Late August Trips?

[CerysG]

I've been reading that late August is a good time to go to Orlando because the crowds thin out a lot at all the theme parks. So I'm wondering if someone who's been there can tell me that this is indeed the case. We went on our first tirp last year in March and it was just to crazy for us so we want to go when it's way less crowded but we don't have to take our oldest out of high school for any length of time to do it. Since the kids don't start back to school till after Labour Day this time works well.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

I've done August 23rd - Sep 2nd. Absolutely the crowds start dropping. Mind you, it's hot as all get out.

I'd do that time again. Prices drop too.

 

[DisDaze]

I've been reading that late August is a good time to go to Orlando because the crowds thin out a lot at all the theme parks. So I'm wondering if someone who's been there can tell me that this is indeed the case. We went on our first tirp last year in March and it was just to crazy for us so we want to go when it's way less crowded but we don't have to take our oldest out of high school for any length of time to do it. Since the kids don't start back to school till after Labour Day this time works well.

The last week of August the crowd number will start to fall and will be much less than spring break season, but it's not empty by any means. That's prime free dining season and a lot of people are still in the parks then. It's still a good time to go and one of the cheapest times to go. The Disney Visa Card holders free dining offer was actually released today for the dates of August 25 - September 29, 2012. Those free dining dates should open for the general public to book on Monday, March 5.

 

[beccasmom]

We've done late August several times and in fact are doing it again this year. It is a good time to visit, but the weather is pretty "sultry". . The parks are not mobbed like mid-July, but they are still moderate in my estimation.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

I've done early May and April (during and after easter). I'd certainly say the crowds were better. We had no issues getting everything we want done.

Mind you, I think I already said that with my previous post. But dropped back in to suggest that we dealt with the heat by being at rope drop and being pretty much done by noon.

I should have also mentioned that the price drop comment was really for a little add-on cruise at the end of the 10 days. What a way to end a visit.

 

[pigletto]

We've been twice during this time and are seriously considering going again this year since we bought AP's.

I don't do huge crowds. You couldn't pay me to go during March Break/Christmas or Easter. So, the fact that we enjoy late August so much should tell you the crowds are great.
There are lines that are longish in the afternoons/evenings which are easily bypassed with Fast Pass. I know we've never waited more than 20 minutes during that time because we've never had to.
Yes, it is VERY hot. But it's hot and humid here in August too, so we're pretty used to it by then. We just tour the parks with a plan. Drink water, stay in shade where possible, and take an afternoon nap or pool break.
For us, it's a great time to go crowd/price wise.

 

[Paradise18]

We've been twice during this time and are seriously considering going again this year since we bought AP's.

I don't do huge crowds. You couldn't pay me to go during March Break/Christmas or Easter. So, the fact that we enjoy late August so much should tell you the crowds are great.
There are lines that are longish in the afternoons/evenings which are easily bypassed with Fast Pass. I know we've never waited more than 20 minutes during that time because we've never had to.
Yes, it is VERY hot. But it's hot and humid here in August too, so we're pretty used to it by then. We just tour the parks with a plan. Drink water, stay in shade where possible, and take an afternoon nap or pool break.
For us, it's a great time to go crowd/price wise.

This has been our experience too. While it is hot and humid, I look forward to it. We don't get much of a summer in our neck of the woods, lol. We have visited 3 times at the end of August (going again this August), and once in early May. I do find the crowds a bit better in August, but we now tour the parks at a different pace as well.

 

[CerysG]

Well I'm in Saskatchewan so summers can be hit or miss from year to year. Of course it's dry here so humidity is something we don't get much of. DH and I did live in Toronto for a number of years so we do have experiance with it. I think we'd manage if the croweds aren't to bad as DH hates them so things would be better all around if we don't have to fight with them. We are planing to stay afew days longer this time so that we can take our time more especially with the heat. It would be nice to go in the spring when its quieter as well but our oldest is in high school and you just can pull them our for a couple of weeks like when they were in the younger grades. So it's either at this time or at a crazy busy time and we don't want to do that again. We also might be able to talk my brother who lives in Houston to come as well which would be a blast.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

I've done lots of summers in Saskatchewan. A hot Saskatchewan summer is a different experience than Orlando. Different than Toronto too but it's closer.

But, living in Newfoundland, we get a huge kick out of the change in temperature. You just need to handle it differently. Lots of water, shade, air conditioned rides and meals, etc. It's a great time compared to our usual summer temperatures.

With many North Americans heading back to school before labour day, we plan to take more advantage of it.

 

[sunshineNJ]

We go either the third or fourth week in Aug. The third is too bad crowd wise but the fourth week is really light!! It's hot but we went last Aug 25 for a week and we had some days in the 90s and some in the 80s. Also free dining is usually available the last week is Aug.

 

[noahdove]

I have gone different weeks in August and yes it's hot, busy but not unmanageble. In fact, I don't remember waiting too long for any ride or show. Just stay hydrated and get in out of the sun as much as you can. My thought, it's the same temp, here at home in August and I will take Disney anytime in August because everything is airconditioned and I don't have it here at home