Tips on Going in August

[stemikger]

Hi everyone,

I am going to Disney in August. I'm starting to get nervous, some people tell me I'm crazy to go that time of year because the heat is so intense. Can someone who has been there that time of year tell me if my trip will be hampered a little or a lot becuase of the weather this time of year.

Thanks.

Going in August. Hopefully I'll survive the heat. (and Mission Space)

 

[Ms. WDW]

But it's not a disaster!

We always go in the summer months because of school. And July and August are hot months. Oh and rainy too!

But if you plan, you'll be fine.

If you stay on site, take advantage of EE mornings. We do and usually head out of that park before noon. We then go for a nice lunch somewhere or back to the resort. Take time in the hottest part of the day for relaxing; swimming, napping or whatever you want. Then we go back to a NON EE Park in the late afternoon.

Resting mid day seems to be the key for us. Oh and water...lots and lots of water. We freeze the bottles overnight and refill them as needed through out the day.

Oh and Mission Space - if this 45 + Mom can do it you can. It's not bad at all. Actually, I'm going to do it again this July; I think.

Don't be nervous about August. You'll be just fine. And besides.....you in WDW!!!

 

[Schmeck]

We're also planning our first "hot" trip this summer. We usually go in May, and Octiber was nice too! But the kids are too old to take out of school, and I work in a school too, so I can't get any time off during the school year, so it's the end of August for us!

We're staying an extra 4 days, so that we don't feel like we have to cram too many activities into each day. DD12 actually asked to have one day just to be at the pool at AKL!

Schmeck, planning on packing lots of water, extra strength sunscreen, comfy waterproof sandals, sunhats, and patience for this trip!

edited to fix typo

 

[Blueberry]

We used to go summers when the kids were with us and it is very do-able as long as you take it easy and do not overdo it. First you have to realize it is summer and hot everywhere!!! Try and tour early in the morning and in the evening and if you do not leave the parks, visit the cool air conditoned shows mid afternoon or go back to your hotel for a nice swim.

The lines are somewhat air condtioned as they blow nice cool air on you, so that helps some. We each took a small towel with us to wipe off our faces, if you wet one down and wash your face off it cools you a lot. My boys would wet their towel down and put it on their necks...

 

[Selket]

We went the 3rd week of August last year - my first summer time trip in over 20 years (since I was a kid). We had usually been in January or May so I was quite worried. It was as hot here in Maryland as it was in Orlando that time of the year and by that time in August you're already used to the heat! It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have 2 young kids too and they held up very well. We did take many breaks and swam every day at the hotel. We also did both eride nights which is wonderful! We got a lot of rain - more than even is usual for Orlando that time of year - but it was very rainy all over the east coast last summer. Buy a cheap mister fan(s), plan to drink a lot of water and take breaks and you'll do great!!!! Have fun! No worries!

 

[lolatuck]

I believe that if you go with the intentions of having the best time of your life....YOU WILL!! :jumping4:

On the other hand.....if you go expecting it to be a disaster....IT WILL BE!!


We went in August of 2001, and YES it was rainy from time to time, and YES it was hot as hades. And YES we had the most wonderful vacation we have ever had!

As the other posters have said....

*Plan ahead. Bring rain gear and drink plenty of water and you'll be fine!

*Take a break mid-day to relax by the pool at your hotel or take a nap. You'll be refreshed and ready for more adventure.

*Go with the attitude that you are going to have a GREAT time! I promise you......... You will!!


Have a great time!

Lola °Ü°

 

[lolatuck]

Hey, Schmeck, it looks like we will be there at the same time!!!

Where will you be staying? We will be at Shades of Green from Aug. 15-23.

Lola °Ü°

 

[goofy4tink]

We'll be right with ya!! We have traveled to WDW in the mid-fall season and found it to be wonderful. But, my dd is too old now to miss too much school. So last summer we were ther for the 3rd week in August. Hot? Yes. Humid? Oh yes. But, we had very similar weather here in N.E. the past 3 years. So, it was bearable. My suggestions?

1. bring ponchos with you. You will need them.

2. drink copious amounts of water and plan bathroom breaks accordingly.

3. get a mister fan.

4. take your time. if you tour more slowly, you won't get so tired.

5. look for shady spots to relax in every few hours. We did SeaWorld and sat in the sun for one of the shows. I was soaked thru to my skin, everywhere, from sweat. Miserable.

6. swim in the resort pool every afternoon. give your little tootsies a break. then go back to the parks.

Have a great time most importantly!!! See you there!!

 

[JBurke]

We went last August, our first time going in the summer.
Yes is was hot and it did rain a lot, but we had the attitiude that we were on vacation and we didnt care.
When it rained, we just got wet. Nothing was going to stop us from having fun. We still laugh about it today when we think back on it and how it absolutely POURED while we were there.

As for the heat, definately buy a mister. We bought a mister that my husband wore around his waist. It had a small nozzle that detached and he could spray us and anyone else in line who wanted a spritz. He was a very popular man. It cost us $20. We bought it at Jewel (an Albertsons supermarket here in Chicago). We just had to refill it every so often with ice water which we would get from the vendors for free. It worked better than the mister fans.

We went Aug 13-20 and the nice thing about that time was that the parks were open longer and there were 2 e-nights. We tried to take a break in the afternoon and then went back to the parks at night. We saved all the major rides at MK for e-night when there were no lines.
I know the following week the parks started closign earlier.

 

[DBH]

We live in the South so the heat was not a big issue. The big thing is to pace yourself. Take breaks and swim or nap. A lot of the rides have air conditioning once you get inside. We went in August a few years back and had a great time.

 

[ghcoughlin]

Hi,We went last August we usually went in Sept.Same heat and humidity but we needed to contend with the crowds .Anyway our best discovery was I would take face clothes, wet them Then roll them up and put into the freezer overnight(we stayed at FW cabins)Along with a few bottles of water.The next morning we would put them into our cheapy cooler I got at Joanne's Fabric.This was a light over the shoulder cooler.This worked GREAT.We would duck into a cool building and put the ICE COLD clothes on our faces.This did such a job for a regeneration of energy.
Other then that take advantage of EE and E-nights.But most of all PACE YOURSELF!!!!!
Don't let the anticipation of the heat overshadow your excitment of your trip.I am not a fan of the heat,humidity or crowds but we survived.
Pack moleskin,scissors and foot powder
Relax you'll have a great time.
Heidi

 

[donac]

I am from your neck of the woods, central New Jersey. I have gone the last two summers in Aug. Both times when I got back the weatherman on the news told me that the week I was away it was over 90 every day. In 2002 we only had 1 day above 90 and last year I think we had 2 day. It is not that bad, especially when you consider how hot and humid it is here during the month of July and August. Just make sure you hit the pool. The water parks are nice too but just get there early.

Dona

 

[auntpolly]

<b>Pack the raingear!!!!!</b>

We've gone in June many times, but last year we made our first August trip. I have a question for you Florida experts; does it rain more in August than it does in June, or was it just particularly rainy last year?

OMG, it was really more than I had bargained for!!! I mean, of course we still had a blast, but we were soaking wet for a good part of the time!! (Even with the ponchos on! )

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Well, You have your trip planned so I dont want to be a downer...but we went last year Aug 24-Sept 2.

It was soooo humid, they said it was worse than usual. I would drip as soon as I left the hotel room. We drank what seemed like a lot, but I never peed at the parks, so I know it wasnt enough.

My new husband dragged me from ride to ride- we saw everything!!.

It was not fun- in fact I hated it. I hate the summer. period, so thats not really a big help.

We bought ponchos (fun looking) as there were plenty of short term storms passing through- but very quick.

The advice folks have given you...stick with it, its so key to having a good time. Wear great shoes- bring 2 pair!!! If a pair gets wet, have a second pair for the next day. Bring LOTS of socks, carry with you in the parks, or some shops sell them, make sure your feet stay dry (lots of sweating going on down there) plus the rain, so be sure to do a foot check for dry and blister free socks.

Go take a break somewhere, I know it can be a long trip back to the room, but it could be worth it for your sanity.

Best place in Magic Kingdom to rest and cool off...Cinderella's Castle!! Its cool and dark and they dont rush you!

Be sure to swap out of rides that are int he sun, like astro orbiter, with rides in the dark, like Buzz Lightyear.

Go slow and just enjoy what you can....drink lots of water!!! Wear a hat.

It broke my heart to see kids with flip flops on and band aids all over there feet or complaining that their feet hurt...

We are going back in May to try and recreate our honeymoon- husband promises to go slow this time.

As I told him, if I dont have a good time this time...we are never going back. But I think the parks were great, the humidity killed it for me and my single pair of sneakers- they should have a shoe shop there!!!

 

[brown eyed girl]

We are braving our first trip too for this August. I am going with the mind set that taking pool breaks is mandatory. We are not going to see everything that we want to see and that this is not a restful vacation. If we reach the point where someone is saying just two more rides and then we will have lunch, while my 10 year old is cranky , hot and miserable - I am thinking that is the time to get off the line no matter how big an attraction it is and try to get on it at an (earlier or later) time. The whole point of any vacation besides relaxation is fun and if you are not having fun at Disney then what's the point.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We go every august, but this year we are going in april. We are from Long Island now and used to live in texas where it was like 100 plus all summer. But the humidty is terrible in fl. Our one ds has asthma and he felt it. This past aug. we went the 2nd week for 10 days. I was getting really sick of the rain this time. We even cancelled our universal trip because I thought we wouldnt get our moneys worth, we just hung out at the swan grotto pool until the storm came. This time we even had the tornado warning to deal with. All the other posters are right mister fan, pool breaks etc. We really dont care for the water there so I would make gatorade and koolaid to bring into the parks. Also invest in a refillable mug if you are staying on site at a disney resort. We really got our moneys worth out of them. Also make any priority seatings as soon as the 90 day window or whatever time frame you are looking at. Many times I heard cm say, sorry, no walk ups accepted, we are booked for today, this was for the fantasmic pkg. and crystal palace. and chef mickey. I would consider the fantasmic pkg. Even though there are 2 shows, its hard to wait in the line if you have been dealing with the heat all day. That was our one good meal of the day so it didnt seem like any extra expense to us. One day I just decided to have everyone walk around the parks with water shoes as our sneakers and socks were soaked. etc. Use EE if you are staying on site and get FP for everything that you can. The water parks were extremely crowded, get there when they open. Wear light colored clothing and maybe invest in some cornstarch for prickly heat.rashy type skin and ear drops for lots of pool swimming if your family goes underwater alot. You will have a good time, just plan accordingly. I always have my rainy plans when no one wants to schlep to the parks. Usually its dq and the ds visit an arcade at a resort while dh and I check out the food options of the resort.

 

[stemikger]

Thanks soooo much. You have all given me great advice that I will use. I particularly thank you for telling me about bringing two pairs of sneakers. I didn't think about that and I would hate to have to walk around with wet sneakers.

Going with a positive attitude and pleanty of pixie dust.

 

[goofy4tink]

As far as footgear goes, we brought sneakers also. But, we each had a pair of waterproof sandals. Dh has some from Nike, mine are from LLBean (or LandsEnd) and dd's are from StrideRite. They had plenty of support for walking, didn't give any of us blisters. You just have to find the type that work best for you. We would wear our sneakers in the early part of the day, and when we went back to our resort mid-day, changed to the sandals since it was mid-afternoon that the rains would hit!!

Also save newspaper to stuff your sneakers with. It really does help dry them out faster than without.