Need advice for August

[nxfan]

We are going for 9 nights in late August (20th-29th). We are staying at the Poly. I know it will be hot but this is the only time we can make it down. My question is what advice would you give us for going in August?

 

[the chick & the duck]

We went the first week of August last year and the crowds may be a bit lighter at the end of the month as more schools have started back up, but be prepared for the heat, humidity and some afternoon rain. I am sure it will still be that way....but it's not that bad. We're going back the same week again this year.

 

[bitohoney]

I've been at the end of August and the crowds were low. But the heat...
Just stay hydrated, do lots of indoor attractions and TS restaurants to cool off and have ponchos ready.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Bring ponchos. Get up early and to the parks at rope drop. Do your major choice attractions at each park in those first couple of hours, then head to a restaurant or back to your resort for lunch/swim/relax. Go back to the parks later in the day when it cools off a bit.
If you need to stay in the park for the day, bring mister fans with you and fill them with ice water to help cool you off, take a break in the air conditioning, see a show or stop in a shop-even the first aid/baby stations can be a place for a short reprieve if needed. Grab a fastpass early in the day to be used at a water ride later when you really need it. And, most definately, drink a lot of water. If you put a water bottle in your hotel fridge towards the back and turn the fridge as cold as they can go, the water bottles will freeze and you can enjoy cold water for most of the day-especially if you bring the bottle coozies along to put the water bottles in.
I have been several times to FL in August and to the parks a few of those times. It is quite manageable, the crowds are lighter. You just have to be smart. If the kids are cranky, they are likely overheated and need a cool break.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[bgdiznee]

Take advantage of the evening EMH as much as possible.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Take advantage of the evening EMH as much as possible.

I agree 100% . The parks are so much more enjoyable when the sun isn't beating down on you and making you wilt.

 

[frayedend]

We are going the same week. Wear light clothes that dry quickly (those new clothes that "wick away" moisture are pretty good). Wear footwear that can get wet and dry easily (Crocs, sandals) but that are comfortable (flip flops would be a pain after a while). Then it won't be a big deal to get wet in the water type rides or the misters and stuff that are in some parks. And if you get a sudden downpour you'll dry quickly too.

And yes do take a break at the resort to cool off in the pool. Also look for indoor rides, lines that are mostly inside, etc. There are plenty of places to cool off.

 

[DisneyZane]

If you have the time -- Do the mornings, do the evenings and nap and swim during the afternoons. Even the mornings and evenings are pretty hot though. When we go during the heat we tend to make very short outings.

 

[PrincessMom4]

WATER, WATER and WATER. This will be our 1st time going in September, but holy moly is August hot and can have sudden rain showers.

 

[CampbellScot]

We go in August every year. It's hot...but it's not that bad. New Jersey is hot and humid in the summers too...so we weren't all that bothered by it. Don't get me wrong...it's HOT. Wear light fabrics...I'm a fan of the sundress/flip flop route! Keep yourself hydrated and if you get too warm, find an indoor activity. We always hit Carousel of Progress at MK if it's getting really warm! It's a good way to get out of the heat for a while...or hop on board the TTA for a nice breeze and a chance to sit. There are always places to go to get out of the heat in every park...although Animal Kingdom always feels ten times more brutal than the other parks...but Pizzafari offers indoor air conditioned seating!!!

My husband and I found June to be MUCH more brutal in terms of heat. We were surprised at how hot it was. I think August gets a bad rap! It's a great time of year to go!! Just be smart, don't over do and if you get too hot, take a break!

 

[amandals2007]

we go every year the first or second week of august because of my college schedule and other things. this year we are going aug 6-16th(flying in at night on the 6th, first 3 days at universal, then last 6 days at disney). i have no issue going in the heat. heres my thinking, its florida, i dont want to be cold while im there. im from ohio, i want the beautiful, hot florida sun. now i will agree it does get hot, but you walk a few steps and you can almost always find shade or a building with air conditioning. we go all day without breaks. maybe once or twice during the week, but during the main hot hours of the day we do the shows, because it seems like most people are doing the rides. plus, the shows are air conditioned. we take advantage of the PM EMH every night. i go to the AM EMH alone because my family doesnt like to get up, but doing that makes it easier toget things done when it is not so hot. but i have also found that your mental attitude has a lot to do with it. if you complain how hot it is and pout, then you wont have fun. i have seen people act that way. but you just have to remember, YOU ARE IN WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!! lol its the happiest place on earth and dont forget you are there for vacation!!!!! enjoy yourself, and drink plenty of H2O, and you will be fine!!!!

 

[OldsDr]

I am the same situation, satying at a Wilderness cabin. My daughter will be just over a year old. We are planning on making rope drop every day, going back to FW at noon. Staying around there going swimming and staying in the AC in the Cabin. Letting my daugter nap, having our big meal of the day. Then heading back out to parks around 4 and see how things go. I have been many times and will be many times again so if I miss stuff so be it.


We will have a freezer so we plan on buying bottles of water from Wal mart. Freezing them( obviousy pour some out befor freezing) and putting them in a backpack figuring they will mellt pretty quickly, but stay cooler longer.

 

[shaniadobie]

We were there this past August. and here are a few tips we did to keep cool.

We baught water bottles and froze the water the night before and the days were were in the parks we wrapped the Frozen water bottles in small towels and but them in zip lock bags and carried them in our backpacks and that helped with nice cold drinks as well as cool towels to but on our kids heads.

also the guys had towels with them to keep the sweat off of there heads.

stop and take breaks you will have a blast.
It's hot but worth it

 

[OldsDr]

we wrapped the Frozen water bottles in small towels and but them in zip lock bags and carried them in our backpacks and that helped with nice cold drinks as well as cool towels to but on our kids heads.

Never thought of this next step. I will be doing this. This is a great Idea.

 

[LeagueCityMouse]

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Bring an aqua towel (you can find them at Walmart or Target...they look like a ShamWow). My family made fun of me last summer until they realized that when it gets wet, you can use it to cool yourself off! Then EVERYONE wanted to borrow it! They don't get soggy like towels, and dry up quickly.

The misters with fans they sell in the parks were a life-saver for the kids.

Bring rain poncho's, sunscreen, hats, and shoes that can get wet (when it rains).

Take frequent breaks.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

This works anytime of the year but head to the parks in the morning and have lunch in the park early then leave by noon or 1. Go back to the hotel for a nap, rest, and/or swim. Stay cool and head back to the parks by 5 or 6 for dinner and enjoy the extra magic hours.

Drink lots of water and take aspirin. Going from HOT to cold inside attractions can give you a headache.

Take a poncho or light rain jacket or light jacket - day and night. When it is chilly in the attractions, and you are cooling off fast, you'll appreciate the extra layer.

 

[jlatina32]

We were there this past August. and here are a few tips we did to keep cool.

We baught water bottles and froze the water the night before and the days were were in the parks we wrapped the Frozen water bottles in small towels and but them in zip lock bags and carried them in our backpacks and that helped with nice cold drinks as well as cool towels to but on our kids heads.

also the guys had towels with them to keep the sweat off of there heads.

stop and take breaks you will have a blast.
It's hot but worth it

My family and I are also going at the end of August. This is an awesome idea. Thanks for the tip.

 

[smileyk8]

Ok, i have never been in August and am hoping to take my boyfriend there for the first time (he's a teacher). Honestly- is the rain horrendous? I've been in those sudden downpours that are immensely heavy but done with quickly and they're fine, but will it be persistently rainy? Might put DBF off!

 

[Tomh]

First off, don't sweat it

It is hot, but it is manageable. I think you'll find that the crowds are decent at that time. If you haven't made your ADR's yet, make them NOW.

Keep hydrated, that is the number one thing. We carry steel water bottles, and sugar free flavor packets from Wal Mart. We ask for cups of ice water at the CS locations (it's free) to fill up the bottles, then pour in the flavor and shake it up a bit. If it starts to get too warm, we ask for a cup of just ice. We make sure to always have a drink in the bottle. As soon as one of our bottles is empty, we stop for a refill.

Beyond that, we use touring plans, and try to do most of our planned touring in the morning hours before it gets really hot. Later in the day, we try to take it easy, take advantage of air conditioned shows, and longer rides like Country Bears, Haunted Mansion, COP, The Great Movie Ride, and Festival of the Lion King. We usually have lunch at a CS with indoor seating, and take our time, perhaps an hour for lunch.

If we are getting tired, or hot, we find a spot to sit down for a bit, have a snack (perhaps an ice cream) and a drink. A bench near one of the play fountains is a favorite spot to rest, as DS6 can play in the water, and the rest of us can rest a bit, and cool down.

Supper is nearly always a TS, and again, we take our time. We always allow for at least an hour and a half in our schedule for supper, so we can really rest our feet and legs, and cool down.

The afternoon parade is a good chance to rest a bit too. Make sure you have a cool drink, and find a place to sit in the shade for the parade. Even though you are still outside in the heat, the shade helps, and just sitting, and having a cool drink goes a long way.

Be prepared, and you'll do just fine in the August heat!

 

[Tinkerbell3014]

Bring ponchos. Get up early and to the parks at rope drop. Do your major choice attractions at each park in those first couple of hours, then head to a restaurant or back to your resort for lunch/swim/relax. Go back to the parks later in the day when it cools off a bit.
If you need to stay in the park for the day, bring mister fans with you and fill them with ice water to help cool you off, take a break in the air conditioning, see a show or stop in a shop-even the first aid/baby stations can be a place for a short reprieve if needed. Grab a fastpass early in the day to be used at a water ride later when you really need it. And, most definately, drink a lot of water. If you put a water bottle in your hotel fridge towards the back and turn the fridge as cold as they can go, the water bottles will freeze and you can enjoy cold water for most of the day-especially if you bring the bottle coozies along to put the water bottles in.
I have been several times to FL in August and to the parks a few of those times. It is quite manageable, the crowds are lighter. You just have to be smart. If the kids are cranky, they are likely overheated and need a cool break.
Enjoy your trip!

Great Advice!!! Most of all, stay hydrated and take breaks if you need to. Have a magical vacation!