This is my first time posting although I have read and received great info from everyone here. I know there are many great people here willing to give advice. My gf and I are planning a last minute trip to Orlando either 8/18-8/23 or 8/20-8/26. We are both in our 20's. Ill take advice with everything from Disney Dining to weather conditions. Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks in advance guys.

Either time will be blasted hot.

The later you are the less crowded it will be, under normal circumstances. The 'free dining promotion' (which you had to book by June) starts with check ins on 8/26, so you should be able to avoid most of the crowds generated by that.

Dining plan is a personal thing. First, I'm not sure how many table service ADRs you'll be able to get. To get the value out of the dining plan you basically have to have a table service meal every day, and to get the most value, at dinner.

So, if I were in your shoes (which it's good I'm not, I stay inside this time of year in the heat!), I'd decide where you wanted to eat any table-service meals; have at least one backup for each meal; If it's basically one table-service per day, review the menus on MousePlanet or AllEars and 'pick' your meal. Under the 2007 dining plan, you get one entree, one appetizer, and one dessert per person and it includes tax and tip. Add up your table service bill (adding in tax and tip for the prices online) and if it's a decent percentage of the cost of the dining plan, then you're likely to want to get it. The plan also includes a counter service and a snack each day, so that should be added in to see if it pays for itself.

BUT (and this part is because you're so close to your dates) - call and make your ADRs before you book the dining plan, because there is a chance you're not going to be able to get the restaurants you're interested in at this late date. And then after you get all your ADRs - repeat the above math (or just do it after you get the ADRs) to make sure it still makes sense financially.

And then have a blast and drink lots of water!!!

Thank you for all your help it all made sense to me

I'm also in my 20s and went to WDW for my first time winter 06 and I learned alot from this site. When it came to dining, the WDW website was a great help in learning what they have to offer, and how to decide what we wanted and what was in our budget. Here is the link:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningFinder?id=DiningFinderPage

You can search by either category, depending on what's important to you. Once you've researched the restaurants and decided call the number listed on the site and make advanced dining reservations because if you want to eat at the popular places, there's no telling if you'll be able to get in, so it's better to book it for sure.

Other tips.. hmm it's so much more convenient to stay on-site, that way you don't need a car and face the hassle of driving on and off property every single day and night, and finding parking. The Disney bus system take you to and from your hotel, and run very frequently.

If you book a package through the WaltDisneyWorld website and are flying to Orlando, make sure to take advantage of Disney's Magical Express, complimentary motor coach busses that take you from the airport to the WDW property and back, and if you use magical express and check your luggages (with a participating airline), you don't have to worry about them anymore, because the next time you'll see them is at your hotel.

Again, if you book a vacation package through the website, another perk is extra magic hours, find out which parks have it on which days you're there, you wouldn't want to miss those if you'd like to get some extra time after closing or before opening.

What else, aha, fastpasses, not sure if you're familiar with this, but I see too many people wonder "what those little tickets and machines people are using", and "why people get to whiz through a shorter line they're in." Basically what it is, (if you don't already know,) is that at most of the rides there is a machine where you can use your park ticket, to recieve another ticket [for free], that allows you to return at a certain time so that you can get into a special shorter line. Thus maximizing the amount of things you can get done in a day. :)

Then a few minor tips, COMFY SHOES, and I don't know about August weather at night, but in all my Disney experiences, it always gets a bit chilly at night, so maybe light layers. You don't want to end up having to be forced to buy a sweater, because we all know that's not cheap.

So that's all I can come up with for now, hope I helped! :)

Then a few minor tips, COMFY SHOES, and I don't know about August weather at night, but in all my Disney experiences, it always gets a bit chilly at night, so maybe light layers. You don't want to end up having to be forced to buy a sweater, because we all know that's not cheap.
Getting chilly at night in August is not generally a problem in Orlando. We have similar weather in New Orleans, and this morning the heat index was over 100 before 6 am. The more common issue is the afternoon thundershowers, which are easily handled by ponchos.

Chilly at night is not going to be a problem right now in Orlando. I'm here in Atlanta (eight hours to the north) and we're busting ever single heat record in the books. 103 degrees today and it'll "cool off" to 91 this weekend.

For a last minute trip - try for the reservations at table service but really look at the menus for counter service places. You might find the table service places to be booked. You can also look at the resort restaurants since not very many people think of those for a meal (unless they are staying there).

Take your time, drink lots of water (refill a water bottle from the water fountains and save money), take advantage of the air conditioning. and take your time. It might be a last minute trip but make it a relaxing one.

Don't try to stay in the parks from opening till closing - the heat will beat you to death! Hit the parks right at opening, then take a break around noon and go back to your hotel for a swim and a nap. Then go back to the parks around 4 or 5pm when the sun is getting lower and the all day guests are passing out and dropping like flies. Enjoy the rest of your evening in the not quite so blazing weather. Take your time, drink LOTS of water, and enjoy!

Thanks again everyone is being so helpful. Im really excited about this trip

Since you mentioned Disney Dining I assume you are planning to stay on property. If so, unlike what MaraMouse said, you don't need to get a package to use Magical Express or EMH, just a room. As stated, it won't cool down in the evening, but I always need a sweater indoors cuz the air-conditioning is too cold for me, mostly in the restaurants and stores.

If so, unlike what MaraMouse said, you don't need to get a package to use Magical Express or EMH, just a room.

Oops my mistake, I didn't know that

Thank you everyone for all your help. I finally booked after looking things over and over. I took all your advice and trully appreciate it. We are staying at POFQ I wanted a King Bed room but was unable to find one. I tried to add the Disney Dining plan but couldnt for some reason. Maybe Ill call and try to add it over the phone. Thanks again!

If you booked a room-only, you can't add on dining. You must have a package to get the dining plan.