Sooo..tell me all about end of August trips!

[JESW]

Yes, the heat, humidity and rain, too! We have been the end of June - is it MUCH worse than then?

We tried to get back in June this year but waited too long. Today I got the e-mail regarding passholder rates. I had given up going this summer but the new rates (and room availability) has made me re-think..

We have been fortunate to go to WDW several times so we wouldn't need to see/do EVERYTHING. Actually, I'd like to go down and pretty much avoid the MK! Go to Sea World, go to both water parks (usually we only get to go to one), rent the water mice (we tend to run out of time to use them), eat a good dinner every night, swim A LOT, etc.

A friend of mine goes this time and likes it. Our kids start school the last week in August so she uses it as one last bang out of summer. Aren't a lot of schools in the south back by then? What about tour groups?

Thanks for any help!

Jill

 

[harleyquinn]

My first trip in 2003 was the second to last week in August. My disneymoon last year was in June.

I can't stress how much better August was!!! It was cooler (well, a little bit, but it went a long way)! And the crowds were MUCH smaller. The schools in the south go back to school in early August, so late August is great.

It rained every day we were there in August, but that was a great thing! It would down pour for about 1-2 hours, casing away tons of people. During the rain we would go see an indoor show. Heck almost all the rides and their lines are indoors anyway. I swear the rain made it feel cooler too, maybe cuz I was wet.

In June it was sooo hot and way more crowded, but we still had an awesome trip of course, but if I have to go in the summer, I'll be there in late August!

Have a magical trip! Don't forget your ponchos! I suggest buying 2 o3 of the cheap dollar store plastic ones for each of your group.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

The last 3 years we have gone at the end of August. In fact last year we made it in the middle of the 2 hurricanes. We got lucky on that.

The crowds are a bit lighter, but I have to say that each day for us the temps were in the high 90's with high 90's in the humidity. Last year was the first year we saw rain ( for about 20 minutes 1 day and 30 minutes another. We waited a bit and then walked in sprinkles) and I think that was due to the hurricanes. The 2 years prior no rain at all. I guess we have been lucky in the weather department because I have yet to use our ponchos.

We are now going this year at the end of June. I am expected the weather to be in the 90's and lots of crowds. We shall see how it goes.

 

[JESW]

Yikes - hurricanes! I forgot about them!! When is hurricane season?

 

[nhpooh]

I think hurricane season's June or July thru Nov. We went last year the end of August to first week in Sept. We were there for Frances. Not a bad time, just had to stay at WL during the hurricane.

Crowdes are low at this time of year, you will get to go on everything with little to no wait. I think the longest we might have waited was 25min. Have fun and good luck.

 

[Msslaydbug]

This is when we usally go . The last week of August or the first week or so in Sept. The heat and humidity does get pretty bad, but we LOVED the lack of lines ! I am now hearing about the horrible crowds in May and I was wishing we were going in August again

 

[tink5697]

I am going August 29 to Septmeber 4 this year.
I just found this and I am SCAAAARED!! It is last years Hurricanes! I forgot how many there were!!

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/hurricanes/interactive/hurricane.paths/index.html

 

[SammieG]

we go last two weeks in August..
be prepared for high humidity and heat..
low crowds!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

It's the only time that we go and we love it. The crowds are alot less since the kids in the south start school around the second week of August. Yes, it's alot hotter and more humid but that doesn't bother us.

 

[JESW]

Anyone know the start date of southern schools? We were thinking around 8/12 - 21st.

 

[disgirl]

We also have been going the third to last week of August (2002 and 2003). Last year, however, we missed the huricanes because we went to DL instead. We were lucky! We are going again this year though and trying not to think about the possibility of another hurricane.

Although it is humid, hot, and can get afternoon rain, we have had great trips in August and hope for another one this year. The pools, air conditioning and water park breaks help with the humidity. As others have said, the crowds are quite manageable this time of year. I think you would enjoy it!! I think my ds (12) enjoys going to Disney right before school starts, too.

Good Luck with what ever you decide!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

It's why we like August because it's our last hoorah before we go back to school and the crowds aren't too bad. As another poster said, they have so much to keep you cool that the heat doesn't bother you too much. If you get too hot, just stop into a shop.

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

We have gone in Aug and June- Aug was definately preferable for less crowds. Remember if you have kids- to have them bring swim suits to the parks because there are fountains in all the parks to help cool off too! My kids love the ones at Epcot and the ones int he Animal Kingdom!

 

[opal]

We used to go the last week of August when dd was still in school. It is my favorite time to go. The five years we went in August we saw almost no rain (yeah, i know we were very lucky). The crowds are lighter. The park hours are less than the height of season but still longer than off-season. It is warm enough to swim every day and every night! Packing is so much easier. No need to bring sweatshirts and jeans....just in case the weather turns cold. And when it is really hot, you just have another excuse to eat a

 

[melk]

Hey Jill!
Check out my countdown timer, we're heading there the last two weeks of August!

Our main reason for doing so was because we wanted to go for a long vacation and didn't want the kids to miss all that school. I did all my research on the boards and we came up with August. I feel I'm prepared. I've already bought our spray mister fans at Walmart, begun shopping for the coolest clothing possible, and have read everything on these boards about the month of August.

From what I gather, most southern schools go back between the first and second weeks. I've read about the shorter lines and the frequent rain. I feel ready!!

We're not too concerned about hurricanes(except possibly flying down into one, ugh), from what I've read here about last years, the parks were only down for a day at the most and got up and running again very quickly. And the resorts really took care of everyone. So bring it on!

I am concerned about the heat and humidity, my kids tend to melt quite easily. But I'm just going to hydrate them well and we'll go at a slow pace. And like you put in your post, a lot of swimming!

Let us know what you decide, happy planning!!

 

[newholidayx2]

DS13 & I are taking our first mother/son WDW vacation in Aug. We're going for 2wks. We're starting off w/lots of pool time. Then we'll have 4days where we'll be at the parks at their regular openings. Back to the pools at night.
Our 2nd wk we're planning on pool time and the parks late afternoon/nights.

 

[Leota]

I love the end of August. We did it in 2001. My DH hates it, my DS could do without the high heat & humidity - But the Crowds are great. Up until the 3rd week, the hours are summer hours.

DS & I are going 8/24 - 8/30 to get in another trip just the 2 of us. I'm trying to cram in as many vacations as possible with him - He's a junior in HS & soon will be off to college. I'm not ready for an empty nest yet.....

 

[stemikger]

Last year was my first August trip. I went the last two weeks of August. I was really nervous about the heat and the rain. I really prepared myself and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. You can't go commando mode in the parks during the day. It is way to hot. We usually found ourselves leaving the park around 1:00 and going back to the hotel for a swim and/or nap, then we would head back to the park around 4:00 or 5:00 and the heat wasn't as bad.

My only bad day was in Animal Kingdom. I found there are very few places to escape the heat in this park. We simply had to go because I got sick from the heat and almost fainted. It did scare me. Remember to drink lots of water and when you feel yourself overheating get into an air condition place. I actually carried an umbrella to put over my head for shade and found it helped.

Having said all that - I am going again this August, so as you see I liked it. The crowds were not light but they were managable.

Good Luck.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Melk-
As you can see from my countdown and history, I always go in August and we love it as the crowds are alot less since the kids in Florida are already back at school. We've dealt with the few rain showers that occur during the day but it's normal for August and they don't last long. Of course we did have the hurricane last year but that's a rarity and actually it was something to see since where I'm from we don't see hurricanes.
Cooling down is a simple task. If we get too hot we just go into a shop or watch a show. The best place to cool down is the Hall of Presidents. WDW keeps you very comfortable during the hot days so we don't have a problem with it.
You'll love it!!!!

 

[Christy93]

I live in NC and up until this next school year schools have started around August 5, but NC passed a new law that schools can't start until August 25 due to tourism.

We're thinking of going next August when we'll have 2 kids in school, but we haven't decided yet. This year we're taking ds (who will be in 1st grade) out of school for 1 week the end of September.