*** The Official August 2019 thread ***

[Becky Mouse]

We used a car service last summer, and they picked us up 2 hours prior for a morning flight. I was very concerned that we wouldn't make it through security because MCO is so busy, but we were fine. If we had been driving a rental car to MCO, I would have given ourselves 3 hours.

Thank you! That's exactly what I was wondering. Our flight is at 10:30am, which doesn't sound too early, but trying to get ready in the morning with kids can be a pain. Do you think 8:30am would be OK for an Uber?

 

[Tomh]

You make a lot of good points, but I think they're still generally in the ball park most of time.

Yesterday (August 2), they predicted 4/10, and the crowds were 5/10

August 1, they predicted 4/10, and the crowds were 5/10

July 31, they predicted 5/10, and the crowds were 5/10

July 30, they predicted 5/10, and the crowds were 7/10

So, I mean, in the end, they aren't perfect, but the crowd calendars let planners know the crowds will be somewhat moderate for an end of July or early August trip.

Things are changing at WDW though, and I think it's getting a lot harder to predict. On July 4, they predicted 10/10 crowds just like every other year, and the crowds were only 5/10 this year on the Fourth of July! So, we can't use the crowd calendars as a Bible. It's a rough estimate, though, and you can't help but question/wonder why the crowd calendars for next week would suddenly shoot up multiple points. Are the crowds not dying down as they expected? Is there an unexpected event going on? Did the hotels start filling up with last minute travel guests? Who knows?

I think the point is that it isn't really possible to correlate one of those numbers, be it a 4, 5, 7, 8 what ever, with an exact guest experience. In other words, if it says the crowds will be a 5, what exactly does that mean your day will be like. Does it mean that Haunted Mansion will have a 40 minute wait all day long? Does a 6 crowd mean that the Haunted Mansion line will be 50 minutes all day long? It is just a number. No one knows exactly what that number is going to mean when they are in the park, so to some large degree, it really is useless as far as being any kind of planning tool.

You know, I wouldn’t have believed it either, but we’ve been in Orlando for the past 2 days and it’s definitely not the sweat fest that we’re used to in August.

Last summer, for the very first time in the 11 years I had been going to Disney in the summer for, I actually felt cold sitting on the outside patio of the Rose and Crown waiting for Illuminations. Here is hoping for a bit more of that weather this summer!

 

[DISNEY1975]

Question for all you frequent travelers! How long do you need to make sure to be to the Orlando airport for a morning flight back on a weekday?

Some cities I've flown out of, you need closer to 3 hours to be safe. Others are fine at 90 minutes. Just wondering what you thought.

We'll be at the Swan so can't use the Magical Express. We'll be getting an Uber or a Lyft to the airport. Do you think we could have them pick us up at 8:30am for our 10:30am flight? Someone else mentioned using a car service and getting picked up 2 hours before a flight.

It probably would be safer giving 2.5 hours at that time. You will be driving during rush hour until 9. I would say you need to be at the airport by 9 for a 10:30 flight. Security there is very slow.

After 9, you would be at the airport, from the Swan in about 1/2 an hour... but before 9 could take a full hour....better safe than sorry. Leave the Swan by 8.

 

[omniscientmommy]

@Becky Mouse do you have TSA pre check? And who are you flying with. We have TSA pre check but fly with frontier and can not drop off our checked bags ourselves. You have to go to the counter with Frontier so we always plan 2.5 - 3 hrs no matter the time.

 

[capegirl]

Thank you! That's exactly what I was wondering. Our flight is at 10:30am, which doesn't sound too early, but trying to get ready in the morning with kids can be a pain. Do you think 8:30am would be OK for an Uber?

Our flight was at 7:00am, so the traffic was quite light when we left for the airport. To be on the safe side, you may want to be in the Uber by 8:00am.
I know it can be rough getting the family packed up and ready to go on departure day. When we have an early flight, I make sure everyone gets in the shower before bedtime, and I pack everything I can to minimize the morning mayhem.
Leaving the Disney bubble is painful.

 

[Becky Mouse]

It probably would be safer giving 2.5 hours at that time. You will be driving during rush hour until 9. I would say you need to be at the airport by 9 for a 10:30 flight. Security there is very slow.

After 9, you would be at the airport, from the Swan in about 1/2 an hour... but before 9 could take a full hour....better safe than sorry. Leave the Swan by 8.

Thank you! No, we don't have pre-check, so I guess we'll plan on leaving at 8am. Thank you!

 

[Disneylover99]

Last summer, for the very first time in the 11 years I had been going to Disney in the summer for, I actually felt cold sitting on the outside patio of the Rose and Crown waiting for Illuminations. Here is hoping for a bit more of that weather this summer!

Well, I spoke too soon. The heat and humidity we were missing finally kicked in at about 7pm last night. Lol. Still not too bad. But getting there.

 

[Disneylover99]

We’ve been at Universal the past 3 days and while I enjoy walking around the parks and I’ve got no complaints, it’s just not Disney.
So I’m happy to be checking in to the French Quarter this morning!
Can’t wait!

 

[FoxC63]

Well, I spoke too soon. The heat and humidity we were missing finally kicked in at about 7pm last night. Lol. Still not too bad. But getting there.

Noooo!
When you look at this 10 day forecast it says PM Thunderstorms but yet most people have commented on "afternoon showers" which is it? I'm so scared my trip is going to be a puddle!

 

[DISNEY1975]

Noooo!
When you look at this 10 day forecast it says PM Thunderstorms but yet most people have commented on "afternoon showers" which is it? I'm so scared my trip is going to be a puddle!

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This is literally a FL forecast 365 days per year. You never know, but based on a couple September trips the rain kicks in around 3:30 - 4 for about an hour. (Though Ive never been in August)

 

[FoxC63]

This is literally a FL forecast 365 days per year. You never know, but based on a couple September trips the rain kicks in around 3:30 - 4 for about an hour. (Though Ive never been in August)


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Thank you so much. We use to live in Daytona Beach for five years but that was so long ago and I really don't remember getting rain between certain hours.

I know, I know, bring rain gear! But some of those MNSSHP were so bad. UGH! I'm just thinking too much about something I can't change.

 

[nerdyone]

On the plane and on our way. One year of planning to this day!

 

[FoxC63]

On the plane and on our way. One year of planning to this day!

Have a great trip!

 

[FoxC63]

Since I'm so freaked out I must admit I bought instant ice packs in case I get overheated. Getting old and having hot flashes stink!

I am looking forward to visiting Universal Orlando (first time) and taking it easy at WDW. I can smell the popcorn!

 

[DISNEY1975]

One week from right now (Sunday edition).....

Day 5 of our vacation.....I will be packing up from our off site stay getting ready for check in to DISNEY !!!!!


Im super excited....last night I read that there will be a DescenDance at Disney Springs nightly from 7:30 - 10:30 Our first night in FL we are having supper at Raglan Rd and it will be perfect timing to watch this stage show after supper. My DD is a big fan (Has already watched D3 twice since Friday and invited a friend over tonight to watch again!)

Today I will be packing the last case (hubby's). Im working Mon/Tue and off we go at 5:00am Wed am ....I CANT WAIT!

 

[FoxC63]

Tell me what you want, what you really really want!

I want this....


About 5 1/2' foot tall to hang my Disney Halloween ornaments on!

 

[nerdyone]

Lack of sleep along with nerves and I just puked in the planes bathroom

 

[Wood Nymph]

When you look at this 10 day forecast it says PM Thunderstorms but yet most people have commented on "afternoon showers" which is it? I'm so scared my trip is going to be a puddle!

There are only two choices, am or pm. So afternoon is pm.

Really, though, for the most part you will usually have a sunny morning and clouds will start building by early afternoon. Showers can come at any time and be very short or longer. Sometimes the rain is very spotty with Animal Kingdom being perfectly dry while it is pouring at MK, for example. Most often the rain has moved on by around dinner time, but of course, there is no pattern and no guarantee. Sometimes a big tropical storm will come through and it will rain all day. And the weather forecasts never do a good job of predicting anything. I remember one trip where we were caught totally off guard at DHS. The weather forecast was wrong and we got drenched one evening. So just be prepared by having ponchos or something with you.

Resort pools will close if there is lightening within a certain radius - I think it is ten miles. We have been kicked out of a resort pool when there wasn't a drop of rain at the pool, but there was lightening nearby.

But don't let that scare you. Just know that you may get rained on and take that opportunity to ride an indoor attraction, shop, eat or take a nap.

 

[skysmom99]

Two weeks from now: I'll be either waiting for the bus to MK or already on it.

 

[FoxC63]

Lack of sleep along with nerves and I just puked in the planes bathroom

Oh no! I hope you get some rest and feel better soon!