Disney World Crowd Calendar for August

Indiana Jones Stunt Show Hollywood Studios
Photographed by Michael of Countdown to Magic

When it comes to visiting Disney World, I’m frequently asked what month is the best for getting a good deal. One of the first months that comes to mind is August. August has become so well-known for discounts like free dining packages, that it has quickly morphed into one of the most popular months to visit the Disney Parks and Resorts.

Of course, August is also the hottest month of the year. So, even though there are some really good discounts, you’ll have to put up with some extremely hot and humid weather.

With all of this in mind, is August a good month for you and your family to visit Disney? We’ll take a look at all kinds of factors that will help you decide. We’ll specifically break it down by looking at the weather, special events, and holidays.

So let’s get started.

The Basics

Summer vacation is winding down in August. And with that in mind, many families choose to visit Disney World in this late summer month to get a great deal and to avoid having to take their children out of school during the school year for any vacation travel.

If you’re looking to visit Disney World on a budget, August can be the perfect month. But, it also means that there are increased crowds along with hot and humid weather.

So, visiting in August isn’t for everyone.  And now, let’s dig into why that is by going into detail regarding what you can expect weather-wise.

The Weather in August

If I had to decide what the hottest month of the year is in Central Florida, I’d say August. It’s the one month of the year where I just want to stay inside all day.

The average temperatures in August are in the low-90s with the “coolest” temperatures in the morning and evenings in the mid-70s. This means that it is consistently hot and humid all day.

On top of this, August is a peak time during hurricane season, which means threats of a hurricane affecting Florida and the Central Florida region are much higher. This hot and humid weather also brings in daily thunderstorms or rain showers, usually in the afternoon between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Since rain is pretty much a given for a short period of time in the afternoon, I always recommend that guests use this afternoon time to rest, relax, and recharge before you head back to the parks.

You’ll want to consider bringing water misters and anything else you have to help keep you cool on a hot Florida summer day. It’s the perfect weather for cooler clothing like tank tops, sun dresses, shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, and bathing suits.

Disney Resort Promotions

Disney has become well known for offering free dining packages to guests visiting in August. In fact, free dining packages have been available to guests visiting Disney in August going back to the mid-2000’s when the Disney Dining Plan was introduced.

Because the dining plan is free with a Disney vacation package, you can imagine families choose to visit in August to take advantage of this promotion. The Disney Dining Plan is the perfect way for guests to enjoy dining experiences they might not otherwise choose to do—due to price. This includes character dining at Disney World and other unique dining options.

In addition to free dining packages, August also has discounted room rates and packages for the general public, annual passholders, and Florida residents that are anywhere from 25% to 35% off room rates.

So, with all of these discounts being offered, it’s no wonder August is such a popular month to visit Disney World.

Magic Kingdom Restaurants

August Special Events and Holidays

Like most of the other summer months, there’s not a lot of special events or holidays going on. Thankfully, this means you won’t have to worry about special experiences causing an even higher increase in crowds throughout the month.

There are no actual holidays held in August and very few special events happening at the Disney Parks and Resorts. Here’s what’s typically held in August.

  • Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot: This concert series takes place in Epcot each summer and gives guests a chance to experience classic songs with tribute bands that highlight your favorite bands and singers. Most typical are tribute bands featuring music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. This concert series takes place in Epcot at the American Adventure Pavilion Theatre and can definitely increase the crowds in Epcot.

August Crowd Calendars

Just because there aren’t any special events or major holidays in August to impact crowds doesn’t mean it’s not a busy month. In fact, historical crowd calendars from sites like Touring Plans and Easy WDW tell us that August is generally fairly crowded.

This is mostly due to some of the Disney room rate discounts and package promotions. In general, the rates during the first three weeks of August are what’s known as Value 2, and are priced somewhere between Value Season and Regular Season prices. The final week of August is value season, which will give you the lowest rates possible.

So, with that in mind, Disney World will be fairly busy in August. Here are some reasons why August is such a popular and potentially crowded month to visit.

  • U.S. Schools Summer Vacation: Most U.S. schools are not in session during the months of June, July, and August. Because of this, many families choose to visit Disney World during this vacation period. August is popular due to vacation package discounts, which means the end of summer vacation will still be fairly crowded. 
  • Other Summer Vacations: Many other countries have summer vacations during the summer, as well. In many European countries, families have extended holiday breaks and choose to visit Disney World during this time. Many South American countries also choose to visit Disney during the summer and often include large tour groups.
  • Parks Hours are Longer: Because of increased crowds and daylight lasting until 8 or 9 p.m., Disney often has longer park hours during the summer to help with park capacity. This means you’ll have a better chance of getting on the attractions you want to and enjoying all that the Disney Parks and Resorts have to offer.One word of advice with crowds and park hours? Typically, those parks that are opened the latest will be the busiest park of the day. Your best bet may be to visit these parks earlier in the day and head to another park later in the day to help minimize your time in heavy crowds and wait times.
  • There are Very Few Refurbishments or Closures: Because August is such a popular month, most attractions and shows will be open. This means that you won’t have to worry quite as much about missing out on your favorite attractions due to a refurbishment schedule. 
  • U.S. Schools may be in Session the Final Week of August: In the U.S., schools begin fall session at the end of August or after the U.S. Labor Day holiday, depending on region. If your children don’t go back to school until after September 1st, you may want to consider visiting Disney the fourth week of the month, when some schools are already in session. This way you can still take advantage of discounts and avoid some of the crowds.

With all of this in mind, here is your best bet for the least crowded time to visit in August.

  • The Fourth Week of August: As we mentioned earlier, the fourth week of August is ideal for avoiding crowds and still getting great Disney room rates and promotions. You’ll see lower crowds than those in the first three weeks of August since many U.S. schools are back in session.

What Days of the Week Are Best?

When it comes to visiting Disney World in the summer, avoiding weekends and avoiding going to the popular parks (like the Magic Kingdom) or those with Extra Magic Hours on the weekends is the best way to minimize your experiences with really high crowds. There’s no one perfect day to go the parks, but generally, you’ll want to look at the park hours and Extra Magic Hours to help you decide which parks to go to on certain days and which to avoid.

One of my favorite strategies is to go to a more popular park earlier in the day and then visit another park later in the day. This is a great way to maximize your time and not worry about missing out on your favorite parks and attractions.

Recommendations

If you’re looking for a good deal on a Disney vacation, August is hands down one of your best bets for an affordable and budget friendly trip to Disney World. With free dining packages and resort room discounts, August has options for everyone’s vacation style. Because of the great vacation prices, Disney can be fairly crowded in August. So, if you do decide to visit in August, aim for the fourth week of the month for the lowest crowds and best deals.

On the flip side, August is one of the hottest months of the year with blazing temperatures and high humidity. If visiting Disney during hot and humid times is not for you, look to visit Disney during milder months like January for deep discounts but more pleasant temperatures. Thankfully, even if you do visit in August, Disney has plenty of air conditioning and water-based attractions to help keep you cool.

Overall, August can be a good month for you to visit Disney World. There are some pros and cons to visiting during this time of the summer, and you’ll want to look at them all before deciding if August is the best month for you and your family to make a trip to the most magical place on earth.

Of course, no matter what you decide, you’re bound to have a great time whenever you go.

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Michael has been visiting Disney World since he was a kid. He's also been to Disneyland and sailed on the Disney Dream. Michael is the owner and editor of Countdown to Magic.

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