Subsonic Radio

So, the family and I are planning a trip to WDW in August. We are Disney vets (We go practically every year), but now im in college and its hard to plan time. We decided that an early to mid August trip should be ok. We have never been to Disney during this time (we tend to go either November or February). Now i understand its very very humid and hot which is fine, but I would like to know what are the usually fluctuation in crowdedness -- here i mean, what time of day is good to visit the parks and when is it good to go to the pools and what not to escape the crowds?

I would recommend going at rope drop and staying until 11a or Noon. then ride back to the resort for nap/rest/pool time. Then head back to the parks around 4ish until close. Most of the people that had been there all day will be close to heat stroke and will start leaving about mid-late afternoon.

happysneakers wrote:So, the family and I are planning a trip to WDW in August. We are Disney vets (We go practically every year), but now im in college and its hard to plan time. We decided that an early to mid August trip should be ok. We have never been to Disney during this time (we tend to go either November or February). Now i understand its very very humid and hot which is fine, but I would like to know what are the usually fluctuation in crowdedness -- here i mean, what time of day is good to visit the parks and when is it good to go to the pools and what not to escape the crowds?

NaCler wrote:I would recommend going at rope drop and staying until 11a or Noon. then ride back to the resort for nap/rest/pool time. Then head back to the parks around 4ish until close. Most of the people that had been there all day will be close to heat stroke and will start leaving about mid-late afternoon.

That sounds like a good plan. You will be quite ready for a break by mid-morning. The heat and humidity will be incredibly bad in August Remember to drink lots and lots of water while you are there!!

As I've been to WDW twice in early August (and once in late July), I can fully second NaClers suggestion - if you want to take that break between Noon and 4ish, that is (you're wasting time you could spend in the parks, after all ). We mostly took a break between Noon and 2ish, but it was still really full when we returned and it somewhat emptied around 4 [of course, the park is never really empty. You just steer around the worst crowds this way].

happysneakers wrote:So, the family and I are planning a trip to WDW in August. We are Disney vets (We go practically every year), but now im in college and its hard to plan time. We decided that an early to mid August trip should be ok. We have never been to Disney during this time (we tend to go either November or February). Now i understand its very very humid and hot which is fine, but I would like to know what are the usually fluctuation in crowdedness -- here i mean, what time of day is good to visit the parks and when is it good to go to the pools and what not to escape the crowds?

If you can go later in the month of August the crowds will be lighter--schools in the south go back then so you'll find shorter line waits that at the beginning of August.

My best advice is to go early, early in the morning, even choose the early entry parks if you are staying on property. Then leave immediately after lunch, no later than 1:00pm, spend the HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY, and I mean 90+ degrees hot in August, in the cool of your room, or shopping, or if you like swimming in the heat, then you could always do that. I wouldn't go back into the parks until closer to dinner time. And while the sun doesn't go down in the summer until closer to 8:30pm you could at least be in an a/c restaraunt while the crowds start to thin out. The December and February times that you normally go are my preferred travel times, too---less crowds and cooler temps.

Arvorenn wrote:As I've been to WDW twice in early August (and once in late July), I can fully second NaClers suggestion - if you want to take that break between Noon and 4ish, that is (you're wasting time you could spend in the parks, after all ). We mostly took a break between Noon and 2ish, but it was still really full when we returned and it somewhat emptied around 4 [of course, the park is never really empty. You just steer around the worst crowds this way].

Also, between noon and 5 PM during August can be the hottest time of the day, or can also be fraught with summer rains/thunderstorms. Taking the time off to rest means you miss the worst of the weather while enjoying the park. During the summer months, there's always some park open until late.

dichuy wrote:If you can go later in the month of August the crowds will be lighter--schools in the south go back then so you'll find shorter line waits that at the beginning of August.

I'm in Georgia and pretty much all schools around me go back at the very beginning of August now. Of course, you're right that the later in August, the higher number that will be back in session, but schools here are starting earlier and earlier every year.

Polynesian Princess wrote:

dichuy wrote:If you can go later in the month of August the crowds will be lighter--schools in the south go back then so you'll find shorter line waits that at the beginning of August.

I'm in Georgia and pretty much all schools around me go back at the very beginning of August now. Of course, you're right that the later in August, the higher number that will be back in session, but schools here are starting earlier and earlier every year.

Michigan passed a bill a few years back that mandates school starting after Labor Day. Supposed to help out with tourism...
I suppose any time you go to WDW in the summer it will be hot, humid and crowded, but if you are prepared for that, you'll be ok

dichuy wrote:

happysneakers wrote:So, the family and I are planning a trip to WDW in August. We are Disney vets (We go practically every year), but now im in college and its hard to plan time. We decided that an early to mid August trip should be ok. We have never been to Disney during this time (we tend to go either November or February). Now i understand its very very humid and hot which is fine, but I would like to know what are the usually fluctuation in crowdedness -- here i mean, what time of day is good to visit the parks and when is it good to go to the pools and what not to escape the crowds?

If you can go later in the month of August the crowds will be lighter--schools in the south go back then so you'll find shorter line waits that at the beginning of August.

In mid-August there is a rate change - definitely for the DVC resorts and I suspect the rack rates too. Right at that point WDW is swarming with NY/NJ/tri-state area families taking advantage of the price drop.

DW and I honeymooned at WDW at the end of August last year. The crowds weren't bad at all and the heat wasn't unbearable except for one day. As long as you hydrate properly it really isn't all that bad...and it's easy to stay hydrated at WDW.

theBIGyowski wrote:DW and I honeymooned at WDW at the end of August last year. The crowds weren't bad at all and the heat wasn't unbearable except for one day. As long as you hydrate properly it really isn't all that bad...and it's easy to stay hydrated at WDW.

You were there last August? When?! We were there, too - August 22 - 28.

A friend of mine went on his Honeymoon in august and he would wear 2 or 3 different outfits everyday because of thesweat. It adds up to alot of Landry time but it made him much more comfortable to change outfits and noon and then again late evening.

rphillips14 wrote:A friend of mine went on his Honeymoon in august and he would wear 2 or 3 different outfits everyday because of thesweat. It adds up to alot of Landry time but it made him much more comfortable to change outfits and noon and then again late evening.

Try Under Armour Heat Gear loose-fitting apparel. Helps keep you cool better, and dries quicker. You can wash it in a sink, hang in up on a wire hanger, and it is completely dry within hour. Perfect theme-park clothing.

mindflipper wrote:

rphillips14 wrote:A friend of mine went on his Honeymoon in august and he would wear 2 or 3 different outfits everyday because of thesweat. It adds up to alot of Landry time but it made him much more comfortable to change outfits and noon and then again late evening.

Try Under Armour Heat Gear loose-fitting apparel. Helps keep you cool better, and dries quicker. You can wash it in a sink, hang in up on a wire hanger, and it is completely dry within hour. Perfect theme-park clothing.

I understand how that washes and dries quickly, but am I the only one who doesn't feel 100% polyester isn't as cool as cotton?