School looms in the near future and summer is coming to a close, so what’s the best way to close out the summer?

A Disney World vacation can be magical at any time of year — as long as you plan accordingly! Between weather patterns, special events, holidays, and crowds, the prep work for your trip can vary A LOT depending on what time of year you’re traveling. Here’s what you need to know if you’re headed to Disney World in August!

Crowds at Disney World in August

Now is the time when we know a tonnnn of you are going on your summer vacations, because the crowds are ramping up in the parks, too.

Weekends and the beginning of any EPCOT festival are always the busiest days, so plan to visit the parks primarily on the weekdays and if you can avoid the first few days of an EPCOT festival, like EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival, then you’ll likely see lower crowd levels. And if you are traveling in August, be sure to make your Advance Dining Reservations early to increase your odds of getting in your must-dos!

The BEST Things to Do in Disney World in August

Park Hours at Disney World in August

While the park hours can vary by day and park, the most common opening time for parks in August is 9AM, though Animal Kingdom tends to open at 8AM on most days. The longer summer days mean the park hours are longer, too. But the closure times tend to be a little more varied! Magic Kingdom usually closes between 10PM and midnight, depending on the day, while the other parks typically close at 9PM, with Animal Kingdom closing earlier at 7PM most days.

So, if you’re more of a night owl, you should have some opportunities for late nights in the parks on your August trip — especially at Magic Kingdom! Or, if you’re staying in a Deluxe Resort, you can take advantage of the Extended Hours benefit, which allows those guests to stay in a select park a few hours after the park closes to other guests.

Be sure to keep an eye on the park hours calendar as you get closer to your visit, as the debut of Mickey’s No So Scary Holloween Party begins in August, and that means Magic Kingdom will close early on party nights to park guests who don’t have a ticket for this special event.

Do You Qualify for Disney World’s New Extended Evening Hours?

Weather at Disney World in August

In August, the average high temperature in Orlando is 91 degrees and the average low is 75 degrees, with an average of 14 rainy days in August (that’s almost half of the month!).

Now, that doesn’t mean that it only rains for 14 days. In fact, you can typically expect little afternoon showers in August, but they don’t last long – just long enough to really bump the humidity. When it does rain, you can usually expect it in the afternoons, so you’ll want to prioritize those outdoor coasters like Slinky Dog Dash and Test Track earlier in your day to avoid being in line or missing out entirely if the attraction closes due to weather.

August is smack in the middle of hurricane season in Florida, so you’ll definitely want to pack for rain and even hurricanes. And consider looking into booking your trip with a Disney-certified travel agent and getting vacation insurance, just in case your trip is impacted by a hurricane.

What I Wish I Knew About Hurricanes in Disney World

How to Pack for Disney World in August

As you saw above, it is HOT and WET in Florida, especially in August! You have to be prepared for the heat, especially if you’re not used to it. Oh, and don’t forget about that lovely southern humidity (do NOT underestimate the humidity!). So, one of the best things you can do this month in Disney World is to be prepared for it to be hot, and find ways to cool off.

And it will probably be a comfortable enough temperature for most people to swim, so bring your swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of the hotel pools!

When it comes to being prepared, there are a ton of things you can do! Make sure to stay extra hydrated, wear sunscreen (and reapply it!), wear protective gear like hats and sunglasses, wear breathable clothing, and take breaks in the air conditioning when you can. Do NOT push yourself — you don’t want to be passing out in Disney World.

There are some great things you can bring with you to help with all of this! Cooling towels, portable fans, sunscreen, and insulated water bottles are great items to keep with you to stay cool. The heat can also cause some annoying problems like blisters and chaffing, so bring some band-aids or moleskin with you for blisters and a chafing stick to help with that issue.

You’ll also need to prepare for the rain. We advise you to pack a light water-resistant jacket, poncho, and umbrella to help keep you dry. Also, make sure to bring a couple of pairs of shoes and extra socks, because trudging around the parks in soggy shoes and sogs is a different kind of miserable.

Check out our ultimate Disney World packing list!

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is in full swing. This event starts in July, and typically expands in the fall. And every year, it seems to start early and last longer. We explore all of the ins and outs, the must-dos, and the underwhelming of the Food and Wine Festival and give you everything you need to know, from beating the crowds to cuisine recommendations, best booths, and more.

Free with EPCOT admission are the Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Festival Passport, and all EPCOT attractions and park entertainment. (Find our COMPLETE GUIDE to EPCOT here!)

Pick up the suggested items as listed in the Festival Passport for Emile’s Fromage Montage, then receive a prize for completing this Cheese-themed Crawl! In 2022, guests could choose 5 cheesy dishes out of a possible 10! Once you’ve tried 5 of the 10 food items and collected your stamps in your Festival Passport, you can head on over to Shimmering Sips for a special prize!

Throughout the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, popular bands from recent decades take the stage at the American Gardens Theatre in The American Adventure Pavilion for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Iconic bands and artists can be seen performing Fridays through Mondays, while local bands performed Tuesday through Thursday evenings. Click the link to learn more about the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Series!

Whether you’re going all-out at the food booths and extra-ticketed events, or just enjoying the topiaries and atmosphere, there’s plenty to love about the Flower and Garden Festival. If you’re visiting Disney World in June, we’d say this festival is a must-do!

Check out the BEST of the FEST — ALL the Must-Eats and Must-Sips at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival HERE!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

August has two different personalities. It starts out as another summer month without much theming or pizazz. Then, around the middle of the month, it dons autumnal decor, as if hoping pumpkin decorations will manifest Fall early and cool down those scorching temperatures.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. In 2022, the event took place on 37 select nights from August 12th through October 31st and based on these dates, we anticipate that the first 2023 Halloween Party will be on or near August 11th.

If you’re visit coincides with the 2023 party dates, you have a couple of different options you’ll need to plan for. First, if the party doesn’t make it into your vacation plans, then you’ll want to be aware of when Magic Kingdom closes early so you can make sure you get the most out of your trip. Otherwise, if you do plan to attend this event, you’ll want to make sure you buy these additional party tickets as soon as you can. You’ll also want to check out our page dedicated to covering all of the party details so you know where to go and what to get to maximize your experience!

There’s SO MUCH to do at Mickey’s Halloween Party! Learn how to MAXIMIZE your time at this Not-So-Scary event HERE. 

There are plenty of awesome experiences to enjoy at Disney World during the month of August! Be prepared for some of the hottest and rainiest weather Orlando can offer, and be sure to plan accordingly. Get your park pass reservations and advance dining reservations as soon as you can and you’ll be in for a magical vacation!

Are you still undecided about when you want to vacation in Disney World? Check out our Month By Month Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation. 

Planning a Disney World vacation? Here are seven things you’re probably forgetting!

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Have you traveled to Disney World in August? Share your tips and must-dos in the comments!

The post Disney World In August: Tips and Info first appeared on the disney food blog.