Quick question about August.

[Kitts21]

I was just wondering if anyone who has been to the world in late Aug. and also may have gone this past Dec. could tell me the comparisons in parks attendance. My family and I have only been twice Jan.05(low attd, IMO) and Dec. 05 (Mod Attd.) This Aug it will be my DD 5th B-Day and I would like to take her down for it. I know the weather is hot and unpredictable, but how are the crowds(In the past). I don't excpect anyone to be able to tell the future for exact attendance. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks. And sorry about the horrible spelling ,its never been one of my strong points.

 

[Pryncess'mom]

Can't compare for you, but I have been in late August. yes, it's hot, but it's hot at home too. Crowds weren't terrible, some things long lines, but others go quickly. Remember that most southern states are already back in school by then.

Good luck with your decision.

deb

 

[Johnfish]

We were there the last week of august this year. (returned home labor day) I found the crouds to be relatively low. I dont think we waited more than 20 minutes for anything except soarin which we fast passed. This was our second trip in august. In 2004 we were there for Hurricane Charlie! It seems to be a geat time to go especially the last two weeks as most of the southern schools are in season. Cant coment about december though.



John

 

[shiva316]

We were at WDW the last week of August '04 and the first week of December '05. I think the crowds were about the same, both moderate. We had no trouble doing everything we wanted to each trip.

 

[magicmommy]

We have been twice the last two weeks in August and the crowds were very manageable. I believe the end of August is the best time to go if you have kids in school and don't want to take them out. We have been in July and it was very busy. We are going next August but earlier in the month to get a second trip for our kids on their PAPs. I'm sure it will be busier but hopefully not as bad as July.

 

[Leota]

I was also there the last week of Aug. 05 & Dec 3-11. If anything, I think August might have been slightly less crowded. The crowds are very easy to manage the last week of Aug. I think last August was more crowded than the other time I went in late Aug. due to the free dining promo.

I love late August. I'm a Heat Lover, tho. The summer is the only time I really enjoy the water parks. But, it is hot & you do have to use your head about dealing with the heat. If you do that, it's a fantastic time to go.

 

[sorcerermick]

I agree with Leota. I always go late August intyo Labor Day and the crowds are always moderate at most, and very manageable, but of course you deal with the heat and the rain. It was more crowded than usual this year however, due to the free dining promotion. This was the first year we went in early December but I would say the crowds were light then also. Good luck. You'll have a great time either way. It is Disney afterall!

 

[dsnymomof4]

We wer there last week of Aug 04 and first week of Dec 05 (as well as July 05). Crowds were definitely lower in Dec. Aug crowds were definitely lower than July, but not as low as Dec. Aug is VERY HOT but we still had a great time! Good luck with your planning!

 

[disneylizzy]

Have to echo everyone else by saying that crowds are pretty light the end of August. We have gone the past two years in late Aug/beg Sept. Year #1 we had to deal with Frances, but Year#2 weather was great (but HOT) and we got free dining. You just can't beat the airfares at the end of August and I'm betting that Disney will have another good promotion going for that time period, too.

 

[Pedler]

Have to echo everyone else by saying that crowds are pretty light the end of August. We have gone the past two years in late Aug/beg Sept. Year #1 we had to deal with Frances, but Year#2 weather was great (but HOT) and we got free dining. You just can't beat the airfares at the end of August and I'm betting that Disney will have another good promotion going for that time period, too.

We went at the end of August this year and with the exception of RnR we never waited more than 5 minutes. RnR was 20 and that was with a fast pass.

Disneylizzy,

Do you remember what promotions they offered, if any, when you went in August 2004? I am trying to get a feel for what the trend is for promos in August. I think in 2003 they offered a few free days if you bought 4 or something like that. 2005 was the dinning plan but I can't find info on 2004.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I was there this August into September. This year, it was practically deserted. It was hot and humid, and you still got the daily thunderstorms/rain, but it was still very enjoyable.

It flared up during Labor Day, but we just skipped the parks then, and stayed at the resort pool.

The longest lines were for Soarin' (but that just opened up), and that it. RnRC, ToT, Space, Splash, and Big Thunder Mts, & Test Track were all walk ons.

I can't compare it to winter months, I haven't been down in Dec/Jan for a while.

Have fun!

 

[disneylizzy]

Disneylizzy,

Do you remember what promotions they offered, if any, when you went in August 2004? I am trying to get a feel for what the trend is for promos in August. I think in 2003 they offered a few free days if you bought 4 or something like that. 2005 was the dinning plan but I can't find info on 2004.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hmmm... I was thinking that it was the stay 5 - get 2 nights free? Wait a minute, I think it was when they were offering the codes for room only rates because we stayed at WL and I distinctly remember we paid $130 for woods view and when we got there we were upgraded to pool view.

I think they offer good deals around that time period to keep the rooms as full as possible. The heat really doesn't bother me, and now I just love paying less so that we can eat better.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

We just spent 8 glorious nights in late Aug. (the week before Labor Day) this past summer. We got the free dining deal. It seems Disney often offers deals during this time frame, so I think it is not traditionally busy then. Most kids are back at school by then, but here in WI it is state law to not start until after Labor Day, so we have twice gone the last week of August.

The crowds have always been very low at this time. For example, we had 2 hours to kill after leaving Animal Kingdom one night. We were going to go back to WL and swim, but we decided to pop over at MK instead and do a few of our favorites. We did 7 attractions and ate dinner in that 2 hour time frame! Also, we went on Splash Mntn. one night and were the only ones on it (NO ONE in line) and it was my birthday, so they let us go 7 times in a row without getting off. That was my dh's highlight of the trip. He LOVES SM!

This past trip, we also hit both BB and TL and really enjoyed those. If you wait until it rains at the waterparks, everyone leaves! After they re-open things (and they did both times we went), you'll have the park to yourself!

I think late Aug. is the best time to go (crowd-wise) anyway. Just keep cool and bring your rain ponchos.

 

[Kitts21]

Thanks for all the good information. I'm really considering going that last week of August. It doesn't sound like the crowds are all that bad.... I just hope I can handle the heat....

 

[twotoohappy]

We were there the last week in August '05 and the first week in Dec '05.

The crowds were about the same with August being a little slower.
December has it's benefits too... MVMCP, Christmas decorations everywhere and the weather's nice, and the extended fireworks. A bit too chilly for the pool for us.
August... not crowded, and great pool weather!
With both..... parks close earlier than in peak season

Good luck! Anytime of year at WDW is great!

 

[Cupmom]

Being a teacher in NY we always go the last week in August. Yes it's hot but the lines are not bad. You can always go back to the hotel for a dip. December it's too cold to swim. There are daily thunderstorms but we plan an indoor show or ride when the skies turn gray but the time we are out the sun is shining once again

 

[basas]

Have been the last week of August two years in a row. This year, the parks were dead. Everything (including Winnie the Pooh, Space, Splash, BTMRR, etc.) was a walk-on at MK except Peter Pan (20 mins), and Speedway (only using one side).

At MGM, ToT, RnRC, Star Tours all posted wait times of 20-30 minutes but all were walk-on's (the cars were half full), and even F! wasn't full.

At Epcot, Test Track was a walk-on (NO-ONE in line), M:S was a walk-on, and even Soarin' was at about 10 mins...only wait was LwtL (20 mins).

Overall, i couldn't believe the lack of crowds. There were times when the paths were nearly completely empty.