With Orlando's schools starting on the 8th, how much will that reduce crowds?

[ccreighton]

Anyone have any idea? Hoping for at least a 10-15% drop which will help a lot. Has anyone here gone on the week they started school?

 

[patsal]

I've been in August and it drops off a little. I'm not sure I'd say 15% though.
Does the free dining start in August? IF it does, don't expect crowds to fall off.

 

[beccasmom]

We were there last year when school started during the first week in August. Seemed strange to us because they had all sorts of going back to school shows on local tv.....our schools don't return until after Labor Day. But I know schools in the south return earlier.

The crowds were down, IMHO, but it was not uncrowded. It was not a mob scene by any means, just busy. DTD always seemed pretty crowded and Earl of Sandwich, in particular, was always busy. The parks did not seem bad to me....very hot, for sure, but not overwhelming crowds. There were still waits for popular rides and Fantasyland was packed because of the younger kids not returning to school. Nothing like mid-July, for example. The weekend was still pretty crowded.

 

[jenbren]

I'm glad to hear it lets up a little - we leave in 2 days!!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!

 

[dvcgirl]

I think it helps a little, but not a ton. Most of the kids I know down here hardly ever go to Disney, and if they go with family, it's generally not in the summer. Think about the theme parks near where you live. How often do you go? Probably one or two days out of the summer. It's the same here, especially for kids who have lived here or were born here. Some of the transplant kids may have parents who are Disney nuts and they may go more often, but other than one or two days a year....it's not often. And if there was going to be a huge drop-off from local kids going to Disney it would be noticeable this week, because the malls are packed with back-to-school shoppers. And yet reports from the parks say otherwise.....

 

[ccreighton]

free dining doesnt start until later in the month, and the flights didnt drop until later in month either.

Just hoping for the best. We arrive Saturday Morning and cant wait. Maybe we will be lucky that crowds will be down just a little and not be a mob scene

 

[TinkerTracy]

When I go in August (late august to early september) there are minimal crowds and hot hot hot weather but i've grow accoustumed to it!