Resort Hopping in August?

[Ladyhawke10]

OK, we are not Florida residents so I don't know how hot its going to be...or if we will find that kind of heat unbearable. I'm half wondering if we should stick to Disneyland for August, except we LOVE WDW and are going to celebrate my son's sixth birthday.

Here are plans so far:
First night at Poly (one night only). My son's vote is for volcano pool, so the compromise is first night here w/ a dinner at Ohana's (which we've never tried). Possibly GF pirate cruise in AM (while I get ready to move us or have a spa treatment at GF) or else the new Albatross trip later in the week.

Second through Fifth nights in AKL concierge--Another of ds's favorites, thinking of trying the Uzima savannah and Boma, of course. Lots of trips to AK from here (our favorite park).

Sixth through Eighth nights--Boardwalk Inn
Will try Albatross adventure or else just lots of plain fun at Epcot and MGM. Was thinking of trying Fantasia package w/ Brown Derby. Going to skip concierge at BWI b/c we love so many restaurants in this area (Le Cellier and Le Paris Bistro are a couple). Can't wait for that late night walk back to the hotel after Illluminations!

Eight through 11th nights--Grand Floridian Royal Palm Court
Very excited to try this and will include a few trips to MK from GF from here. Probably a resort day or two (especially in that waterfall pool to beat the heat), and hopefully a lunch at Cinderella's castle, if possible. A night at Narcoosee's or California Grill at sunset is also a consideration.

Any thoughts? Anything I should omit or include? Thanks!

 

[copper68]

I have to say, that is a very adventurous itinerary!!!!!

We resort hop all the time, and we will also be there in August (18-25)...we are splitting our stay between Poly GVC and BWV...3 nights at each....but 4 hotels in one trip????????...wow!!!!!!

First off, unless you enjoy intense heat and oppressive humidty - August can be rough...I have posted this before about the heat in Aug...
We have been there numerous times in the past, too many to count...but we went for the first time in Aug 4 years ago...At that time I swore I would never go again in Aug...
We went again the next year in Aug, and I really swore (with things I cannot repeat here) that we would never go again in Aug...
We skipped the next year because my wife was prego, however we are scheduled to go again this Aug...I know, I am a glutton for punishment...but it's the only time I can go and not take my older kids out of school...
I told my wife it's like childbirth...right after you go through it, you swear you will never do it again...however after some time has passed you forget the pain and take the plunge again...
I guess what I am trying to say is that "it's going to be hot"!!!!!...

Drink plenty of water, and seek A/C as often as possible...get out early and take the hot afternoons off for a needed rest...then go back out in the evening (when it's cooled off to a low of 85 degrees with 100% humidity)...

Other then that, it sounds like you have things all planned out!!

Have a great trip!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

OK, now I am definitely worried about planning our wonderful trip in August!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Ladyhawke10 - wow what fun!! I just want to warn you, I am from Northern IL and it gets hot and humid here, too, however I just have to say that I noticed you mention AK is your favorite. That was our worst experience as far as parks go in the August heat. I was pretty much ok with the other parks as much of the waiting and riding is indoors in air conditioning. The AK was torture for us. It was almost to the point that we felt like we couldn't breathe. My husband has decided not to return with our family in August ever again and that memory of the AK day was a main reason. Everything is so spread out and when you are walking you are surrounded by the moist, humid plants so you don't really catch any breeze. Ugh.....

If AK is your favorite, I would maybe rethink August. If we ever do August again we would have to skip AK.

Just my opinion and experience.....

Lives4Disney

 

[newholidayx2]

DS13 & I have 3resorts booked for August
Aug 13-18 Pop Century - not planning on being at the resort except to sleep - Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest besides the main parks 1/2 days
Aug 18-21 Wilderness Lodge
Aug 21-27 Beach Club Villas - lots of lazy mornings at the pools, nights at the parks

AK is 1 of DSs favorite parks too - maybe I need to book early entry day here just to get us in a little earlier

 

[mom23boys]

We are also going in August 18-26, BCV. Although we are not resort hopping, we plan to be there in the heat also. I agree to stay away from Animal Kingdom, or go first thing in the morning. It is always way too hot for us there even on our trips that it was just warm.

I am a little worried about the heat, but we are from Philadelpia, and it gets pretty hot and humid in August here too.

Go have a great time, but be careful and drink plenty of water and not soda.

 

[dreamflight99]

I noticed you mention AK is your favorite. That was our worst experience as far as parks go in the August heat. I was pretty much ok with the other parks as much of the waiting and riding is indoors in air conditioning. The AK was torture for us. It was almost to the point that we felt like we couldn't breathe. My husband has decided not to return with our family in August ever again and that memory of the AK day was a main reason. Everything is so spread out and when you are walking you are surrounded by the moist, humid plants so you don't really catch any breeze. Ugh.....

For many reasons detailed above, AK "IS" the most HUMID and HOT theme park in all of WDW during the summer months. There is a lot of concrete on the ground, with minimal "grassy" areas. Most of the heavy and dense foliage comes to the edge of the concrete. Also, the canopy provided by the plants overhead, diminish the chance for much of any cooling breeze, and actually serves to TRAP the heat/humidity. This is PERFECT for most of the wildlife inhabiting the park...but not so good for the humans visiting. When you are there in August, be sure to take advantage of the new EVENING MAGICAL hours, where the AK will be open for an extended period of time (past closing) for resort guests with passes. Even with all these negative factors...we still have a wonderful time!

It's so nice to see others remarking on the HEAT factor in AK park. For many years, I thought we were the only ones whom noticed/thought this about this park. It's at least 15 degrees warmer than the other parks in the midst of a hot summer day! That's a LOT for moi...coming from So. Cal, with ZERO humidity and a relatively temperate climate!

 

[newholidayx2]

Im thinking of 2 regular morns and 1 late night for AK
"maybe"? a mid-afternoon too for Lion King show but maybe not - the 2 mornings and 1 late night may be enough

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Great info about AK! Thanks!

 

[Goofy's Muse]

...
I told my wife it's like childbirth...right after you go through it, you swear you will never do it again...however after some time has passed you forget the pain and take the plunge again...

This line cracked me up!! Yes, August is HOT, but with the right mind set, you can enjoy anything! We never made it to the AK early despite our best intentions, but we still enjoyed the park immensely. The suggestion about doing Lion King to catch a well-timed A/C break is a good one. Kali can be cooling, but in my case I got uncomfortably drenched. Tusker House was also a great find for a cooling, relaxing lunch -- good food with entertainment to boot!

 

[mjmcca]

We went in August this past summer. I have little kids I encouraged them to use every water play area we found in the parks I took extra clothes for them each day.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

We went in August this past summer. I have little kids I encouraged them to use every water play area we found in the parks I took extra clothes for them each day.

Interesting, it sounds like the heat is taken into consideration at the parks and they have things set up for it, like water play.

I'm still on the fence about whether I should move the whole thing to December (but then face the Christmas vacation crowds) or brave the August heat, which we've never tried....

 

[DWDreams]

We've gone several times in August and although it is very hot, we don't mind it at all as long as we plan for it. In fact, even though we're from the Northeast, several of our trips in August had us leaving a heatwave here at home, so it didn't seem like such a big switch anyway.

That said, the heat can be unbearable if you don't plan properly for it. One of our favorite things about August is that the parks are still open later and it allows for some downtime during the hottest parts of the day. To me, that's key -- plan your downtime at the pools, at the resort, or a mid-day lingering lunch to get out of the heat for a bit. Our typical schedule is to get up early and head to the parks, stay to mid-day and head back for swimming, shower/freshen up, then back to the parks late afternoon.

If commando touring is your style do not at any cost go during August. I see you're going for more than a week and this is good, we always go for at least 10-12 days in the summer to allow for swim days, downtime, and non-commando style. I can't stress how important the non-commando is. If you're pressured to see everything and do everything, August or mid-summer is not for you.

In regard to your question about switching resorts, I personally don't like to do it, but it's a matter of taste. Your schedule seems a bit ambitious, just be sure that the switches (unpacking/packing, checking in and out, possible problems) won't carve up your free time, because that would invariably end up being that much needed downtime.

 

[DizneeCM]

We've been to WDW twice in late Aug. It seemed like AK was the hottest the first time we were there and Epcot seemed to be the hottest last summer (we also got a late start that day, so the temp. was worse). I think you really have to try to get going early in the morning and then leave before it really heats up. We were surprised that the heat didn't bother us on our last trip, but I think it was because we were out and about a lot earlier than on our previous trip.

 

[gatour]

Not sure if you are going in early or late August. As a native Floridian, I try to avoid the WDW during the summer months because of the heat. But if "have" to go, it is during the latter part of Aug as the crowds start to die down.
Since you are hotel hopping it looks like you will be "close" to your hotel at various times from various parks. It sounds like you will try to do the parks that are close to your hotel for that particular leg of your trip. One good way to survive and enjoy this is to head back to the hotel for a cool off in the afternoon then head back to the park in the late afternoon early evening. I have done this before and it has allowed me to enjoy the trip without melting down.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Not sure if you are going in early or late August. As a native Floridian, I try to avoid the WDW during the summer months because of the heat. But if "have" to go, it is during the latter part of Aug as the crowds start to die down.
Since you are hotel hopping it looks like you will be "close" to your hotel at various times from various parks. It sounds like you will try to do the parks that are close to your hotel for that particular leg of your trip. One good way to survive and enjoy this is to head back to the hotel for a cool off in the afternoon then head back to the park in the late afternoon early evening. I have done this before and it has allowed me to enjoy the trip without melting down.

I was planning on mid August (probably something like the 10th through the 22nd, but it depends on availability--I was still waiting on codes in order to book). I hadn't thought about lots of crowds in August because of the weather. Are the crowds anything like Christmastime or Spring Break? The decision seems to be either August (pros--value season/ codes-hopefully, low crowds-at least I had thought--maybe I'm wrong about this, availability and swimming season) versus (cons--potentially oppressive heat that hurts our ability to enjoy the trip)

Or Christmas (pros--decorations, fun activities such as Christmas party, good weather) versus
(cons--high costs, low availability on everything from pirate cruises to the castle lunch, no codes, high crowds)

Thanks so much for all the valuable input!

 

[teentoddlermom]

Don't worry about the heat... It clouds up every day beginning about 1pm and the Tstorms come in between 3 and 6ish. Then it is a good time for indoor activities. Buy the rain ponchos and keep on going. The rain scatters everyone, and it does not seem so crowded. That is the way it was for us in our trips in August in 2003 and 2004, and Floridians seem to say this is typical. However, our trip previous to 2003 was in 1998 and there was not a drop of rain for 8 days and it was HOT! 96 to 100 every day. The crowds the last two weeks of August seem to die down, but I wouldn't count on it this year. People are definitely traveling again!