Orlando the last week of summer - How bad is it? And should we do both WDW and Universal Orlando?

[FinnFogg]

We just got back from WDW last night (first trip in 2.5 years). They weather was low to mid 30s, and we had quite a few torrential thunder storms. All in all, it wasn’t too bad.

We are currently booked to go back Aug 27 to Sept 3 for a week at Boardwalk Villas (I have expiring DVC points that need to be used up by Sept) and everyone that we spoke to down in Florida said that the weather is absolutely brutal then (the term “excruciating” and the phrase “Devil’s Armpit” were frequently used).

If we do go back, we are thinking we will do the first 4 days at WDW and the last 3 days (really 2.5 days) at Universal Orlando (we have never been).

For my fellow Canadians who have braved Orlando in August, is it really that bad? Is it at least tolerable?

If so, for those who have done Universal Orlando that time of year, is 2.5 days enough to see it all (we will get express passes) or should we allocate more time?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The weather is horrible but crowds will be light. Plan on midday breaks pretty much everyday. If you're going to do Universal, plan on not getting to everything. We've found that when the weather is crazy hot, we can comfortably do about 8 hours of park time per day. At that pace, we ride everything and see every show one time at WDW in 7 park days.

 

[SaraMc]

We try to become knockturnal and go out in the afternoon into the evening. Helps a lot. We were just there too and found it hotter than normal It was more like what it’s like in August

 

[FinnFogg]

I should have added that we are from BC, so the time change does not lend itself to early mornings/rope drop (we tried this last trip, and never made it before 11am). This next trip (at least the WDW part) won’t be so much about trying to do everything, but more so to experience Boardwalk (we’ve never stayed), use our points and have a bit of a relaxing vacay. I expect our days will entail sleeping in, spending the afternoon by the pool while I stack evening lightning lane passes on Genie+ and then heading to the parks from 4pm or so until closing. Basically sticking as much as possible to West Coast time.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This next trip (at least the WDW part) won’t be so much about trying to do everything...

That's the right mindset. If you hit the point where you're thinking "eff this place, it's way too hot," don't be afraid to just quit and get to the pool and the iced beverage.

Basically sticking as much as possible to West Coast time.

Smart, that's the inverse of what I do when we go to Hawaii. Up at 4am, "rope drop" everything, dinner at 3, bed at 7.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

And if you haven't before, John Pinette's "Disneyworld in August / The Character Buffet" is worth a listen.

 

[Sunelis]

The problem is the humidity in late August, you step out of your hotel and you are drench within a few seconds. But I love going at that time because most US kids are back in school so the crowds are lighter... My plan is early mornings - AC breaks/pool/nap - late evenings. Lots of water and take it easy.

 

[FinnFogg]

And if you haven't before, John Pinette's "Disneyworld in August / The Character Buffet" is worth a listen.

Just listened. That was hilarious.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Just listened. That was hilarious.

At some point on the trip you're going to look at your traveling companion(s) and scream "AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO'S F****** HOT!?"

 

[spewey]

This is our go-to week for Orlando trips - both for Disney and Universal. We will be at the Beach Club Villas those exact dates - August 27 - September 3 - as well this summer.

Everything you hear is true - brutal heat, unrelenting humidity, chance of a (usually brief) thunderstorm every afternoon.

So what. Pace yourself, take advantage of the readily available attractions/dining with ice-cold AC, hit the pools ... And of course avail yourself of the world's best water rides at Islands of Adventure, assuming you do go to Universal.

A small price to pay, to me, for lower crowds. We first did this week at Disney back in 2013, and although attendance has crept up somewhat (they have worked hard to flatten out the peaks and valleys, to ensure resorts are kept as full as possible) it's still mostly just folks from Canada, the Northeast and the UK.

But last August at Universal was a veritable ghost town. It was actually too quiet for us, and of course the pandemic probably had something to do with that.

So prepare for the conditions, hydrate relentlessly, and lest I forget, hope for a mild hurricane season ...

 

[Skippyboo]

Not Canadian but it’s jungle hot with super high humidity during that time of year. You also have a chance of hurricanes then. Labor Day is Monday Sept 5 and Halloween Horror starts Sept 2 so that’s going to increase the crowds at Universal.

 

[hdrolfe]

We have gone twice at that time of year and it is Hot. Our last trip we never left MK without getting soaked, by Splash or most often thunderstorms. But we always have fun, and enjoyed adding on the water parks. Crowds were light, except at HS end of the last trip as that's when Galaxys edge opened.

 

[LisaDKG]

We too have gone twice at this time and are going back this summer. Like you having to use up points, the timing is not necessarily by choice but it is better than NOT going to Disney and we always have fun - it has become one of the only times that now works with my adult kids' university/work schedules and our love of MNSSHP. With that being said, I did talk my sister out of going at that time since it would've been her family's first trip. It's not for the uninitiated or the 'eager beavers' that are trying to fit everything in to a once in a lifetime trip.
2.5 days was enough for us at Universal last year - especially with express passes. The only place that was unmanageably busy was Volcano Bay actually, where we managed to get on a total of 2 slides (and the crazy river) before a thunderstorm closed the park early.
Since it sounds like you are already veterans and know to manage your expectations whilst nestled in the Devil's armpit that is Orlando end of August, you'll be fine!

 

[Deb1993]

We have done that week several times. Yes, it's hot but crowds are good. Get frogg togg towels to keep cool - plenty of water - schedule a sit down lunch to get out of the sun, schedule out of park breaks, etc., It is definitely doable.

 

[Frozen2014]

Following as those are our exact dates too. It's just the best time with camp and school, etc.
Can't talk from experience yet. We've been to Disneyland same time frame, but from what I hear WDW is worse as you also have humidity and daily thunderstorms. We have cooling towels and I plan on bringing a couple UV umbrellas to stay in the shade. Am also trying to research ride lines so know which have is inside vs outside queues. And for shoes, DD and I have waterproof sandals but will also invest in a pair for our son. Oh, and we purchased Genie+ to help with wait times as well.

 

[marisabuzz]

We are DVC members with an August UY and we've been late summer/early a few times. Every time we go, we swear we'd never go back at that time again. But it works for us because timing and costs. Each time we've been, the weather forecasts typically highs in the high 30C with humidex even higher. DH and I just came back from a trip where the forecasted highs were 31C and humidex of 35C. It was too hot for us, but we chugged through with frequent stop in the shade or in stores, drinking plenty of water, and taking short noon-time breaks in the room.

Taking a trip late August is doable, just don't be afraid to tap out when you need to.