Last week of July or August?

[Patty3]

We usually go to the BCV or BWV in May. This year we are taking our friends and they do not take their children out of school for vacations. In reading some posts, it did not seem that July was unbearably crowded. July has later hours, but late August may not be as crowded, but has shorter hours. What is your preference in regards to these two months?

 

[gjw007]

Patty;

I don't know if this will help you or not but I will give you my experience during both periods.

I first went to DisneyWorld in July of 1995. I was there for 3 days. The temperatures were in the upper 90s to lower 100s. It was unbearably hot. I must also point out that I worked in Northern Greenland (about 700 miles north of the Artic Circle) at the time where there is a permanent icecap. Normal temperatures in Florida for that time of year would have been hot given the temperatures that I was use to. It was crowded, taking almost 2 hours to get on a ride. I felt that I was in one giant shopping center with a few rides thrown in to break up the shopping. This was suppose to be fun! How could anyone enjoy this. I swore that I would never go back.

Well, the friend who convinced me to try Disney suggested another time. Since about 1997/8, I have been going down to DisneyWorld about a week before Xmas. I have enjoyed Disney at that time frame and would recommend it to anyone. The shops didn't seem so annoying at this point but they were no longer the refuge from the heat. I have since gone down in early and mid-May, which have also been enjoyable trips.

Last year, I had some vacation time so I went down the third week in August. The temperature was in the mid-eighties, the crowds were okay, and it was an enjoyable trip. I 've also learned which rides and shows that I want to see, so they are targeted. When needed, although rarely, I will use the FastPass. One thing that the August trip had was a quick downpour would occur at roughly 3:00 PM each day. It was so regular you could almost set a clock to it. It was usually over in 15 or 20 minutes.

While it is something that you can't control, the temperature may be a deciding factor on how much you enjoy the trip. There were less crowds during the August trip than I remembered during the July trip. The late August trip was much more enjoyable.

 

[Patty3]

Gary, thanks for the information and you did help me make my decision. It looks like late August it is! Thanks again.

 

[kweaver]

It's going to be hot whether you go in July or late August. The difference is...in late August you won't have the crowds.

I'd venture to guess that temps in the 80s is well below average for Orlando in August.

 

[Disney Doll]

Late August will still be pretty hot, but it will be less crowded and I think it starts the season of deals and discounts, because it's no longer considered their "high" season.

 

[Dean]

Late August will likely be as hot or hotter than July. The crowds will be less if you're truly the end of the month in August. If you don't want ambient temps in the high 90's and sidewalk temps well above 100; avoid Orlando during the mid June to early Sept time as a minimum.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

The schools in FL start around the middle of August, so you will may less crowds then. You will get the afternoon thundershowers June thru August.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I always go to WDW at Christmas, Spring Break and in the summer--3 guesses on what my career is christmas is easily the best time of year to go, just for the atmosphere. You may never get on a ride, but, hey, it's Christmas, and it's wonderful! In the summer, it's generally cooler in June than it is in August, mid-80's in June, mid-90's in August, but August has horrribly high humidity.

Some school districts begin school in mid-August, so check with your friends before deciding when to go to WDW. You may have no choice but to endure more crowds if they are in school when the crowds are less. You may want to check with your friends on their spring break--our's is fixed at the end of March. Next year that's Easter, but in 2006 we miss it by almost 3 weeks, so the crowds will be manageable then.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

We've gone the last two weeks in August for the past 5 years.
Yup its hot, but there are water rides and air conditioning everywhere. The crowds are usually thinner and the prices are a little lower. but the best part is I'M NOT AT WORK.

Last August was more crowded at the parks then i've seen it before, but WDW was running two specials at that time.
Hoping it will be better this year at we are heading "home in 15 days.

 

[Ksp]

We regularly go in August....just be prepared for RAIN! ( Last August seemed especially stormy)
Our very first visit to WDW was in the month of July....hot, as is August, but more crowded than August.
And DeeDeeDis is right; the specials that Disney ran last year did make the park very crowded for August. Hope it's better this year! (I'll let you know when we get back)