Too Hot for August Trip?

[Alice-in-wonder]

How do I convince my husband to go in August. Our family has never been to Disney at all and I got a great rate for a mod in AUg 2010? Any ideas?

 

[apnep]

How do I convince my husband to go in August. Our family has never been to Disney at all and I got a great rate for a mod in AUg 2010? Any ideas?

I gotta tell ya, I never thought we'd be going during middle of the summer, but, we also got a great deal and decided to bite the bullet and do it. Yes, it's going to be hot, but we are staying on site and if we get too tired or hot, we can always head back and go for a swim. We're from TX and it gets pretty hot and humid here so how much worse could it be?

Also, since it's during the summer, we don't have to worry about rushing between breaks/holidays from school. We are taking our time. Heck, just show him the bottom line and if he still doesn't want to go, then you and the kids can always send him a postcard!

Ang

 

[lisaross]

we've gone 2x in August - they usually have free dining then so u might get an even better deal!

I am from NYC and the summer's are hot here - not much difference theere - its very doable...

 

[comicguy]

Yes, it is hot and can sometimes be very humid. That being said, I like going in Aug for the following reasons:

1) free dining
2) less crowded
3) parks still open late
4) stay on site and can go back to room for nap/swim


Plus there is a lot to do inside (especially at EPCOT) so you can stay semi cool. Also with the DDP you spend an hour or so at each table service resturant, so that helps you to cool down.

 

[GAN]

Hot... That's what we expected 2 years ago in August, but we got fairly cool weather ---thanks to Tropical Storm Fay. She decided to drop about 20" of rain on us in 4(or was it 5/6?) of the days we were there. Of course, it did clear up on the day we had to leave. We had fun anyway -didn't care how wet we got on Splash or Kali, the first 2 days it started the parks were empty with virtually no waits, and...it WAS significantly cooler!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Hot Hot Hot.. Plan on spending a lot of time at the pool or water parks. Take advantage of the EMH in the morning and do as much as you can before noon. Then head back to the resort for lunch and a swim then return to the parks in the evening. But remember DRINK LOTS OF WATER! Take packets of propel with you to add to your water bottles to combat dehydration.

 

[Promomx2]

we went last aug and usually got a shower in the afternoon which cooled things off.

 

[Tink9295]

Hot... That's what we expected 2 years ago in August, but we got fairly cool weather ---thanks to Tropical Storm Fay. She decided to drop about 20" of rain on us in 4(or was it 5/6?) of the days we were there. Of course, it did clear up on the day we had to leave. We had fun anyway -didn't care how wet we got on Splash or Kali, the first 2 days it started the parks were empty with virtually no waits, and...it WAS significantly cooler!

I was at the Fort Wilderness cabins during Fay. It was wet, very wet. We had fun too.

Last year we went again in August. It was hot and humid, but we would hit the parks early and head back to the hotel around 1:00. It usually rained around then. but not for long. Then we would swim. After that we would head back to the parks or DDD.
If you plan for the hot weather you will be fine.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Well I'm gonna say no ~ our 1st trip to WDW was last Oct. 1-10 it was so hot and humid *yes we had a great time but next time we visit it'll be later in the fall or winter. We had free dining but even with that I wouldn't go back it was too hot to eat all that food! Highs in the high 90s where we live are normal for Aug, but we have 0 humidity. Disneyland in July/Aug is easier, still hot but not nearly as humid.

 

[Karenj2]

Well, I honestly think it depends on where you live... I live in the Philly area, and August in Disney World isn't much worse than August in PA. It's VERY hot, and VERY humid, but if you plan it right (i.e., stay onsite, go to the parks EARLY and take a break midday, drink LOTS of water, etc.) you can have lots of fun. Granted, if you're from a colder clime like Wisconsin or from somewhere with no humidity, you won't like it...

 

[iheartjacksparrow]

Do it! Do it! Do it!

Although it is hot, August is a great time to go and you can kind of beat the heat!

The best advice for avoiding the heat is by staying on Disney property as you said you were doing.
Therefore, you get to take advantage of the extra magic hours!

Arrive at the parks for opening! I know it may seem early, and it's sometimes hard to convince others to wake up early on vaca, but it is so worth it! Plus you'll get some Disney magic by getting there early

PLAN EVERYTHING OUT.

Try to decide with your family before you go which rides everyone wants to go on in which parks. If one of those rides has fast passes, have one of your family members get the fastpasses for that ride while the rest of you head over to wait in another line. If you get there early enough, you really do not have to wait longer then 15 min for most of the rides. August is less crowded then some of the other months.

Try and get everything you want in before 11 AM, if not 12 is ok. This is the HOTTEST part of the day. You can eat lunch at the park or you can take the bus back to your resort and have lunch there (which I prefer). Your family (depending on ages) can split up and kind of do their own thing. Napping, swimming, relaxing, or exploring are some things to do with this time. This way you can avoid that heat and crankiness in the parks!
This is the time we also usually shower and get ready for the night.

Around 4, we start heading out to dinner (depending on ADR's) then back to the parks to take more advantage of extra magic hours! We stay as late as we can handle!

I can't lie and tell you this is a relaxing vacation if that's what your husband is looking for, but it is definetly fun! Don't worry about the heat though, you can avoid it.

Keep looking through the website for other helpful hints, they're all on here!
Oh, and have FUN!

 

[Maybelle]

We have been to WDW 3 times...once in June, once in July and once in August. It was hot and humid all three times. We went last August to take advantage of the free dining.

I would agree with other posters, you do best in the hot weather to get to the park early and try to do what you want to do before 11:00 or so. We often planned to have our big meal of the day mid-day, instead of in the evening. That way, when it got to be really hot, between 11:30 and 1 or so, we could move into the air conditioning and cool off for a while, then head back to the resort for some down time...nap or swim, whatever we felt like. Then head back out around 4-5 when it is starting to cool off again a little and after some of the showers are done.

We always make sure to stay well hydrated, well sunscreened, and rest when we need to and we are fine. Do we get hot? Yes...Do we still have a great time...YES!!!

 

[Alice-in-wonder]

Thanks so much for the replies and advice. I'll have to tell him about this. We live in CT and it can get very hot and humid here too in July and August! I try to avoid the heat here via air conditioners and pools also!

 

[monorailsilver]

OP, I live in CT too.

My dh was not thrilled when I told in in 2002 that I was planning a trip for August that year. He had gone with me a few times before we were married in Feb & March/April. So the thought of the summer sun was not appealing to him.

But he was OK with it once we were there since I did what I always did growing up.

I can tell you I hate to go outside in July/August here in CT but for some reason I am able to in WDW, I don't get it.

We do take advantage of the EMH & get to that park for opening. My dh learned (luckily) before we were married the importance of this. We went on a few trips while still dating & here I was ready & he was in the library doing his 'reading' when we should be going on those EMH rides. But since that first trip with me he has learned his lesson & knows to control his urge to 'read' while there.

Anyways, we go early, grab a bite to eat at the park & then head back to the resort. As a teenager, we would go swimming but now that my kids are younger, swimming isn't an option on those breaks. I made them all nap. When my oldest was 4, I didn't realize she needed that nap that first park day. I took her swimming on our 'break' & she fell asleep in the stroller at about 6pm but did wake up for Illuminations. So after that she napped & she napped when we went in 2008 & she was 7 at that time.

Anyways, we head back to the park for dinner all showered & in clean clothes until closing. I tried a late EMH but we only lasted to 11 (we weren't going to a park the next day).

If possibly I would scheduale a non-park day/a pool day in the middle of your trip as well.

Plus all the rides have a/c, well except Dumbo, etc..

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We are also from CT and prefer to spend our August in WDW!! We are heading back for our 6th aug trip this year. It is hot but we have managed over the years. We also were there during Tropical Storm Fay. It was the best way to do disney in the rain!! We were there for 9 days-- our return train was cancelled so we stayed 5 more days to get the next train out. It was great! The crowds really thinned out during all the rain.

We do make early EMH for the first 4 days of our trip. It really makes a difference in what you can accomplish in that amount of time. We usually have all of Fantasyland, tomorrowland, toon town and lunch done by noonish. We also make sure to use FP for rides we want to ride multiple times. Last year we rode Test track 4 times in the morning. We do take advantage of the rider swap which gets the kids on a 2nd time w/ either Dh or myself.

We purchased a spray bottle from a $1 store -- we fill it up w/ water and freeze it overnight. We carry in around the park- spraying each other down. It feels really good. We have learned to slow down our pace over the years. We have been known to sit and just people watch for a while too.

We find the crowds manageable. Last Aug we went the 3-11th. I swear for the first 4 days or so the parks were empty. I was walking down frontierland and there was nobody around us. I kept ?'ing whether we were on the right days. Most rides were walk on too. It did not pick up til the 5th day. We have never found it so crowded that we thought it wasn't worth it. Most crowds have been extremely manageable.

good luck w/ convincing DH on the trip. I am very lucky bc WDW is the only place my DH will vacation. We always find new things to do each year and have such wonderul memories of our prior trips.

 

[TSNCS]

We went last August, and all the previous posters have hit the nail on the head! The only other thing I would not go without is a hand held fan and batteries. I would have died without it. The ones at the parks are almost 20 bucks, but you can get one at wal-mart for a lot cheaper. You must have the fan!!!!!! and lots of water!

 

[honeydiane1953]

ONE word. YES And I live in Ga. where I am used to hot humid weather.

 

[mafibisha]

ONE word. YES

ITA - yes, its too hot!

There's a reason there are great deals
There's a reason why the crowds aren't bad -
It is beyond Hot and uncomfortable.
Disney needs to do something to get people there so they offer great deals. Not worth it IMO.

 

[Planogirl]

We don't mind the heat but we mostly tour in the morning and evening and do something indoors or slow in the afternoon. Drink lots of water, wear light loose clothing and take it slow.

 

[littlele]

Hot... That's what we expected 2 years ago in August, but we got fairly cool weather ---thanks to Tropical Storm Fay. She decided to drop about 20" of rain on us in 4(or was it 5/6?) of the days we were there. Of course, it did clear up on the day we had to leave. We had fun anyway -didn't care how wet we got on Splash or Kali, the first 2 days it started the parks were empty with virtually no waits, and...it WAS significantly cooler!

We must have been there the same time. Yes it was rainy, but because of the reasons you listed it was a great time to visit the parks. I kept thinking during all of that trip, "Is this what they mean by hurricane season?".

But, it was also the second time we had been there in August and the other time had rain, but was also very warm. I do not think you would be disappointed by going at this time.