UPDATED September 1, 2024

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 are always the busiest days, so if you plan to visit the parks primarily on the weekdays, 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-do restaurants!

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 Halloween 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.

You can see ALL of the Disney World Park Hours for August HERE!

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 socks is a different kind of miserable.

Check out our ultimate Disney World packing list!

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

Ooookay… even though this year’s EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is just barely squeaking by for an August inclusion, we want you to know that the 2024 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival kicks off on August 29th this year! We’ll be exploring 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!)

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!

And BRAND NEW in 2024, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza will serve as the “home base” for EPCOT’s seasonal Festivals, including the Food and Wine Festival! The new spaces will play an integral part in these events, which are highlights for Walt Disney World guests throughout the year. We can’t wait to see the ways CommuniCore will be incorporated into the Festivals!

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 when it’s on, we’d say this festival is a must-do!

Check out the MENUS for 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, within the first weeks 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. This year, the event will take place on select nights from August 9th through October 31st, 2024. Once inside, guests enjoy plenty of ghoulish fun and entertainment only available at the Party!

If your visit coincides with the 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! Wondering about Disney World in September? Get the details here. 

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!

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