Disney released the August 2014 operating schedule today at the usual link: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_aug.pdf. Click refresh on your browser if it doesn’t pull up August 2014 and the date in the lower left hand corner of each page isn’t 1/10/14 or sooner.
The first three weeks in August see similar crowds to most of July with summer season in full swing. Which is to say, it’s busy everywhere every day. And not like September “feels” busy because it seems like there are a lot of people standing outside Big Thunder Mountain even though the wait is 15 minutes, but “actually busy” because there are a lot of people standing around Big Thunder Mountain and the wait is 120 minutes. It’s also as hot and humid as the summer months that precede it. Like June and July, an August trip is more than doable if you arrive prior to Park opening and tour efficiently in the morning. Crowds are also lighter in the late evening, particularly at Magic Kingdom. FastPass+ should aid in a late arrival with the ability to schedule FastPass+ experiences far in advance should you be staying on-site or have a MagicBand with valid theme park admission. Showing up at Hollywood Studios at 11am with FastPass+ reservations at Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and Great Movie Ride makes touring that Park from the early afternoon through close a lot easier.
Crowds fall off significantly beginning August 24th. That week through the 31st sees average crowds, but they’re lower than any other week since the week before Memorial Day in May. You’ll certainly want to wait until the second week in September if you can swing that because then we’re talking about three of the least crowded weeks of the year.
I was hoping the third week in August wouldn’t be too bad. We’ve been in September twice, December (2nd week) once and April (not abutting Easter weekend) once. I knew it would be busier but we got a pin for a room rate but had to check in by the 16th or 17th. I thought kids down there went back to school by then and it would help a little. I know it will be nothing like off season but we follow your plans, do rope drop, FP, etc so hoping it won’t be a nightmare. My daughter will be in third grade and we are already pulling her out in November for our first Disney cruise! Look forward to more details to come.
Also, I would think that the last week in August would start off fine but then get really busy as Labor Day is Monday Sept. 1st this year.
I agree Nate. We are coming over from the uk and this is our first August trip as we have previously been Easter and early March. Because of changes in the law here for taking children out of school we are limited to August and have to be back in the uk for September. This trip is costing us nearly $10,000.00 and we are there 14th August -28th August. We also thought it would get quieter from about 18th but now I am worried we are spending all this money for a trip where the parks are so crowded it will be unbearable 🙁
“This trip is costing us nearly $10,000.00 and we are there 14th August -28th August. We also thought it would get quieter from about 18th but now I am worried we are spending all this money for a trip where the parks are so crowded it will be unbearable.”
It’s not nearly like New Years Eve or the 4th of July.
The first part of your trip (Aug 14-23) will be more crowded than the second week.
You’re dropping $10k – invest your time to go with your investment of money, and plan ahead. Have a good touring plan, read Josh’s recommendations, etc. and you should be absolutely fine.
When do you think the Aug 2014 crowd calendar will be released? Have used your advice on many trips and I have never been disappointed.
Hi Sharon L, I think you can do well even during busier times at Disney by showing up at the Disney theme park gates before they open. It’s something that Josh mentions often and others have mentioned as well as one of the best tips for Disney theme park touring. If you do that, show up at the park gates before opening time, you will do well in terms of short waits for about two hours in the early morning. Then, have your Fastpass+ reservations scheduled at times when the park is busy, such as after lunch or early evening. Doing those two things will help significantly even if the time of year means large crowds in Disney parks.
Will there be any kind of day parade added to Magic Kingdom?
Sharon L I agree with Jody 100%. We look at the crowd calendar for the month we are going and plan our trips around that. Alot of times instead of waiting in lines for character meets we get breakfast reservations before the park opens. We eat breakfast get the big rides out of the way in the morning. When things start to pick up (late morning/early afternoon) we eat lunch then head back to the hotel to swim/relax. Then we will park hop over to a new park and use our fast pass + selections we selected for the rides we wanted.
Josh, Any reason why after so Long with having DHS have their PM EMHs on Monday- why all of a sudden they are moved to Tuesday??? Any chance this is a mistake or is it changing?
Thanks!
Thank you for all your advice. Just about stopped hyperventilating and able to put down the paper bag now 😉
I thought there would be a new parade at mk? None? Do you think that will change?
@Sharon L(UK). – exactly the same dates as us. Are you flying from Manchester by any
chance?
I guess I should have read the entire calendar… It’s only the week we’re going to be there (looking at August 11th) that has the DHS PM EMH on Tuesday. All other weeks have it as normal, on Monday. Any insight?
@Ernie – yes we are, on the morning Virgin flight. We are staying at SSR, first time on site and first time with the ddp (a freebie) – where are you??
@SharonL (UK). We’re flying with Thomson, staying in a villa at OKW. Follow tgecadvice on here and you’ll have a ball!
*the advice
Ernie and Sharon – are you a member of the Liners 🙂 Facebook group? Lots of Brits over there to chat with. We occasionally meet up too 🙂
Hi Sharon L, further to arriving early at the theme park gates, a related tip would be to try to having breakfast in your hotel room, and to eat enough that people in your party do not start getting hungry after you’ve only been in the park an hour or so. You could also bring snacks such as energy bars or assorted nuts to keep people from being tempted to get in line for food while the lines are still short in the morning. At least once in the past the advantage of arriving before park open was partly reduced for my family by our having to get food because our very early breakfast was too small and we had not brought any snacks to get us through to lunch time.
Also from the UK and also heading to Florida in the last two weeks of August (and also flying from Manchester :)). We’re staying at the CBR from 16th to 23rd and I also thought things would quieten down slightly to average levels from mid August.
Ah well, looks like we’ll have to “suffer” the crowds as well as the heat and humidity. 😉
If you follow the advice, it really isnt bad. Our last 3 trips have been in that time frame with no problems. We are even going a week earlier this year(6-14) and I have a tad bit of anxiety because of FP+ but know that if we follow rope drop touring plans we will be just fine. You will too~ENJOY!!
Also from the UK we are there 17 July to 6 August. Not looking forward to the heat and humidity. We were in Disney over Christmas 2011 so crowds I can do – arriving early and we had a ball add in the heat it will be a whole different ball game but I know with Josh’s insights it will be great. Unfortunately we are offsite so fastpass plus is going to be interesting.
I notice on the calendar that there is still no day parade listed for MK. Will this be updated with times for the Festival of Fantasy Parade? Really looking forward to seeing that in August!