WDW in August

[disneyAndi14]

We love late August, we have gone the last two years and are heading back this year! It is hot and humid but crowds are slightly less. I would not hesitate to go this time of year. We actual like the really hot weather, it is one of the only times I am not to cold on the bus or in a restaurant. Lol.

 

[Dakota731]

Actually the year we went in August was actually cooler than the year we went in May! Sometimes it's luck of the draw but my kids actually bought sweatshirts that year to wear at night. Maybe you will get lucky!

 

[pennylane16]

We love late August, we have gone the last two years and are heading back this year! It is hot and humid but crowds are slightly less. I would not hesitate to go this time of year. We actual like the really hot weather, it is one of the only times I am not to cold on the bus or in a restaurant. Lol.

I'm always freezing in the AC too! I wore a poncho on Kali River Rapids bc I knew I'd be freezing if I were wet for our ADR at Tusker House! Glad you've had good experiences in August Thanks!!

 

[Mbuksa]

I'm glad to hear these positive responses. I had to change our October vacation to 8/16-23. I was worried about the crowds and heat, but it seems like it's manageable.
Start early...afternoon breaks....lots of water!!! Got it.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Our first WDW trip was a late August trip. If you can go towards the end of the month, the crowd levels definitely start to taper off. I won't downplay the heat and humidity though. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate; and take a/c breaks often or do more indoor, air conditioned attractions/shows if you are in the parks in the afternoon. I remember it already being in the mid 80's when we would head out to a park 8:00 in the morning and it feels like the heat and humidity hit you when you walk out the door, lol! It does take some getting accustomed to and I would plan our park days to get an early morning start and leave in the afternoon to get a break from the heat and nap and/or enjoy some pool time, (especially before the daily rain/downpour hits) then return to the park in the evenings when it is a little more comfortable. Another idea is to start your park touring in the early evenings and stay until the parks close (if your travel party can handle late nights). The longer park hours definitely make these plans doable. Our family's next WDW trip in a couple years will most likely be another August trip. It's definitely manageable, you just have to be prepared and have the right expectations. Have fun!

 

[Imamom2]

August is fabulous! We have gone 4 times in August and every trip was great. Two of those were splits between Universal and WDW and both parks were really fun. The southern schools are back in session so after the 20th worked well for us. NJ schools don't go back til after Labor Day. When we were there the parks were still open till 10-11pm. EMH at MK was always til1am. Crowds seemed low and the weather was never a problem for us since August in Jersey is hot and humid, too. The rain was actually refreshing in the afternoon Dining reservations were easy to get, too. I would suggest staying on property and doing a midday break. It's value season so you can get a great rate on a moderate. Have fun!

 

[DWillowBay]

It's hot. It's Florida. It's summer. If you are me....you enjoy! Because the winters in Pittsburgh are far worse than the humidity of Florida in August.

 

[Tomh]

It's hot. It's Florida. It's summer. If you are me....you enjoy! Because the winters in Pittsburgh are far worse than the humidity of Florida in August.

I'm not a big fan of super hot and humid, but it is better than New York winter!

 

[Nancyg56]

I have been in August a few times, and while I am not foind of that seasonal heat, I would not postpone plans. I think that if you plan for the heat, and are prepared for it, you will be okay.

I do believe that a trip that ends just prior to school start worked in our favor. My DGD is a nervous Nellie so being prepared for school is a priority for her. We knew this, so she and her Mom for all the school shopping out of the way in advance, and she had her school supplies all ready to go. Instead of adding more pressure, they turned it around so that the first day back to school was as realaxed as it could be.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have been every August second or third week for the last 11 years. It is HOT. Really HOT. For perspective, I live in The South in an old house without a/c, so heat is nothing new to me. IMHO the crowds are thicker than what is being described in previous posts. NOT Christmas level, but on par with spring break; lines for headliners will be 55-90 minutes by noon each day. Rope Drop is your best friend!!! Midday breaks are your soulmate. From 1pm-4pm or 5, the parks are crowded, HOT and rather miserable. GO back and swim or nap. I have found resort pools mysteriously non crowded during that same time frame.

 

[pennylane16]

Thanks so much for all the advice! We will definitely plan to get there by rope drop & take a midday break for sure I'm a little worried about crowds since we can't really go very late in the month with the kids starting school before labor day - but we've also been there last week in June into early July.

 

[purplejam]

As a traveller from England - where we never experience anything like Florida heat and humidity, my family and I cope just fine with the heat. Yes it's hot and this might sound a little crazy but I enjoy it and find it kind of funny as it's such a huge contrast to home.

We like to take a long trip to Florida and incorporate wdw into that - I love it and am more than happy to travel / stay in August because it is the only time of year I can make a 5 week trip (school summer break). For me the 10 hour flight is the killer - so I like to stay as long as possible to make up for it !!

 

[Realgrumpy]

We ALWAYS go in August!!! I will be there this August with my two kids, 15 and 19. They never complain about the heat. Last year 11 of us went in August, my parents who are in their 70's as well. It was great! Crowds manageable. Take breaks, bring rain ponchos. There are many attractions that are great places to beat the heat and have some quiet time...Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress are two of my favorites.

 

[Sydney2977]

Thanks for all the great info and tips! We are planning to go next year to celebrate DS graduating high school and I am thinking mid Aug. may be the only time we can all get there before he starts college and it still be enjoyable. DH and I are from Houston and we live in Charleston, so our family is used to hot and humid. I just didn't want to mix that with the huge summer crowds because that can be miserable when you are spoiled like us and used to going during lower crowd times. The one thing we never do is mid day breaks because we don't need to. From what everyone seems to agree on I think it might be a nice change to tour that way. We may even plan a water park day. Looks like prices are cheaper then too so that is a plus!

 

[OB1]

YES - it will be hot. Your planning will be high priority. AK is considered the hottest park, so check which day you will be going if you are able to swap out. This park has the least amount of indoor, AC buildings, but the new Pandora area will help boost those numbers.

We also plan to do our outside attractions early at any park, then spend more time indoors in the middle of the day. American Adventures, Hall of Presidents, etc.

Just make sure to stay hydrated - more than you think. If you are visiting those nice Disney bathrooms too often, then you are well hydrated.

 

[FastPasser]

Of those who weighed in, I'm in the minority, so disreagrd. May through Sept are out of the question for me.

 

[elaine amj]

The heat doesn't bother me too much so I have had a great time during our August trips. One time a tropical storm came through and we had a day of heavy rains. We switched our plans to Disney Quest and had a blast despite everyone else deciding to do the same thing! I talked to another Diser the next day and he had stuck with AK and said it was empty with everything a walkon. Next time, I'll brave the rain

I would go with whichever is cheapest personally

Also, its fab to be able to plan plenty of waterpark/pool days in the summer. For our Dec, Jan, or March trips, we usually hit the pool once or twice but its always a bit chilly and I certainly don't plan on a lot of time in the waterparks.