We changed our whole trip to first week of Aug., have you ever been then?

[Jillpie]

We had to cancel our trip for next week and rebooked for the first week in August. I've been on the phone the whole afternoon with Delta and the DVC people and we got cheaper flights and the one bedroom that we wanted at the Beach Club villas (first time as DVC members, woohoo!). So, tell me everything, except for the weather...I know, but we're already planning on early mornings and evenings at the parks. How are the hours the first Aug. week? crowds? Anything else you could add would be great!

 

[milmore104]

All I need to say is HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!! It is very HOT then. We usually got up real early did the parks then came back to the hotel for lunch and a swim until around 4 and then went back to the parks.
It's nice because the parks are open later. But there are a lot of people!!! You will be waiting a least an 1 hour or two for rides. It was okay but I am not a real big Heat fan so It was just a litte to much for me. If it was the only time I could go then I would definitley go back then than not go at all.

 

[Luvtomickey]

We had a different experience in Aug. the wait times were more like 30mins and we used fastpass on the popular rides their wait times were maybe 30mins-1hr depending on when you hit it. The parks were full but but not miserable. DD is where we felt the crowds this is where it got bad with long waits for restaurants.
The heat was there but it made for great waterpark days. But remember it rained every afternoon .
Hope this helps.

 

[natt]

We went for our first "on season" trip last summer (week of Aug.4-8). We'd prepared ourselves for the heat and crowds and since we were going for the purpose of purchasing DVC, we kept the attitude that "we'll be back"

It was our best trip ever! We got to see SpectroMagic, which was never running other times we'd gone. YES, it was hot, but last summer was HOT everywhere on the east coast! The crowds were really not what we'd prepared ourselves for at all! The one evening, DH and I went for a drink at the BC bar (Riptide?) and got into a conversation with a game keeper from AK. I asked him about the crowds, and he said although the economy was somewhat of a factor, August does tend to be lighter. He said we would NOT have had the same experience 3 weeks prior.

Just bring a case of water! You will need it and what a $$$ saver!

By the way, we're going again in the 3rd week of Aug. this year!

Have fun, Natt

 

[wdwnutze]

We went 1st week of Aug. 2001. Aside from the heat(just drink lots of water and bring a mist fan) we found the crowds to be heavy. We usually travel to WDW in Dec. so the crowds were very different. We just had to adjust to them and make good use of fastpass, ee mornings, and we did e-night which we thought was the best money we spent. Be prepared with rain ponchos in your back pack and you'll have a great time. We spent mid-days using the pool at the resort and found that it was the 1st time we ever really spent time at the resort to enjoy it.

 

[Pinnie]

I'll be there July 31 - Aug 10 this year.

It will be HOT and HUMID, so be prepared to take some breaks during the day. The crowds are there, but this year all bets are off as to predicting them with the war, SARS, the economy, etc.

Just go with the attitude that you are there for some fun and abandon the "commando" mind set.

Keep in mind that this year Drum Corp finals are being held in Orlando Aug 6 - 10, so there will be a nice crowd there then. I think some of the corps will be performing at EPCOT during the first week of Aug, so plan to see them...they are AWESOME

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[RoqueC]

I've been there in mid August, August 13th to be ecact. The lines were not long at all, as a matter of fact, they were shorter than most lines I'd ever seen during the summer. I had a great time in August, and I'm going August 18th this year.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks to everyone!! Yes, I'm well aware of the weather. We are huge users of EE, and we'll make a grocery stop for sure for water. Any idea if the grocery stores carry those huge 2 gallon water containers for the fridge? (we'll be at the villas).
Pinnie!! You'll be there our exact same days, what a coincidence...the drum corps sounds really great. Will you be at BCV's? Thanks everybody!

 

[natt]

I've just been thinking about the several different threads I've read and responded to about August being a good choice. Is this going to start becoming a choice time to go now?

I know that many schools start in August, so that will help a little, but there really have been quite a few topics on this!

 

[Pinnie]

jillpie:

We are starting out Thurs - Sunday at a moderate. Sunday - Tues the gang moves to Vero Beach. Tues - Sunday we will be at OKW, BUT my son and his college friend, who are coming for Drum Corp finals will have a studio at the BCVs.

If you ever saw the group BLAST or SHOCKWAVE, you will know what Drum Corp is like. BLAST is an offshoot of DCI, they came out of the Star of Indiana corp.

Hopefully we will run into you there!

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[Jillpie]

Pinnie, that sounds like a blast. So how will I know when they will be performing, I'd LOVE to see them!!

 

[Pinnie]

Jillpie,

As the time gets closer, I am sure that the times they will be performing will be on the www.dci.org website. Usually, EPCOT has a daily schedule sheet you can pick up at Guest Relations when you enter the park!

You will be able to find our group that week by our shirts. I will be in the CADET shirt, my best friends will be sporting, PHANTOM REGIMENT shirts and SANTA CLARA VANGUARD apparrel.

DCi and WDW, can life get any better????

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[Jillpie]

ok, great. I'll keep my eyes open for that! I already have a rough itinerary, but will most likely change when the hours come out. I have to check this out. I love that kind of stuff.

 

[jsmla]

We've been in August several times and two things that we ran into were:

1. brush fires in the central Florida area (smokey touring!)
2. pools closing at dusk due to the encephalitis scare.

Other than that we like August. Crowds were lower and the parks stayed open late. We're from South Louisiana and are used to the heat. If you have to sweat, WDW is a great place to do it!

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks Jennifer. We had some brush fires in April there as well. Thanks for the pretty positive feedback!