WDW in August - How Hot?

[FOV]

I recently booked a free dining package to WDW for August 29 - Sept. 3. We have always gone to WDW in the fall. What should I expect?

* How are the crowds at the water parks in the mornings? I was hoping the last week of August would be a bit less crowded because so many kids go back to school but on the other hand we will be there for Labor Day weekend.

* When we are there the water parks will be open 'til 6pm. Should we go to a major park in the morning and then head over to BB/TL around noon?

* Finally - am I making a mistake going at such a hot time of year? I can handle heat but dh and the kids are less tolerant. I haven't booked airfare yet so I have time to opt out. I would hate to spend a lot of $$ on a vacation and have a cranky family!

Thanks!

 

[MelanieC]

It's definately hot, but in my honest opinion it's not that bad at Disney Parks. We eat at a sit down lunch and dinner to get out of the heat. Half the rides and buildings are indoors. The air conditioning is so cold that by the time I'm done in a building I'm so cold I can't wait to go outside. Then when I thaw out, I'm ready to go back inside. It's really the best of both worlds.

We used to go in November/December a lot. It was always iffy with how warm or cold it would be. We would take all sorts of clothes like sweatshirts, pants, shorts, short sleeved shirts, etc. You never knew how to dress. Sometimes it was cold inside and out. I like the summer because I only take shorts and I don't have to worry how to dress.

We did Busch Gardens in Tampa last year and it was so stinking hot, none of the lines or rides were indoors except one show. There are no real sit down places to eat there. I was miserable. We were in Florida for two weeks last summer and I never felt that way except at Tampa and while sitting from 6am-10:30am in Titusville waiting for the shuttle launch.

Can't answer about the waterparks as we go to the beach for 2 days instead.

Summer is actually our favorite time of year now.

 

[heatherfeather24]

After years of going in either late September or March, we went in August this past year. It was REALLY REALLY hot and REALLY REALLY crowded.

That said, we were still able to do everything that we wanted by making sure we were at the parks when the opened and taking an afternoon break from about 2-5ish. We also made sure to bring lots of extra tops/t-shirts/etc. Just changing from a sweaty t-shirt to a clean one was helpful in getting us geared back up for the heat after our afternoon breaks.

I must say, though, that it was so hot that the water at the quiet pool in our resort (POR, AB section) was like bathwater -- not very refreshing.

I can't help with the water parks because we didn't do them this last trip.

August is definitely not my preference, but if it were my only option, I'd take it over foresaking a trip to WDW entirely

 

[scrapbookingpro]

August is extremely HOT HOT HOT. It's that oppressive kind of heat where you just feel skicky all the time and you want to just lie down and sleep a lot. Be prepared to sweat. If you are able to do a lot of indoor rides and activities, you should be O.K. but if you want to spend a lot of time outdoors- yikes! Just come prepared and take as many indoor breaks as you can.

 

[Kimberly815]

We are going during the same time for a quick trip during free dining. . .and I am expecting it to be HOT HOT HOT! I may actually burst into flames! But I will have fun doing it!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Florida in August?? Flippin' FREAKIN' HOT! HOT! HOT!! It's not stopping us from doing it again this year though!!! I expect that one of my dd's (the 11 year old) will be whiney!!! I already warned her that I can get in an in-room sitter if she'd like!!! I mean it!!!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Africa Hot!!!!!!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

Basically if you find yourself saying, "Boy is it hot out here".
You caught a cool day.

 

[nightowlky]

Definitely prepare in advance (mister pump things, those cooling bandanas, and LOTS and LOTS of water or Gatorade/Powerade).

Wear comfortable shoes and I'd recommend socks that help wick moisture/sweat away from your skin. I forget the name of the brand...CoolQuest or something?

 

[Goofy4]

92-95, 100% humidity, afternoon shower -- every day

 

[eliza61]

Ok, once and for all it will be hot, as one dis said "Africa Hot". We always go the last week in August.
Yes it's hot but the crowds are lighter, we have never had a 50 min wait for any thing. I can handle heat, I hate crowds.

We do the opposite of what OP suggested. We go to the water parks during the day, come back to our resorts, shower, chill out etc and then head to a theme park.

The theme parks are open until 10:00 pm so we still have plenty of time to do all the rides.

Since I can't go in October because I have school age kids this to me is the best time.

 

[Kick Save]

Africa Hot!!!!!!

YES! I'm glad somebody else uses this one...it was the first phrase that came to mind when I saw the thread title.

We're making our first August trip...done June and July, so I'm preparing to just sweat for a week straight.

 

[NJBILL]

After years of going in either late September or March, we went in August this past year. It was REALLY REALLY hot and REALLY REALLY crowded.

Heather, was there a specific event to cause the crowds,as August is usually not that crowded historically? We are going Aug31-Sept3 and I am hoping the free dining is not going to cause major crowds

 

[Mickey Fliers]

YES! I'm glad somebody else uses this one...it was the first phrase that came to mind when I saw the thread title.

We're making our first August trip...done June and July, so I'm preparing to just sweat for a week straight.

Good news, you might lose a few pounds .

 

[paintnolish]

We are going in Aug, too. We usually go in Nov, so I am sure we will be in for quite a shock. Maybe all the sweating I'll do will help keep my weight down. The free dining is going to kill my diet!

 

[firkat]

NOV, I see you are from New England. So, I am not sure if you really experience the kind of hot people are talking about. Keep in mind too that there is alot of concrete that soaks up heat. Disney is great about having places you can duck into to get some air conditioning, but you need to be prepared.

Search the boards for all kinds of 'beat the heat' tips, including taking mister fans, ice bottles, cool pack neck wraps, big hats to shade your face, lots and lots of sun screen. Above all remember to keep hydrated and know the signs of dehydration, which can be very dangerous. Children dehydrate quicker than adults, so keep a close eye.

I am from South Carolina and the August heat here is so bad that sometimes I get a headache just getting in the car! No joke.

I am not trying to scare you away from making your trip, esp. with the free dining . . . However, you should make planning for the heat a top priority!

 

[mama4]

The worst part about the heat here is the humidity. Same temps (high 90's and above) w/out the humidity just doesn't feel as hot. I don't vacation anywhere crowded or where I can not easily access water ( a beach or lake) in July/August in Fl. I've lived here my entire life and as an adult I've always felt this way.

 

[heatherfeather24]

Heather, was there a specific event to cause the crowds,as August is usually not that crowded historically? We are going Aug31-Sept3 and I am hoping the free dining is not going to cause major crowds

No specific event -- But, we went the first week of August which is probably still prime summer vacation time. Again, my basis for comparison is September (usually VERY slow) and March (except for Spring Break crowds, also generally uncrowded).

 

[FOV]

Thanks to all who replied! I think most of you said something like "I'm not trying to scare you but...."


"Africa Hot"
"cool neck wraps"
"it's so bad sometimes I get a headache just getting in the car"
"dangerous dehydration"
"really, really hot and really, really crowded"
"I'm preparing to just sweat for a week straight"
"92-95, 100% humidity, afternoon shower -- every day"
"socks that help wick moisture/sweat away from your skin"
"if you find yourself saying, "Boy is it hot out here" You caught a cool day"
"Flippin' FREAKIN' HOT! HOT! HOT!! "
"HOT HOT HOT! I may actually burst into flames"
"It's that oppressive kind of heat"
"you just feel skicky all the time"
"you want to just lie down and sleep a lot"


Well - I'm glad you all didn't hold back!

I admit - I am more than a little worried. I know I can handle it because I *love* the heat. My family is not so "heat friendly." We went to US/IOA the last week in June a few years ago. Would that be as bad as the end of August or is August worse? We survived the June trip.

Would any of you say it is not worth going?

 

[mama4]

Thanks to all who replied! I think most of you said something like "I'm not trying to scare you but...."


"Africa Hot"
"cool neck wraps"
"it's so bad sometimes I get a headache just getting in the car"
"dangerous dehydration"
"really, really hot and really, really crowded"
"I'm preparing to just sweat for a week straight"
"92-95, 100% humidity, afternoon shower -- every day"
"socks that help wick moisture/sweat away from your skin"
"if you find yourself saying, "Boy is it hot out here" You caught a cool day"
"Flippin' FREAKIN' HOT! HOT! HOT!! "
"HOT HOT HOT! I may actually burst into flames"
"It's that oppressive kind of heat"
"you just feel skicky all the time"
"you want to just lie down and sleep a lot"


Well - I'm glad you all didn't hold back!

I admit - I am more than a little worried. I know I can handle it because I *love* the heat. My family is not so "heat friendly." We went to US/IOA the last week in June a few years ago. Would that be as bad as the end of August or is August worse? We survived the June trip.

Would any of you say it is not worth going?

No. Go on your trip. June is just about the same. You should be fine.