*** Official August 2021 thread ***

[MomOTwins]

Seeking trip advice from my fellow August disboards crew.

Anyone else going to be there August 14 and if so, what's your strategy for MK, given it is closing early (6pm) presumably for some kind of corporate event?

It's our arrival day and flight gets in at 11, so I assume the earliest we are going to get to the parks is 1:30/2pm. I had originally booked HS as we are on the skyliner and it'd be easy to get to, plus our kids really like HS right now (one toy story megafan and two jedis). However, I'm now wondering if it's smarter to switch to Magic Kingdom because everyone will avoid it with the reduced park hours and it'll be short wait times. Or do you think MK will be busy anyway because park passes sell out on other days, and it's a Saturday?

Our dinner ADR is at the resort (Topolino's--woohoo!) at 7:30, so the 6pm end time doesn't bother at me at all, but I don't know if I want to trek all the way to MK and back when I only have a half day to visit parks if we are just going to have to wait an hour for everything either way.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Seeking trip advice from my fellow August disboards crew.

Anyone else going to be there August 14 and if so, what's your strategy for MK, given it is closing early (6pm) presumably for some kind of corporate event?

It's our arrival day and flight gets in at 11, so I assume the earliest we are going to get to the parks is 1:30/2pm. I had originally booked HS as we are on the skyliner and it'd be easy to get to, plus our kids really like HS right now (one toy story megafan and two jedis). However, I'm now wondering if it's smarter to switch to Magic Kingdom because everyone will avoid it with the reduced park hours and it'll be short wait times. Or do you think MK will be busy anyway because park passes sell out on other days, and it's a Saturday?

Our dinner ADR is at the resort (Topolino's--woohoo!) at 7:30, so the 6pm end time doesn't bother at me at all, but I don't know if I want to trek all the way to MK and back when I only have a half day to visit parks if we are just going to have to wait an hour for everything either way.

I'm not traveling mid-August, but I would advise to go to the park you'd enjoy the most! Even if you think another park may be less crowded, it sounds like HS is better theming for your family and easier on travel (especially since you may already be tired of traveling for the day). Plus, I would think MK will be busy on a Saturday, regardless of park hours.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm not traveling mid-August, but I would advise to go to the park you'd enjoy the most! Even if you think another park may be less crowded, it sounds like HS is better theming for your family and easier on travel (especially since you may already be tired of traveling for the day). Plus, I would think MK will be busy on a Saturday, regardless of park hours.

Thanks… I guess I just worry so much seeing all the wait times so bad. Probably overthinking though—the kids do like HS.

 

[buzzrelly]

Anyone else going to be there August 14 and if so, what's your strategy for MK, given it is closing early (6pm) presumably for some kind of corporate event?

I hadn't even noticed that and we have MK reserved for 8/14. I had already planned to hop to EPCOT that day, so I guess that worked itself out! Also, I'm so happy the monorail will be back!

 

[DaniMoon]

Reading the "here now" boards has me continually telling my family how different this trip is going to be. We are already deciding what we are our must dos and what we are willing to skip.

At this point, my HS strategy has me most concerned. We have rode SD several times, so at least that is not in the mix of must-dos. We will rope drop two days, with MFSR and MMRR being priorities. My daughter is hoping TOT lines will be long all day and we won't drag her on that! So that's a plus for her.

 

[Ecomommy09]

I got my Sanaa ADR moved to an actual dinner time! My original reservation was for 1430, which isn't dinner at all.

 

[123SA]

Reading the "here now" boards has me continually telling my family how different this trip is going to be. We are already deciding what we are our must dos and what we are willing to skip.

At this point, my HS strategy has me most concerned. We have rode SD several times, so at least that is not in the mix of must-dos. We will rope drop two days, with MFSR and MMRR being priorities. My daughter is hoping TOT lines will be long all day and we won't drag her on that! So that's a plus for her.

I have been doing the same thing. On the one hand, I feel like I should stop reading the reports because it’s making me wish I could cancel the trip, but I feel like I need to keep reading so I’m aware and can make plans. It’s really turned my usual excitement into almost anxiety.
Through reading reports, I’ve come to the conclusion that we’ll have to use Disney transportation which we really dislike. Reports seem to consistently indicate that if you drive, you won’t be in a good position at rope drop.

 

[Loopster]

I have been doing the same thing. On the one hand, I feel like I should stop reading the reports because it’s making me wish I could cancel the trip, but I feel like I need to keep reading so I’m aware and can make plans. It’s really turned my usual excitement into almost anxiety.
Through reading reports, I’ve come to the conclusion that we’ll have to use Disney transportation which we really dislike. Reports seem to consistently indicate that if you drive, you won’t be in a good position at rope drop.

Same here with the anxiety! We are staying offsite for the first time (it was basically free) so I’m not used to needing to drive for rope drop. I’m paranoid about getting in on time and debating whether we should drive ourselves or do a rideshare so we’d at least be dropped off closer than if we parked. Two weeks left to figure it out and the anxiety continues…

 

[Ecomommy09]

I’m just going with the attitude that it will be different, but still fun. I’m lucky though, because I don’t have any children with me.

 

[Gary Stocker]

I’m just going with the attitude that it will be different, but still fun. I’m lucky though, because I don’t have any children with me.

If you want mine for a couple days I am sure it could be arranged...

 

[Mr. X]

Touringplans just increased crowd levels for 8/29 to 9/4.

 

[jbrinkm]

Touringplans just increased crowd levels for 8/29 to 9/4.

I got that increased crowds update for 8/18-8/21 also.

 

[quoo]

Late to this but we are going Aug 20 - 27th, staying at the Poly.

 

[Palaura]

I got that increased crowds update for 8/18-8/21 also.

My trip was all increased. I am wondering if they will go down with the extended hours. I think the recent additions of summer discounts may play into this? Who knows-I'M GOING TO DISNEY!

 

[123SA]

EYI -- Just now, I went to make a change for August 16. I am staying at a DIsney resort on that date. The theme park availability calendar showed all parks available for all the categories - theme park tickets, disney resorts, annual passes for every day in August. I deleted my Epcot reservation. Then I went right back to the date to make a new reservation. The only options were Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

I was feeling in particular rush to make this change since the whole month was green. I am glad I made the change now. I wonder how many of the other days are not showing up to date data.

 

[scrappinginontario]

EYI -- Just now, I went to make a change for August 16. I am staying at a DIsney resort on that date. The theme park availability calendar showed all parks available for all the categories - theme park tickets, disney resorts, annual passes for every day in August. I deleted my Epcot reservation. Then I went right back to the date to make a new reservation. The only options were Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

I was feeling in particular rush to make this change since the whole month was green. I am glad I made the change now. I wonder how many of the other days are not showing up to date data.

Just a FYI to those using the Park Availability Calendar. It is not updated 'real-time' so what it displays may not accurately show what is available. Sometimes this works in your favour in that things are available that are shown as not available on the calendar, but as @123SA mentioned, it can be opposite and that things displaying as available may have filled since the calendar was last updated.

 

[123SA]

Just a FYI to those using the Park Availability Calendar. It is not updated 'real-time' so what it displays may not accurately show what is available. Sometimes this works in your favour in that things are available that are shown as not available on the calendar, but as @123SA mentioned, it can be opposite and that things displaying as available may have filled since the calendar was last updated.

Yes of course, however, AUgust 16th is halfway through the month. I find it it unlikely that August 16 has parks unavailable but none of those earlier days do. It seems like the updates lagging too much. Anyway, I wanted to give a warning to other August travelers that if you are thinking about changing parks, do so quickly.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes of course, however, AUgust 16th is halfway through the month. I find it it unlikely that August 16 has parks unavailable but none of those earlier days do. It seems like the updates lagging too much. Anyway, I wanted to give a warning to other August travelers that if you are thinking about changing parks, do so quickly.

I agree which is why I also shared that the calendar is not always accurate.

 

[Palaura]

Seeking trip advice from my fellow August disboards crew.

Anyone else going to be there August 14 and if so, what's your strategy for MK, given it is closing early (6pm) presumably for some kind of corporate event?

It's our arrival day and flight gets in at 11, so I assume the earliest we are going to get to the parks is 1:30/2pm. I had originally booked HS as we are on the skyliner and it'd be easy to get to, plus our kids really like HS right now (one toy story megafan and two jedis). However, I'm now wondering if it's smarter to switch to Magic Kingdom because everyone will avoid it with the reduced park hours and it'll be short wait times. Or do you think MK will be busy anyway because park passes sell out on other days, and it's a Saturday?

Our dinner ADR is at the resort (Topolino's--woohoo!) at 7:30, so the 6pm end time doesn't bother at me at all, but I don't know if I want to trek all the way to MK and back when I only have a half day to visit parks if we are just going to have to wait an hour for everything either way.

I would do MK. We always had luck with party days in the past having a really empty park.

 

[DaniMoon]

Color me surprised. I got Disney mail. My magical extras card and vouchers AND luggage tags.