When to go... August or November?

[wdwphanatic]

Now before you all question my sanity (LOL!), I am trying to decide whether to go for my 40th (YIKES!!) birthday the weekend of August 13-15 or hold off until "NJ Week" when my kids are out of school (first week of Nov.)... I really, really want to go for my birthday, but I'm afraid of the heat, possible rain and crowds of mid-August. How many of you have been that time of the year and enjoyed it? Are the crowds bearable? I've been in late September and it was hot, but not much worse than summer in NJ. The crowds were nonexistent, which was great. I've also been in May, when it was hot and the crowds were what I would describe as moderate. Would mid-August be about the same?? I also heard that NJ Week can be very busy at the parks and the weather can be iffy that time of year (i.e. rain, bit cold)... Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[sue1013]

Never been in August but have been beginning of September. It was hot! Not like Jersey hot where you get a few days then a break no break. I was there Jersey week this year and these boards had me very worried about crowds. I won't wait on lines more than 10 min. only had to get 3 fast passes Tower of Terror, Test Track, Rockin Roller Coaster. In MK fantasy land did get long lines by afternoon but I've found that true no matter what time of year I've been there. The weather was in mid eighties all week, except one day of rain. If you don't mind being outside all day in 90+ and humid then August would work for you.

 

[MissMagnolia]

You couldn't pay me enough to go to WDW in August!

I would want to avoid the heat, humidity, and crowds that you'll find in August. The first week of November is value season, decent weather, low crowd factor - no question - November would be the time to go!!

 

[wdwphanatic]

... my birthday weren't in August!!! It would be a much easier decision if it were in, say, April!!! So, mid-August is still pretty crowded, right? I was hoping kids might be back in school by then in some places.

Keep your responses coming.......

Thanks again,
Sarah

 

[maryliz]

We were at WDW the week of Aug 17th this year. Although I believe it was not as crowded as it would be in July, it was still pretty busy. My vote hands down would be November, especially since it's near the beginning. I think you'll find the weather to be much better than August, when you're soaked from the heat and humidity.

You can still call it your birthday trip, and this way, you can say that you don't actually turn 40 until you're in Disney

Have a great time!

Mary Liz

 

[tinkerbee]

We went for two weeks in August of 2002 and had a wonderful time. I didn't think the crowds were bad at all 11-24 were the dates we went. It would rain everyday for 1/2 which would cool off the air to the mid 70's. And everyone would leave so the parks were empty. I've never been in November but I have been in October for the FaWF and it was pretty bad. I think that this past Easter was less crowded than it was in October.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... in favor of waiting 'til Nov. I have to admit that I like the idea of not turning 40 until November, maryliz -- guess I could call myself 39 and holding 'til then!! The thing I'm worried about is if I stay home, people feeling like they need to throw a surprise party or something horrible like that!!! I don't want to call attention to the fact that it's my birthday -- unless I'm at WDW, of course!!!!

Keep those responses comin'...

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[mbb]

AND that way, you get to have TWO Birthdays!!

Oh, and the thing with the crowds, heat, value season, is a slight consideration!!LOL

Happy Early 4..oops, 29 FOREVER!!

 

[Starz723]

Personally, I would choose November.

I have been WDW every month of the year except Feb & March. The summer months are crowded and the heat can really get to you. I wont go to WDW (unless someone is treating!) in the summer anymore. Some friends of mine that went this past August said it did nothing but rain and the parades/fireworks got cancelled. Thats a bummer.

I just got back from WDW this past Oct/Nov. The weather was awesome. I couldnt not have asked for better. The crowds were low to moderate. I never waited for anything!

Have a great time, no matter what month you go.

 

[palmtreegirl]

We went this past August for 2 weeks and here's what i lliked and didn't like about that time of year-

Loved-
The temperture. It really wasn't any hotter then it is NJ and there's so much of WDW that's air conditioned that the only place we really felt the heat was at AK. I loved the fact that we never needed a jacket the nights were beautiful.

Swimming. When we've gone during cooler times of the year I didn't really enjoy the swimming as much. I loved that the pools were refreshing to get in, we swam every day and had a blast.

Crowds- I thought the parks were very managable, we hardly ever waited in line for anything by using fast pass.

Park hours- it was nice having the extended park hours plus there were 4 E-nights available during our stay, we went to one.

Didn't like-

The rain! It rained everyday except one. And when it rained, it really rained, torrential downpour like. After the first few days we bought umbrellas and then it was much more comfortable but still towards the middle of our trip I was really staring to get sick of the rain. most of the days the clouds rolled in around 4 and then it would rain for 2 or 3 hours, then get beautiful again.

Some days we'd just hang out at the resort during the rain or go get a late sit down lunch. A few times we went back to the room ordered room service and hung out on the balcony, other times we grabbed our umbrellas and braved the rain. One time we just walked around and got soaked at AK because we left them in the room.

Overall I think the good far out weighed the rain and I'd go back. next year were giving October a try, we'll find the perfect month eventually-lol.


So if you don't mind the rain I say go for your birthday and take a small portable umbrella, being at Disney will be the only way I'll even consider turning 40! lol.

 

[georgina]

We were there the first two weeks of August in 2002. The crowds dropped a lot from the first week to the second. We thought they were pretty manageable. The first week it barely rained at all, the second some every day. I think we got lucky the first week, as rain some every day seems to be the norm. It's pretty hot and humid in SW PA, so the heat didn't bother us. We like the later park hours in the summer too, and E-nights, and hitting the waterparks. We went back in July this year to use our AP's, and that was fine too.

 

[wdwphanatic]

... in favor of November! Keep those opinions coming -- I'm really enjoying hearing about everyone's experiences both in August and November. If you'd asked me a year or two ago which I'd choose, it definitely would have been Nov. I have never liked the idea of crowds and extreme heat -- my tolerance for both is not great. I guess it's just my 40th birthday that's got me thinking that I could probably deal with the heat (and rain showers), as long as it's not really crowded as well... Sounds like it wasn't bad crowd-wise this past August, palmtreegirl. Have you ever been another time of the year to compare it with?? I'm sure it will be great in October next year. The most crowded it's ever been when I've gone is right before President's Day weekend and during the Star Wars weekend in May earlier this year.

Thanks again for all the help,
Sarah

 

[donac]

My vote is for AUgust. I have been there the last two years the third week in AUg. Yess there is rain and sometimes a lot of it (and I camped both times) but the pools and the water parks were refreshing. The crowds both years were low. A couple of nights the parks were open late and you had your choice.

Last year when we came back the weather forecaster was telling us the heat wave from the last week was breaking. 7 days of over 90. We never had a day over 90 when we were down there. It was almost the same this past summer

Dona

 

[Jestocost]

I've never been in August, but we did late July in 2002 and were just there last week, so I have November covered too. IMO, either one should work if you can stand the heat.

In July 2002, we'd get to the parks at opening (there were no early hours for resort guests that year) and could get all of the popular rides in a few times without any trouble. By about noon, however, the parks would get crowded and the temperature would start to get nasty, so we'd grab a quick lunch and then head back to the resort at 2:00, or so. After a couple of hours cooling off in the pool, we'd head back to a park in early evening and things would be calmer and cooler.

One great thing about the summer is that you really appreciate the water parks, but they do get really crowded (and you can't get a Fast Pass for Summit Plummet, can you?). However, even Blizzard Beach wasn't bad first thing in the morning and we bailed at 2:00 when it started to get crowded. It's pretty common for them to close the water parks to new entries by the afternoon because of the crowds, too.

We did get hot, but it was never unbearable. We schlepped 3-4 bottles of water with us and kept them full all day. All of the interior rides are air conditioned, so you can keep cooling off. Standing in lines was the hardest part. Here's another tip for beating the heat--all of the restrooms that we visited were air conditioned too! We only had one bout of rain during the week we were there and that lasted maybe 30 minutes.

I found the crowds in November were worse (although we were there over Thanksgiving and the following week), but not unbearable. Again, getting to the parks early is a good idea. All of the Fast Passes at Test Track for the entire day were gone by 11:15 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, to give you some idea of why.

My guess is you'll have a great time no matter when you go!

 

[goofy4tink]

We've been late Oct/early Nov. twice and mid-August last summer. I would go again in August. Yes, it was incredibly rainy in August, but I understand that it was unusual for that amount of rain to fall!!! I was prepared for showers everyday, but not torrential downpours. The crowds were heavier than I thought but that was due to FTP being such a great deal. The heat/humidity were no worse than here in Ma during the summer. That surprised me.
Now, in Oct/Nov the crowds were less. The weather is terrific. The parks can close earlier tho. And it does get coolish sometimes. On our first trip in late Oct.'99, they had record breaking cold...in the high 40's!! There are good points to each time. I guess it's all in what you prefer. I will say that I am planning a 14 day trip in mid-August 2005, so I guess it wasn't too bad!!!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Sounds like it wasn't bad crowd-wise this past August, palmtreegirl. Have you ever been another time of the year to compare it with??

I've been during March 3 times(not spring break), Spring break and the week after, Christmas week, just after Christmas, Thanksgiving week, first week in December, August twice, Late October and early September.

I think the only months we haven't gone are Feb, May, June and July-lol.

I would compare the crowds this past August to the crowds we experienced in late October, March (first and last week) and the first week of December. Not empty, crowded during parade times but otherwise very managable.

I hope that helps you out!

 

[nisiemouse]

Another vote for August (I also want to have my 40th at disney in two more years ). I have been Jersey week and twice the first week in August. The rain was pretty predictable and we usually need an afternoon break anyway. It did not rain every day when we were there. I was so afraid I would hate August the first time we went but I didn't. The weather in November is nicer but we did enjoy being able to swim and there are lots of indoor places to get a break from the heat. I have been Jersey week and I did not think August was any more crowded. Most of the Florida schools should be started back by the time you go.
Let us know what the final decision is.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Hey, I turn 40 next July! I like your idea for a birthday party.

We've been to WDW during Jersey week twice in the last four years and have thought it was great. If you can put up with all those people from New Jersey !

The crowds haven't been bad, IMO. The weather has been great. In our two visits, we spent a total of nine days in the parks and the only time it rained was the afternoon of 11/5/03.

It was warm enough to swim every day during our two visits. In fact it was a little on the warm side the first week of November this year.

I just realized that one month ago right now I was at Festival of the Lion King!

 

[wdwphanatic]

... for all the replies!!! You guys are the best! And it's great to hear that I'm in such good company of people who will also turn 40 soon... I am REALLY dreading it!

Anyway, I'm still on the fence about it at this point. DH said he'd much rather go in Nov., and he assures me that no one will be allowed to throw a surprise party for me on my actual b-day (which, I might add is a Friday the 13th -- yikes!)!!!! I still want to go in August -- I cannot imagine how great it would be to celebrate the actual day of my birthday riding Rockn' Rollercoaster!!!!!

I will definitely let you all know what we decide... If anyone else has any other bits of advice about Aug. or Nov., be sure to post... I love hearing from you all!!

Thanks again,
Sarah