June versus August 2011

[Epcot Dave]

All-
We are trying to plan a last minute trip to WDW (Riverside) for June 11-20 and have calculated that changing the trip to 8/14-22 to take advantage of the reduced rates and better discounts would save us $500+ on the room.

This is certainly tempting, but we've never been in August.

We were there the middle of last September and it was just ungawdly humid in addition to being extremely hot every day. The crowds, however, were very manageable, and we had annual passes that were still good, so there you are.

Does anyone have any thoughts to share on the weather and crowd levels for the second/third week in August?

I figure it will be hot, but will it be debilitatingly humid, too, like September?

I figure that WDW wouldn't cut the prices or add discounts so large if they thought they could sell those rooms without them, so I suspect crowd levels will be low.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Dave

 

[bmarkelon]

We are braving it for our first August trip this year so I don't know from experience yet. But from what I hear the weather will be similar to what you experienced in September. I am hoping that lighter crowds will make it worth it. Our dates are almost the same, 13-21. Bring it on!

 

[mickeysshoes]

August will be no different than your trip in Sept. We have been the last to years at this time (time frame that free dining has started..first week it is offered) and will be there 8/19 - 8/25 again this year..also the first week of free dining. Crowds are very doable but it tends to get HOT. Just have to make sure to plan your days to take breaks and cool off. Step inside and see a show you would not normaly see just to cool off. Get out early, take a break in the height of the heat and stay out late!! I would advise if you want TS you make ADR's as free dining will be in effect starting the 19th so you will seet the resturants get busy as your week goes on. I have never been in June so I cant tell you how different it will be. Good luck picking but i would save the money and go in August!!

 

[ThinkTink721]

It will most likely be hot & humid during August.
It is definitely hot in June - have been during twice during that time.

Crowd levels are usually high Memorial Day through Labor Day.

:wave:

 

[Epcot Dave]

We've been there in June before, in 2000 (Honeymoon), 2003, and 2007, but always in the first week. This year we don't want to take our 7yo out of school, so we're waiting until 6/11.

We've also done mid-September twice (2002 & 2007) and mid/late October four times (2001,2005,2006,2009).

It's usually been dry in June, so I'm not sure how to compare the two.

We'll be there with a 7yo, a 3yo, and my Father In Law.

If the crowds are a lot lighter in Mid-August though, that makes more sense to us.

Due to the price increases with the DDP, this time we're going to try paying our own way, perhaps with Tables In Wonderland. We used Annual Passes last year and saved the 2 day tix required for the free dining. So I want to extend those, and being that there isn't a dining promotion we can take advantage of, we my have one of our party get an AP and Tables In Wonderland this time.

Any TS meals that we do have this year will be with ADR's, for sure. It baffles me that people try to wing it like that...I hear at least one group complain that they couldn't get in just walking up. A few years ago it was at Le Cellier no less. We still laugh about that one.

Thanks-
Dave

 

[DisneyRunner]

The first two years my family went in June, right after school got out. The last few years have been August. I would say it's about the same.

 

[disneygirl1]

I would totally go with August over June in a heart beat, simply b/c the crowds are less in August... It is still hot and humid in August, but don't think it is as hot in August as it is in June.

 

[wm49rs]

We've been there in June before, in 2000 (Honeymoon), 2003, and 2007, but always in the first week. This year we don't want to take our 7yo out of school, so we're waiting until 6/11.

We've also done mid-September twice (2002 & 2007) and mid/late October four times (2001,2005,2006,2009).

It's usually been dry in June, so I'm not sure how to compare the two.

We'll be there with a 7yo, a 3yo, and my Father In Law.

If the crowds are a lot lighter in Mid-August though, that makes more sense to us.

Due to the price increases with the DDP, this time we're going to try paying our own way, perhaps with Tables In Wonderland. We used Annual Passes last year and saved the 2 day tix required for the free dining. So I want to extend those, and being that there isn't a dining promotion we can take advantage of, we my have one of our party get an AP and Tables In Wonderland this time.

Any TS meals that we do have this year will be with ADR's, for sure. It baffles me that people try to wing it like that...I hear at least one group complain that they couldn't get in just walking up. A few years ago it was at Le Cellier no less. We still laugh about that one.

Thanks-
Dave

We regularly visit in June, usually the week or so before Memorial Day. We've never had issues with the crowds, which only seemed to build as it got closer to the holiday (and as more school systems let out for the summer). And as for the heat, it wasn't much worse than what we see in Georgia.

As for August, I don't think you will see a reduction in the summer crowds until after Labor Day, when the last of the schools start back up. So with the summer heat and humidity you can toss in higher crowd levels....

It's all a matter of what you value: saving the money and dealing with the heat/crowds, or spending more and going the opposite route. Good luck either way! :wave:

 

[Korfar]

We have gone twice in later August and once in early June. I like August a lot better. The crowd levels were much better. It does settle down there after the first week of August. We are going again this year in late August. It is hot and humid as you would expect but I can deal with that a lot better than larger crowds.

 

[oommggitskait]

This year is the first year (of my adult life) I will be going in the end of August. This past summer I went in beginning of June and it was beautiful. Hot, but not unbareable I would say. Not TOO busy, but lot of lovely people from the south (never heard so many southern drawls in one place in my life). I think their schools get out earlier then they do up north here.

I went to Florida plenty of times in August as a kid, but not in the past 7-8 years or so, so I don't really remember. My guess is... very very hot. But I have heard that the crowds slim down a bit. I'm a frugal person, so personally I'd take the cheaper route.... but that is really up to you!

 

[DawnCt]

I wouldn't have a problem going in August. We have been in the heat of the summer, and its WDW after all. Every attraction bathes you in cool, air conditioned splendor. By the time August rolls around you are acclimated to the summer heat any way. Less costly, less crowded, go in August.