Last two weeks in August, what is it like?

[Me!Thatswho]

We are thinking of squeezing in a trip to the World around August 20-27. For those of you who have been there during that time, could you share a little of your experience? In particular, we are worried about the crowds & the weather. We've been once in end of July/early August, and found that it was both hot and crowded. But do things change as the month comes to an end?

Thanks!

 

[Paradise18]

The end of August is typically when we go. We will be there again this year. I love it. The crowds are not bad at all, although I do find that it picks up a bit again on the weekends. As for the weather, it is HOT and HUMID - as in sticky, sweaty, poke a fork in me, I'm done kind of hot. But after a couple of days you get used to it a bit. Drink plenty of water and take breaks when needed and you'll be fine.

 

[RMulieri]

Crowds aren't that bad....The weather is still HOT HOT HOT AND HUMID HUMID HUMID.Same as July..weather doesn't really cool off down there till October, and even then sometimes it doesn't

 

[wookiebeck]

We did the last two weeks in August last year.

It is hot. But we 'trained' for it by spending time outside all summer. We also talked to the kids continuously about how hot it would be so that there was no surprise about it and that complaining about it is not an option.

Crowds were an issue for me. I am used to the lowest levels so moderate to high gave me discomfort. But again, planning helped that.

We did rope drop every day. We used a touring plan. Then took a pool break from noon to 4 every day.

All-in-all, BEST vacation ever!

 

[eliza61]

LOL. every one post about how great the weather is in December, well every time I've gone florida experiences an "unusal" cold snap. After the 3rd time we figured it ain't so unusal. I hate being cold on vacation.

anyhoo,
We love late August.

• My kids are fish, we love the pools and the water parks. both times we went in december we were so disappointed because it was too cold to swim.
• Love the longer park hours. It's so magical to me to leave Epcot at night and sit on my balcony.
• Crowds are lower than full summer.
• Ice cream treats just taste better in the heat!!
• You do all the corny attractions because they are air conditioned and then you laugh through them because they are so corny (hall of presidents, carousel of progress)
• No need to pack jeans.
• Walking DTD is great at night in the summer.

just a few reasons why we always seem to go last week in August.

 

[mkoerner]

I agree with what others have said about late August. We go this time a lot because the crowds are low and generally the weather is great. It is HOT and HUMID, but if you're ready for it, it's manageable. To prepare, we don't run the AC at home the entire month of August, and try to spend a lot of time outside. We get to the parks when they open, leave around noon, go back to the resort and swim and rest, then go back to a park for dinner and evening fun when it's not as stuffy. The heat and humidity is a fair trade for low crowds.

 

[Me!Thatswho]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

RMulieri, thanks for the insight on Orlando weather. Living in MA, we are used to summer traditionally coming to an end in mid-August. I wasn't aware that hot & humid weather lingered for so long.

Paradise18, your description of the weather (re: "sticky, sweaty, poke a fork in me, I'm done kind of hot") definitely paints a great image of what to expect. Hilarious!

I really like the idea of "training," as suggested by both mkoerner and wookiebeck. Maybe as we deprive ourselves of AC in preparation we should play the Rocky theme-song. Although the thought of us all sweating to music might be easier if it could pass in a montage.

I also like the strategy of splitting the day. Typically we visit when the temps were cooler (May, Oct, Dec) and attack the parks commando-style. But I am sure our kids, who like eliza61's are also fish, who have no problem giving up a couple of extra rides on Space Mountain or ToT in order to spend more time at the pools and the water parks. I also agree with eliza's notion of visiting more of the "corny attractions." When we visited back in July/August in 05, it was amazing how awesome the Tiki Birds Under New Management & Stitch were considering we were able to spend 10 or 15 minutes in the AC.

Thanks again everyone. You've all giving us something to think about.

 

[Gorechick]

One thing to think about during late August/Early September is hurricanes. We were in WDW for Hurricane Charly in 2004, our flight arrived right before they closed MCO. With the crazy weather patterns around the US, who knows what this year's season will bring. We're going down anyway, been through it once and frankly WDW is the best place to be as they have their own power grid.

 

[Ariel8676]

We go the last week of August every year..its HOT, humid and Hot..lol It also rains everyday..sometimes a sprinkle, sometimes a downpour (bring ponchos and enjoy ). Last year it seemed to be more crowded than in past years ( a lot more crowded), but we dont let it bother us.
Drink lots of water, get out of the heat mid-day and have fun.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Maybe as we deprive ourselves of AC in preparation we should play the Rocky theme-song. Although the thought of us all sweating to music might be easier if it could pass in a montage.

The Rocky theme would be great.....just change the words from Gonna Fly Now to Gonna FRY Now and you're all set!

BTW, we're going Aug 24-Sep 2 so we'll be there baking with you...and loving every minute of it!

 

[mefordis]

We went the last week of August and it was very very hot. Like oven hot. Then there were the downpours. Not sure if that is typical of every season but I don't remember rain in Fl lasting as long as it did that trip.

We got rained out at MK and DTD. The rainfall didn't stop quickly like it usually does. We had to spring for $17 ponchos at MK that we haven't used since and had to leave DTD before doing everything we wanted to do.

I am trying early Nov this year.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

mefordis brings up a good point. I've been advised for August to plan on rain every day, at some point. Most of the time, I think it's a fast yet very hard passing shower, though it is hurricane season so you never know. We pack a dozen or so cheap-o ponchos no matter when we go and carry a few to the parks every day. I get a two-pack at Dollar Tree for a buck. Use them and throw them away if you want. Easy-peasy!

 

[valeriemouse]

One thing to think about during late August/Early September is hurricanes. We were in WDW for Hurricane Charly in 2004, our flight arrived right before they closed MCO. With the crazy weather patterns around the US, who knows what this year's season will bring. We're going down anyway, been through it once and frankly WDW is the best place to be as they have their own power grid.

Well, last August, I actually ESCAPED a hurricane here in NY by being at Disney, who would have thought

I've been the past 3 summers in late August. in 2009 and 2010 I went the 3rd week, and it was noticeably more crowded than last year when I went the last week. I also had free dining those two trips, and ADR's were difficult, but doable.

In 2010 the weather was awful - it rained mostly every day, and not just a quick shower. The other years the weather was not bad - although on Long Island we have hot humid summers, and I work all day everyday outside, so by August my body is well adjusted to the heat. For people that live in cooler climates, it will be pretty rough.

The bus situation is actually really good at this time of year too, for whatever reason. I feel like I barely ever had to wait (I've stayed at both POP and Wilderness Lodge).

I love August in Disney and I would recommend it to anyone

 

[JennyDrake]

Still REALLY HOT. Crowds will be less, but not markedly so.

 

[Minnesota!]

The Rocky theme would be great.....just change the words from Gonna Fly Now to Gonna FRY Now and you're all set!

BTW, we're going Aug 24-Sep 2 so we'll be there baking with you...and loving every minute of it!

Those are the exact dates we are going! You aren't flying SW are you?

In August, 1992 I went to FL to stay with a penpal and her family for a week. We hit Epcot and MK in one day - and it wasn't bad. Granted, I was 14 and so excited to be 2500 from home...alone

 

[wookiebeck]

Well, last August, I actually ESCAPED a hurricane here in NY by being at Disney, who would have thought

Us, too! We actually extended our stay over the weekend while the northeast took the hit. Bonus vacation days

Driving home through entire states that had no electricity for the gas station pumps is a story for another time...

 

[eliza61]

Still REALLY HOT. Crowds will be less, but not markedly so.

really. I find it to be a huge difference between late August and June/July.

Now for some reason TSM always seems to have long lines but other than that, we rarely waited 30 mins for any ride (I don't ride rock n rollercoaster so I can't speak on that)

This was us walking in Epcot through world showcase at about 11:00 am. It was so empty I thought they had an evacuation or some thing. I think world showcase was just opening but it was still empty

Magic Kindgom August 30th last year. I think this is around 11:30, we were meeting my sons at Tony's

I'll see if I have any more "crowd" pictures.

 

[justakrazymom]

We are thinking of squeezing in a trip to the World around August 20-27. For those of you who have been there during that time, could you share a little of your experience? In particular, we are worried about the crowds & the weather. We've been once in end of July/early August, and found that it was both hot and crowded. But do things change as the month comes to an end?

Thanks!

went that time last tear. The crowds were worse the first few days then got thinner. It rained..a lot.. on and off.. and it was HOT as heck..BUT it was awesome and amazing and completely do-able if you plan!

 

[buzzmom12]

We are thinking about going that time next year. How are the discounts for that time of year? Thanks

 

[Azrael]

Just stay hydrated and you will be fine.