Orlando in August?

[XAVIER]

Yes, I know its extremely hot and humid, the crowds are bad and there may be a hurricane or three...but I'm sure there are lots of you out there who do go at this time of year due to school holidays and such, so what has your experience been?
We went in August about 4 years ago and really enjoyed it! It was very HOT (98 degrees!) but it hardly ever rained (unusual I know) and the crowds were quite managable! Was this rare for August?
Any opinions/stories/advice?

 

[Spook]

We went early Aug 2003 and it rained so much (every day except one and for hours on end) that it almost put me off ever returning. We then went last two weeks of Aug in 2004 2 days after hurricane Charlie so things were much quieter and the local children had returned to school. It only rained a couple of times so I was glad that we went the second time - it was a totally different experience.
Jan

 

[cornish pixie]

Hi we too will be making our first trip next August.
In the past we have been lucky to tag a week before or after to the May Holiday but unfourtunately am unable to do that next year (I work as a T.A in school as well) Anyway we are booked for next August and we are really looking forward to it but am a little concerned with the heat .
We have really tried to pace ourself as our last trip ended up seeing my hubbie in Celebration Hospital ,not an experience we would like to repeat.
So we are really taking it easy .
On getting there we are staying at the Hyatt so we can just chill when we land, pick up the car the next morning then we are going to go down to the Hilton Clearwater where we are going RELAX and get accustomed to the Weather for 3 days.
Then it's up to RPR for 3 days no rushing ,no Queing Then were over to a villa for 11 days pure relaxing (well within reason )
Then we are going to POR for 5 days (excited as we have never stayed onsite before, Then were off on The Disney Wonder for a 3 day cruise then its Home .
All of the above is of course subject to change regarding any severe weather !!
Now we just have to SAVE,SAVE,SAVE, It's beans on toast for the next 16 months but heh! It's so worth it. Heres to August 07 being a good one
Chucklechops
Sorry I think I have posted this on the wrong thread I really apologieze

 

[snookhams]

we been in Aug 04 (survived hurricane charlie), Aug 05 and are going this Aug - partly because children go to church schools and aren't allowed to take time of during the term - and also eldest DS's swimming culminates in the Nationals at the end of July so we are all ready for a break come August. We have not found the crowds to bad - but saying that we are morning people and are at the parks just before opening then come early afternoon we go for a swim and then may be do something in the evening! hope this helps

 

[lisagirlyUK]

and were there for the 2 weeks around Hurricane Charlie. The weather was awful - really hot and humid and we had several days of the holiday written off by the rain (boy can it rain out there!). We said we would never go again in August but it looks like its the only time of the year the whole family can seem to get the time off work and the kids on school holidays. TBH, I can cope with the heat if it just rained a little less this time!!!

 

[disneycymru]

Some people seem to have had a very bad experience in August. I have been in June, July, August and September. As you've already heard August WILL be hot and humid but the rain can vary although it will be substantial and much heavier than is normally seen in the UK. However I think you will find that unless there is a hurricane (which rarely affect orlando except to close rides and stop parades) the day will start warm but with relatively clear skies and through the morning the cloud cover will increase until it culminates in a thunderstorm (which will close tall rides) which can last from 1 - 3 hrs. These are normally sometime during the afternoon or early evening but they sure thin the crowds in the parks and can make the ques shorter even after the storm has cleared.

As long as you don't expect fine clear sunny days and plan for the rain it shouldn't cause to much of a problem and it does feel a bit fresher outside for a while. Also given the strength of the sun at that time of year you wouldn't want clear skies all days as you would be burnt to a crisp. As for the humidity everywhere is air conditioned even the ques outside blow vapourised water to keep you cool and the parks have far more shows and incidental entertainment.

I'm sure you'll have a great time as long as you go prepared to see rain and lots of people.

Regards

Gareth

 

[PinkTink63]

Yes, I know its extremely hot and humid, the crowds are bad and there may be a hurricane or three...but I'm sure there are lots of you out there who do go at this time of year due to school holidays and such, so what has your experience been?
We went in August about 4 years ago and really enjoyed it! It was very HOT (98 degrees!) but it hardly ever rained (unusual I know) and the crowds were quite managable! Was this rare for August?
Any opinions/stories/advice?

That is when we always go, due to school. Yes, it's hot and humid, but we don't mind so much. Heck, it's really good for the complexion! Not so good for the hair! It makes my hair really big! I remedy that by pulling it back in a clip. Problem solved!
We have been there right between 2 big hurricanes. We did get some of the after storms, but it isn't really cold. Once again, it doesn't bother us. The lightening is awesome to see! We come from where it rains alot! When it rains there, it does not last all day long and into the night. It also doesn't seem dreary there when it rains, like it does at home.
We find the crowds managable. I think it is more crowded on holidays!
Prepare yourself for the worst and then you can be pleasantly surprised.
We hope to go at other times of the year ,in the future, but we can't for now.
I wouldn't let August in FL stop me from going to WDW! I say go for it!
Good Luck and Have Fun!

Steph

 

[stitchgonecrazy]

We will be joining the August club from 2007 for a few years.


Susan

 

[maggs]

and were there for the 2 weeks around Hurricane Charlie. The weather was awful - really hot and humid and we had several days of the holiday written off by the rain (boy can it rain out there!). We said we would never go again in August but it looks like its the only time of the year the whole family can seem to get the time off work and the kids on school holidays. TBH, I can cope with the heat if it just rained a little less this time!!!

We were there at exactly the same time! In fact we jokingly refer to our trip as 'The Between Hurricanes Tour'.In fact we were the first Virgin plane out after Frances and the last back before Charlie! We found the weather no problem at all and believe me we hate warm weather. My son even hates British summers but he was fine yet again. We just walked in the shade, drank lots of water and had a wonderful time. We are going again in August for the 4th time as I am unwilling to take my children out of school as they will be Yr10 and Yr13.

Maggs

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are restricted to August because of the school holidays but always ensure we go at the middle of the month as the crowds are very manageable.

It is hot but providing you pace yourselves and visit the parks at cooler times of the day there is no problem.
Hurricanes are a worry but I think you just have to forget about them and hope you will not be affected.
Was fortunate to have 2 holidays last year in March and August, and would choose August everytime as the weather was very unpredictable in March.

The main problem with the summer months is not the crowds or the weather, it's the expensive flight prices - hence we go for 3 weeks to make the most of it.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Another one who prefers not to take my kids out of school after all they are only there for 183 days in a year. As Johnny said - the flights are one of the most expensive parts so we go for as long as possible and we are there for a month. August is hot and humid but that's just part of the holiday experience for us. We were there for Charlie which although was scary hardly impacted our holiday at all. The rain isn't usually a problem - even if you get wet it's not like the cold miserable rain here. We just love being in Florida so we always make the best of the time we are there.

 

[SammieG]

we always go the last two weeks in August. Its hot, humid like everyone said. Usually I find the weather to be ok.. the odd rainy day, but we have mostly been quite lucky with our timings.
Still, you know, when you choose Florida that its likely to rain!

The humidity is great for the skin - my skin comes back in the best shape ever (i suffer from extremely dry skin, and my skin is gorgeous after two weeks in the humidity!)
and the heat is certainly oppressive on occasions.
However, crowds are low those two weeks, and we always make the most of the sun for pool and sunbathing time and park time, and use the rainy days for shopping.

It works for us. This will be our third august trip I think..
But we have done the beginning of september for many years prior to my son going to school and the weather is the same then. It was only 98 that was really really bad. It rained so much our room at Dixie Landings (now PO Riverside) had sandbags outside

 

[wendy_uk]

We are going the last 2 weeks of August 06. I'm prepared for the rain and sun, have ordered disposable pack a macs and have got those mini spray fan things. We have not been in August before, but like everyone else my DS is now y9 so don't want to take him out of school, must admit up until this year I have always tagged a week onto the february half term.