Aug 17-24

[WDW-Crazy]

It's looking likely that we'll be in the World during this week due to scheduling. Was wondering how crowds and such are around this time. We've been there in June, January and Sept in the past but never towards the end of August. Any info from Disney "August" veterans on here would be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[RedDad]

We were there during the last week of August last year and the crowds were very light. It was our first trip outside of Oct or Nov, and it was extremely hot and humid. We also got a bit of rain just about every day, but it was a great trip! Just be prepared for heat and bring your ponchos!

 

[WDW-Crazy]

Oh the typical Florida rain showers don't bother us and we're used to the humidity from Sept. Thanks for your insight. The mentioning of light crowds is definitely great news. The package we're doing includes one of the moderate hotels, a nice change of pace from the values that we normally stay.

 

[Stellajack]

It's looking likely that we'll be in the World during this week due to scheduling. Was wondering how crowds and such are around this time. We've been there in June, January and Sept in the past but never towards the end of August. Any info from Disney "August" veterans on here would be very helpful. Thanks!

We were there last Aug. 15-22; crowds were not bad at all. Heat was very manageable, but you should consider daily breaks.

 

[WDW-Crazy]

We always take water bottles into the parks with us (especially the last few Sept trips when it was humid). We also use one of the snack options from the Dining Plan and get one of those flavored popsicle sticks or (for the very first time last trip) a Dole Whip!

 

[Magikal]

We go every August & were there the last week of August last year. If you remember, there was the hurricane that came through. We ended up getting quite a bit more rain than usual, but it was fine for us. We don't melt but a lot of other people do & the parks cleared out making & perfect for us to hit rides at MK & walk right on. But August, esp mid- late August has always been good for crowds. We're headed back a tad earlier this year from the 10th to the 17 th. Not as long as i'd like this year, but better than nothing!

 

[Magikal]

Oh, and for the heat, might i suggest googling a VERY handy little gagdet that's battery free, called the Mighty Mister. They have a website & they're pricey from there, but I found them on Walmart.com for less & cheap shipping. They beat the heck out of those overpriced, oversized, fan water bottles they sell in the parks. And the mist is so fine and perfect instead of obnoxious droplets that spray at least a ten foot radius! HTH!

 

[WDW-Crazy]

We go every August & were there the last week of August last year. If you remember, there was the hurricane that came through. We ended up getting quite a bit more rain than usual, but it was fine for us. We don't melt but a lot of other people do & the parks cleared out making & perfect for us to hit rides at MK & walk right on. But August, esp mid- late August has always been good for crowds. We're headed back a tad earlier this year from the 10th to the 17 th. Not as long as i'd like this year, but better than nothing!

Sounds like we'll be there the week after you. I don't remember a hurricane coming through last year, but then I may not be thinking straight either lol. I'm really liking the idea of the crowds being low from I've been hearing on here.

Oh, and for the heat, might i suggest googling a VERY handy little gagdet that's battery free, called the Mighty Mister. They have a website & they're pricey from there, but I found them on Walmart.com for less & cheap shipping. They beat the heck out of those overpriced, oversized, fan water bottles they sell in the parks. And the mist is so fine and perfect instead of obnoxious droplets that spray at least a ten foot radius! HTH!

If you're referring to those little water bottles with the misters and fans, we have those and always take them into the parks with us. They really do come in handy, especially in the humid weather. I'm sure they will be a huge help this trip!

Oh and by the way, another question for anyone in these forums who has been there since New Fantasyland has opened... we were considering on doing Be Our Guest for lunch since it's just quick-service and avoiding making ADR's for dinner there. I heard the system for quick-service is pretty good there in comparison to all the other similar counter-service restaurants on property. What's the menu like for lunch in there?

 

[Zman-ks]

We always take water bottles into the parks with us (especially the last few Sept trips when it was humid). We also use one of the snack options from the Dining Plan and get one of those flavored popsicle sticks or (for the very first time last trip) a Dole Whip!

A Dole Whip is always a must for us!

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

We have gone this week the past two years. Crowds are manageable. We hit the parks in the morn And head back to the hotel mid day for a swim and then back to the parks in the evening when it cools fown

 

[bethymouse]

Hot! Hot! Hot! Be prepared!
Rain! Rain! Rain! Be prepared! ( Although there's nothing like being in the parks after a good rain storm!)

 

[WDW-Crazy]

Vacation is booked and ADR's have been made. Probably the most character meals we've booked in a single trip that I can remember:

August 17th:
Tony’s Town Square – dinner

August 18th:
1900 Park Fare – breakfast

August 19th:
Crystal Palace – dinner

August 20th:
Ohana – breakfast

August 21st:
Garden Grill at Epcot – dinner

August 22nd:
Chef Mickey’s – breakfast

Also booked at Port Orleans Riverside for the first time. The only other moderate we've stayed was at Port Orleans French Quarter so this will be nice to compare the two. Looking forward to this trip, also taking my friend along in which this will be his second time to the World.

 

[luv]

June is probably comparable.

It just feels more crowded because it is hot and SO humid!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We went in Aug of 2011....14th - 18th. I was personally amazed how light the crowds were...the rain also wasn't too bad, so no major impact on our days. As for the heat, I think it all depends on what you're used to. We were having an exceptionally hot summer the year of that trip, so WDW was on avg about 15 degrees cooler each day than it was at home.

Also sounds like lots of fun meals. We've never done Tony's, but we've done everything else on your list. 1900 PF breakfast is my fave of the character meals

 

[WDW-Crazy]

I highly recommend Tony's! We've done it on the last two trips and the food was excellent. All of the above places listed my friend never tried except Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Fare when we took him for the first time back in 2007 so this will be a treat for him. I definitely agree that 1900 Park Fare is a must, it's definitely one of our favorites as well!

 

[coltow]

We arrived on 8/24 last year. Yes it was HOT and yes it rained, but if you're prepared it's a great time to go. Sure the big attractions had long waits but that what fast passes are for. Plan for aftenoon breaks, but there's always a chance you don't need them. we planned for breaks every day and the 1st 2 days was overcast and rainy cuz hurricane was close. Why go back to pool if its rainy? We stuck it out in the parks and got SO much done the 1st couple days that we could slow down and relax at the end of the trip.

 

[WDW-Crazy]

Thanks all for your help! We're really looking forward to this trip, especially Port Orleans Riverside. Been hearing and reading so many great things about that place, I'm very excited to stay there and check it out!

 

[bmarkelon]

We are going to be there August 14-23 for our 3rd consecutive August trip. If we've survived it twice already and are doing it again it can't be so bad, right? As you get to the end of August crowds are dying down as schools start back up. It's hot but spray fans help and it's not hard to find A/C everywhere for a quick cool down. Why can't I remember the name of that hurricane last year?? It may have been downgraded to a tropical storm, Ivan maybe? We almost didn't get out of Orlando because the weather was pretty bad, people were leaving a day early to avoid it but we held out and got out fine. Like I was really going to cut our trip a day short!
Your meals look so fun! I just posted our line up in a thread in dining. We also love Tony's but it didn't make the cut this year, it's so hard to get them all!!

 

[WDW-Crazy]

We are going to be there August 14-23 for our 3rd consecutive August trip. If we've survived it twice already and are doing it again it can't be so bad, right? As you get to the end of August crowds are dying down as schools start back up. It's hot but spray fans help and it's not hard to find A/C everywhere for a quick cool down. Why can't I remember the name of that hurricane last year?? It may have been downgraded to a tropical storm, Ivan maybe? We almost didn't get out of Orlando because the weather was pretty bad, people were leaving a day early to avoid it but we held out and got out fine. Like I was really going to cut our trip a day short!
Your meals look so fun! I just posted our line up in a thread in dining. We also love Tony's but it didn't make the cut this year, it's so hard to get them all!!

Yeah that's what I figured about the time we are going. I've heard so many people say mid-late August is a great time to go because of back to school. I have taken notice that the crowds are starting to pick up a little in September now then let's say back in 2001/02 mainly because I think more parents are pulling their kids out of school approx the middle to the end of the month (my guess would be mainly the Halloween Party since they began offering that for more weeks in Sept around the mid 2000's and also since that's considered a value season). I know people have commented that the beginning of September is also a great time to go as well, more than likely because of back to school too.

Looks like you're going to be there around the time as us.

 

[WDW-Crazy]

So who's gonna be there during this week? Feel free to let me know if you want or would like to meet up!