This guide contains affiliate links to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Orlando in August is hot, humid and stormy, but it’s also the month the summer rush starts to thin: average highs sit near 92°F, measurable rain falls on about 17 days, and many US schools go back before the month is out. Late August usually brings the first Halloween Horror Nights and the start of EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival.
This guide uses NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport, National Hurricane Center climatology, official school calendars and the 2027 dates published as of October 14, 2026. Where an event had no 2027 dates yet, its 2026 dates serve as a guide; confirm before you book.
Quick answer: Expect highs around 92°F, lows near 74°F and about 7.7 inches of rain over roughly 17 days, much of it in afternoon storms. Schools in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and Hillsborough County, Florida, return on August 4 and 10, so fewer breaks overlap as the month goes on, while most English schools stay off until September. Halloween Horror Nights and Food & Wine both opened in late August in 2026. Hurricane activity picks up from mid-August, so book a refundable room, tour early and save afternoons for pools and indoor fun.
Below: weather, storms, crowd waves, events, water parks and three hotels that suit August.
Check Orlando hotel prices for your dates
On this page
Orlando weather in August
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport put the August average high at 91.6°F and the average low at 73.7°F. The daily normals barely move: a typical August 1 runs from about 74°F to 92°F, and a typical August 31 from about 74°F to 91°F.
| Measure | August normal | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Average high | 91.6°F | Hot by late morning |
| Average low | 73.7°F | Warm, sticky nights |
| Rainfall | 7.69 in | Second only to June |
| Days with rain | 17.2 | The most of any month |
| Days with 1 in or more | 2.3 | Occasional downpours |
| Days at 90°F or above | 24.4 | Most afternoons |
The daily normals give each August day about a 51% to 56% chance of measurable rain, but only a 14% to 16% chance of half an inch or more. Fewer than one night a month drops to 70°F or below. Sunset moves from about 8:16 p.m. on August 1 to 7:48 p.m. on August 31, and NWS Melbourne puts Orlando’s median wet season from May 27 to October 15, with August in the middle. Our Orlando weather by month guide compares every month.
Heat and humidity
Watch the heat index, which the National Weather Service describes as how hot it really feels once humidity is factored in. On the NWS chart, 92°F at 55 percent relative humidity feels like about 101°F, and full sunshine can raise heat index values by up to 15°F. Heavy sweating, weakness, clammy skin and dizziness are signs of heat exhaustion, the NWS says; move somewhere cooler and sip water. Confusion or a body temperature above 103°F can mean heat stroke, an emergency: call 911. Plan outdoor rides for the morning and save midday for air-conditioned shows or the pool.
Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning
NWS Melbourne explains that the Gulf and Atlantic sea breezes collide over the peninsula on most summer days, often setting off storms with frequent lightning and heavy rain. The corridor from Tampa Bay to Titusville, which takes in Orlando, gets the most lightning in the United States, and more than 90 percent of it strikes from May through October between noon and midnight. The NWS rule: when thunder roars, go indoors, and stay under cover until 30 minutes after the last thunder. Water parks and outdoor rides can close for lightning, so keep an indoor plan for stormy afternoons.
Hurricane season in August
The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, that the first hurricane tends to form in early to mid-August and the first major hurricane in late August or early September. The peak is September 10, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October. Book rates with free cancellation, buy any travel insurance early and read what it says about named storms, and check the NHC outlook the week before you fly. Our Orlando hurricane season guide explains Disney’s and Universal’s storm policies.
Orlando crowds in August 2027, week by week
Disney and Universal don’t publish crowd forecasts, so this is our reading of official school calendars (checked in October 2026), not a prediction. The more breaks your dates overlap, the busier the parks are likely to be.
| School system | Summer 2027 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett County, Georgia | Back Wed, Aug 4 | Approved 2027–28 calendar |
| Hillsborough County, Florida (Tampa) | Back Tue, Aug 10 | District calendar |
| Orange County Public Schools, Orlando | 2027–28 not posted | 2026 classes began Aug 11 |
| City of Edinburgh Council, Scotland | Off Jun 30 – Aug 17 | Back Wed, Aug 18 |
| Kent County Council, England | Off Jul 22 – Aug 31 | Back Wed, Sep 1 |
| New York City public schools | Off from Jun 29 | 2027–28 start not posted |
August 1–8: the summer peak winds down
Every system in the table is still on break except Gwinnett County, Georgia, back on Wednesday, August 4. This week overlaps the most breaks.
August 9–17: Florida schools go back
Hillsborough County students return on Tuesday, August 10, and Orlando’s own district started on August 11 in 2026. Edinburgh’s council schools stay off until August 17.
August 18–31: the fewest overlapping breaks
Edinburgh goes back on August 18. That leaves English families, off in Kent through August 31 (some schools set their own dates), and New York City, which began classes on September 10 in 2026. If your dates are flexible, aim here; it’s also when Halloween Horror Nights and Food & Wine opened in 2026.
Labor Day weekend
Labor Day is Monday, September 6, 2027, so the holiday weekend starts on Saturday, September 4. Our Orlando in September guide covers the weeks after it, and Orlando in July the height of summer. Disney and Universal price tickets by date, and cheaper dates can hint at lower expected demand; our guide to the best time to visit Orlando compares every month.
Events in Orlando in August 2027
Where 2027 dates weren’t out at the time of writing, the 2026 start is shown as a guide:
| Dates | Event | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| May – September | SeaWorld Electric Ocean | Evening summer event |
| Six weeks from August | Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining | 2027 dates to come |
| August – October | SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular | 2026 run began Aug 29 |
| 2027 not announced | Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party | 2026 run began Aug 7 |
| 2027 not announced | Halloween Horror Nights | 2026 run began Aug 28 |
| 2027 not announced | EPCOT Food & Wine Festival | 2026 run began Aug 27 |
| From July | MLS 2027–28 season | Schedule not out yet |
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal
Universal describes Halloween Horror Nights as running on select dates from August to November. Its 2026 edition runs on select nights from August 28 to November 1 at Universal Studios Florida, with separately ticketed Premium Scream Nights on August 27 and October 19; 2027 dates hadn’t been announced. It’s a separate ticket, begins at 6:30 p.m. and isn’t recommended for children under 13. On event nights, Universal Studios Florida closes early to day guests; those who also hold a ticket for that night can stay on through Universal’s Stay & Scream. Our Halloween Horror Nights hotels guide covers getting back to your room at night.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Disney’s party at Magic Kingdom began on August 7 in 2026 and ran on nine August nights (7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 and 30) before continuing to October 31. It runs from 7 p.m. to midnight, with entry from 4 p.m., and needs no separate park ticket. Every 2026 date sold out, so buy early once 2027 dates appear. Our Halloween in Orlando guide covers the season’s other events.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The 2026 festival runs from August 27 to November 21 and is included with EPCOT admission, though Disney notes that a theme park reservation may be required for some ticket types. Food and drinks at the marketplaces cost extra, and 2027 dates hadn’t been announced.
In the heat of late August, World Showcase’s marketplaces are most comfortable in the evening.
SeaWorld, Magical Dining and Orlando City
SeaWorld’s 2027 calendar lists Electric Ocean, an evening event it pitches as a way to stay late all summer, from May to September, and the family Halloween Spooktacular from August to October; Howl-O-Scream began on September 11 in 2026. Visit Orlando says Magical Dining returns in August 2027 with six weeks of three-course, prix-fixe dinners at two set prices, every meal supporting local charities. And Major League Soccer’s 2027–28 season kicks off in July 2027, so Orlando City home matches at Inter.co Stadium are possible in August; the schedule wasn’t out.
Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday
Per the Florida Department of Revenue, the holiday ran from August 1 to 31 in 2025 and from July 20 to August 20 in 2026, covering clothing, shoes and bags up to $100 per item but not purchases in theme parks, entertainment complexes, hotels or airports. Section 212.08(20) of the Florida Statutes now sets that July 20 to August 20 window every year, so expect the same dates in 2027 unless lawmakers change them again.
Water parks and pools in August 2027
- Universal Volcano Bay: closing for maintenance from October 26, 2026, with a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027, so it should be open in August; Universal says dates are subject to change.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: temporarily closed for refurbishment, with no reopening date on Disney’s calendar in October 2026.
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach: heated to about 81°F. Disney says at least one of its water parks is open each day except on days with inclement weather.
- Aquatica Orlando: SeaWorld’s water park offers a free return visit under its Weather-or-Not Assurance if weather closes the park early, rides close for more than 60 minutes for lightning, wind, heat or rain, or the heat index reaches 110°F. Pass Members aren’t eligible.
A hotel lazy river or water park lets you cool off between storms without another ticket.
Park hours, early entry and what’s new in 2027
- Disney Early Theme Park Entry: guests of Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels enter any Disney theme park 30 minutes early every day of their stay, a benefit Disney says continues through 2027. In August, that half hour comes before the worst of the heat.
- Extended Evening Hours: select parks stay open later on select nights for Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa guests and a few other hotels, including the Dolphin, also through 2027.
- Universal Early Park Admission: Universal hotel guests enter up to an hour early at select attractions; Universal had listed dates only through November 30, 2026.
- New and closed: Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge on Bay Lake is due to open on July 1, 2027 (booked through Disney, not Booking.com). Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has been closed since July 6, 2026, and Disney expects it back in late spring 2027.
Where to stay in Orlando in August
Pick a base with a cool-off close at hand. Three options sold on Booking.com:
Walt Disney World Dolphin: early starts, late nights and a grotto pool
The Marriott-run Dolphin at 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard is about 0.7 mile, roughly 15 minutes on foot, from EPCOT’s International Gateway by our walking route, and water taxis run to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios about every 20 to 25 minutes from an hour before the parks open. Guests get Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours, the 7-day Lightning Lane window and free standard theme park parking, so you can tour early, rest through the storms and go back at night. The pool area, shared with the Swan, includes a grotto pool with waterfalls and a water slide, two lap pools and a white-sand beach. Our Walt Disney World Dolphin review covers rooms and dining.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, the resort listed a mandatory resort service package of $50 plus tax per day (its daily perks, including in-room Wi-Fi, cover two guests), self-parking at $40 plus tax a day and valet at $51 to $61 plus tax. Marriott Bonvoy points apply only to bookings made with Marriott. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See prices and availability at the Walt Disney World Dolphin
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center: 72 degrees under glass
Gaylord Palms, at 6000 West Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, is the pick for storm-proof days: Marriott describes 4.5 acres of indoor gardens and waterways under glass, kept at 72 degrees. Outside, the 3-acre Cypress Springs Water Park has seven waterslides, an action river, a FlowRider surf simulator (extra fee), a zero-entry pool and a kids’ area with four smaller slides. The daily resort fee includes water park admission for up to four guests and a shuttle to all four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs. By road, it’s about 4.5 miles to Animal Kingdom’s parking lot. Our Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando review has the details.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, Marriott listed the resort fee at $45 plus tax per day. Parking figures conflict: the resort’s Christmas FAQ lists self-parking at $38 and valet at $55 a day plus tax, while Marriott’s hotel page listed $40 and $55 in July 2026. Gaylord Palms isn’t on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check your August dates for Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center on Booking.com
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort: a lazy river and walking paths
Cabana Bay, at 6550 Adventure Way, is Universal’s retro-styled resort with two large pools, a winding lazy river and a bowling alley (fees apply). Walking paths link it to Volcano Bay, CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s hotel FAQ says the shuttle bus comes every 15 minutes. Guests get Early Park Admission. Standard rooms are 300 square feet with two queen beds and sleep four; Family Suites are 430 square feet, sleep six and add a kitchenette. After Halloween Horror Nights, the walk back from the Universal Studios Florida entrance is about 1.2 miles, roughly 26 minutes, by our route check. Our Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort review covers every room type.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, Universal listed overnight self-parking at $26 plus tax per night and check-in at 4 p.m. Universal Express isn’t included. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See available rooms at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
What to pack for Orlando in August
- Breathable clothes: light, quick-dry fabrics for highs in the low 90s.
- Rain gear: a poncho and a waterproof phone pouch.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Spare socks and a dry shirt: for after a downpour.
- Sandals or quick-dry shoes: for wet walkways and water parks.
- A refillable water bottle: to keep sipping all day.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Orlando?
It can be, if you plan around the heat and storms. August averages a high of 91.6°F with measurable rain on about 17 days, and hurricane activity picks up from mid-August. In return, fewer school breaks overlap as the month goes on, and Food & Wine and Halloween Horror Nights both opened in late August in 2026.
How hot is Orlando in August?
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give August an average high of 91.6°F and a low of 73.7°F, with about 24 days a month at 90°F or more. Humidity makes it feel hotter: on the NWS heat index chart, 92°F at 55 percent humidity feels like about 101°F.
Does it rain every day in Orlando in August?
Not every day, but often. NOAA counts measurable rain on 17.2 August days on average, the most of any month, with 7.69 inches in total, and the daily chance of rain is about 51 to 56 percent. The NWS says most lightning in central Florida strikes between noon and midnight, so mornings are usually the safest time for outdoor plans.
Is Disney World crowded in August 2027?
Less so as the month goes on, judging by official school calendars. Gwinnett County, Georgia, returns on August 4, Hillsborough County, Florida, on August 10 and Edinburgh’s schools on August 18. English schools such as Kent’s stay off until August 31, and New York City hadn’t posted its 2027–28 start date.
When does Halloween Horror Nights start in 2027?
Universal hadn’t announced 2027 dates at the time of writing. It describes the event as running on select dates from August to November, and the 2026 edition runs on select nights from August 28 to November 1, with Premium Scream Nights on August 27 and October 19. It isn’t recommended for children under 13.
Is August hurricane season in Orlando?
Yes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center says a season’s first hurricane tends to form in early to mid-August. Activity is highest from mid-August to mid-October, peaking on September 10. Book refundable rates and check the NHC outlook before you travel.
Bottom line
Orlando in August rewards an early start: tour in the morning, cool off at a pool or indoors through the afternoon storms, and head back out in the evening. As the month goes on, US schools return, fewer breaks overlap and the Halloween season and Food & Wine usually begin. Watch the tropics and book a refundable room.
Compare rates for Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort for your August dates
Sources checked in October 2026: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals, Orlando International Airport, National Hurricane Center: tropical cyclone climatology, National Weather Service: heat index, Disney: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Universal Orlando: Volcano Bay