WDW in August- Super Busy??

[Goldilocks07]

Hi all,

My husband and I are looking to take our niece and nephew on a Disney trip (yes, they are LUCKY! )-

Well, me and the hubby like to travel off-season, to avoid the thousands of kids and lines everywhere, but since we are taking two little ones, we obviously are limited in our travel time.

My question is this: Can anyone tell me or give advise on whether the 2 weeks at the end of August are going to be super busy?

(and yes, I know it is Disney and there is always a risk of it being crowded, I just want to know if it is going to be like Spring Break/Christmas/4th of July busy or if it's more like off season?)

Please help... THANKS!!!

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

As you can see from my signature below, we have gone in August frequently....usually somewhere between the 11th and the 25th.

The last two weeks of August are the least crowded weeks of the summer season.

Here is a link to my mini trip report from our last trip, August 16-20, 2007:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1557573

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

Super hot.

 

[1DISNEYLVR]

I usually go in the off season too but had to go in August last time due to DD's dance team was performing at MK in August. We were there from the 11th - 18th & I found it insanely hot & unbearably crowded. We really couldn't get much done. I would not have been happy if it were a normal trip & not part of a performance. Maybe later in the month will be slightly better. Personally, I would try to go during a spring or winter break (if the kids have that). At least then you won't be dealing with both the summer heat & the crowds. JMO

 

[Bob P]

I usually go in the off season too but had to go in August last time due to DD's dance team was performing at MK in August. We were there from the 11th - 18th & I found it insanely hot & unbearably crowded. We really couldn't get much done. I would not have been happy if it were a normal trip & not part of a performance. Maybe later in the month will be slightly better. Personally, I would try to go during a spring or winter break (if the kids have that). At least then you won't be dealing with both the summer heat & the crowds. JMO

Well, this just goes to show that one person's crowded is another person's empty!

If you go back to the link to my trip report posted above you will see that your trip overlapped mine (we were there August 16-20, and often go that same week) and we found it quite manageable. I certainly won't dispute the insanely hot part though!!

 

[Darcy03231]

We were there last summer (8/10-8/24). The first week was definitely more crowded than the second. It was brutally hot. One thing we found was that the ticketed event, ie Pirates and Princesses, was not sold out, so the park wasn't busy and it was at night so it was cooler. All of the rides were either walk on or a very short wait (5 min). The lines to see the characters could get long, especially for Captain Jack or the princesses. If its offered during one of the nights you're there I would highly recommend getting a ticket for it. Our kids had a blast!

 

[liznboys]

We were there August 15-22 last year. We thought the crowds were fine. We noticed them thin as our week went on (we were there Wed to Wed). It was hot, but totally doable. We did our research as far as which parks were best on each day, and made a good plan for touring WDW in August weather (with 4 little ones!!). We would go then again no question!

 

[eeyoregon]

We went August 20-30 last year and it was very busy/crowded and HOT. Free dining kicked off that week = heavy crowds and sold-out rooms and dining. I believe free dining starts around the same time again this year although we didn't book again as the heat was too much for this heat weanie.

 

[2Kds2K9]

We always go in August. Yes, it's hot but doable. Just keep hydrated and take breaks. Gotta love the Air Conditioning at DW!

The crowds vary. They tend to lessen as the month goes on since the kids start heading back to school.

We have always been amazed at how much we can accomplish between the heat and the crowds. We watch the "Tote Boards" and use Fast Passes as much as possible. Last year we took another family and they were amazed at how much we were able to see.

It depends on the ages of the kids. We have pre-teens who are up and ready for anything.

As long as you keep it in mind that it will be a bit more crowded than the off-season and it will be hot, you should be fine.

Enjoy!

 

[Goldilocks07]

Thank you everyone!

Well, it looks as though I am going to sweat myself into a toothpick! I am on the phone now booking my trip for a one bedroom at Animal Kingdom Lodge (concierge) for August 24th.

I am SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY CONTAIN MYSELF!!!

We are taking our niece and nephew, so we only have a few vacations to choose from to take them, so August it is. My hubby said "whatever" when I told him about the heat. I guess I should have explained it to him better and said that it would be so hot that your flesh will melt off your body and cook on the sidewalk. Oh well. Looks like I'm going to be eating a LOT of frozen popsicles and ice cream!

I am keeping my fingers crossed on the crowds. I am hoping a lot of the kiddies are in school... we are going Sunday to Friday, avoiding the weekends too.

Thanks to everyone for their input!!!!

 

[KristenG88]

I've gone to Disney in August many times and I've found that you just have to plan really well, with the expectation that it IS going to be hot and crowded. It helps a lot to get to the parks a little before opening, and then leave at around 12 or 1 and go back to the hotel to relax during the hottest and most crowded part of the day. Then you're all refreshed to go back to the parks in the evening when its much cooler! There are also a TON of indoor, air conditioned attractions at WDW, so when the heat is really starting to get to you, a little AC is never far away! But no matter what, you're still in Disney, and you're bound to have a fabulous time!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

SUPER HOT AND SUPER CROWDED!!!!

We got there on 8/18 and left on 9/2. It was SUPER crowded the entire time! I thought crowds would be light, because most of the country is back in school! I think I took the entire Northeast with me that week!

Was it so bad that I wouldn't go again? IT'S NEVER THAT BAD!

 

[Aliceacc]

I haven't been there in ages.

But I think "August" is probably very different from "August with free dining" in terms of the crowds.

Of course, no one knows yet whether or when that will happen, so it's not much help.

 

[eeyoregon]

Of course, no one knows yet whether or when that will happen, so it's not much help.

It's happening for sure and will begin the end of August again, if I remember correctly.

They offered bounce-back free dining bookings during free dining last year and everyone I know rebooked while they were there but we chose not to because it was just too hot and miserable for everyone in our group.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Now that you are booked (Yay!! ) you can focus on a tour plan for each day to beat the crowds. You might want to sign up for tour guide Mike. I was there Aug 13-21 last year and found his advice on which parks to visit which days and his general touring plans helped.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

We were there last summer (8/10-8/24). The first week was definitely more crowded than the second. It was brutally hot. One thing we found was that the ticketed event, ie Pirates and Princesses, was not sold out, so the park wasn't busy and it was at night so it was cooler. All of the rides were either walk on or a very short wait (5 min). The lines to see the characters could get long, especially for Captain Jack or the princesses. If its offered during one of the nights you're there I would highly recommend getting a ticket for it. Our kids had a blast!

I agree...it was brutaly HOT this past trip ! (Aug.15-24).We went 2 yrs. ago in August and although it was very hot , this past August was HOTTER !!! I was at the rope drop at MK early one morning and had sweat dripping off me at 8 am (sorry).
The best deal and coolest weather wise was The Pirates and Princess Party. Definitly worth the extra money! We also loved our lazy day at Typhoon Lagoon ....best way to beat the heat !!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

The best deal and coolest weather wise was The Pirates and Princess Party. Definitly worth the extra money!

We did everything we wanted to do at MK at that party except the jungle cruise (it was closed) and It's a small world (there was a line-up). We walked on to the teacups, pirates, pan and only had to wait 6 minutes for space mountain. It was so worth the money!