Please calm my fears

[tommyboy12099]

Hello everyone,

We just booked a trip to stay at CBR from 8/8 to 8/15. I would never have thought of going in August but the specials were too good and my little guy starts kindergarten in Sept so I jumped on it. Now Im concerned about the date I picked. We are taking my parents who have not been there since Epcot opened in 1982. I really want them to have a good time but am concerned about the heat, the long lines and we are staying in Trinidad south in a pirate room but it's far from everything. Its really all that was left. Please help me realize I will be OK and they will have a good time. Thanks everyone

 

[rsoxguy]

Deep breath...happy thoughts... I'm a South Floridian. We can not handle the heat any better than northerners (or "the people who help us to avoid a state income tax", as we like to call them). Many of us spend a great deal of time in the A/C, and so the August heat is just as intense for us. I have been to WDW in August countless times, with several two-week trips. Keep everyone hydrated, fed, and spread the A/C attractions evenly throughout the day. Bring plenty of sunblock and comfortable shoes. If the day becomes too intense, take a break back at the hotel pool (the hottest part of the day occurs around 3 p.m.) Nights will remain in the 80's, so be ready for balmy evenings as you consider any type of evening activity. The lines can be managed with fastpasses and parade times as folks flock to the parade and you walk right in to the rides. The trip will be great as long as you remember to have fun and determine that complaints should be reserved for the quality of TV programing, not vacations.

 

[marypoppins68]

I've stayed in Trinidad South and the walk really wasn't that bad. Yes, the first time I walked it it did seem rather long, but by day 2 it didn't seem that bad and by day 3 it wasn't a bother at all. It was actually rather enjoyable and the buildings were very quiet. The only people there were people who had rooms. You didn't get random people walking by like you do at some of the other locations.

 

[disneychic71]

I had the same fears as you when we were at WDW last August, but we had a wonderful time. I think if you approach your trip understanding the down side (the heat/possible crowds) then you will have fun. We packed carefully, and invested in a few special shirts/shorts that are made for hot weather, rather than our usual cotton t-shirts. (We got them at Sports Authority right before we left, taking advantage of the end-of season sales). Then we were sure to drink a lot of water and use the water bottle/fan device that sprays you with cool water when you're extra hot. We also took a pool break every day, and took good advantage of the evening extra-magic hours when it was much cooler.

 

[PrincessMagic]

We went in August-September in 05, and honestly the heat was really bad in the afternoon. What we did was hit the parks in the morning, when it started getting really hot we would go back to the resort and swim, come evening we would head back to the parks. Just know your limit in the sun, I know even the heat and humidity can make even an adult meltdown...I know from personal experience lol. Just take it in stride take breaks in the shade and stay hydrated.

 

[fngoofy]

Get to the parks 15 mins before they open.

Get out of the parks mid day.

Have diner later so you can ride during normal diner hours.

 

[tommyboy12099]

All excellent tips. Thanks so much:sohappy: I feel a little better now. It's the whole I love Disney and I hope they (my parents) love Disney phobia that I have going on. I just want them to enjoy it. They are going with their 6 grandchildren so Im sure many memories will be made.

 

[polynesiangirl]

I have been in August a couple of times. Everyone's given you good info already but I'll chip in my two cents...

At least in the past I have found that the crowd levels are moderate to low-moderate. It's not a ghost town, but it's not even close to, say, Easter.

It will be hot, BUT, you can definitely handle it as long as you all stayed hydrated and take lots of breaks (it is a vacation after all, right? So just make sure you're not pushing yourselves.) If you make a point to eat a few sit down meals, too, that helps -- you get to rest a bit and you're in air conditioning.

You'll have a wonderful time. I got to go with my grandmother back when I was a kid in the 1990s and now that she's too old to travel anymore, I really treasure that trip, so I'm sure your son will too.

 

[MissM]

Don't forget too that in Florida, Air Conditioning can be as much an attraction as any other in the parks! :lol: Don't be afraid to walk through shops or stores to get a quick cool down, or to grab a snack or a drink and chill for a few in a Quick Service location. Sometimes just getting a little bit of a break can go a long way.

Oh and try and pick up some "dry fit" shirts if possible. They help because then when you do go in an attraction or shop, they'll dry quicker and you won't feel so hot and soggy. You can find them by several brands just about anywhere (including Target in the athletic section and WalMart)

 

[scottnj1966]

Hello everyone,

We just booked a trip to stay at CBR from 8/8 to 8/15. I would never have thought of going in August but the specials were too good and my little guy starts kindergarten in Sept so I jumped on it. Now Im concerned about the date I picked. We are taking my parents who have not been there since Epcot opened in 1982. I really want them to have a good time but am concerned about the heat, the long lines and we are staying in Trinidad south in a pirate room but it's far from everything. Its really all that was left. Please help me realize I will be OK and they will have a good time. Thanks everyone

The heat is not what will drag you down, its the humidity.
Like everyone has said, go into all the shops, stay in them for at least ten minutes, refill your water bottles whenever you can. Stay away from cokes and things like that. They dehydrate you. It gets to us always, you just got to know how to beat it.

Spend time in the innoventions areas. Remember all the rides will be long lines except for a few.
The land boat ride and imagination. they always stay small.
Now the rides with long lines are not going to be a heat issue, they are all indoors.

Wear clothes that are very loose and light. Something the sir can dry quick.

The nice thing is you will be at Disney. Its going to be fun.

Enjoy yourselves.

Scott

 

[goodtimes5286]

Get to the parks 15 mins before they open.

Get out of the parks mid day.

Have diner later so you can ride during normal diner hours.

2x, this is the best advice for avoiding the sun. Or (instead of leaving the parks) you could always make a reservation for a resturant around mid day, say 11ish, then you could have an eairly dinner around 3-4, so that when you get out of the resturant it's cooled down.

Another positive is that many attractions at Epcot are inside, so try doing the possible outdoor waits eairly on. Space ship earth, ellens energy adventure, and test track all have some sort of an outside line. As long as your not going on mission space orange, then you wont be outside either, so basically go left right off the bat. Then take your party across to the imagination pavilion, the land pavilion, and the sea pav (depending on what time your dining reservations are, or you could always have lunch inside the land they have a very spacious dining area). Inside of here will give you more then enough sun cover, and even traveling from pavilion to pavilion wont be too far.

I would then take it over to innovations west and east. After that going over to mexico, and maybe eating dinner in mexico or norway. By then you should have enough cloud cover to walk to the other countries, plus going inside and sitting down in there theater, lookin at the shops, etc. You can finish you day with canada and then maybe go back and go on whichever attractions you liked the best.

Good luck

 

[tommyboy12099]

I'm writing everything down. Great info. Thanks again

 

[jjbuster2]

1. Midday break-absolute must with little one
2. Use fastpass when available (you can send one person with all the tickets to FP something on the other side of park to keep the whole party from walking there twice-once to get the FP and the 2nd time actually riding)

3. My Fav - Have a lunch reservation for the park that you plan to attend each day (or most days-depending on ur eating habits). As the morning goes from bearable crowds & weather into "where did all these people come from & why am i sweating so much", a nice restaurant with AC is the perfect pick-u-up. It may refresh you enough to ride a couple more things before taking a break or you could break earlier thus refreshing ur party and getting you back in the parks earlier in the evening/afternoon.
Make reservations in advance.
Lunch at a table service is usually cheaper than dinner!
The Plaza at MK has lovely milkshakes

 

[swimmom]

When we went in August ten years ago, the mister fan was my best friend especially when standing in un-airconditioned queues.

 

[tommyboy12099]

I keep updating my word document with all of your tips so thank you very much. I do remember we went in May one year and it was 98 every day and we survived. My family lives in ice rinks (for hockey) so they may love the extreme heat:lookaroun ...not.... I really am excited for this trip and you are all psyching me up more. Thank you Thank you Thank you

 

[nybound]

Plan on a mid to late afternoon thunderstorm every day. The duration is short, but you don't want to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should have plenty of advanced warning (clouds and wind), but be prepared.

For the heat, I would recommend a "Misty Mate" which are pressurized, portable misters. Stick ice water in there, give it a few pumps, and you're good to go. I find them less bulky than the misting fans sold in the parks.

If the heat gets too intense, Mickey ice cream also works. :slurp:

 

[Since1976]

I was there on my honeymoon during that time of year. Yeah, you can expect it to be very humid and occasionally rainy. But fear not, the rain rarely lasts long, and the humidity is no big deal if you dress appropriately.

Plan on needing a break in the middle of the day. You won't have the energy to see everything, but hey, even on a good day you can't see everything.

 

[danpam1024]

Buy bottled water, and freeze 'em at night..keeps cool for most of the am.

 

[tommyboy12099]

Buy bottled water, and freeze 'em at night..keeps cool for most of the am.

Love that idea:sohappy:

 

[StingraySam]

I agree with everyone's ideas they are really good!

Water, Water and more Water! As everyone has said keep hydrated. This one thing alone can get you through even the warmest of days.

One thing we have done on many of our summer visits is to take advantage of the evening hours as much as possible. Go for a few hours in the morning (or sleep in late as we do sometimes) then come back to room for a mid-day break in pool and a light snooze then back to the parks in the evening in particular the parks with EMH.