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.
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.
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.
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.
A note on Fastpass+ BookingFastpass+ 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
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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
- August 1, 2020
- August 2 through 8, 2020
- August 9 through 15, 2020
- August 16 through 22, 2020
- August 23 through 29, 2020
- August 30 through 31, 2020
Historic Disney World Park Hours
Now available to all subscribers on CharacterLocator
Hi – Do you see Disney changing MK EMH to early, not late on 8/19? Right now Disney has them in the evening.
Looks like they switched it from early to late on 19 and 26. I changed it to match this adjustment
Hello Kenny,
Do you know how far in advance the Star Wars Fireworks times at HS will be announced for August 2020? Thank you.
Usually a month or so before.
It looks like it was resolved. The HEA fireworks are now listed as NONE instead of 9pm.
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?
Where are you seeing the fireworks?
Did Friday just get changed as well? 3 days in a row MK will close early? What is going on Friday? Thanks
I haven’t changed this since I released it
I’m wondering why the morning EMH hours for MK and AK seem to flip flop from week starting Aug 9 and Aug 16
Because the park closes early some days?
Any insight as to why the 16th is red? I thought sundays were a good day to visit the magic kingdom?
Because the park closes early the day before
How likely is the possible outside vendor event on the 15th? Just trying to play our park days. Same question for the Halloween party on the 13th.
Likely
All the August links are taking me to 2019 as well.
I appears that the memory for the page didn’t clear. I’ve resolved the issue, sorry about that!
Hmm…the links above for weeks beginning Aug 2, Aug 9, Aug 16 2020, take me to Aug 4 2019, Aug 11 2019, and Aug 18 2019. I guess it’s a problem on my end.
I appears that the memory for the page didn’t clear. I’ve resolved the issue, sorry about that!
The links above seem to lead to 2019, not 2020 calendars
Only for dates beyond August ;)
Does Food & Wine open to CMs the day before it opens to the public? We encountered that a decade ago with our kids and wanted to be able to plan around it.
Does a park having Early Morning Magic affect the crowds for that day? We haven’t been since they started having that so I want to make sure I’m on top of things!
No
With Galaxy’s Edge opening August 29, do you recommend avoiding HS altogether from that date forward or is it possible that the rest of HS would be tolerable that weekend?
After that first weekend, the rest of the park won’t be too bad, if you don’t want Star Wars
I’ve seen the calendar has been updated to reflect Star Wars – we are going 8/25-8/30 and purposely picked that week for the low anticipated crowds lol. Do you think we will really feel the increase or will it not be so noticeable?
If you avoid Galaxy’s Edge / Hollywood Studios, it won’t be that bad. Having a good plan is always the most important factor
Hi Kenny. Thank you for publishing all of this great info. Do you anticipate that they will be releasing more Extra Magic Hours for onsite guests for evening? (ie 9pm-12am at MK for August?) Or is it that the hours that have already been released are all that will be offered?
They won’t add more EMH to MK for August
Hello Kenny,
You have listed August 30 as the first day of the Food and Wine Festival, is that date been confirmed yet ? Could that change with the opening of Galaxy’s Edge? Thank you so much !
Confirmed
I’ve been using your site for years now as my go to planning! We are going 8/25-8/31 – was hoping to do Early Morning Magic at MK and HS as well as MNSSHP. I don’t see EMM dates yet at end of August – do you think it will be offered?
It’s a waiting game. They just released through June.
Thanks! Was hoping in a perfect world I’d know before my 180 day mark.
Is the August 2019 calendar out yet or is this still 2018? Thanks for all your hard work!
It’s here
Thank you
When will you be releasing your September/October 2019 calendars? I’ve booked for mid-Sept but would love to compare a few weeks to make sure I’ve picked well!
6.5 months out
I noticed for the time we are going in August (last 2 weeks) Magic Kingdom is either RED or GREEN. On the GREEN days they have the Halloween Party, every other day is RED. Is this based on the assumption that people will avoid MK on Halloween Party days due to the shortened hours and will rather attend on Non-Party days?
If so and we have to pick a day of the week to attend MK that’s RED which is the best of all evils?
I don’t assume. It’s based on facts.
If we had to go on a RED day can you suggest which day of the week would be the best to go?
Suggestions are on the crowd calendar
Why are the Halloween party days considered the lightest crowds? I plan to go to Magic kingdom twice in August. I plan to go to Halloween party on last Tuesday of the month. Should my other day I go be a Halloween day even when I do not go to party?
Following. I would have thought a MNSSHP would turn this park pretty much into a zoo all day?
Because fewer people attend due to shorter park hours, but can do more on those days. Only caveat is no fireworks for day guests. You can see them from Polynesian though.
Thanks!
I just bought my Halloween party ticket for August 24th, and that is the 3rd party of the season….idk what other days are the party but I think its the 17th andc21st…but I could be wrong, im not wrong on the 24th bcuz I have my ticket, lol
They are listed on my Crowd Calendar. Under the fireworks ;)
There is also party on the 27th…that’s when we are going
Already marked on my crowd calendar
Kenny, I’m going to Disney end of August. I’ve noticed that now AK has EMH every day will it be the same in August? Also, the Safari doesn’t operate at opening during every EMH. How do I know if it will operate at 8 or 9 when I go because I book fp’s next week. Thank you!!
Do you think the UK Attractions tickets direct posted accurate info yesterday? They had dates and began selling tickets, they have since stopped saying it was an error and it will be live again on Monday.
Do you not think that 8/17/18 will be a MNSSHP but rather a private event? We are checking out on 8/16 but would extend if there was a party on 8/17.
My guess is private event.
My travel agent says the EMH will change and we won’t know when the days will be until a week before… is she right by saying this?
Your travel agent is incorrect.
Thank you for the calendars! My concern is the same when trying to make some ADR it appears that there is no options for dinner in MK on that 8/21 date. Is there a way to find out if there is a special ticketed event? and if so, how to get tickets for it? :)
There are no tickets for any event.
Hey Kenny, curious if you know why MK is a 6PM close on 8/21? Was trying to book ADR at MK this morning for that night and the 6PM close was confirmed by CM. Private event maybe? Certainly not night 1 of MNSSHP.
My guess is private event closure
What’s a photo pass day?
Special character meets and photopass options. Search it here on blog for details on 2017
Just used the August calendar – so useful. Just wondering if you’ve factored in extra crowds for HS? Could some of these days potentially turn red?? I’m thinking HS on a weekend could be really busy??
Are you likely to update this as it opens or do
You think it would stay the same?
Would you say any better days to do water parks?
I can update it, if crowd patterns change, but it isn’t too likely. Water parks are best early in the week.
Would love to see you in the parks and be able to wish you a happy birthday in person to thank you for all the wonderful years of providing guidance though character locator!
Kenny – 8/31/18 MK is yellow but says best park. Just wondering if it is really a green park that day, or a yellow park? It’s my birthday that day so want to be sure to get it right! Thank you!
Should have said Median park. Thanks for pointing out the error. My birthday is 8/30. Birthday buddies!
2 part question and you may have already answered this,
1. Do you know if Disney will do photopass day again?
2. If they have not announced, do you think they will?
It will be a long time before they announce that. Seems plausible that it will occur again.
Thank you for the reply.
On the days MK has EMM, can you get into the park at 9 if you don’t have the extra ticket? or do you have to wait until 10 when the event is over?
Is there a reason that there is no HEA on 8/21/17? Do you think this will change? I was planning on visiting the MK that day but I really want to see the new show. Thanks!
Could change. We’re still pretty far away.
Friday and Saturday seem to be missing on your August calendar. August 18th/20th is missing as it August 25th.
Mobile users must be subscribed and logged into http://www.characterlocator.com
Any idea what is going on at Hoop Dee Doo review? They have not been releasing reservations at 180 days. I didn’t see any renovations planned.
I just noticed that you changed the Crowd Calendar to Busy Crowds right until August 27th. What happened?? I can’t handle heat AND crowds….Haha
Disney is seeing larger than normal crowds coming that time. Rope drop, Good plans
How do you know that? We are going at that time, too, and planned it so that we wouldn’t see big crowds.
any idea how to get these calendars to print in color? Thanks.
Yup. Turn on your background
Thanks. I’ll have to figure that out. I never had this problem. :)
Hi Kenny. I’ve subscribe to character locator and have been following you on Facebook and you insight is priceless. I’m going August week 3 (8/13-8/20) I’m looking to do early morning magic on Sunday or Tuesday of that week. Which day do you think will be less crowded overall.
Sunday
Thanks for your help!! Sunday it is!
Hello! I’am going on a trip to Disney at the end of august (8/28-9/2). I know that it will be hot, but what are the crowds like then? I heard that the more later it gets into August, the less crowded it becomes.
Hello! I’am going on a trip to Disney in the last week of August 2016(8/28-9/2)! I know it will probably be hot, but what are the crowds like for that time? Are they good or are they bad? I heard that the more later it gets in August, the less crowded it becomes.
Just click the link near bottom that matches your date for crowds and hours
Love your site. I noticed most posts are 1 year old or more. Is this really 2016 info above? Also you have its small world closed end of August 2016 , is this solid info as most other sites don’t list this, thanks !!!
It’s not one year old, it was originally created one year ago but updated frequently with dates at the top of the screen. Yes it is sold info!
Thank you, your calendar was spot on, I went August 24-30 and when you stated when parks would be insanely crowded they were”insanely crowded”, and my park hopper came in handy just for this reason.
Thanks for the update
Thanks, Kenny. I’m hoping Character Palooza is back when we go. That was the highlight of our whole trip, thanks to you!!
It hasn’t gone away
How long in advance does the information about EMH and park hours come out? My family is planning a trip for end of August next year and I’m wondering how far out I’ll have the info to start picking parks and plan for ADRs. Thanks! Love all your tips!!!
6.5 months early on my site or less than 6 months on WDW site
Hi Kenny,
You’ve listed two Fantasmic shows for the week of 8/23-8/29/2015. Now that were closer to those dates, have you had any updates on that?
Everywhere else is listing just the 8:30pm show, except for EMH nights.
My fingers are crossed that your info is still on point. Thanks!
I missed that part on the recent calendar update. Only one except EMH is correct.
May I say that I am very glad that I have found your website!
Thank you for all your work and great tips!!!
You will make our first WDW trip much easier and more relaxed!
Be sure to check out http://www.characterlocator.com to save you a ton more effort :)
I am still unable to search the crowd calendars. Every time I click on a specific week for August I am rerouted to the Character Locator page. Thanks in advance and thank you for all of this great information!
We are working to restore service asap. Sorry for your inconvenience.
Hi. No matter how many times I choose color, these calendars keep printing in black & white. Please help!
Hi Kenny just wanted to let you know when you click on any of the crowd calendars it automatically redirects you to the character locator app that only has may 7-17 and you can’t view the other months.
Corrected. We are working on a mobile version, that’s why you saw that
On Aug 24, you have Characterpalooza listed at 5:45pm and 5:40 pm. How does it work if the times are this close?
Planning a trip 8/30-9/5/15 because we thought the first few weeks of September were lowest crowd levels. According to your August calendar, this week starts off with Moderate crowds. I know you haven’t updated September’s crowd calendar for 2015, but do you foresee the rest of the week as being Moderate crowds as well, or dropping off? We are specifically trying to go during lowest crowds. Thanks!
I’d take a guess at the moment as that week becoming a green week and the following 3 weeks being blue. Labor day is later this year.
Hi Kenny, just an FYI, water parks started opening at 10am as of yesterday.
OH MY GOODNESS KENNY, this site is AWESOME!!! So, I need your help, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! We have never been to Disney, plan on going soon & now realize this takes a lot of pre-planning…So, here is our story: daughter is 4: 3 (mom, dad, & kid) of us have never been to Disney; want to see and do as much as we can in 4 DAYS; with little to no backtracking…is this possible?? If so, can you please email me how you’d attempt this…THANK YOU!!!!
Possible, but you’ll need to narrow down your selections per day.
In your calendar has EMH at AK on 31/08, but according to the Disney website, does not.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/2014-08-31/
Thanks for pointing that out. Disney keeps changing Extra Magic Hours and I must have missed that one. Updated.
Disney’s Hollywood studios is open until 10pm on 8/2, but it is listed as closing at 8:30pm. Does that mean palooza is at 6pm?
I corrected the issue and added Frozen Fireworks schedule. Thanks for pointing this out.
Hi Kenny! Thank you so much for all of the information on your site! It’s great! I have a question. We have a split stay in August at Coronado Springs. We check-in for one night on Aug. 16th, and then we check in again on Aug. 17th for 8 nights. Our first park day will be Aug. 18th. When can we book our fastpasses. 60 days from our first check-in is June 17th and 60 days for our second is June 18th. I will be up at midnight trying to get an A&E fastpass.
Good luck to you guys!
Is there any way to get the calendar for March of 2014? We are going thinking of going next March and would like to reference this year’s crowd calendar & hours to decide. Thank you!
Do you mean 2015? The actual park hours are released 180 days out. I’m still catching up on my calendars, September will be released tomorrow. I’m working on Oct and then Nov. December 2014 hours should be released later this week. March hours should be released in August. However, if you just want to reference Park Hours, just click HOURS at the top of the page and look at the park hours you’d like to see.
Sorry – no I meant for 2014. I was trying to find the complete calendar like you are doing for the current months that showed all the hours for all the parks. Thank you!
Kris, I just started producing these in May. I have had people ask me for 2 years to do it.