Looking at 2nd-3rd week in August, is it as bad...**decision made, page 5 #81**

[pbb&j]

We are thinking of going next year, last week of August. I'm not looking forward to the humidity, but my biggest worry is not drinking enough water. I know I've read that places offer free water. What places do? Do the food carts that have fountain machines, or just the quick service places? Do you have to stand in line at the QS places, or do they have them off to the side? I think if we can make sure to drink water, eat lunch around 12/1230, back to the resort, then back to the park between 5/6 we can be ok.

We got water every chance we had. You generally did have to wait in line, but we saw people get water at the popcorn carts, even if they weren't buying anything. I do remember at Columbia Harbour House that they had cups ready to go where the mobile pick up area is. There are also drinking fountains all over, even in the middle of some queues for rides.

That being said, I think you also need to bring your own (big) refillable water bottle with you. I refilled mine in the food court at the hotel (nice cold water in the Coke freestyle machines that didn't require a refillable mug to use). It's one of the things I respect about Disney; that they let people bring in their own food/drinks. I got tired of lugging that thing around, but I never felt dehydrated.

You can't wait until you feel thirsty or see water to stay hydrated. Make sure you are drinking water all afternoon before you head back into the parks. You'll have fun! I enjoyed the warm evenings after the intensity of the sun was gone.

 

[Micca]

We returned from WDW a couple days ago. It was hot and humid for sure. Used the tips from this thread, made it bearable. UV umbrellas, misters, LOTS of water, some Powerade, afternoon breaks every day back at the resort. Worked out well.

Felt good to get back to some unseasonably low temperatures back in Chicago, in the 70's.

Thanks again to everyone and their many tips.

I know it had been several years since your last trip to WDW, did you get to try anything new this time?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know it had been several years since your last trip to WDW, did you get to try anything new this time?

Well, we did Pandora, Navi River and Flight of Passage. We all did NRJ but I was not able to do FoP. With my height along with knee replacement, I was a scooch over the limits and could not ride. Same with 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. Natalie and the boys could ride both, not me. New for me in AK was Rivers of Light and Tree of Life Awakenings. Both nice, not terribly exciting though. We did take in the new queue at Peter Pan, kind of neat. And the Plaza viewing dessert party for the night fireworks Happily Ever After. We had done the terrace location in the past, liked plaza much more. I did Agent P (Germany) with one of the boys, he loved it. And new for me also was the Star Wars evening spectacular. Did the dessert party there also. Both parties mostly for viewing locations with minimal crowds.

All the other things we did, I had done before. And we did a lot. A good trip, just disappointed in not being able to do FoP and 7 dwarfs, but I was prepared for that outcome with all I had read here.

 

[Sarcazm]

We are thinking of going next year, last week of August. I'm not looking forward to the humidity, but my biggest worry is not drinking enough water. I know I've read that places offer free water. What places do? Do the food carts that have fountain machines, or just the quick service places? Do you have to stand in line at the QS places, or do they have them off to the side? I think if we can make sure to drink water, eat lunch around 12/1230, back to the resort, then back to the park between 5/6 we can be ok.

Bring your own water bottle and refill it at water fountains. I live in Texas, and this is common practice at places like Six Flags and such. I did this the last time we went to Disney World. Heat stroke is a real thing. I haven't experienced it myself, but I also keep myself hydrated. I think it's better to sip some water from a water bottle every now and then than to realize you're really thirsty and have to wait in line for a cup of water.

 

[housemartin71]

We just returned from the last ten days of August. It was cloudy and overcast for a number of days, which meant that while it was hot and humid, the sun wasn't beating down on you. On those days, it was hot from the first minute of the day. We used hydration packs (holding 2-3 liters of water and ice) and they worked like a charm. the added benefit is that wearing them on your back cooled you off. We had no trouble asking for cups of ice water at any QS throughout the trip.

We didn't take resort breaks - it just seemed like too much trouble to walk out of the park and to go back to the resort only to return a few hours later. we tended to stick to longer shows and shop during the hottest part of the day. Since the parks closed around 9 most days, staying after dark isn't really an option.

 

[DisneyFive]

So would you do it again Dan?

We were very nervous about our first August trip (3rd-12th 2016) but it ended up awesome. We had temps that were a little cooler than average, and the crowds didn't seem THAT much worse than our late Sept/Early Oct trips. The big benefit for us were the longer park hours. All of the parks were open much later than what we were used to. This allowed for afternoon resort naps, the first time we ever did them. Typically, it rained during that time while we were resting. We would head back to the parts for dinner until close.

Dan

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, we would go again then. Not as bad as we expected either. With the things I posted about above when we returned, made it all very acceptable.