were packed outside WDW sometimes waiting over an hour just to be seated at a table.Is this what we can expect this year, we are there for 3 weeks and staying on site so we can make good use of the E/E days and pace the trip, but it would help if you could advise us how long we'll wait for rides etc and give us an idea how crowded it will be.

 

[wdwnutze]

I would also like to know how it is in August(besides HOT).We wil be in WDW 8/11-8/17. We usually travel during off times too but this year it couldn't be done. I don't mind some crowds but how bad will they really be????

 

[J and E's Mom]

We went last year August 9-19th. We like it hot and have to go in the summer. There were lots of people but with the right game plan it wasn't too bad. The big rides had long lines--Splash Mtn, Thunder Mtn, Whinnie the Pooh, etc. Try to do Fast Pass and go early.

Have a great trip!inkbounc

 

[jwfla422]

August is always a busy time especially with the kids out from school, but I would expect that it may not be quite as busy as it was in the last few years. WDW is running a lot of hotel specials and a special FL resident pass through the summer and a lift of black out dates for AK for the summer for FL seasonal passes.

Although that may not pertain to you, it does put up a signal that the predictions are for the parks' attendance to be down from what it was in the past few years for this time (summer). With the hotel rate special offers also I am thinking there is more availability than there has been as well. And, as far as promotions go, I believe the 100 year WD b-day anniversary doesn't start til 10/1.

I would certainly take advice from wdwnutze to get fast passes whenever possible, go to the parks early and also make PS ressies for meals you really want to sit down for. (many of those you can do that morning or if you make them far ahead of time and see you can't make that time you can always call to reschedule, most will accomodate any time changes).

Just don't forget it is very hot in August. Just drink lots of water and enjoy!


<font color=purple><font size =5> One week from Friday and here we come!</font color></font size>
inkbounc inkbounc inkbounc

 

[nhmomx2]

I've been at the end of July/beginning of August and swore I'd never go again at that time. VERY crowded (3 hour - yes, that's 3 hours - wait for Splash Mountain) lots of tour groups, and extremely hot! However...my inlaws went the last full week of August '00 (20th-27th) and said the crowds really subsided by that time - waits were much like the "off season", the tour groups were pretty much gone, but the heat was still there. We decided not to take our son of of school two years in a row and we are going the last full week in August this year...let's hope my inlaws weren't delusional - lol!!

 

[Bowman]

We are also going the last week of August (8/25 - 9/3) staying at CS. We've been going this week for the last couple of trips. Yes it's hot, but it's also hot here in PA. The crowds really die down because of alot of schools starting up, including FL schools. Can't wait ... 96 more days!!!

 

[koswalt]

We originally were going in November. Frequent flier restrictions caused us to change to 8/25-31. I'm excited about being able to do waterparks and water rides, which we had pretty much figured would be "maybes" at best in November. I know we'll have to take the breaks like everyone recommends, and I know it's going to be more crowded than November. But I've also heard good things about there being smaller crowds than the rest of the summer. Plus, since it's the week before my children's school starts, no homework to make up!!!!!

 

[Hef4545]

Hey there Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head,
(Great Screen Name)
I usually go the last week in August so I can tell you about that. Florida is back to school and the crowds die down. Weekdays are a pleasure and the evenings are wonderful. We even made priority seating arrangements on the same day although doing this limited us to earlier dinner times than planning ahead. The weekends are still crowded though so save things like a poolside rest for those days. This is also value season at Disney so rates drop right after the 25th. The downside is that the Magic Kingdom usually closes earlier so there is no parade or fireworks there during the week and it is very hot from 11:00am to about 3:30pm so you do not feel very energetic during that time but you just plan your day accordingly. Have a great time!
Hef

 

[ZachnElli]

We are going in the middle of July (11-19)? Is overly crowded then too? The last 2 times I was there it was January and the parks were pretty empty. The first time was in June and my honeymoon, so I don't really remember how busy it was

 

[woody62798]

We too will be going the last week of Aug 8/25-9/1.

We ended up with a great rate of 148/nite at the FW Wilderness Cabins. We're a bit disappointed at the early closing hour of MK, but hoping that the reduced crowds make up for it!

two years ago we went earlier in Aug., longer hours, but more people. The key is planning, go early, utilize fastpass and always try to go "counter crowds".

We'll be the family of 7, red or blue t-shirts!

 

[Dr. Happy]

Hi There,
I, too, read somewhere on the net that WDW is predicting a "lighter" summer this year. I also read on the CNN website about a month ago that Disney will be experiencing a "large layoff" of workers in all divisions - they quoted about 4000 people. This figure, though, might be worldwide. Florida schools do return early (like in mid-August) and the crowds do become noticeably less. What I find to be more bothersome is the HEAT!! I have a hard time staying hydrated while there in the summer (August was our last trip, too), and I even passed a kidney stone as a result of becoming dehydrated!! That was no fun, believe me!! Fastpass is an absolute necessity, as is carrying insulted jugs filled with ice water.

But I'm sure you can make the best of it!

 

[ohiominnie]

Never have been there that time of the year...

but just wanted to add that we TOO will be there 8/25-9/1 at OKW.

ohiominnie

 

[Jennifoofoo]

Went last August 29-Sept 2 while I was 7.5 months pregnant. Yes, it is very hot! So take breaks in the afternoon at the pool, eat lunch at an air-conditioned sit down restaurant and drink plenty of water. Also, the crowds are much less then because many schools are back in session. We never waited longer than 10 minutes for a ride. Enjoy yourself but keep a water bottle with you!