WDW in August-please post your experiences

[Lorelai71]

We are planning our first trip in August and I was hoping that some of you might share your experiences especially in regards to temperature/weather and crowds.

 

[Somefunmum]

Really hot and Really humid. Rain at least once during the day for a few minutes. Not really a problem though since you will dry off quickly again from the heat. Or at least get as dry as you can be with all that humidity.
My absolute favourite time of year to be in Florida. You have no choice but to relax. Otherwise you'd die of heat exhaustion.
Can't speak to the crowd size since I haven't been since August 1990.

 

[mhingher]

Really hot and Really humid. Rain at least once during the day for a few minutes. Not really a problem though since you will dry off quickly again from the heat. Or at least get as dry as you can be with all that humidity.

I completely agree- I've been at WDW in August and sometimes the heat and humidity is just unbearable. Make sure you drink lots of water, it's very easy to dehydrate. It also rains once a day for a few minutes, usually doesn't last too long.

I prefer to visit WDW during an off month... I would rather bundle up than be in that heat! Good luck....

Melissa

 

[DisneyPhD]

We were there Aug 13 to 20th 2003, it was our 10th wedding aniversary on the 14th. We wanted to go somewhere for our aniversary, and since we had AP that year hubby wanted to add another trip. As I love WDW (it is my happy place.) I said sure. The best thing about the we missed the black out all together (we are from Detroit.) My BIL and SIL who were driving down to stay with us for part of it didn't. Oh well.

It was our longest stay ever 10 days, but we got the least amount of stuff in. It rained every day, not just a hour or two in the afternoon. I could handle that. We are talking 4 to 8 hours or more a day. One day it it was mostly rain free. I remember standing in line for the speedway at 8:30 in the morning (EE) and the sweat was dripping off us. I couldn't belive it.

So for me I am sticking to fall winter or spring, even if it means less trips in on the AP. This year we are going March and May.

 

[zippehsmom]

We've gone twice before in August, once in the beginning of the month and once at the end of the month. The only advice I can give you is get to the parks early, drink plenty of fluid and take an afternoon break. We generally left the parks by noon, and did not return until 5:30 or 6:00pm. We pretty much were able to see everything we wanted at a relaxed pace, although we were there for 2 weeks. We were equiped with a plan, so we did pretty good avoiding the crowds. We had a wonderful trip both times. Unfortunately, because I'm a teacher most of our trips are either gonna take place in the summer or at other peak holiday periods. Do your research and remain flexible and you'll have a great time.

zippehsmom

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Friends and family thought we were crazy to risk a trip in late August (2004), but we loved it! (Somehow, we were lucky to have sandwiched our trip between two hurricanes...) Yes, it was hot and humid every day, so expect that. Plan on drinking lots of water/cool drinks, air conditioned attractions, a nice cooling lunch break, a pool break, etc. We did not actually get rain every afternoon, but there were lightning watches that occasionally cleared the pools in late afternoon, so expect that. The good news on crowds was that in our experience, though the water parks were busy, the theme parks were not bad at all. Mornings, especially, were wonderful -- most attractions were walk-ons. The lack of lines really spoiled us for our early December trip for while the weather was more tolerable, the parks were actually busier somehow... Happy planning!

 

[luvey]

we went in august 2004 to celebrate my birthday. it was late august so the time was kinda sandwiched in between hurricanes. we were lucky that we missed them. our flight back was august 31.

anyway it did rain. i was warned of this from my sister. but the rain came like mid afternoon around three and lasted an hour or two, then poof...it was gone and blue skys again. it wasn't everyday, but the majority of our stay. we seemed to have missed most of the downpours by being inside for naps and such, except for the day we were in epcot. we were able to seek refuge in china and watched the movie and lingered in the shop with everyone else. when it lighted up a little where it was still rainy but not a downpour, we ventured out again. you could see the blue sky just pushing in while it was raining.

it was hot. very hot, i guess it was humid, but i could handle it better than the humid heat from home (coastal connecticut). it wasn't sticky. remember your sun screen and use it! i can see how people can burn so easily with that intense sun.

with that said, bring at least something for any coolness during the night.

have fun!

 

[eeyore45]

We went in August also, end of July, beg of August, I dont remember it raining, but I do remember it being really crowded, and really HOT and HUMID! I will say that I thought it was really crowded because everyone was like me and jumped at the chance to take advantage of the 5+2 package!! We stayed at the Poly, so that enhanced our stay... WE LOVED IT!! Even the Animal Kingdom... because of the research we did, I knew that this would be the HOTTEST, and it was!! I knew there was only one place that had a/c for lunch, that could handle the crowds, we ate there - and dd got her ice cream, while we sat inside! (near Safari, forget the name, sorry!) We took advantage of FP and PS - we bought the Princess Package and had PS for Lion King, Tarzan, Pocohantas, and Flights of Wonder, and even tho they were all outdoor, but Lion King, it was enjoyable! We did FP for Safari, and had to do that twice, first in the morning, and then late in the day - and we saw 2 different views!!

It really wasnt that bad, everyone was patient, it was DISNEY, and the magic was alive and well while we were there! I think the longest line was waiting for Mickey in MGM, dd wanted a picture of Mickey in the Sorcerer hat!! lol!! FAst Pass,and late night was wonderful!! Wishes, beautiful, we could watch them from the pool of the Poly.... really it was a magical trip, and it may help that we dont know any better!!

 

[deltachi8]

DS (8) and I have gone 3 times in late August and are planninga 4th trip this late August.

Hot..oh dear god, yes...but in late August the crowds seem to be light and I will taje heat over crowds any day.

 

[Cass]

It is absolutely brutally hot.... we could only do half days at the park, either going first thingin the morning till about 2 or 3pm and spending the rest of the time a the pool or going to the pool in the morning and heading to the parks at lunchtime.

It rains everyday with thunder & lightning, but only for a short time and then it clears up again.

Crowds are light in late August, but get out before labor day - it's crazy then

 

[abeyst]

HOT and HUMID. Will NEVER go in August again.

 

[Ecdubfan]

We've gone in late August several times. The last week preferably. Crowds are light because a lot of kids are already back in school. Weather is hot and humid!

 

[Kitster]

HOT and HUMID. Will NEVER go in August again.

That goes for me also........just include June and July and most of Sept. too.

 

[Harambe]

This past September was our first "summer" vacation at WDW (we normally go Nov. or Jan.). Truthfully, it only took about a day to adjust to the heat and humidity. Yes, you need to drink the water but it was fine. We are booked for the last week in August for 2005. However, we are going to OKW because I want a washer/dryer in the room - our clothes were wringing wet with sweat most days and having the washer in the room will be handy for nighttime laundry! Ah - a woman's work is never done . . .

 

[Leota]

We went the 3rd & 4th weeks of August in 2001. I really enjoyed it. Yes, it was hot & humid - but you prepare for it. We hit the Parks early in the morning, came back to the resort for swimming & lounging in the afternoon, then did the Parks again at night. They were still doing e-nights, which we took advantage of. The late hours were a real bonus to me (we usually travel off-season & the Parks can close pretty early)
We drank alot & wore bandanas with ice around our wrists or necks when it was the heat was overwhelming. For the most part, you can be in & out of air-conditioning in the Parks, making it easier to bear the heat.
The 4th week, the crowds diminished significantly, making touring very easy. We did have those afternoon thunderstorms frequently & one day, the storm lasted several hours.

My DH will never go back in the summer again. He doesn't like hot weather so much. DS & I will & are planning a trip the last week of Aug. again this year.

 

[Lorelai71]

It sounds like the weather is going to be brutual. But it seems that it is survivable.

Has anyone been there the second week of August? That's when we would be able to go. August 6-14, 2005 (8 nights). I'm a school teacher finishing up grad school so that's my only time. In fact, I will be done with grad school the first week of August. I think I will need a vacation at that point!

Now I am trying to determine if we should do the meal plan or pay to eat as we go. On another thread, I got yeahs for both ways. Still not sure. I like the thought of knowing that most of our meals would be paid for especially since it would be for 3 adults, no kids.

 

[ktglads]

I've done July and August the past couple of summers and I can honestly say that the last two have not been that bad. 2002, we were there in July and could have squeegied the sweat off ourselves, it was so hot. The heat index was about 110 every day that week. 2003, we went the second week of August and had one day of full rain, but it would rain every night so the humidity wasn't too bad after that. 2004, we went the first week of August and we had one storm and otherwise it wasn't that bad. It wasn't overly hot or humid. plus, there is ac in all the stores so it is less than a 2 minute walk from anywhere in the world to one of those, so really, you are covered.

 

[arazamataz]

This will be our third time in Aug. CDS's go to college in Winter Park. It's very hot , humid and rains once a day. We go to TL in the morning and then to the parks. It's not crowded at all. Easy to get on rides and for food. If you like the heat it's not a bad time to come.

 

[noladave]

We went in August 2003, and we had a LOT of rain. We were told that typically it rains in the afternoon, and then clears up for evening time. Well, that happened a couple of times, but on a couple of other days, it rained for 4 - 6 hours. That's good news/bad news. If you can tolerate the rain, the lines are real short. However, some of the outside rides close down (lightning).

When it wasn't raining, it was VERY humid and hot (and we leave in New Orleans). Crowds were VERY VERY LARGE. Be prepared, and use FP for the popular attractions. Some attractions had a 60+ minute wait (for non-FP holders).

Our most fun time was staying up late into the night at MK, and at EPCOT. Go to your room in the afternoon, relax, take a nap, whatever, and then be perepared to stay at the parks very late. I found that the later into the night it went, the shorter the lines got.

 

[gigi1313]

we LOVE late august... low low low crowds which make the heat and humidity a non-event...