How Hot/Crowded/Uncomfortable is late summer at WDW?

[slappy magoo]

Hi, all...

As I wrote in my first post, my GF is a teacher wo also teaches summer school. We might be able to take short little trips over the course of the school year, but for a proper-length vacation, August is our only option.

We're arriving on the 26th, and staying until September 5th, the day before Labor Day. Now I'm not fooling myself, I'm sure it's going to be hot and crowded, but of course, the optimist in me is hoping it won't be TOO hot and/or crowded.

Any guide I read specifies we're going during one of the worst times to go. However, I have a sister who is coincidentally going at the same time. She habitually goes that time of year, and she said the lines often aren't that bad, though the weather can be scorching.

What do you all think? Am I looking at a lot of slow simmering in the resort pool and only venturing out late at night? Or can we still have a great time in spite of the time of year?

 

[phlydude]

You can have fun at that time of year, just avoid the parks on Labor Day weekend (9/4 - 9/5).

No doubt about it, it will be scorching hot (with highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s). Crowds will not be as bad as in mid-June - Early August because the local schools begin going back somewhere around August 16th.

It will be crowded but I don't think it will be a day where the park has reached it's capacity and they have to close it to arriving guests. You could probably expect a crowd to be busy for alot of attractions but still find walk-ons for others.

 

[flyersmv]

when i used to go in august it was terrible heat and it was infct verrrrrry hot....i find to keep the kids in skool and still beable to go is go at the begining of JUne...not TOO hot and not TOO crowded

 

[lukacseven]

I'd say the biggest concern about going that time of year is the weather, and not the heat, but the rain. Although it is very common for the mid-afternoon shower, I've experienced 3-4 days of staright rain that time of year.

You can use early entry and fast pass to get on all the rides you want despite large crowds and the parks are equiped with fans misters and some very popular water attractions. Indoor spaces are air-conditioned. You can definitely have a great time (if the rain holds off).

 

[slappy magoo]

Originally posted by flyersmv
when i used to go in august it was terrible heat and it was infct verrrrrry hot....i find to keep the kids in skool and still beable to go is go at the begining of JUne...not TOO hot and not TOO crowded

If June was an option, I'd consider it. I did go once in mid-May and had a great time. The problem isn't having kids in school, but an adult. My GF's a teacher, and since they (theoretically) have 2 1/2 months off here in NJ, plus plenty of 3 and 4 day weekends during the school year, she'd only be able to go during a school year if she faked being sick and used up her sick days, which she'd never do.

Actually a sister of mine, who's also did a teacher, just did that. The faculty was pretty ed that Little Miss Sickly came back from her deathbed with a Florida tan. My GF would never do that, and I think her school is strict enough to ask for a doctor's note if she spent THAT much time out of school.

So again, it's August or bust. I just don't want to get my hopes up TOO high...but you know, I'd like to be somewhat of an optimist, and hope that the weather won't knock us on our butts, and we won't get claustrophobic in a sea of fellow tourists.

 

[Moustronaut]

Rain ponchos are your friend!

The mid day showers are a blessing. They tend to clean out the parks for a little while. People head to indoor things or back to the resort. So get some rain ponchos and go ride those rides!!!

It's just when it rains ALL day is when its no fun.

 

[swimmom]

We went in 1999 around the 20th of August for a week before Labor Day weekend. It was very hot & humid and our mister fan helped us through the heat. When it rained, we didn't even bother with the ponchos, we just got wet and cooled off a little. We took full advantage of the e-ride night to enjoy the MK after the sun went down. Planning afternoon breaks to cool off in the pool would be a great idea.

Since the area schools were already in session, the crowds were very low except over the weekend. Most wait times were about 30 minutes, but some were longer.

 

[WDWKat26]

I actually went last year in August with my Family for 8 days, and it was a blast. Yes it's very warm, and humid, but I didn't seem to have any problems with the rides, or wait-times. I love the heat (I should, i'm moving down there!), and it doesn't bug me.

Here's some reccomendations:
1. Always Carry a lot of water on you, not just for drinking but for pouring over head if necessary
2. Spend a day at a Water Park (Bring Lots of sunscreen!), nothing is better then spending a day at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach on a hot and humid day. Plus, the water parks close between 5 & 6 so you'll still have enough time to go back to your rooms, shower and enjoy the last few hours of the parks
3. Take advantage of Shady areas and Air Conditioned places if you're feeling tired, don't push yourself too much or you might get heat exhaustion.
and last
4. Wear light clothing, it really does help Oh yeah and sunscreen, can't forget that since the sun is BLAZING hot!

Enjoy your time down there, hopefully i'll be a CM by the time you are there!:sohappy:

 

[HauntedPirate]

Having done two late-July trips in the past 3 years, here's my two cents. Most will already have been posted, but what the hey...

It's hot.

It's humid.

It will almost undoubtedly rain in the afternoon/early evening. Either duck into a shop, or invest in a poncho so you can keep going thru the parks while many others duck into shops.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Crowds can be brutal, until it rains (hint hint ) Not saying that they will be, but the possibility exists.

Definitely drink A LOT of water. The mister fans will probably be worth $16, as they can keep you somewhat cool, when necessary. Wear light colored clothing, lots of sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. A hat can sometimes help, also. I could almost recommend doing as much as you can early in the day, then taking a post-lunch break back to your hotel, with a return to the same park or something different in the evening. Depends on your party and their energy levels. Do rides with outside queues early in the day, saving things like Philharmagic, Test Track, etc. for the hot afternoons, because their queues are (somewhat) air-conditioned.

One last thing: Did I mention comfortable shoes? :lol:

 

[swimmom]

And an extra pair of shoes. Sometimes your shoes get really wet from the rain and puddles and don't dry out overnight. There is nothing worse than putting on damp shoes!!

 

[TomDisney]

Bring your patience too....as the temperature increases, so does people's poor behavior and rudeness.

One other tip....visit Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning. The animals tend to get a little more lethargic as the day (and heat) goes on.

 

[westie]

We went the last week in Sept. It was sooo hot that my camera lens kept fogging up. It was just as hot at 9 at night as it was at 9 AM. I found it pretty miserable and now were winter travelers. Sorry to the summer crowd, no offense intended.