Should we change our plan?

[Ahill9]

My family had planned to travel to Disney World the week of Thanksgiving. I know it’s great weather but as many times as we’ve been to Disney we’ve never had to deal with crowds and I heard the crowd are huge that week. Now we are thinking about going the end of August. However we are hearing that the rain and a potential decrease and crowds it’s not big enough to make a change worth it and some peopl however we are hearing that the rain and any potential decrease in crowds it’s not big enough to make a change worth it. Anyone have thoughts?
I am aware that the latter end of both weeks we are looking at also has Star Wars opening attractions. We would leave August before the 29th but we would still be in Disney when the second round opened in November.
Thoughts?

 

[Klayfish]

With the weather, you never really know. During the summer, it could t-storm for 10 days straight...not continually mind you, but off and on. We've had that happen. It can also be sunny with no t-storms for 10 days straight. Had that happen too...it stormed in the middle of the night, but never during park time. So you really can't count on that either way. Just be prepared for whatever comes.

Generally, holidays are busier than non-holidays. Thanksgiving really isn't all that bad, we've done it twice. Thanksgiving Day itself in MK is really busy, but the rest of the parks aren't horrible. It will also depend on your tolerance for crowds. I hate them generally, but I guess they never bother me at WDW. It sort of is what it is.

 

[siren0119]

August is also HOT. Humid, cut the air with a knife hot. I don't mind it, but I also grew up in Colorado where 100 degree summer days were the norm. Lots of people make August work (whether because they have a good tolerance for the heat, or take frequent midday breaks away from the parks to swim or rest, or other ways to get through long hot days) but it's definitely something to be aware of if you're used to visiting later in the year when it's a bit more temperate.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I love being there for Thanksgiving.

 

[dagored]

It has rained the last three days, intermittently, in the afternoon. It’s scheduled to rain today.

It’s Florida! Remember, August is the middle of hurricane season. Just pick the time that works for you.

 

[Ahill9]

Both times work for us but we haven’t been at either time previously. We have always gone in low season during September or early December. I guess our debate is whether the weather in late August is worst than the potential for heavy crowds the week of Thanksgiving? Will SW openings increase crowds both those weeks anyway? We are looking at either 19-26 of August or the entire week of thanksgiving time?

 

[dagored]

I live here and that is a week I may go for one or two days. After 8/29 all bets are off. I will not be returning until the end of September or later unless other posts say the coast is clear, or at least the crowds are manageable. I'm not betting on it. I think it will be slammed thru New Years, but that's just me.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Both times work for us but we haven’t been at either time previously. We have always gone in low season during September or early December. I guess our debate is whether the weather in late August is worst than the potential for heavy crowds the week of Thanksgiving? Will SW openings increase crowds both those weeks anyway? We are looking at either 19-26 of August or the entire week of thanksgiving time?

We've gone the last week of August for the past 8 years and are planning to go again this year. We went Christmas week once and will never go that week again. I, personally, would rather deal with the heat and afternoon downpours than deal with the crowds. Yes, it will be hot and yes it will rain. We always take afternoon breaks out of the sweltering heat. Evenings when the sun goes down are lovely. Last year, we arrived in the afternoon of August 23 and entered EP around 3 pm through the IG entrance and we were literally one of three families walking through the UK and Canada area of WS. Only you can decide what you can tolerate more - crowds or heat.