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Disney World Crowd Calendar August 2020

Disney World Crowd Calendar August 2020


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Disney World Crowd Calendar August 2020 brings us an insanely hot and rainy month. It’s the second wettest month historically, so expect an afternoon thunderstorm most days of your vacation.  I know it’s known as the “Sunshine State,” but that is just a marketing ploy.  

It rains often here, especially in the summer.  The first week and a half of August  is end of the busy summer travel season at Walt Disney World, so the parks are quite crowded initially.  

The parks begin to lighten around mid-month and will continue with moderate crowds through the rest of the month.  The last week of August is the best time to visit Walt Disney World in the summer season, if you children haven’t started school or you are willing to allow them to miss time.  

Disney World Crowd Calendar August 2017

September is the preferred month as far as crowds are concerned and is among the best times to visit.  Regardless of the times you can still enjoy the parks by going to a green park, arriving at least 45 minutes before rope drop and following one of my TOURING PLANS to get the most out of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Epcot Food and Wine Festival begins in August 2020.

I recommend the strategy of arriving early and taking a mid-afternoon break.  Go for a swim with the kids and enjoy the pool, then take a nap of an hour or so before returning to a park for evening entertainment and rides.

Summit Plummet at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Will the park hours for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom be extended?

Yes, it’s highly likely that the park hours will extend for many dates in August.  Disney usually releases preliminary hours, then adds hours the closer you get to your trip.

What will the weather be like during your August trip?

  • Average high temperature:  92°F
  • Average low temperature:  73°F
  • Mean temperature:  83°F
  • Record high temperature:  100°F (1961)
  • Record low temperature:  64°F (2000)
  • Average Precipitation:  7.71 in.

August  is the second hottest average month and 2nd rainiest in Orlando.  If you factor in the humidity, it can feel almost unbearable in the mid-afternoon.

Dress in light colors and wear comfortable shoes with socks that breathe.  Bring a small, handheld fan for each child.  Bring a poncho for each person and a stroller cover because there’s often afternoon thunderstorms in the summer.

Is Hollywood Studios losing some Extra Magic Hours?

Should I use Extra Magic Hours privilege?

Avoid the trap of visiting a park on its longest hours day.  More people will be there and the wait times can be 30% to 100% higher than other days.

If you are planning to use Extra Magic Hours, use the morning ones, they are a great benefit, if you leave after lunch or parade time.  Avoid the parks that offer evening Extra Magic Hours because they have large crowds at night and many rides have long lines (Hollywood Studios and Epcot).  

The exception would be the Magic Kingdom late at night because most guests won’t stay up that late at night. The park usually clears out a good bit after the fireworks.  If you choose a Late Extra Magic Hour park, you should plan to sleep in the next day.

Disney World Extra magic hours attractions

A note on Fastpass+ Booking

Fastpass+ can be booked 60 days in advance for ONSITE guests and 30 days in advance forOFFSITE guests and Annual Passholders.  You can begin booking them at 7am Eastern Time.  The booking dates are included on my Disney Crowd Calendar below.

Special August Events at Walt Disney World

  • Free Dining is offered for late August through September dates.  The offer is generally posted in the Spring.
  • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Epcot Food and Wine Festival

To read the crowd level, follow the DATE at the top!  The best park each day is marked in GREEN.

Lowest Crowds
Low Crowds / Best Park
Moderate Crowds / Median Park
Busy Crowds
Insane Crowds / Worst Park

Weekly view includes all entertainment options, weather and Fastpass/Dining booking dates!

Be sure to print in landscape mode with background image turned on!

My Crowd Calendar includes park hours, Extra Magic Hours, special entertainment options, 180 Days Dining Window, 60 and 30 Day Fastpass+ Booking Windows!

2020

Historic Disney World Park Hours

Now available to all subscribers on CharacterLocator

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Deb

Friday 21st of February 2020

Hi - Do you see Disney changing MK EMH to early, not late on 8/19? Right now Disney has them in the evening.

kennythepirate

Friday 21st of February 2020

Looks like they switched it from early to late on 19 and 26. I changed it to match this adjustment

Karen

Tuesday 18th of February 2020

Hello Kenny, Do you know how far in advance the Star Wars Fireworks times at HS will be announced for August 2020? Thank you.

kennythepirate

Tuesday 18th of February 2020

Usually a month or so before.

JM

Thursday 6th of February 2020

It looks like it was resolved. The HEA fireworks are now listed as NONE instead of 9pm.

JM

Wednesday 5th of February 2020

It looks like MK closes at 6pm on 8/14/2020, but the HEA fireworks are still listed at 9pm. Is the park expected to close at 6pm or is the HEA fireworks listing incorrect?

kennythepirate

Wednesday 5th of February 2020

Where are you seeing the fireworks?

Ten Mac

Tuesday 4th of February 2020

Did Friday just get changed as well? 3 days in a row MK will close early? What is going on Friday? Thanks

kennythepirate

Tuesday 4th of February 2020

I haven't changed this since I released it

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