Need help planning August trip.....

[Helene]

This will be our first trip to Disney during the summer (we've gone in October the last 2 years). We decided to do an August trip because our kids are getting older and we thought we try it rather than pullng them from school.
Anyway.......any suggestions on managing the crowds and the heat??? I'm most concerned about managing the days wisely in order see the most attractions. We'll be staying off site and plan to do Universal 2-3 days, Sea World 1 day and Disney 3 days.
Thanks for any help you can offer

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

We are also traveling in August, due to my nephews' school schedules. I'm not sure where you live, but my husband, son and I live in the south, and are used to the oppressive heat and humidity at that time of year. We are originally from California, so we have learned some tips that we will use on our trip this August!

The heat and humidity will really have kicked into full gear by noon, so we plan to hit the parks early in the morning and head back to the hotel after lunch for naps, pool time, or just rest! We will then head back to the parks in the early evening, when the temperature begins to cool down. The humidity is very dehydrating, so it is important to make sure that everyone in your party, especially the kids, are drinking plenty of liquids. Water is the best, with juice and milk a close second. Avoid drinking large quantities of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or soda, as these will dehydrate you. Every so often, make sure you are out of the direct sun, on an indoor ride or show. Also, make sure that everyone has a good sunscreen on. I also make my toddler (and my bald husband) wear a hat when he is in the direct sun. The small cooler mist fans you can buy at Walmart are also a great idea, as is keeping a wet washcloth in a ziplock bag with you.

I have made sure that everyone knows it will be more crowded at this time of year, so their expectations are set in advance. We are making touring plans, and will hit the parks early, but everyone knows there will be longer lines, and they may not go on everything. The primary goal is just to have fun!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We always go in aug, but this aug, I would say we definetely had to deal with much more rain than usual. We even cancelled our sea world and universal side trips because of the storms. Didnt feel like we would get our moneys worth. So definetely invest in some rain ponchos. The heat is oppresive. If you are not leaving a park go to an airconditioned rest place or attraction and go on cooling water rides. We hate the taste of the fl. water, sorry. So also we bring alot of gatorade powder with us. THat will help with the hydration and cut down on the refreshment costs which really add up in the summer. See if places will just give you a cup of ice. etc. Wear light colored clothing, shirts in white etc. No navy etc. Also watch sleeveless styles for sunburn etc. A hat and cap too. If you have little ones than a hooded stroller is a must. Those mister fans are great too. A god send in summer. Helps to cool the tempature tantrums too.

 

[Helene]

Thanks for the good suggestions. As I said, we'll try it. The heat is one factor, but I'm most concerned about dealing with the crowds. (I'm not as patient as I once was).
Oh well, it is Disney and my best coping strategy in any situation is to count my blessings. So......at least I have the opportunity to be there.

 

[peanutzmom]

If you're concerned about the crowds, you might want to subscribe to TourGuide Mike at www.tourguidemike.com . It costs around $20, but I think you can get discount codes at www.wdwig.com or www.disneydollarless.com . Anyway, you fill out a little planning questionairre (ages of those in your party, what kinds of attractions you do & don't like,etc.) and the website generates a personalized travel itinerary designed to let you see & do the most in the least amount of time. It gives you lots of tips about which days to go to which parks, which rides you need to hit first, etc. I subscribed for our trip next November, so I haven't actually put an itinerary to the test yet, but I've read several customer reviews that say his itineraries really do work.

 

[bobcat]

August is a great time to visit. Many Southern schools are back in session and the crowds start to drop off from the peak summer crowds. Be aware that starting about the third week in August the parks close earlier but because the crowds are less it isn't a problem.

Heat is going to be your biggest factor and if you take it slow and keep hydrated you will be fine. There are many great places to take a break out of the heat, especially since you are staying offsite and will probably be in the park all day long.

The best way to manage the crowds, no matter when you go, is to get there early! Plan to arrive at the gates before park opening and most of the rides will be a walk on or short 10 minute waits. As the park gets more crowded use Fastpass. Buy, or at least borrow from the library, a good guidebook. I recommend the Unofficial Guide as they give you a realistic look at the parks.

 

[dsnycrzy]

Heat is a major pain to me. But It's disney Worls and what a place to be.

luvmarypoopins was right about this aug though. It was really raining all the time. We were down there from the 14th to the 26th and it rain almost everyday and not the little 10-20 min shower either. It rained for at least an hour almost everyday. So hard that we and other people of course would be stuck in stores on main streets in magic kingdom and MGM. Most of our party was older and could have done the rain but with a party of 13 and 4 of them being 2 and under, we didn't want them to get sick so we tried to stay dry. I was considering going later in the year but I don't want to pull the kids out of school (or me for that matter, I'm back in college). I hope the heat lets up some this year and definetly the rain. Wish on pixie dust

 

[JBurke]

We also had only gone to WDW in October. We went in August for the first time last year (Aug 2003) because we didnt want to pull the kids out of school.

We went from August 13-20 and I didnt find the crowds to be too bad. As compared to October, the parks were open longer and there were 2 e-nights during our week stay so there was more time to get things done even if there were crowds.
If you go later in August the park hours are shorter and there are fewer e-nights.

The worst part about August is the heat and the rain. It rained every day but one, and not just a little rain but POURING rain. Sometimes it lasted a half an hour, but a couple times it lasted 6 hours. We had ponchos so we tried to grin and bear it.
It was definately different than October where the weather was beautiful and dry during our 2 trips.
I would say hit the parks early and take a break come late morning/early afternoon to get away from the heat. hen go back later in the day to the parks to take advantage of the later hours.
I am not sure if I would do August again, we just might take the kids out of school and go in October again.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there for the torrential rains in August also. Man, I've never seen such storms. The parks were more crowded than I thought they would be. But, that could have been, in part, due to the great FTP that was offered. The parks do start closing earlier on the third week-end. But, I have to say. After going back to WDW 2 weeks before Christmas this year, I'll stick with August. The extra work for my poor dd was astounding when she got back to school. And I really hated having to wear all that extra clothing, including mittens at night!! So, we're going back again this coming August. I know that it will rain, but nothing could be worse than last year. Is it hot/humid? Yep. But, get to the parks early. Leave them around lunchtime. Go back to your resort and have a swim and a rest. Then go back to the park for dinner and fun late afternoon. That's what we tried to do. With E-nights, we were able to do everything we wanted and not feel too rushed and stressed!! Have fun and pray for drier weather!!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

We have been going the last 3 - 4 summers to cause of school . I think this past summer was the busiest.. I think cause of FTP, it was totally MOBBED. i kinda figured it would be. This was also the first summer with the WORST RAIN and STORMS. it was incredible. We were lucky all the other years, of courst we still had the heat. I find now that weve been, we go early and FP if nec. Then we usually take a break and go swim or maybe have lunch at one of the disney hotels. Just make sure you just relax and drink plenty of water, etc. We really like the summer cause its open later and usually always hot enough to swim. also my dd14 and her friend that goes with us love BB or TL. We really enjoy the water parks now. Im sure you will have a GREAT time. Id rather be walking in the HEAT at DISNEY than being home . lol. ....