Official August 2007 thread

[denise5374]

Count us in, also!

Going 8/18-8/26 staying at POFQ. Second time staying there. Hopefully we will be able to get free dining too.

Me37, DH38, DD14 and DS10. Possibly Dmom and Ddad too.

Already started planning my ADRs, the food is my favorite part!

Only 71/2 more months!

 

[MsSpinShady]

I'm so excited to join this thread!!! We've only been to WDW in Nov/Dec, but this fall on our Nov trip DH surprised us by suggesting we book the bounce back program, so here comes our first trip in August! Best thing about it (besides the free dining) is that it is three months sooner than Nov!!!

Harleyquinn, those were great tips, and I'd love to hear more if you have them!

Since we've never been, we'll definitely try the water parks this trip -- does anyone have a favorite?

Aloha!

MsSpinShady

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

What's this about free dining? Is that just the add ons you get for the tickets any time of year or something special for August?

My DFi and I will be going to WDW for our honeymoon from August 26th to September 3rd. Judging by these boards, we'll have the whole place to ourselves. We will be staying at Pop Century.

 

[MsSpinShady]

What's this about free dining? Is that just the add ons you get for the tickets any time of year or something special for August?

My DFi and I will be going to WDW for our honeymoon from August 26th to September 3rd. Judging by these boards, we'll have the whole place to ourselves. We will be staying at Pop Century.

The last two years WDW offered free dining for most of August and September. So far this year they have only offered it to UK residents and through a Bounce Back Pilot Program offered to resort guests who stayed at WDW between Nov 6 and Dec 31 (we booked it on our trip in Nov). No word yet on whether they will continue to market the free dining to specific groups or open it up to the general public. Keep your eyes on these boards -- if and when it comes out Dis members will be the first to know!

We'll be there the same time as you -- August 25 - Sept 2 at Pop Century too!

MsSpinShady

 

[denise5374]

Enchanted TikiBird-

Congrats on the Wedding!

 

[harleyquinn]

Harleyquinn, those were great tips, and I'd love to hear more if you have them!

MsSpinShady

Um...I'm sorry, I can't help any Michigan fans!

Seriously, let me think about it. I know I have more.

I had melt downs in the little church in front of Norway two years in a row! It's REALLY hot in the WS and at AK, so those places you need to be more careful than any other.

Take some time in the shops in each county, even if it's just to cool off.

Don't miss the museum in Japan at the end of the shop. The last time we were there thay had a huge display of tin toys. It was really neat and really cool.

Don't forget to take a break at Ice Station Cool at EPCOT. Great place.

If you are going to a water park avoid weekends and either go early (they filled every day we were there in August by 11am) or don't go until about 2pm when a lot of people have left.

I've got more!

 

[Enchanted Tiki Bird]

The last two years WDW offered free dining for most of August and September. So far this year they have only offered it to UK residents and through a Bounce Back Pilot Program offered to resort guests who stayed at WDW between Nov 6 and Dec 31 (we booked it on our trip in Nov). No word yet on whether they will continue to market the free dining to specific groups or open it up to the general public. Keep your eyes on these boards -- if and when it comes out Dis members will be the first to know!

We'll be there the same time as you -- August 25 - Sept 2 at Pop Century too!

Wow that's really cool that we're there practically at the same time.

Now about this free dining business. This makes me incredible happy. What do they do? Just give you vouchers? And do you have to do anything to get them or do they contact you? Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[delauzons]

Count us in! We'll be there August 18-25th at Poly. We were there the same week last year and had an awesome time! The kids ask to go back every day. We're really hoping for the free dining-it was great!

 

[cslittle999]

We'll be there from August 19th to the 31 at BWV. Our first trip home.

 

[marciemi]

Count me in! DH said that he wants to go in August AND possibly December!!

I think our dates will be the 7-14 staying at POR, tho we may try CBR or CS.

As a vertern August tripper I can say it's hotter than you know what, but the crowds are MUCH lower than any other summer month. Most schools in the south go back at the beginning of August and up North we're getting them ready to go back at the end of the month.

So the later your trip is in the month, the smaller the crowds will be.

I think most August threads end up sharing heat coping strategies, so I thought I'd start.

1.I bought a small fan at the Disney store for $1 on clearance last month. I prefer this little fan to the big ones that have the water. The little ones are much more comfy.

2. a. Be the envy of everyone in line with your very own Misty Mate! You fill it with water and it sprays a fine mist. It has a strap and my DH wears it around his waist. Even when your water gets hot, it still feels awesome.
b. CMs will give you ice for free at the CS stands, so you can put your ice in the misty mate to be truly cool!

3. Cool Max clothing. I have used the tank tops and socks and they are great. I noticed that they now sell Cool Max bras (at least Lane Bryant does)! You can find the items at Target.

4. Stay hydrated!! I bring my Brita water bottle so I can fill up at the drinking fountains. (tho I probably won't need to if we get the free DP!!).

5. Take breaks in the afternoon. It's most crowded then anyway, so go back to the resort and swim and nap.

I have more if you want them!

Just wanted to add one in that I've found. I just ordered from them, so can't tell you how they are yet, but seem really reasonably priced. The website is www.sunprotectioncenter.com and they sell t-shirts with the sunscreen built right in. It's supposed to be SPF30 for up to 50 washings and up to 200 hours of sunlight. They have about a zillion colors (including lime green!) and the shirts only cost $13 for adult sizes and $12 for kid sizes, and you get a $3 discount (per shirt) if you order 4 or more, making them just 10 bucks a shirt.

It would be a neat way to get matching shirts for your family to wear at Disney. I bought them primarily as swim shirts because my kids are all fair and HATE having sunscreen slathered on them and I always worry especially when swimming that it will all wash off anyways. I would have ordered lime green ones to wear to the parks but we already have 3!!! sets of lime green shirts to wear (one from Mackinac Island in Michigan, one official DIS set, and one we made up at Zazzle) so it probably would have been just a bit of overkill!

So anyone going when we go - look for our family of 5 (with 3 hyperactive teen/pre-teen boys) in our lime green! Contemplating getting lime green crocs for everyone too (we all have crocs, I'm currently the only one with lime green)!

 

[MsSpinShady]

Wow that's really cool that we're there practically at the same time.

Now about this free dining business. This makes me incredible happy. What do they do? Just give you vouchers? And do you have to do anything to get them or do they contact you? Enquiring minds want to know.

If they announce free dining for August/Sept, just call Disney and let them know you want the free dining package. Assuming there is availability at the resort you choose, they will book a package for you and then you can cancel your original reservation. Watch the Dis boards, because if and when it is announced by Disney you will see it here first. In order to get the DDP (Disney Dining Plan) you have to purchase a package -- resort room and tickets.

The dining plan is added onto your room keys/KTTK. Whenever you eat at a TS or CS restaurant or purchase a snack, you just give them one of your cards (all cards on one reservation are linked together so you do not need every card) and they automatically deduct the meal(s) from your plan. You get one TS meal, one CS meal and one snack per person for every night of your stay.

That is cool that we'll be there at the same time -- make sure to wear your bride and groom ears so we can give you a shout-out (we'll be the loud family with four kids -- LOL!!! )

Congrats on your wedding!

MsSpinShady

P.S. Thanks for the additional tips Harleyquinn. I may be from Michigan, but if it helps, I would cheer for the Browns over the Lions (so pretty please can I have more tips?)

 

[mommykds]

So glad to see this thread!

We will be at the Beach Club 8/21-8/31!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so looking forward to it!!!!!! Crossing my fingers & toes for free dining. We had it last year & it was great! I am working on adr's now!

I also have a "disney box" that I stash things away for the trip months before!!

 

[ntburns22]

Harleyquinn~ more August tips would be great! I live in Charlie Frye's hometown it that helps. His aunt was even DD's kindergarten teacher. When he came to read to them DD got to be his helper since she knew who he was.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family & I will be back at WDW from August 7-17 & our reservation has already been made at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Also we will be staying on the 12th Floor Atrium Club Concierge level.

 

[Esteri]

Count us in too! We haven't booked yet - but are looking at OKW or SSR for 8/19 - 29.

We were in the parks for two days in late Aug last year (24-25, I think) and were surprised at how small the crowds were. It was a bit more crowded than Jan or Oct (the only other months we've ever gone), but not much. AK was more crowded than EP. Those were the only two parks we hit. Except for my DH and DS-then8 who went to MGM after EP to hit the headliners. It started to rain so the lines were short. Last year was the first year DS was brave enough for the "big" rides. Not wanting to loose on a good thing DH ensured he hit Mission Space (full experience), Test Track (twice!), Rockin' Rollercoaster, and Tower of Terror all in one day. (Got Expedition Everest the previous day at AK.) They returned to the room smiling.

AK seemed to be much "hotter" than EP, and more crowded. We wanted to see the parade, and it was too far to our room at SOG - so we rested at our favorite quiet spot through the early afternoon. As usual, no one found it except one CM who came to clean - and we chased him off as we'd pulled all the chairs together and everyone was laid out napping (well, "resting") - I think only my mother slept. I don't know that I'd do it again - the boys (OK, me too) were pretty cranky by the time the parade was over. This year - we have a car.

One thing we noticed - GO EARLY! It's much cooler.

Keep the tips coming! We didn't get much experience with only 2 days.

 

[kmccain]

We have reservations at Fort Wilderness for August 6-18

We have been planning since last year at this time It's never too soon!

Thanks so much for the hot weather tips!

 

[DisneyJo]

Count me in we're staying at CSR for 2 whole weeks. August 13th to 27th.

 

[Disney Sue]

We'll be there in August too
Myself and DS(10) on the DDP, staying at ASMo from 15th to 31st.

This will be our 4th trip to the World, but our 1st during August, so I am a little concerned about how we will cope with the heat

 

[kutchyone]

Um...I'm sorry, I can't help any Michigan fans!

harleyquinn you can go back to helping those Michigan fans again. I think many of them will be cheeing on the Bucks Monday.

GO BUCKS!

Our trip starts out at either CSR or POFQ depending on which I can get free dining at if offered on 08/16 to 08/19.

We then check into our rented BCV studio on 08/19 to 08/24. Three of us me (48), DD (18) and DD's ex BF, yes ex but we love him to death (19). Poor kid is 6' 4" and I have heard that the sleeper sofas are TERRIBLE at the BC so I think we will be bringing an air mattress for him.

Plan on taking advantage on many afternoons of that great pool at the YC/BC and can't wait to spend a couple of hours back at Typhoon Lagoon.

Any other tips to beat the heat would be appreciated. Last trip was early June, how does the heat compare or is that a dumb question?

ntburns22, I have been getting a smile on my face for a few days every time I see that picture on your posts. Your son just really brightens my day. Don't take this the wrong way but he has the cutest ears, they make me chuckle. Your daughter is also very beautiful.

Isn't it odd how many of us Northcoasters head to DW in August? We are doing it backwards no?

 

[marybrat]

Well be in Fort Wilderness August 12-24. Cannot wait!
We've gone in August before. Since I teach, summer is the only option for us. Last time we went in July and I will never do that again. The July crowds were awful! August crowds are much less. I strongly agree with all the beating the heat tips already given!! Most important one... stay hydrated!!!