Orlando weather in August - comparisons to GTA weather

[peacefrogdog]

We have always travelled in November when the weather in Orlando is perfect. But we're starting to not like the idea of taking kids out of school.

How is the weather in Orlando in the last week of August? How does it compare to the often humid days in Ontario/GTA in the summer (when with the humidex it is in the high 30's)?

Rene

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The Orlando weather in late August is the same as it is in July and early August.....HOT every day (mid-90F's) and very humid.....the type of humidity where you start to sweat within 30 seconds of going outside. The days start off pleasant enough with clear skies. By mid-day the clouds build and by 3pm it's mostly cloudy with widely scattered thunderstorms around the area. Whether you get rain in your location on any particular day varies from 33% to 50%. In general us Floridians trade 3 months of misery (approximately mid-June to mid-September) for 9 months of bliss. When I lived in Chicago we had 3 months of bliss and 9 months of misery!!

Also please note that late August through the first couple weeks of September are the highest probability weeks in any given year of hurricanes. They can happen earlier and later but those weeks are prime.

Don't let me discourage you though. Florida public schools begin 1-2 weeks before Labor Day weekend and the thus the lines at the parks are shorter than earlier in summer.

BobK/Orlando

 

[myasmum]

I heard it can be REALLY HOT LoL BUT we went this past summer end of July and begining of Aug and it rained the WHOLE time we were there which sucked I rather the heat then rain as most rides were closed due to rain and lightening OH WELL if we can save up to go again we will try Oct for older daughters B-Day.

Oh yeah and this was our 1st time going to WDW, guess it all depends on your luck LoL

 

[twinz]

I remember our first trip to Orlando (back in 1981) and we went sometime in the summer, but I remember the plane door opening and it was like you were hit with a tun of humidity (and I was 7 at the time!). Since then we have not been back in the summer but we did go one year in early September and it was so hot it was almost like you were walking in a sauna. BUT compaired to the GTA, there is noting like Orlando heat and humidity, this is NOTHING compaired to that.

 

[NancyK]

I have to agree - our heat and humidity here is nothing compared to Florida in August. As soon as you walk out of the hotel, you're sweating. But it is doable - we've gone a few times the end of August. Like someone mentioned, the lines are usually pretty reasonable since so many U.S. schools have started back by that time. You need to drink lots and lots of water. And schedule a mid-day break - we don't always go back to the hotel - sometimes just an hour or two in an air-conditioned restaurant will refresh you. Save things like Hall of Presidents and American Adventure for afternoon. They aren't necessarily our favourite attractions, but the air conditioning is a great relief! If you do head back to the hotel, a nap for people of all ages is really helpful. As long as you are prepared for the unbearable humidity and plan accordingly, you'll be fine.

 

[Debbie]

Yeah, I have to agree. There is NO comparison to the humidity and heat. We go in August since I teach and there just seems to be no other time that works for us. NancyK said 30 seconds....nah, it's 10 max and the sweat is pouring down your back and the sunglasses fog up immediately. Here are some of the things that we do, though.

• I always get the shortest haircut I can (get the hair off of the neck)
• This year we got in on the fridge swap and I took a case of water in my suitcase. I always had water on me, and the frozen bottles stayed that way well into the afternoon when I took them out of my backpack! (The melted very quickly, though!)
• Go early, and plan lots of air conditioned attractions for the afternoon.
• Use fastpass wisely.
• Have a nap in the Universe of Energy (I can never last past the beginning of the dinosaurs, and always wake up at the final montage!
• Go SLOW!! No hard running across the park.
• Go with a plan, but ALWAYS be ready to change the plan according to the whims of those travelling.
• Stay late.
• Enjoy the fact that you NEVER have to take long pants! One sweater for some, but even at that . . .
• You do need two pairs of shoes, since those rains are not sprinkles, they are DOWNPOURS, and the sidewalks can be 2 cm high with rain (and then 30 minutes later be dry).

So, it is doable. BTW, it is a little more busy than it was a few years ago because a lot of the southern states have moved their 'back to school' date later in the month. August isn't always the most comfortable but you sure appreciate the air conditioning that is around, the misting that is done by Disney, and other guests. AND you are in DISNEY!

 

[Ham Ham]

As posted already numerous times. Very hot and extremely humid. Expect a torrent of rain for a few minutes every afternoon,

Lines are shorter, less crowded, great time to hit WDW as most of the American Kids are back at school .

We've been twice in August loved it and wouldn't hesitate to do it again..

 

[Allegro]

Yup the others have it right. The hottest weather here is paradise compared to Orlando. There is NO comparison BUT I think you kind of get used to it after awhile. We went the last week of August, first week of September our first time. It was 100 with 100 humidty every day. We still had a blast though. I just gave up on my hair ever looking like anything and changed my clothes a lot. It's hot but it won't kill you.