Walt Disney World in August?
Nick just asked me this:
WDW in August.... worth it? Or is there too many people and or weather? Have you been in August... was it alright ?
Yes, Nick, Disney World in August is totally doable ... and you can have a great vacation then! Any trip to Walt Disney World requires planning, of course, but when you're traveling during hot weather ... which also happens to be when the parks are their busiest ... pre-planning is even more important. So what's most important?
So let's start with the basics:
- Stay in a Disney hotel. You'll get at least an hour's worth more entertainment (or rest) each day by not having to drive from your hotel to the parks. Of course, you'll also be right in the middle of the Disney magic, which means more fun even when you're not in the parks.
- Take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. Extra Magic Hours are times when the Disney folks open the parks just for Disney resort guests ... one hour before the park opens to other guests or up to three hours afterthe park's regular closing time. The bonus is that the early morning and late evening times are cooler, so your park touring is much more pleasant.
- Arrive at the parks when they open. Be standing at the gate 15 minutes before official park opening. Why? Smaller crowds, less wait time on the most popular rides, cooler temperatures. By arriving at park opening time, you can do more in two hours than you'll probably be able to do the rest of the day!
- Get plenty of rest. Don't try to burn the candle at both ends. Go to bed early, tour the parks from 8 or 9 AM until early afternoon, then return to your Disney resort, rest and enjoy an early dinner so you'll be rested for the next day.
My tips on staying cool:
- Drink plenty of fluids. That means water, not soft drinks.
- Don't rush from attraction to attraction... which means that you must know your way around before you arrive. Do your homework and have a touring plan for each day.
- Take "cool" breaks. Enjoy an afternoon snack at an indoor restaurant; there are plenty of choices. Go to one of the many shows inside the parks. Browse through the shops.
- Do most of your park touring in the early morning or after sunset.
My top tips for avoiding crowds and waiting in line:
- Arrive at the parks early! Take advantage of the fact that most vacationers don't start their day early. (Seeing a pattern here?)
- Use Fastpass. This is a free service available at the most popular attraction that basically allows you to reserve a future time for riding. Instead of waiting in line, you get a ticket with the time later that day when you can return and go through a separate, much-shorter line.
- Eat lunch no later than 11:15 or wait till after 2:00. The longest waiting times for meals is the noon hour. Eat before or after.
Some folks will tell you that there are some tricks to which park to visit each day. My opinion is that you might waste time trying to outthink everyone else! I do avoid the Magic Kingdom on weekend days because that park is the most popular with local residents. We prefer visiting the Magic Kingdom on Monday and Tuesday.
What's good about visiting Disney World in August?
- Most schools in the south go back in session by mid-August, so I suggest booking a date in late August if that's an option for you.
- You might have also heard some rumors about a very nice special deal Disney is offering for travel starting in early August.... well, I can't give you all the details, but it is definitely worth taking a trip then. In fact, I'll be booking next week to take advantage of it!
- Park hours are longer and more attractions are open than in the fall and winter, so you have more time to enjoy the parks. This is especially good if you aren't a morning person and can't take advantage of the early-morning-smaller-crowd tip!
And yes, I have been to Disney World in August ... more than once, in fact! We definitely pack only shorts and t-shirts and take everything at a slower pace.
So, Nick, does that help? Let me know if you have any specific questions!
Where would you like to go now?
Comments
what about hurricane season in August?
My name is Dalia and my family and I want to visit in mid August, is it safe?
Dalia,
Statistically speaking, the odds are in your favor! The chances that you will encounter a hurricane is very small. However you certainly want to stay aware of the weather forecast and plan accordingly. What does that mean?
Take rain gear -- I prefer disposable plastic panchos that you can get at a discount store for $1 each. We typically pack one per day per person for a summer vacation. They don't take up much space, and summer showers are common even if there's no hurricane.
Recognize that the parks rarely close, typically only a day during the worst of a storm. That means you can enjoy the parks, usually with smaller crowds because many people will skip that parks.
Disney would never put you in harm's way, so all you'll need to do is follow their instructions. As long as you keep a cheerful attitude, you can have a good time even if the weather is less than ideal.
However... If you are traveling with small children or someone who is particularly anxious (and you know what I mean!), then it might be better to look for an earlier date. Feel free to contact me if you need any other tips.
Anne