Tips for going the end of August

[deedeew80]

Hi all! Our family of 4 is thinking of going to Disney next year August 21-28. It will be me, hubby, daughter 8 & son 6. Growing up we always went at the end of August. Last time I was there in August was 2007 and I don't know if it was more unbelievably hot & humid than usual or just me being older, but I hated the heat!! We took our kids for the first time end of April/beginning of May and it was hot but bearable. The only way we can get to Disney now is if we go in the summer. I attend college and cannot miss classes!! So now I have to convince hubby we can deal with the heat at the end of August. We live in NJ and have lots of hot humid days in thesummer so we do have some exposure, thought not nearly as bad as FL! I also remember the end of August having lower crowds because most kids are back in school. Not sure if this still holds true! I feel like there isn't really a slow time anymore with all the new changes taking place! So what are some good tips for going the end of August? Crowd level expectations? Weather? I know HOT! Lol! I believe they usually offer free dining at this time as well? Thanks for any info you all can pass on!!

 

[heidijanesmith]

We toured in August a few years ago and the later we stayed in August the better the crowds were. I really did not think they were too bad.

The heat! The heat is really intense and the humidity can make it tough to handle. Our strategy has always been to tour early AM, hit rope drop. Take a long daily break, during the worst of the heat and crowds. Then we head back to the parks when the sun goes down for some night time touring.

Drink more water than you think you need. I use a small portable fan that has some oomph to it, but still portable. I do not like misting fans as it just adds more luke warm water to my already sweating face. I like to freeze a washcloth over night and then put it in a baggie to tour with. It feels great to be able to wipe off your face with a nice cool towel.

We also go to the waterparks a couple times. We LOVE TL and usually rent a cabana, it's a great way to have a home spot that is nice and shady with plenty of water available.

 

[Marthasor]

I've lived either in PA or the NYC metropolitan area virtually my entire life, so, I think my understanding of summer heat and humidity is probably on par with yours. We've also gone to WDW the last week of August for the past 6 years (and will go again this year, leaving in 9 days!) and I can tell you, yes, it's much worse in FL. That being said, we make it work. We typically hit a park at rope drop, go back to the resort after lunch (around 1/1:30 pm) and don't go back out to a park until about 5 pm or so. We typically eat dinner around 5 pm so we can take advantage of the air conditioning and use the rest of the evening for touring as the sun goes down and the temps get cooler. You have to be willing to deal with almost-daily rain showers as well. Is it ideal weather-wise? No. We've actually had better weather experiences in December, but crowds are, yes, relatively lower as are prices. We've never done free dining (we aren't fans of the DDP) but have always gotten good room discounts and typically buy discounted tickets from Undercover Tourist. If you will be happy with afternoon resort and pool breaks, it can work. That's how we do it, anyway.

 

[mdelano4]

NJ here too. We almost always go in late August due to a standing commitment I have the beginning of the month each year. Yes, it's hot, sometimes very very hot and humid, but it's not the worst thing. First, the crowds are down a bit because the southern kids are back in school and the south american camps are done for the summer. Rotate between attractions where you are outside and inside. Spend more time at the pool than you may be planning. For several trips I could not do this. My philosophy was march until we drop. Now, we go to the park in the morning, pool midday and back to the park in the evening. You aren't going to miss much by doing that. Enjoy!!

 

[Hockeyfan17]

This will be our fourth late August trip, and I can agree with the previous posters. We do seem to get some what used to the heat after a day or two, but it is still hot. Make sure you take some breaks, drink a lot of water, and plan your touring where you will have periodic breaks in indoor attractions to get a blast of air conditioning. Aside from AK where we usually spend the day there, all of our other park days are rope drop to lunch, and then back in the evening either for dinner or sometimes after dinner.

 

[deedeew80]

NJ here too. We almost always go in late August due to a standing commitment I have the beginning of the month each year. Yes, it's hot, sometimes very very hot and humid, but it's not the worst thing. First, the crowds are down a bit because the southern kids are back in school and the south american camps are done for the summer. Rotate between attractions where you are outside and inside. Spend more time at the pool than you may be planning. For several trips I could not do this. My philosophy was march until we drop. Now, we go to the park in the morning, pool midday and back to the park in the evening. You aren't going to miss much by doing that. Enjoy!!

Yes!! I've always been a March till ya drop kinda person! I have been to Disney 14 times and have always went from morning to night! Then I took my kids for the first time in 2015 and boy what a difference! It was not a great first trip. I was stupid and still tried going morning to night. Doing that with kids was no the best idea. Especially because they were only 5 & 3 at the time. My 3 yr old slept in the stroller at times which was good, but my 5 yr old and hubby & I were getting miserable by the end. My thought was my kids are going to love it they need to see everything!! Due to this we actually missed out on a lot of things! I planned way too much, had way too many sit down meals. It was just crazy! This trip would be a complete do over!! I just don't want to be miserable due to the heat! I like the idea of taking a break, go for a swim or whatever mid afternoon. Thanks!

 

[Sona99]

I live in Florida, and our weather is much the same as Disney.

HOT. It'll be HOT at the end of August. It won't really cool down until October.

 

[cgattis]

At age 6, I'd pull them out of school during November, December, January, or February instead!!! I've been in all those months except January, and I'd choose any over August. Took DD for a long birthday weekend last August and, while we had fun, I would not have wanted a week of that, nor do I think it would've been as easy with a 6YO (she was turning 15). But you CAN do it and survive (with enough water LOL) if that's the only time you can go.

 

[kniquy]

I do not mean to hijack here -we might be planning a late august trip soon. I'm wondering what attractions have the longest/best indoor cool lines. Some i would imagine have a bit of time before you reach indoors and some might actually be mostly outdoors.

Might take a little more creative tour planning to help manage a balance of indoor and outdoor waits

 

[anniemae]

It is blisteringly hot. The heat radiates off the pavement and is relentless. You have to be very very careful about dehydration. We saw more than one person pass out from dehydration. The heat may make you exhausted too. Always keep an eye on the weather this time of year, as you can see, there are currently a few storms spinning around right now. We have been twice in Aug and twice hurricanes were bearing down on Orlando.

 

[deedeew80]

At age 6, I'd pull them out of school during November, December, January, or February instead!!! I've been in all those months except January, and I'd choose any over August. Took DD for a long birthday weekend last August and, while we had fun, I would not have wanted a week of that, nor do I think it would've been as easy with a 6YO (she was turning 15). But you CAN do it and survive (with enough water LOL) if that's the only time you can go.

I'm not worried about pulling them out of school, I did it last time. It is my schooling that I can't miss. I'm currently in college finishing my degree and cannot miss even one class or I'll be behind. So summer is the only time for us to go unfortunately.

It is blisteringly hot. The heat radiates off the pavement and is relentless. You have to be very very careful about dehydration. We saw more than one person pass out from dehydration. The heat may make you exhausted too. Always keep an eye on the weather this time of year, as you can see, there are currently a few storms spinning around right now. We have been twice in Aug and twice hurricanes were bearing down on Orlando.

We were stuck in Orlando back in 2004 during a hurricane in August. It's definitely risky!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm in NJ and have done end of August twice and will be doing it again next year.

Yes it's hot but doable. We do RD, midday break by the pool and then PM park around 5ish with FP+. It works for us.

 

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

We were at Saratoga Springs for 2 weeks late last August, and are going again next year. Plan on hot and humid, with daily torrential rain in the afternoon. The rain was higher than my ankles one day at Disney Springs. Even the pools don't help, as it feels like you're going in a hot bath.

Just plan less, and go slow.

 

[cgattis]

I'm not worried about pulling them out of school, I did it last time. It is my schooling that I can't miss. I'm currently in college finishing my degree and cannot miss even one class or I'll be behind. So summer is the only time for us to go unfortunately.

Well, congrats and good luck with your school, then! Yes, the best time to go is when you can go!! Just plan for tons of water, cooling towels, and (to try to feel remotely human for pics and ADRs) wipes and deodorant!!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Could you go in mid December or the beginning of January during your winter break? We went in mid August and I'll never do it again. It was sickening hot. Animal Kingdom was unbearable.

 

[deedeew80]

Could you go in mid December or the beginning of January during your winter break? We went in mid August and I'll never do it again. It was sickening hot. Animal Kingdom was unbearable.

Unfortunately my classes don't end until December 21st and that is way too close to Christmas for me!! Lol! Yeah AK is always the hottest! It's not one of our favorite parks anyway so we usually only spend the mornings there. We have a zoo 5 mins away so seeing animals isn't as exciting to us as to others! Lol!

 

[REEREEG]

We are going on Friday and I'm actually really nervous about the heat. I keep my house at 57 in the winter and 66 in the summer so I'm scared!! (Although I didn't put AC in this year and have just been using fans to start preparing...)

 

[Sona99]

It's been in the low 90s this week with a heat index near or at 100.

 

[REEREEG]

It's been in the low 90s this week with a heat index near or at 100.

What time does it start cooling off?

I heard there are usually afternoon thunderstorms, about what time would you figure they would occur?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I was at WDW over the past weekend, and have visited in August before. Be ready for the humidity. The temps were honestly not ridiculous. But the humidity makes your clothes stick to your body constantly. I went thru a continuing cycle of sweating and drying off and then sweating again. Drink copious amounts of water!