August Crowd Levels?

[katedvc]

We're planning a trip from August 10th to August 19th 2011. We usually visit Disney during "off-peak" times, though we did make a short stop in for a few days this year on November 19th and 20th and the 29th and the 30th. Those days book-ended a cruise and I'm sure the crowd levels were impacted by Thanksgiving crowds, but they certainly weren't anything that we couldn't handle.

Would our August dates be similar to those November crowd levels? Worse? Better?

Just looking for a general idea. We are dvc members, and know how to use fast-passes, extra magic hours and afternoon breaks to our benefit.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Diane Hughess]

Hi! I've been twice at the end of August. The heat is INTENSE! SERIOUSLY INTENSE! But both times, the crowds weren't bad at all. Our biggest enemy was the weather. We went from sweating to being soaked by crazy rain/wind, then back to sweating again. In fact, one day when it didn't pour, we went on everything we wanted to at Magic Kingdom--granted we were there from 9 am- 9 pm, but we went on 90% of the rides with little or no wait. The next day, exhausted from the MK day, we slept in a little and went to Blizzard Beach @ 10 am to cool down--not a cloud in the sky. I got calf deep in the water at the wave pool, and an announcement was made that all water attractions were closed due to an incoming storm. When I tell you we RAN under a little hut, we RAN!! And it POURED for a solid 3 hours! Thank goodness we shared the hut with some wonderful people from the UK. We couldn't even see 2 feet in front of us in the rain, and it was pointless to try to get to the parking lot with all the lightening. When we got back to our room, our friend who had spent the day INSIDE at the Magic Quest was like "Wow! Looks like you had a great time at the water park!! Uh, no. So, as a gluten for punishment, we will go again on August 19th!!! I could sweat off a few more pounds!

 

[riogirl]

We go the last week of Aug..this year from the 20th to the 27th...the main reason is because schools in the south go back to school that week, so needless to say the crowds are great! Not empty, but so enjoyable, you can actually see around you as you walk in the parks. The next reason is because the free dining begins that exact week for the past few years!
Yes the weather is hot and stormy at times, but I am willing to take that over crowds. I have been to Disney during all summer months and this is the best, which is why my vacation is now always planned for that week! Enjoy

 

[disneygirl1]

The later you go in August the better as many southern school are back in session by mid August... I will say that we were there during the dates that you are traveling this year and I was SUPER surprised by the crowds. It was NOT a long wait at all for any of the major attractions. It is very hot so be prepared. We are heading back down on August 31st!!!!

 

[DisneyWeather!]

8/21-8/29 For all of the above reasons. Will be traveling with a 3 year old so I anticipate some mid-afternoon chill time in the pool. The anticipated lower crowds will allow us to maximize the time we are in the parks and the pool time will allow some relaxation and battery recharge time. Can't wait! My neighbor was there about the same week this past summer and was amazed by the smaller crowds than when she last went.

 

[graphite1326]

We went this last August. Crowds were not bad and didn't have to long of wait times for rides. Never longer than 15 minutes. It did rain everyday we were there, but we just put on our ponchos and had fun anyway. However, Splash Mt. closed due to lightning.

 

[mickeysshoes]

for the past 2 years we have been the 3rd week of Aug....crowds are good...very do able. we will be checking in the day you leave this coming trip!! Iam sure you will have see more crowds then we will but nothing more than you did on your bookend trips in November!! If you were ok with that you should do just fine. Very glad to hear you know how to take advantage of FP, EMH and breaks as you will need to with the HEAT!!!! Enjoy!!!

 

[katedvc]

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I see many of you go the week AFTER we are supposed to be at the world. It can't be too much different (worse) crowd wise during our week (10th-19th) than the 19th-26th right?

 

[ABigBrassBand]

The heat is INTENSE! SERIOUSLY INTENSE!

Oh, the humidity!

 

[SeaCastle]

We went 12th-18th last year. Moderate heat/crowds, but nothing too bad.We went the next week two years ago, and we're doing that again next year since the crowds are virtually nonexistent then.

 

[disneygirl1]

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I see many of you go the week AFTER we are supposed to be at the world. It can't be too much different (worse) crowd wise during our week (10th-19th) than the 19th-26th right?

Not at all!!! We were there that week this past August and crowds were very manageable!!! You will see wait times of 10-20 for the smaller attractions (maybe less). And the more popular attractions may have longer wait times, but utilize fastpasses and you'll be golden!

We arrive 8/31!!! Is it bad that I want the winter, spring and summer to fly by? :ROFLOL:

 

[Evan's Servants]

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I see many of you go the week AFTER we are supposed to be at the world. It can't be too much different (worse) crowd wise during our week (10th-19th) than the 19th-26th right?

You will notice a difference - but that's usually more in the restaurants than the parks. We've been to WDW during that span in 2006, 2007, 2008, & 2010, (we did July in 2009). Our dates are typically around August 6-20th, or so. If you're there before "free dining" starts you'll notice things are a bit less crowded. The day "free dining" starts the folks seem to come out of the woodwork for that first week. I imagine all the people who can put off their vacation until that promo starts do just that and you'll notice a bump in the numbers.

 

[Kman]

You will notice a difference - but that's usually more in the restaurants than the parks. We've been to WDW during that span in 2006, 2007, 2008, & 2010, (we did July in 2009). Our dates are typically around August 6-20th, or so. If you're there before "free dining" starts you'll notice things are a bit less crowded. The day "free dining" starts the folks seem to come out of the woodwork for that first week. I imagine all the people who can put off their vacation until that promo starts do just that and you'll notice a bump in the numbers.

What is the "free dining" promo exactly? We are booked to go this March however we are considering now going in August and maybe this will help make our decision.