Disney World in August?

[BellaClaudia]

Don't know where to post this one but here I go..

Is this entirely stupid?

Just had a brilliant idea to plan to go to Disney World mid August...


never been there EVER so I don't anything..

Calling all kind mamas who had been there for advise:

Does it make ANY sense?...

How is the weather how are crowds..
how much are hotels at this time of the year?
is there any way to find great deals for some packages
are pacakges worth the hassle?

where to stay what to do.. how to even start planning..

Looking for advice...

we don't want to break the bank but we also don't want
to stay in some third class dingy hotel and be far from everything..
we are looking for some memories..

thanks!

[Tigerchild]

Mid august this year?

I would recommend that you go to the library and check out all the Disney World guidebooks that they have in the travel section. There are also lots of websites for disney travel tips. August is still before school is in session in some areas, so you might still be catching the late season vacationers.

I actually love staying on property, but it's not the cheapest option.

How long are you planning to stay?

[gbailey]

Hi! I think it's a fabulous idea! There are great hotels in the Disney area and off of the Disney World resort that offer great rates. If you're not renting or bringing a car with you, most resorts offer shuttles to the parks. However, from the Disney Books I've read (I strongly recommend the Unofficial Guide to Disney World and the Unofficial Guide to Disney World with kids) they say the shuttle services can be a pain in the you know what when you are ready to leave.

Disney hotels are great but you can get better value for your money outside of the World.

[Arduinna]

August? I suppose if heat, humidity and large crowds don't bother you, go for it. I prefer to visit Disney parks in the off season.

[angelcollector1]

Disney World in August? YIKES!! It's been the hottest July on record... and it's still in the mid 90s through August, and the heat index has been between 105-110 with no breaks coming up.
I don't think you will find it very crowded because it is the off-season. I will say we went in April, it was the hottest day of the month.. about 87 and I abuot died. Even if you stay at a Disney hotel, you have to take a bus to get to the park.
I'm not a fan of the heat so take my advice for what it's worth.. but it's not something I will do again unless it's in the 60s in the middle of our winter January-February.
There are lots of other things to do outside of Disney that are enjoyable and reasonably priced. I also know of a hotel that provides busing to the parks.. it's in Kissimmee.. and the rates are about $45 at the most for a standard room. It's Howard Johnson on Irlo Bronson Hwy. They have outdoor pools for everyone and for kids. It's clean and no bugs.. a big thing for me.
Have a great time if you decide to go and if you're interested in other things besides Disney attractions, PM me.. I can give you some other ideas and a great way to save $.

[jenfl]

Oh, my. It's terribly hot. It's humid. It's the busy season. This is the time the locals hole up and don't come out until the end of September.

I wouldn't recommend it at all. But if you do -- keep hydrated. Use the baby care stations if you have little ones. Go back to your hotel mid-day for a nap and trip to the pool. Go to the parks in the early morning and evening. Expect to wait in lots of lines and see few rides -- go to take in the atmosphere instead. Know that the crowds and heat WILL make everyone grumpy -- have escape options for when things are going downhill (sitting down in an A/Ced restaurant for a drink, hitting an indoor show, finding a splash zone) -- don't try to push through and see it all. You'll just make everyone more miserable.

[meredyth0315]

It is hot, very hot during the day. That being said, there are ways to divert from the heat. We go almost every week, but our newest was just born a week ago so we're planning her first trip As for deals, you can look into the dining plan, great way to save money. Another great way is to stay at a resort that has a kitchen, or at least fridge. You can save a ton if you eat at least one meal out of the parks. A great informative site is www.allears.net; it has everything on there you could ever want to know, from pics of the resorts to pricing. Also, Disney just raised their rates to base tickets at $82. School starts here for us on the 16th, so the crowds may not be as awful as they are now. Magic Kingdom will always be packed, just the way it is. There's some new additions for the summer called Summer Nightastic like the Main Street Electrical Parade and new features on the Tower of Terror if you're into that type of ride. Can I ask if yo have kids and their ages? PM me if you want and I'm happy to ramble on about my favorite place and some tips that work for us

[VisionaryMom]

I'd say it depends largely on your tolerance for heat & humidity. I'm from Georgia; MIL is from Connecticut. I would be fine; she would be miserable.

When I was growing up, we usually went at Thanksgiving or during Christmas break because of the shorter lines.

[VillageMom6]

You could not pay me cash money to go to Disney World in August. Or July. June is iffy.

We went for the first time in February and it was awesome! It was 70 degrees with no humidity... and no crowds. Plus, it being off-season we got a great deal on lodging.

But if you want to go now, more power to ya! Like a previous poster said, there is much information to be found online and in guide books.

Good luck! (You crazy lady!)

[NiteNicole]

I live in the deep south. I grew up in south Louisiana and now live in Mississippi. Extreme heat and humidity is not new to me. I nearly didn't make it through a trip to the zoo a few weeks ago, there is no way I would sign on for Disney in August. We went to the beach in early June and it was horrible.

I always get caught up thinking the main thing is that *I* don't like the heat, but it's become clear that my daughter can't really enjoy herself when it's 115 and 80% humidity either. You just get tired so fast in the heat and humidity and then everyone is miserable and irritable and no one has fun.

For me, it would be a wasted trip. We wouldn't enjoy it. Can you push it back to October?

[tabrizia]

We've done it twice, never again. Heck even end of September/beginning of October was bad, but August is so so so so hot it is unbelievable.

The crowds aren't bad, but the heat is oppressive!

[Drummer's Wife]

We went in August, and it was definitely hot and humid! However, unlike PP's, I would probably do it again at the same time of year (though, not as a first choice). As long as you stay hydrated, rest in A/C places frequently, and don't over plan and try to do to much - it's not that bad.

I think it would be nice to hang out at the hotel relaxing in the early AM, play at the pool/resort for a few hours, shower, then get ready to hit the parks when it isn't as hot.

I think it depends on how well your family tolerates the heat. Here, it's hot, but dry. FL is hot and humid. I much prefer the dry heat, and that is one reason we like Disneyland over World - even in the middle of summer CA doesn't feel as hot and icky to me as FL.

Good luck deciding. Are you thinking of going in a couple weeks? I would feel like it was a lot to plan and figure out with that short of notice, especially if it means plane tickets, too. But I know it can be done, if you have to go sooner than later. The Disney employees are more than happy to help you plan a trip, and there is a ton of info online about it.

[Arduinna]

I prefer the begining of December. Basically anytime the kids are in school and it's cool is the perfect time to go to me because I like avoiding the crowds.

If you do go in August, I highly suggest hitting the parks when they first open and then going back to your hotel when the peak heat of the day hits to have a leisurely lunch, swim in the pool and take a nap and then go back to the parks in the evening.

[umsami]

Disney just announced they are raising all of the ticket prices this week.

As somebody who lived in Orlando for nearly 10 years and now lives in Northern Florida, I cannot imagine going to the parks in August.... especially this summer. It's been hotter and more humid than normal. Disney does have these misting stations and stuff to try and cool you off--but still, it would be so hot. Assume it will be in the 90s by 9 a.m. and not cool off until sunset.

I remember taking a friend one June or July and I was shocked at how crowded the parks were. I just assumed that nobody would go--but it was hot and crowded. Lots of tourist groups.

I would go in late Sept/early October through April. Try and avoid school vacations of course.

[marisa724]

Ticket prices already went up. The increase was about $3-4 per day. If you already bought passes at the lower price, though, they're still good.

I would not go to Disney in August unless maybe someone's life depended on it. We've been in March, April and September -- times of the year when most kids are in school -- and it's been great, both weather-wise and crowd-wise. (You would need to bring rain gear/ponchos though -- it can be rainy/chilly at that time of year.)

[ErinYay]

Originally Posted by VillageMom6

You could not pay me cash money to go to Disney World in August. Or July. June is iffy.

We went for the first time in February and it was awesome! It was 70 degrees with no humidity... and no crowds. Plus, it being off-season we got a great deal on lodging.

But if you want to go now, more power to ya! Like a previous poster said, there is much information to be found online and in guide books.

Good luck! (You crazy lady!)

This^!

I've never been to Disney outside of post-Thanksgiving or Feb, and would never dream of going another time- I hate lines and heat and humidity (boy, I sure sound like a pleasant lass...) and off-peak is simply ideal on all counts.

Check their seasons- their "value" season is "off-season," and everything will be cheaper (even food, though I really recommend the Disney meal plan- avail. only if you also stay in their resorts, but their Pop Etc resorts are cheap and cute) if you're big eaters.) and the weather will be much more human-friendly.

My last trip was in '04, in Feb, and we literally waited in ZERO lines- the time it took you to walk the labyrinth to Space Mountain was all it took!

[VillageMom6]

Originally Posted by ErinYay

My last trip was in '04, in Feb, and we literally waited in ZERO lines- the time it took you to walk the labyrinth to Space Mountain was all it took!

Wasn't that the greatest?! My older children rode Space Mountain twice in a row and the entire time they took was maybe 1/2 an hour.

I grabbed a Fast Pass for another ride and then realized that you could just get right on it!

Seriously, February is perfect for those who don't like sweltering heat or shoulder to shoulder crowds.

[mrsbrunette]

i agree with others. i think it would be miserable in this heat. i went once in april and the weather was perfect! not too hot during the day and a cool breeze at night.

[Belia]

About 8 years ago DH & I went to Disney in August. I turned on the local news early in the morning to check the weather and they said it was 100% humidity.

I always thought "100% humidity" was RAIN, but I guess not, because the sun was shining.

Good lord was it HOT. We did like many PPs said- go to the parks first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and head back to the hotel for a nap in the middle of the day.

Even the pool was too warm to me- The water temp had to be 90+ degrees. Don't mean to gross anybody out, but it felt like we were swimming in other people's sweat. Gross.

I also remember the parks being crowded because school wasn't in session yet.

[BetsyS]

The last time I went to Orlando was in August. Oy, but it was hot. I'm from Atlanta, so I'm not used to cold weather (the midwest at Christmas about kills me), but this was really hot to me.

Of course, right now, we sort of hole up in our house and don't come out until almost September. Ugh. Sweat. Yuck.