Need opinions on August crowds-help!

[Mary Diehl]

Because of my son graduating next June, we won't be able to take our Disney vacation till the end of June-thus bringing us over the 4rth of July week-NOT!- or I was thinking of going the first or second week of August. I heard that Florida schools go back the second week of August. I would assume that would mean cutting down on park attendance? Does anyone have any suggestions. We'd only have the option of third week of June to the second week of August to plan a two week vacation. Thanks!

 

[Danthesand]

The first two weeks of August are just as bad as any week in July -- crammed, crammed, crammed. The impact of school openings (not just Florida, but all over the south) doesn't start appearing until the third week. Crowds by the end of that are down by a good 30% or so from what you'll see in early August.

 

[Bob P]

We've always gone in mid-late August and crowds are quite manageable. Can you do it later than the second week in August?

Bob

 

[Stitch Inside]

We're going the first week of August because our son's first day of school is the 9th. I'd be willing to bet that during the 2nd week of August the crowds will start to thin. It's not going to be Christmas or July 4th crowded, but also don't expect it to be January deserted. And as for the third or fourth weeks, I'm anxious to see how the free dining affects crowds. We're kinda hoping that those that had originally planned for the first weeks opted to wait and go during the free dining.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Our daughters' school starts back aug 15, and we're actually going down on labor day weekend because their school is giving us the friday before off and that labor day monday, so they won't actually be missing any school for our mini vacation. It's supposed to be a lot quieter then.

We used to vacation right at the end of August when the girls were in private school, and it was great-hot but not crowded at all.

See if you can find a way to work it out, we really loathed the one time we went at the beginning of august-do a search on the word 'brazilian' and you'll see what I mean...

 

[Danthesand]

we're actually going down on labor day weekend because their school is giving us the friday before off and that labor day monday, so they won't actually be missing any school for our mini vacation. It's supposed to be a lot quieter then.

The free dining program Disney is offering starting 8/21 is going to change that!!! Get ready for some serious crowds....

 

[Danthesand]

And as for the third or fourth weeks, I'm anxious to see how the free dining affects crowds.

The free dining doesn't start until 8/21, so it won't impact the third week of August - people looking for that "deal" will wait until the fourth week of the month or later.

 

[Stitch Inside]

The free dining doesn't start until 8/21, so it won't impact the third week of August - people looking for that "deal" will wait until the fourth week of the month or later.

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure of the exact date the dining started (notice the "or"). But technically, the free dining could impact crowds the third week of August by enticing guests to put off their trip (originally planned for the third week) until the fourth week.

 

[Mary Diehl]

My thinking right now is an arrival date of 8/13-departing on 8/25. I can't go any later than that because my boys start school the end of August and I go back to work then too. Decisions....decisions....

 

[Irelandred11]

I don't think that the "free dining" is going to effect Disney's attendance but the hurricanes sure will.

 

[Disneyrsh]

D'oh!

I do think the local crowds will be bigger but I don't believe it's going to be nuts. I do know that it's pretty hard to get a DVC reservation for then, the Boardwalk standard view studio is all sold out. So, no dumpster view for us, we're staying at OKW.

Another thing I've noticed is that Labor Day weekend is a pool hopping blackout date for DVC'ers, so we're a little nervous (we don't pool hop but take it as a sign). Hey, at least the Carousel of Progress will be open if it's crowded!

I think you'll be doing pretty good from the 13th on, we've been there 3 or 4 times for our anniversary (the 14th) and younger daughter's b day and we've really enjoyed it!

 

[smfritz03]

we will be there the 8th to the 11th. I know it will be very crowded--Im just hopping that SOME of the lines arent long (non poplualr kiddie attractions) and we arent constantly wading through a sea of people. We go to an amusment park close to home and the lines are usually 1--1,5 hrs. So Im hoping it will be a bit better than that. (c'mon tinkerbell--wave some pixie dust and decrease the crowd levels a bit!!!)

 

[Danthesand]

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure of the exact date the dining started (notice the "or"). But technically, the free dining could impact crowds the third week of August by enticing guests to put off their trip (originally planned for the third week) until the fourth week.

Stitch, given we are going the third week of August, this is precisely what I'm hoping will happen!

I don't think that the "free dining" is going to effect Disney's attendance but the hurricanes sure will.

No one outside Disney can yet can confirm that the free dining is raising the ressie levels for the post 8/21 period. However, Florida travel experts who track tourism across the whole state say that summer 2005 reservations are actually up from last year, so there's no evidence supporting the "hurricane drop" theory!

 

[tinker-kyle]

my 2 cents .... about the free dining promotion and attendance 8/21
i booked my 8/21-8/28 free dining vacation on 7/1 and had my choice of resorts ... nothing was "sold out" during that period which i took as a good sign

second i have had no trouble making AR for 7 dinners at any restaurant ... and i just called this am to tweak

but alas ... its already been a very busy hurricane season

 

[dcg0317]

I don't know how much the dinning will have an effect on the crowds, I know alot here on the disboards know about it but I sure not everyone who booked dose. Also if you check the parks hours they seem to have cut the hours back in the parks and have changed some of the EMH also, which tells me Disney is not expecting huge crowds even with free dinning, JMHO.

 

[Danthesand]

I don't know how much the dinning will have an effect on the crowds, I know alot here on the disboards know about it but I sure not everyone who booked dose. Also if you check the parks hours they seem to have cut the hours back in the parks and have changed some of the EMH also, which tells me Disney is not expecting huge crowds even with free dinning, JMHO.

On another board that (ahem) I cannot mention, they have the following poll of 261 posters that supports the higher "dining deal crowd" argument...

Poll Results:

Which Week in August 2005 Will You Be at WDW?

Week: Votes: % of total votes:

Aug. 1-7 46 17.62%
Aug. 8-14 48 18.39%
Aug. 15-21 34 13.03% (yay!!!! The "sleeper" week when we're visiting!)
Aug. 22-28 93 35.63%
Aug. 29 - Sep. 4 40 15.33%