Third week of August - thoughts?

[J_Carioca]

Hi all,

We had been planning to go to WDW in October 2013, but are now considering moving it up to the third week of August. A major concern for us is crowds - we always try to go when the parks are not busy. I always thought that all of August was a nightmare, but I've read random accounts here of people saying that end of August isn't actually that bad because a lot of schools have started.

Anyone who has visited at the end of August, please respond! Thanks.

 

[dkosdros]

We were there last August. We arrived around Aug 22nd I believe and stayed for 5 days. The parks were very manageable. Some days lighter than others but never got overwhelming. It is probably the lightest the parks ever get with people going back to school, wrapping up their summer vacations, etc... The weather was nice. Mid day it did get hot and the humidity picked up one day. You will most likely have a passing shower mid day for 30 min to 1 hr each day. We brought disposable ponchos and only needed them one of the days. The rest we got lucky and it happened when we were in a show/attraction/dining or on bus/monorail. I would have no problem booking that time of year again.

 

[RedDad]

We went last year during the last week of August and the crowds were very manageable - we also try to avoid the crowds at all costs when we go. The heat and humidity, on the other hand, were pretty extreme. This was our first trip outside of either Oct or Nov and it was pretty bad. It also rained almost every day, but not for long.

I'd say if you don't mind the heat and potential for rain, then go for it. The crowds weren't bad for us.

 

[Master Yoda]

It is typically a good time to go crowd wise. The heat is still brutal though.

 

[jonabyte]

Went two years ago, MK was real busy, Epcot wasn't too bad - but the heat, wow.

 

[Figgy1]

Manageable crowds but very very hot and HUMID!

 

[J_Carioca]

Thanks everyone. I can handle humidity but crowds are my major concern. We've been going in April or October for the past couple years - would late August compare?

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks everyone. I can handle humidity but crowds are my major concern. We've been going in April or October for the past couple years - would late August compare?

It is at times better than September-October.

 

[JillC LI]

Can't comment on August, but October is such a great time to go with the F&WF and MNSSHP and the nice weather. Is October undoable now?

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

We have gone the past two years around 8/20 and the crowds weren't bad! Just try to get early start to avoid midday heat and
Crowds!

 

[Figgy1]

Be at the parks before opening and you will get so much more done that way!

 

[pumpkin7]

We went August 16th 2010 for 14 nights. Totally amazing. It wasn't busy. We didn't have to get many FP I know that. Lines for the Mountains were usually quite long, but depending on time of day, dropped down to about 40 minutes. Space Mountain seemed to fluctuate between 10 minutes and 240 minutes somehow. Though I don't remember complaining that much during that trip and I hate queuing for anything so I'm guessing it wasn't too bad! I'd go for it.

 

[Stellajack]

We went last year Aug 15-22. The crowds were not bad at all. We did take advantage of a resort/pool break every day. One of the hottest and most humid trips we have made to WDW was the first week in Oct in 2002. It's really hard to say with certainty that Aug. will be worse than Sept/Oct.

 

[NewtoDisney2009]

We went the 3rd week in August in 2011. The crowds were great, but the heat/humidity was unbelievable (and I love hot weather). Also, we had thunderstorms every day and I really thought we were going to die a couple of times due to the lighting. We waited in line an hour for TSM only for the power to go out right as we were descending the steps to load. The CMs literally kicked everyone out of the building into the worst lightning I've ever seen. I prayed for the lives of my family as we ran to find some shelter somewhere!

 

[bethymouse]

We sweat a lot!
But, we still love it! We go early morning, take an afternoon dip in the pool, then go back to the park @ night!
Don't worry about the crowds. Just use fast Pass, baby!

 

[jenluvswdw]

I'll be there!! Usually go the fourth week and it is not crowded. This year I did not want to wait for the last week of summer vacation so we are trying the third. We will see. Happy planning!

 

[littleroo]

We sweat a lot!
But, we still love it! We go early morning, take an afternoon dip in the pool, then go back to the park @ night!
Don't worry about the crowds. Just use fast Pass, baby!

Exactly what we do!!!!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We went Aug 14-18 back in 2011...so just a little bit before when you're looking. Touring Plans said the days would be 7-9s crowd wise, but oh how wrong they were. Obviously, in a good way. I swear...it was less crowded during these days than it was when we went in early December. We live in the Houston area, so the heat isn't really any different than home...in fact, that year it was actually significantly cooler at WDW (upper 80s to mid 90s...yup, went to WDW to cool off ). We had a fairly easy time reworking ADRs even last minute, so that was my sign that things really weren't as crowded as other times we've been.

 

[Poofiesdream]

Schools are back in session here the 3d week of August so you won't find locals there. The crowds are not bad. The heat is the worse and thunderstorms every afternoon. The showers pass bye pretty fast but make it humid. Don't forget you are getting into active hurricane season too. We have not had a direct hit in a few years but you never know.