Yet another crowd question- late August

[Family Fun Mom]

Who was at Disney this year during the last two weeks of August? We were there in 2005 at that time (the first free dining promotion) and the crowds were quite managable. Not dead by any means, but not terrible. Was it much different this year?

I'd love to go in November 2007 for crowd and better weather reasons, but my daughter is struggling in school and I just can't justify pulling her out for a vacation. Since we don't go back to school until after Labor Day here in Michigan, I was thinking about going at the end of August like our first trip. However, with the popularity of the free dining plan, I worry about massive crowds.

Was anyone there this year at the end of August that can tell me what it was like? I know the heat is unbearable, but I guess we can deal with that. However, couple that with insane crowds and I'll be rethinking this plan. So, please, be completely honest.

Thanks

 

[ZanneMarie]

We were there Aug 24-Sept 2 this year. The crowds were very light -getting a bit more crowded as we got in to Labor day weekend and the heat was not as bad (to me anyways) as when we were there last October. There were some pretty steamy days but with those neck cooler things and the spray water bottles we manged quite well. I am already trying to figure out if we could swing a trip next late August. I would definelty go again at that time of year as I also do not want the kiddos to miss school.

 

[Bob P]

Free dining or no free dining, there will not be massive crowds at the end of August. There are simply too many people who can not afford to take their kids out of school, especially within the first week or two of classes.

 

[mommykds]

We were there 8/22-9/1 & the crowds were not bad at all.

 

[Hannathy]

Not bad although it seemed some days certain parks were crowded so we would hop over to another and it would be ok. In some ways I liked it better over Easter because even though it was crowded the parks were open a lot longer. The EMH at night at MK were very crowded. I would go at this time again if it worked in our schedule.

 

[4shinystars]

We went 8/16-23 and yes, it is very hot, but it was manageable. I didn't think the crowds were bad until we went to EMH at MK one night. It got pretty crowded, but the wait for the POP bus an hour before EMH ended was an hour, and that was with them sending 2 busses at once! Other than that, getting to a park at opening lets you do everything with little wait, then have lunch, go rest or swim, and do parks in the evening when it's a bit cooler.
I would go again in a heartbeat in late August. I just won't take the kids out of school, with one being an honors student in HS. School starts after Labor Day, so it was perfect.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Music to my ears! It sounds like it really is no different than when we were there in August of 2005. Crowds were pretty managable. Heat is pretty bad, but there are ways to deal with it. Thanks to all! I am going to talk to dh tonight about booking a August 2007 trip!

Wish me luck!