Talk to me about August...

[mshanson3121]

So last time we went it was June 24-July 5th, so certainly hot, muggy, daily storms etc... and very crowded, especially from July 1-3. So, we know all that.

However, we are considering August (August 8-22) for our trip next summer for a couple reasons:

1) hoping crowds may be a bit lower than what we would experience in June
2) it will allow my husband an actual break, instead of just finishing work for the year and a day or two later hopping in the car for a 3 day drive to Florida to go tour theme parks (college instructor).
3) and while this isn't really a factor, it would be a nice perk if TSL was open when we went

My concerns however are more weather related: I know that August, especially mid to later August when we would be going are getting into the thick of hurricane season. What are the odds of getting a bad storm/hurricane when there? What do they do if that happens? Is there any reimbursement for tickets? What about general day to day weather - is there much difference between June, July and August? Is the heat/humidity really that much worse in August than June?

 

[maryj11]

We have gone at the end of June and the middle of August the past couple of years. The weather and crowds were about the same. Maybe a little more thunder storms in the afternoon in August but they don't last long. I thought well we tried both and one over the other didnt really make a difference. We are going again in August this year because the resort discounts are better. We have not been there during a hurricane but heard Disney does their best at making things enjoyable at the resorts if you will get stuck there until the hurricane weather passes. Last year they did have a hurricane during labor day week I think and everyone had to stay at the resort. They brought characters to the resorts, food, and entertained everyone.

 

[North of Mouse]

My concerns however are more weather related: I know that August, especially mid to later August when we would be going are getting into the thick of hurricane season. What are the odds of getting a bad storm/hurricane when there? What do they do if that happens? Is there any reimbursement for tickets? What about general day to day weather - is there much difference between June, July and August? Is the heat/humidity really that much worse in August than June?

Even though it 'may' be somewhat more hot and humid, not enough difference to notice that much - to us anyway - bad is bad LOL.
Yes, the threat/odds of hurricanes is very high - some of the worst to hit us in LA was end of Aug/Sept. No way to really tell in advance. Lots of summer thunder storms. No reimbursement of tickets!! Crowds still very high.

 

[anniemae]

Aug is extremely hot and humid. It's like the surface of the sun hot. Lots or rain, and like a pp said, hurricane season. We had to cut a trip short to get out before a hurricane hit. Not fun. Every trip we have been in Aug there has been a threat of a hurricane.

 

[prprincess]

We visited in August for the first time last year, and honestly, I'm sold on that time period now. We went during the last week, and while I was worried about the heat, it wasn't any worse than summers here in South Jersey. Yes it rained everyday and we did get caught up in the remnants of a hurricane, but it did not ruin our trip--we did everything we wanted to do and had a fabulous time. The crowds were also low. I'd definitely do late August again.

 

[anniemae]

I don't think there will be any more low crowds, especially this year. With Pandora opening, the Halloween parties, and the f&w starting early, I think it will be crazy busy from June right through Sept with no down times.

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

Historically my family had only been in October (5 times) and once in December for Christmas. Last year we decided to go the last week of August and LOVED IT! We were actually there during Hurricane Hermine, but for us this was the best part of the trip! It was still warm so being wet with rain all day wasn't that uncomfortable, and boy do the parks clear out! We were able to do EE 13 times on our AK day, as not many people were crazy enough to venture to the parks in the middle of a tropical storm. The low crowd levels were worth it for us, and the heat honestly wasn't even that different than October (we have experienced record breaking heat 3 different times in October at WDW, each time with the high being above 100 degrees).

As for your actual questions yes, there is a very high chance of hurricanes. If the parks are closed due to them then everyone will be encouraged to stay in their hotels, and Disney is very good about bringing characters and other forms of entertainment to the hotels during those times. I wouldn't worry about the heat/humidity being worse, it may be a few degrees hotter but nothing that noticeable, just expect to sweat no matter what.

 

[Hockeyfan17]

We have always gone in late August and we have always enjoyed ourselves. Sure, it is very hot and humid, but you do go in and out of attractions which are air conditioned as well as restaurants and shops. We almost always go back to the resort in the afternoon for a swim or just some downtime in the room or around the grounds. We do find the crowds are very tolerable and have not had too much of a problem getting all of our lists of things to do done.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I love the end of August. Yes it's hot but doable. We hit RD, midday break by the pool, back to a PM with FP+. Yes you have the risk of a hurricane but you can get some amazing deals. The crowds are lower the closer to the end of August you get.

 

[Praying Colonel]

So last time we went it was June 24-July 5th, so certainly hot, muggy, daily storms etc... and very crowded, especially from July 1-3. So, we know all that.

However, we are considering August (August 8-22) for our trip next summer for a couple reasons:

1) hoping crowds may be a bit lower than what we would experience in June
2) it will allow my husband an actual break, instead of just finishing work for the year and a day or two later hopping in the car for a 3 day drive to Florida to go tour theme parks (college instructor).
3) and while this isn't really a factor, it would be a nice perk if TSL was open when we went

My concerns however are more weather related: I know that August, especially mid to later August when we would be going are getting into the thick of hurricane season. What are the odds of getting a bad storm/hurricane when there? What do they do if that happens? Is there any reimbursement for tickets? What about general day to day weather - is there much difference between June, July and August? Is the heat/humidity really that much worse in August than June?

We've been to WDW several times in August. The first time was 04, when Hurricane Charley went through Orlando. That was the only tropical system we've experienced in our August trips, but there's never a guarantee, of course. Here's a Wikipedia article on Florida hurricanes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Florida_hurricanes#2000.E2.80.93present

All I can say is if you're going during hurricane season--you'll want to be familiar with WDW's policy on hurricane disruption and be prepared to live with that or purchase trip insurance before you go.

Speaking very generally, we find the weather is oppressive but manageable, crowds get lighter as the month goes on and park hours are still pretty good. Definitely doable and IMHO preferable to other times of the year where maybe it's cooler but crowds are .

 

[ArwenMarie]

Out of all of our trips (February, April, June, October), our August trips have always been our best ones. The heat is not worse in August, not to any discernible level anyway.

The only month that beat August was November right after Thanksgiving. That was the perfect combination of weather, crowds and Christmas decorations

 

[tlmadden73]

I went Last week of August in 2015. About a week before Labor Day weekend.

It was hot and humid most of the day, and it stormed every day (thunderstorms for 90+ minutes, torrential downpours, etc.). The storms were (besides the normal afternoon showers) were due to an approaching hurricane (that never hit land). One day a storm was during lunch, another day it was during dinner and the third day it was after dinner.

I'm from coastal NC, so we are used to the heat and know how to handle it (doesn't make it any more pleasant) and we were prepared for the rain, so that didn't spoil our fun one bit and it sorta cleared the parks out and cooled things down for the evenings.

We also made sure we were there for rope drops (or EMH) to take full advantage of the cooler, (slightly) less humid mornings and took much needed breaks in the afternoon (which I don't normally like to do, but made the evenings a LOT more enjoyable).

Crowds?
I thought the crowds were REALLY good. Less crowded then my last two trips: Oct. 2014, End of March 2017 (two weeks ago).
DHS, was not as crowded as I found it two weeks ago. (But now the park is HALF the size and a few less attractions, so I feel that the "crowded" feel I got from DHS two weeks ago was just from the lack of space and things to do).
MK was good crowd levels too (Lots of rides had shorter waits, the not-so-popular rides were walk-ons, it wasn't a stroller traffic jam trying to get from Fantasyland to Liberty Square.)

I would highly recommend END of August (simply a lot of families have kids heading back to school, so thus just less crowded), but personally will probably wait to go again that time of year when I have older kids who can handle the heat/exhaustion better, but I found it a good time to go. I have an infant now, and don't see trying to do the heat/humid theme park trip until she is at least 3-4+.

 

[barbliny]

Part of your range is in the busier part of August - the last 2 weeks in August are usually less crowded because of students and college professors having to be back at school!

We have gone in August many times because for years we could only go during the summer or school breaks - and school breaks are notoriously crowded. Those last 2 weeks in August have fairly low crowds.

Yes, it's hot and humid - just plan accordingly, try and stay out of the parks in the hottest mid-day hours. Since you are looking at staying for such a long period of time, you should have no problem spreading out your park visits. There also will be pop-up severe thunderstorms.

Hurricanes - I'm from coastal New York - so, I'm used to waiting for hurricanes. When I'm in Disney during August I actually worry more about my house than the parks!!

If you are very worried about tropical storms and hurricanes, I might suggest staying in a Disney resort that has guest rooms in the same building as the food options - so, you won't need to walk from one of the outer buildings in the whipping rain to get food. Also, if it fits in the budget, club level.

 

[Moushe]

We've done mid-August several times with small kids and are doing it again this year. Our strategy is to get to the parks at Rope Drop and do as much as possible before the temperature and humidity (and rain) spike. We always make a table service ADRs for lunch, its nice to get out of the heat for an hour, sit down and calmly enjoy a meal. IMO there is nothing worse than fighting through a crowd at a QS restaurant when everyone is sweaty, tired, and cranky.

We bring fan misters and frog togs to help fight the heat. After lunch we do a few more rides and then head back to the hotel. By this point we are pretty tired so we all take a 1-2 hour nap then head to the pool. On occasion we've gone back to a park, but I prefer pool and early bedtime for my little ones.

 

[richmo]

Since you've been in July...August is probably similar in terms of heat and humidity. There is a higher risk of hurricane in August, but anything hitting that would cause more than a day of rain/wind is pretty rare in Orlando.

Having been in August several times myself, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, I'd say my main advice would be to go as late in the month as possible. Early August still has the June-July crowd levels, but then the colleges head back followed by school age as the month goes on. Also, Disney is much more likely to kick in deals (room discounts, "free" dining, etc.) as the month goes on.

 

[wendow]

Heat is pretty much same as July with bit more rain but the rain does help cool things off so I don't mind that.

As far as crowds, they will drop as the month progresses but your dates are still early enough to be higher crowds. Pretty much right as you'd be leaving, the crowds would be dropping. If you can shift your trip back a week (or two), you will see some lower crowds. Having said that, there is no low crowd time anymore. Many, many people are pulling kids out of school to go late Aug-Sept cause they have read how low the crowds are. We go this time period every year and it seriously just keeps getting busier and busier.

 

[mshanson3121]

Heat is pretty much same as July with bit more rain but the rain does help cool things off so I don't mind that.

As far as crowds, they will drop as the month progresses but your dates are still early enough to be higher crowds. Pretty much right as you'd be leaving, the crowds would be dropping. If you can shift your trip back a week (or two), you will see some lower crowds. Having said that, there is no low crowd time anymore. Many, many people are pulling kids out of school to go late Aug-Sept cause they have read how low the crowds are. We go this time period every year and it seriously just keeps getting busier and busier.

Yeah, I wish we could but DH teaches at a college and has to be back that very next Monday. Basically our earliest arrival date is June 20th and our latest departure date is August 22 (next year).

 

[serene56]

I don't think there will be any more low crowds, especially this year. With Pandora opening, the Halloween parties, and the f&w starting early, I think it will be crazy busy from June right through Sept with no down times.

I agree with this statement August 8th thru the 15th it should still be a tad crowded abut after the 15th through the 22nd you should see a huge crowd shift. Most kids are back in school in the south. People tend NOT to take the kids out of school in the begining. BUt it IS HOT HUMID and darn right damp. Its also prime time hurricane season

 

[Parker Clan]

We do mid August every single year
It's totally manageable
Yes it's hot and humid but it's FL. I'd rather be in FL in 106 degree weather than in CT all day any day, but that's just me
Close to rope drop in the parks. Then Mid day breaks each day is key. Hang in the pool and refresh. Back out at night.
Low crowds are awesome
I am sold on August too. I was just there in March during spring break week and while the weather was gorgeous it was outrageously busy. No thanks!

 

[maryj11]

When we go we do a few days rope drop eat lunch in the air conditioning go back to the resort to swim and go back at night. Other days we swim during the day and go to the park in the evening that is open late and stay until closing. Our misting fans are a life saver and bottled water. We actually prefer to be in the parks at night and love it when it rains and clears out the park. Lower crowds with cooler temps make it nice.