WDW in August-please post your experiences

[DisneyPhD]

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.

That is when we were there too, I think it was a lot more rain then normal. With a 2 year old it was real hard. I think it also gave us a less then idea opinon of OKW where we stayed. I am sure it is nicer when it wasn't so rainy, but that is a lot of walking with a stroller and a 2 year old in the rain. (the stair cases weren't even covered!) I was prepared for the rain every day for an hour or two. Not the all day rains with a tornado here and there also. So my view of Aug may be a little off. The sun did come out some, but think it rained more then sun shine. Then again if you were there last year in the hurricanes, you might have a bad view of it too.

 

[cworld]

TOOOOOOOO HOT, TOOOOOOO many people.

 

[BAST]

We were at WDW from August 17 to August 27, 2004. We just missed Hurricane Charlie (which hit Orlando hard on Aug 13). The weather was hot but manageable and we did have a fair amount of rain. In fact, on two days we had huge rainstorms that lastest for a couple hours each.

The crowds were large but manageable. There were alot of British tourists (I think alot of Britain shuts down for the month of August for holiday) but we were able to tour the parks in the morning and evening and swim in the afternoon. The park hours were very good - in past off season visits the parks were closing early and we never got to swim very much since it was too cold at night.

Our kids, DD4 and DD6, had a great time. We stayed at the YC and CR (5 nights each) so were able to get back to the room and swim in the afternoon without losing much time.

We will be going again this year from Aug 5 to Aug 17 (go to use those anuual passes again) since I understand that most Florida kids will go back to school on August 8 and the crowds should get a little smaller.

 

[disgal1]

having been many times in the summer due to school vacations, I can say that if you can, stay at a disney hote. Make use of early entry and stay late nights. go back to the resort after lunch, and swim, nap, and just cool off. go back for dinner, and late evening. Plan a lot, so that you make use of fast pass. Believe me, it is worth the time reading the boards and making a flexible plan.

also, pack the poncho nad get those neck wraps from walmart, soak in cold water, they stay cool on your neck for a few hours, then just re wet them in a cold water. they are cheap and work great, also those mister fans if heat really bothers you, they also are cheap and the kids love them

For us, the afternoon cool down is an absolute must.

 

[Lorelai71]

I love afternoon naps and staying up late so this might be really good for us. Has anyone used the dinning plan yet? Is it worth it?

 

[crazelion]

The weather is hot and humid at WDW but this my favorite time to WDW. I like crowds and hot weather. You have to understand I not a person that likes cold weather and where a coat at WDW is no fun for me. I will only go in the summer months to WDW. The crowds is light at the end of August and the parks close around 9 clock. Be sure to drink plenty of water and powerade to kept your self hydre.

I have avantage because I work at baseball park in the summer and I work in the heat know keep cool.

 

[tinkerbee]

We were there for two weeks in 2002 and I really enjoyed myself. The weather was warm but hey thats why I love Florida. It would rain everyday around 1 and clear out the parks. We stuck around every time and had a great time.

 

[mousey]

We always go in August due to my husbands vacation schedule. It is very hot and humid, but hey, there is airconditioning all over the place. We just take our time in the parks, don't rush, take in some cool air and move on. The crowds are definately less. We don't go to the parks 2 days in a row--we take a day off in between to swim, shop, etc... You will love it!!

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

Sure, it's hot and humid, and it rains from time to time, but isn't that what water parks are for when its hot? And if it rains, shop, eat, go to DTD and see a movie....crowds....sure, they're there, school is still out for mostly everyone, and its crowded, but use the FP and you'll be fine...and take advantage of the air conditioned shows, rides, etc., and have fun!

 

[*Fantasia*]

very HOT and HUMID!!
crowds...everywhere.

 

[dgaston]

We've been in both 2003 and 2004 combining WDW with one or two nights at Hard Rock and Royal Pacific. In 03 we went later in the month (17th to 24th) and found fairly low crowd levels. In 04 we were there the 2nd to the 8th and the crowds were a bit larger, but very manageable. We hit the parks early, rest in the pm, and stay late when we can. We also use air-conditioned attractions for breaks, carry a Brita bottle, and a mister fan. DH handles the heat better than I, but we have a great time. Both in 03 and 04 we were able to go to an Enight at MK and loved those.

 

[beautybelle]

We went in August in 2001. Just let me make this short and sweet, I will NEVER go back in August again even if it were to mean I would never go back period. Thats saying a lot considering how much I love Disney. One person in our family was sick each day we were there from the heat. Its was horrible.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've been the third week in August for the past two years now. In 2003 it was pretty much what we had expected and not so very different from NE summertime..just more humid!!! It did rain a lot one day/night and a tornedo was actually sighted. But that was it for that trip. Crowds were high but I chalk that up to the FairyTale pkg. that Disney had offered.

2004 was a hugely different story. We arrived on 8/13...so did Charlie. The humidity was brutal after that!!! At 7 in the morning you got soaked walking to the bus stops. It was incredibly draining. We got so tired by 6 pm that we were in bed at 9 on a lot of nights!!!! My advice, and this only holds up if you can miss a hurricane.....get out of the parks mid-day. Go back to your resort, have lunch, go for a long swim, put your feet up. Then head back to the parks at suppertime. It's much cooler.

Drink lots of water...more than you think you need. Head into the gift shops to cool off. Try to eat one good sit-down meal per day. Would I go in August again? Yep. Dh won't but I will. I just think that Aug/Sept '03 were much nastier humidity wise due to the storms.

But you get the longer park hours as long as you are there before the end of the third week. And those water parks are incredibly wonderful in the heat/humidity!!!!