Hi Heather! Wow, that sounds like fun group of people you will be traveling with. August is a really great time to visit Walt Disney World!
Since you are visiting in August, I would suggest checking out one or both of Walt Disney World's Water Parks. Both are a lot of fun and great for kids and adults of all ages, which is perfect for your group! At
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park your crew can swim with the sharks, sail down water slides, relax on sandy beaches and get pummeled by waves in the wave pool that boasts six foot waves every 90 seconds.
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park is themed after a frosty wonderland. Everyone can zip down slushy water slides, ride on a chairlift, race on a Downhill Double Dipper and take a drop on one of the tallest water slides in the world! Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park also has a wave pool, although this one is much calmer than the thrilling one at Disney Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Both water parks would be a great addition to your August trip and a lot of fun for the whole family!
As for special events in August, I am not seeing any on the calendar. Keep an eye on it, things are changing all the time. However, everyday is a special day at Walt Disney World. Each four theme parks are great to visit with all ages in your party. Make sure to get a map and times guide when you enter each theme park. The times guide will tell you when all of the shows, parades and firework are which are all really special.
I hope you all have a fantastic time at Walt Disney World. If you have any other questions, I would love to help!