Would you visit in August?

[mpetti]

Welcome to the boards. We always go in August. Normally towards the end of August which crowd wise is great!!! Hardly and lines and toward the end of the day you can get on with little to no wait time. The heat is another story it's hot. But we normally get to the park early and go back to the resort mid day. We don't rush and other then our ADR's we don't go by any schedule. We go at our own pace and enjoy it. We get to do what we like many times and are very happy with it. We are going this year in early August (first week) and expect it to be very crowded and hot, but still will go at our own pace and enjoy being at WDW. My youngest DS is turning 9 during our visit and he wanted to celebrate his birthday at WDW. Go and enjoy.

 

[Freezing Cold B]

I've been in August twice. Once the first week (07), and once the second week (08). I normally go over spring break, the middle of June, first week of January or Thanksgiving/Christmas. I HATED our August trips. While crowds don't normally bother me, standing waiting in heat and humidity for hours on end in hardly moving lines was torture. We hardly went to the parks. And, the warm greasy food at Disney made us all really sick. It never makes me sick. We swore the first time we'd never go back in August, but the next year it fit into our schedule to go in August. We haven't been back in August since 08, but I probably will have to go next summer in Aug. My friend is a teacher, and August works best for her. So, as much as I hate the humidity It's worth it to be at WDW.

 

[JessicaKnits]

My fiance and I went Aug 20th - 31st last year. The crowd levels were lovely, as most kids were back in school by then. The heat was a different story. We are from Wisconsin, and it was a bit more than I expected. We had just had a week of 90s at home, but the humidity in Florida was like nothing I have ever felt before. Thankfully we had cloud cover and rain most days, which helped out a bit. We still needed a break from the heat almost every day back at the hotel.

 

[tar heel]

Heat-wise I think August is a LOT worse than the first week of June.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I haven't read all the posts, but we've been twice in August.

We've been in early June and August

Yes, it's hot. We did find it hotter than early June, but not that much so. That's why we enjoy spending a couple of days at the waterparks or taking a mid-afternoon break at the resort's pool.

We didn't find the crowds to be too bad. They were about the same as early June in our experience.

.

 

[GovieMom]

Heat-wise I think August is a LOT worse than the first week of June.

It absolutely is worse ... MUCH worse.

 

[francie57]

We go every Aug. We are usually there the second week into the third week and have never had a problem with crowds. We also have not run into any of the tour groups that are there at other times in the summer. Yes it will be hot and humid but if you go prepared for that you can make it work and not have any problems. We are not ones that go the the parks commando style anymore so for us our trips are much more relaxed. We usually only use early opening for AK and MK and then get to the other parks just after regular opening. We always head back to the resort for an afternoon swim/break and then head back out to whichever park we have ADRs at. Everything is air conditioned so except for the outside rides and waiting areas you get a break. When walking around the parks, you can always duck into a store for a quick cool down. We will heading back this Aug. and actually look forward to the time that we go since schools are heading back and it is just before the free dining starts so the crowds aren't bad.

 

[AndreaDM]

I'm chuckling at the folks who say they'd NEVER go in August, even with steep discounts when they've never even been there. We were there in August in 2007 and will be there again this August! Yeah it's hot but it's gonna be hot at home too, so guess where I'd rather be. We were there first week of July last year and it was hot and steamy as well, but guess what? That's not what we remember. Get there when the parks open, have a sit down lunch in the a/c, go back for a swim or a nap then head back to a park in the evening. Totally doable, just pace yourself and stay hydrated. I throw a wet washcloth in a ziploc and put it in my bag, can always re-wet with cold water to wipe off face and neck. Rides like CoP are great for a nice, cool break as well.

 

[JESW]

We go every August and will be there again this August but our kids are 12 & 16. Personally, I would NOT take a young child to Disney in August as the heat is just too much. Yes, there are young children living in Florida but that's not the same as taking them out in the heat & humidity for long periods of time like you do at the parks. Even your other children at 4 & 6 will be bothered by the heat and heat makes kids whiny and miserable. The humidity is so bad that as soon as you walk outside your glasses fog up and you can feel the sweat going down your back and front. As an adult you can deal with it and do things that can make you comfortable but young children have a tougher time.

There will be folks who come on and tell you that their children do just fine so it will be up to you if you want to put your family through the heat & humidity. Hope you enjoy yourself no matter what you do.

Jill

 

[Cepbush106]

we're taking our 3, 5, and 18 month old the end of August. We're planning on taking it slow and heading back to the hotel in the heat of the day.

 

[DizFan13]

It's funny, because a couple of weeks ago, I would have said that I absolutely would not go in August...then our schedule changed and it turns out, we'd rather go to WDW anytime than to not be able to go at all! We are planning on taking mid-day breaks, as many PPs have suggested. We have been at the end of September, but this will be our first foray into the August heat and crowds.

 

[kirasaurus]

I'm local, so my first instinct was, NO, ANYTHING BUT JULY AND AUGUST! but, like the above poster said, I'd rather go to disney in august than not go at all!
But, if you can go at *any* other time, do it.

 

[jtopp]

As long as heat is not a factor, the savings is worth the trip. Two years ago, august trip was ok. Last year, our august trip was just too hot. When the sweat is running off of you when you are standing in the shade, its too hot to be waiting in line for an attraction. Other then that, we love going any time of the year

 

[RodBelding]

We've been in August, and while it was hot, it wasn't unbearable, and we had a blast. I think you'd be fine.

 

[traylorc]

As you can see, there are a number of people that are scared to death to go in August....and that's exactly why I don't mind going in August. For those of you that can't take the heat....good. I have nothing against folks who can't take the heat, but I like the fact the parks are not jammed packed with people in late August. To the OP, if you survived June, you will be able to handle August. If I could offer two bits of advice:

1) Make staying hydrated your number one priority, especially for the kids. Drink as much water as you can possibly stand...then drink some more. This strategy may result in a few more trips to the restroom, but it will go a long way to prevent any heat related issues. My wife and I carry water religiously, and we don't hesitate to stop somewhere and ask for ice. The various Disney vendors are more than happy to provide ice if requested.

2) Take a break in the mid afternoon. Leave the parks, go back to your hotel room and take a nap, swim, grab a snack, take a shower, grab a change of clothes, etc... No need to be under the blistering sun all day long. Sometimes we all have a tendency to forget that we are on vacation, so that doesn't mean you have to be running around 24/7. Take a moment to enjoy your resort. The last thing you want to do is get home from Disney and need a vacation from your vacation.

Good luck, I hope you have a great time.

 

[Rora]

If you've gone in the summer before, you can handle August, in my opinion!

 

[cesariofamily]

I have gone at the very end of August and the very begining of Sept. Infact we are going on Sept 2 this year! We find the crowds to be low you get the extra day off in the form of Labor day and we survive the heat. We take swim breaks and plan our "big meal" in the AC in the afternoon. I think it is a fine time. I have also gone in Oct and found it to be low crowds and still warm enough to swim. have fun!

 

[KellyNY]

Welcome to Dis!
We did August many times because of school and let me tell you parks are not crowded at all, esp.if you go secong half of August, BUT it is incredibly hot AND humid, AND wet(rains a lot), not like in June. I would wait till October, moreover you can attend MNSSHP. I believe 30% off Deluxes is good for October as well and do not forget you can always get Birthday Pins for your kids without it being their actual BD.

 

[jerry112]

We have gone in Aug twice and are going again this Aug. Having said that, we really have no choice with the kids in High school now. If we did have a choice, we would definately choose Sept/Oct. Less crowds, less heat, much more pleasant experience. You can always go in Aug. in the future when it will be difficult to take the kids out of school.

Whichever you choose, have a fabulous time with those little ones cause they won't be that young for long!!

 

[YodaGirl]

I have been in August, and I'd go in August again...especially if I had such great reasons!

I hope that you have a wonderful time!