Questioning an August stay

[jenanderson]

Okay, I just got home yesterday and we are already discussing when to go back. We are a sick and addicted family!

We would like to go during the value season this next time to be able to stay at the Poly. Since we are teachers, it looks like it would have to be a visit in August. I would love to hear from anyone who has done an August stay. Specifically - how bad is the weather? how are the crowds?

We are trying to decide if it is worth it to book during this time of the year or if we should wait and figure something else out.

Thanks for any input on this.

 

[D&R love Disney]

It is very HOT and HUMID with an afternoon shower many days. We go late August or early September and the crowds are not that bad.

If you have young kids, make sure you take breaks because the heat is very tiring.

 

[scanne]

As a teacher myself, we usually go in July/August. July 5th begins value season at the deluxes.

We were at the Polynesian from July 25, 2005 to August 3, 2005. Aside from the heat and humidity, we love it. We plan around the hottest part of the day and spend mid afternoon at the pool or napping in the room. The crowds were a bit thick over our stay, but we're planning a little later visit for Aug. 07. I've read that the crowds thin out towards the end of August. We'll be there 8/12 to 8/25/07 - splitting between the WL and the Polynesian.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We are a sick & addicted family, too!! We have been going for 14 years - several times a year!!

Our first summer visit was in 2004. We went August 19 - 29. The heat and humidity are hard to describe. Just awful. It rained every afternoon. My husband will not step foot in FL in the summer ever again. He just HATED the weather. The crowds were larger than I expected, too. I was disappointed in that, but I think due to the hurricanes, people's plans were mixed up a bit.

I took my kids last August (by myself). We went from Aug 13 - 20. Same heat, no rain for us during the day, though. We had a BLAST. The crowds were actually much better for us. We got to the parks as early as possible, spent a couple of hours, back to GF for a swim and AC break, then went out to the parks again in the evening. I would do it again. (probably will in 2006) The heat and humidity are nasty, though. I have son in high school and we have to travel on his off time, unfortunately.

My favorite WDW vacations are in January or February.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[gigi1313]

we have done late august stays and LOVE IT!!! the weather is hot... and it's humid... but it's sooo not crowded (even w/free dining this year, it was not crowded) which makes the heat and humidity easier to bear... we just follow a few simple rules like walk thru air conditioned stores/restaurants/buildings/etc whenever you can, stay on the shady side of the street, start early/break mid-day (whether back at the resort, on a fishing excursion, for a leisurely meal, shopping in dtd, etc) and resume late afternoon/early evening, dress comfortably, etc... we've found late august 'til or thru labor day weekend to be an absolutely pleasant and fun time to go... great way to end our summer... ENJOY!

 

[McKelly]

We went the second last week in August. The crowds were great, very little wait for anything. The heat, ugh!! It actually was not bad in the beginning of the week, but by the end of the week, we were getting crabby!! My DS4 actually developed a heat rash (underarms and around the sock line on the ankles). So, it is hard to say if I would return at that time. The crowds were good, but the heat might have been a little too much for my little ones. Have fun whatever you decide. If we would go back in August, I would definately plan more down time at the resort and not so much park time.

 

[jenanderson]

Thanks for the information so far. Part of the reason why we are looking at this time frame is because we decided on this last trip that we are done with marathon type trips - you know the ones where you cram every moment full of not missing out on one little thing! We have decided that the next trip we take, we want to be able to spend time relaxing on our vacation.

Our first thought is to stay at the Poly to make going back to the hotel easier for more breaks throughout the day. DS (5) and DD (9) love the pool and taking afternoon breaks would be great.

Since we teach (including summer school), we would be planning to go the first week in August. We would like to stay there for 8 days/7 nights but spend part of time in the parks, a day or two in the water parks, a day at downtown Disney, and maybe even a day just laying around the resort. We are thinking very laid back, very low key, just enjoying some time off.

When you say "hot and humid" - how hot and humid?

Thanks again!

 

[McKelly]

Hot and humid, like as soon as I left my hotel, within one minute my cotton knit shorts were clinging to me and not letting go!! LOL! But really, I think if you took it easy it should be fine! Just drink lots of water!!! And don't wear cotton knit shorts!!

 

[WIDisneyFan]

In the past few years we have done trips in June, July, and August (my wife is also a teacher and those are really the only times that work for us) in all three cases as expected with Florida in summer it was hot and humid - but just take it easy and you will be fine - we are headed back in late July next summer and I am already counting the days

 

[ADisneygirl]

As a Florida resident and a teacher, we also travel to WDW in the summer. Yes, August is brutal. High heat and humidity (like 95 and 99%), but then again so is July. I don't notice much if any difference between these two months as far as heat goes. The beginning of June is a little better.

The crowds will thin out a bit after the second week of August because most if not all Florida schools return to class the first week of August. That way you at least won't have Florida residents and their kids there!

Just take it a little slower and drink lots of water. Go in the pool a lot and stay out of the direct sun if you can between 12 - 3pm. Hey, anytime at Disney is better than a day at home, even in the heat!

 

[disneyholic family]

ok guys...i just wanted to comment that if you all are sick and addicted, what exactly does that make us???
we've been going every year for the past 32 years.....sometimes several times a year....
so....i'd say that's way beyond sick and addicted..

as for august...yes, second half of august is nice....florida kids are back in school, so the crowds are down....

 

[goofy4tink]

I never thought I would be able to write this but.....I have been to WDW for the past 3 Augusts!!! Usually the third week in..around the 15th or so, for about a week. In 2003, it was very hot, and the crowds were heavy, but I think that was due to the terrific FairyTale pkg they offered (buy 4 nights, get 3 free). We had one pretty incredible thunderstorm one night and some substantial rain another night. It rained almost every day, but we always went to the parks. Temp was about 95 during the day and humidity was incredible. Fast forward to Aug '04. Checked in on Fri, Aug 13...great timing right?? Yep, so did Hurricane Charley. I have never felt such a combination of heat/humidity as I did in the days following that hurricane. It was brutal. The crowds were good, until the locals starting digging out and since they had no school, they came to WDW!!! Not begrudging them at all....just being honest.
Last Aug, my dd and I went the 5-9 of August for a very last minute trip. The heat wasn't as bad as it was in June when we went. The humidity wasn't horrible. And the crowds were up a bit but once again they had some pretty decent offers going.

All in all......if you are prepared to take your time, and just hang out, you should be fine. WE found that getting to a park early in the morning, then leaving to have a late lunch at the resort and a nice long swim, then back to the parks early evening worked wonderfully in the heat. It will rain every day, anytime from about 2ish on. But, it usually doesn't last too long. Take ponchos with you every day, just to be sure. Also, the later in August you can go the better. The southern schools are back in session by the second week. It doesn't get really busy again until right at Labor Day week-end.

 

[Trekker]

We were ther in early Aug this year - and although it is hot and humid we had an awesome time - the parks stay open later at night - and that is a blast!


I'm going to move this over to the TP&S board where you will get a lot of good information on crowds and weather!