Please help with my upcoming trip!

[JessZacc]

We are trying to plan a trip to Disney for the week of August 22-29. We have never gone at that time of year before but that is the only time we can do it this year. In all honestly will we melt and miss out on doing a lot due to the heat? I'm a bit worried about it.

Second thing is can anyone recommend where I can order discounted park tickets online? We have had family working at Disney and up until now have gotten in for free with them but this year we are purchasing and the cost shocked me. Is there any way to get a bit of a discount? Looking for prob 5 day park hoppers and possibly water park.

Thanks!!!

 

[Alesia]

I like to buy them from Undercover Tourist.

 

[Jennytoon]

Undercover Tourist is a good place to get discounted tickets online. The prices may look similar, but the Disney prices don't show tax and UT does. Also if you subscribe to the Mousesavers newsletter you can get an additional dip on the price, although it's not so much that I would worry about it if you want to buy them now.

As far as the heat -- it partly depends on you. Two of my kids are fine in the heat; one likes it, one doesn't but tolerates it very well. One wilts and is absolutely miserable. He loves Disney anyway, but no way would he make it an entire day in the parks in August which is when we usually go. It *will* be really hot, and sticky which some people find even harder to deal with. If you have some experience with similar climates in the past, that experience will be your best guide as to what you can do.

Our strategy is to arrive at RD when it's cooler and leave around 1 so as to be out of park for the hottest part of the day, returning in the evening when it's cooler. (We don't always return in the evening, but lots of people who take a break in the afternoon like us do it routinely). I've also seen people recommend to stay through the hottest part because they say the lines are shorter when everyone like us decamps after lunch.

Also, I highly recommend Frogg Toggs Chilly Towels. And, wear lightweight comfortable clothing made of synthetic or tech materials that you can get wet. We've given my son an extra hour sometimes by pouring a cup of water over his head and soaking his lightweight poly shirt.

 

[Pills]

We've been down in August twice and are going again this year (13 weeks!). Get into A/C often. If you're between rides and not in a rush, try to cut through some stores. Do things like Spaceship Earth, Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, etc., so you're out of the heat for a decent amount of time. Drink a LOT of water (remember - a cup of ice water is always free), and stay out of the sun as much as possible.

The hardest thing to do, really, is go to AK. While there's plenty of shade, when it's 95 degrees with 80% humidity, it's still pretty hot in the shade.

 

[BalooPA]

Early mornings in parks until time for lunch, nap or pool in the afternoon, back to parks at dinner time and stay until closing. You're still not going to "beat the heat", but it won't be quite as brutal.

 

[JessZacc]

Thanks for the ideas! Does anything think it won't be worth the money this time of year? It is either Disney or Myrtle Beach. I would much rather Disney but my kids are 6,4 and 2. So it's hard to tell how they would react to extreme heat like that all week in the blazing sun. I am so back and forth and can't seem to make this decision. How are the water parks this time of year? Will they be too crowded to get in?

 

[ErinsMommy]

We went last year end of August/1st week of September and it was VERY hot/humid to downpours of rain out of nowhere, back to heat/humidity. I can be given a free trip to Disney during that time period and I would turn it down...never again. BUT I have low tolerance for the heat/humidity.

 

[RustManFan]

We have gone that time of year a few times and have lived to tell the tale! We were even camping in our tent at FW twice. We never had trouble getting out of the heat for awhile. PeopleMover is one of our favs that way. And most buildings at Epcot.

We took a swim break one of the trips and with the little ones that is a good idea. Maybe take the boat from MK to FW to see the horses there and perhaps eat at Trails End. Cooler out on the water...

You can do it and have a great time!!

We are all very light skinned so maximum sunblock was a must

We are from NJ so are used to hot and humid.... maybe more so since our house isn't airconditioned

 

[jrt1176]

We always went during the cooler months growing up, but that was more coincidence. I took my niece for her first trip in May 3 years ago and it was mostly overcast with some showers each day, but one day was sunny and it was miserable for us. Of course, we were not exactly prepared.

I think you will be fine if you prepare for the heat and plan accordingly.

That being said, you could always put WDW on hold for a year or two and see if you can go during a cooler time. Myrtle is much cheaper and kids love the beach. Not that they don't love WDW, but the younger ones might not recall as much until the next trip. Of course, it's hard to not go to Disney!

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

We are getting ready to go for our third time in September and yes it is very hot when we go but it's manageable. Our first year it never rained not one time, not even sprinkled. Last year we had a couple of days where it rained but it didn't stop us from doing what we wanted. We stay in the parks all day from rope drop until the park closes without ever going back to our resort. We just usually take our breaks in air conditioned restaurants or stores!

 

[BalooPA]

It would never be my PREFERENCE to go in August, but if I couldn't go any other time, I certainly wouldn't turn it down. There's always something to love about every time of year at Disney!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Thanks for the ideas! Does anything think it won't be worth the money this time of year? It is either Disney or Myrtle Beach. I would much rather Disney but my kids are 6,4 and 2. So it's hard to tell how they would react to extreme heat like that all week in the blazing sun. I am so back and forth and can't seem to make this decision. How are the water parks this time of year? Will they be too crowded to get in?

It's really really hot. Only you will know if it's too much. We go that week every year because it's when we can go but I would never voluntarily choose that week. But we always have fun anyway

 

[wdwjeffc37]

It will be hot. No doubt about it. But if you plan your time wisely you can mitigate some of the worst. Early mornings, ADRs for the late mornings, cooler indoor rides and shows during the hottest part of the day, taking a break at the resort, and returning to the parks in the evening can really help beat the heat. We have been there in August as well as July, December, and May. We have been going the first week of June the last few years and it is good. Every time we have been in the true summer, late June, July and early August, the water parks have always reached capacity by about 10:30 AM, reopening later in the afternoon. We are not water park people so it didn't affect us, but if you want to go to a water park, get there early. A lot of school systems will have already started by August 22 so the crowds may be a little smaller, but there is hardly a "down" time at Disney anymore. Yes its hot, but I'd rather be hot at Disney World than a lot of other places. Cheers and have fun!!!

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

It will be hot. No doubt about it. But if you plan your time wisely you can mitigate some of the worst. Early mornings, ADRs for the late mornings, cooler indoor rides and shows during the hottest part of the day, taking a break at the resort, and returning to the parks in the evening can really help beat the heat. We have been there in August as well as July, December, and May. We have been going the first week of June the last few years and it is good. Every time we have been in the true summer, late June, July and early August, the water parks have always reached capacity by about 10:30 AM, reopening later in the afternoon. We are not water park people so it didn't affect us, but if you want to go to a water park, get there early. A lot of school systems will have already started by August 22 so the crowds may be a little smaller, but there is hardly a "down" time at Disney anymore. Yes its hot, but I'd rather be hot at Disney World than a lot of other places. Cheers and have fun!!!

@wdwjeffc37 , how are the crowds the first week of June? That's when we are going next year.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

The first week of June was pretty good crowd wise that last couple of years. We were able to get all of the FP+ and ADRs that we wanted. We didn't need to meet Anna & Elsa so no worries there. And last year our first couple of days the humidity was low so it was really nice. It warmed up with much higher humidity after our third day.

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

The first week of June was pretty good crowd wise that last couple of years. We were able to get all of the FP+ and ADRs that we wanted. We didn't need to meet Anna & Elsa so no worries there. And last year our first couple of days the humidity was low so it was really nice. It warmed up with much higher humidity after our third day.

Ok, thanks so much!! We met Anna and Elsa last year so if we cant get a fast pass this year then we probably wont worry about standing in line for it!!