May 2016?

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thetallone101

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 8, 2011

• Nov 24, 2015

• #1

I've been researching our next trip. Last time we went early Dec 2012 and it was wonderful. I was going to book Dec 2016, but my mom is a lil bit more anxious and wants May 2016. We are looking at May 5-15, 2016...so before school is out and before the long weekend. Anyone with experience during this time of year? What are crowds like? I was on easywdw and it estimates crowds at 5-7 depending on the day. Does this sound about right?

 

Robo

1971 Castle in the Hub: Your lights are on!

Joined

Nov 18, 2001

• Nov 24, 2015

• #2

thetallone101 said:

I've been researching our next trip. Last time we went early Dec 2012 and it was wonderful. I was going to book Dec 2016, but my mom is a lil bit more anxious and wants May 2016. We are looking at May 5-15, 2016...so before school is out and before the long weekend. Anyone with experience during this time of year? What are crowds like? I was on easywdw and it estimates crowds at 5-7 depending on the day. Does this sound about right?

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Sure, that's a decent estimate.
Just know that crowd levels have been steadily building at all parts of the year,
so past numbers may be a bit off.

Temperatures are getting hot in Orlando in May (not as hot as July, but it's still quite warm and humid.)

 

Accident

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 13, 2015

• Nov 24, 2015

• #3

In my opinion it's almost unheard of for below a 5 these days so 5-7 sounds far. that's the last weekend of Flower and Garden.

 

racefans44

Mouseketeer

Joined

Aug 12, 2009

• Nov 24, 2015

• #4

I went last year at the time you're asking about and I will be there this year May 8 - 15. I found the crowds last year were manageable, but they were larger than I expected. I'm not an expert on rating the crowds, but I would estimate most days were 7's. There were huge crowds at Hollywood Studios on the weekend, but it was the first Star Wars Weekend of the year. That won't be a problem this year. I stayed at POFQ and it was very pleasant and didn't feel crowded at all. I didn't have any problem getting the dining reservations and Fast Pass + selections that I wanted. I would recommend this time of year, but it was a busier than I expected. I may see you there!

 

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thetallone101

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jun 8, 2011

• Nov 24, 2015

• #5

Thanks everyone! Also looking at the end of April - Apr 21-May 1/16. Hmmm...decisions, decisions!

 

epcotty

Now it's time to say goodbye to all our company

Joined

Jul 26, 2013

• Nov 24, 2015

• #6

We've sometimes gone in early May before, crowds weren't too bad but it definitely can still be hot

 

csmolu

Mouseketeer

Joined

Jan 16, 2015

• Nov 24, 2015

• #7

We went for the first week of May last year and it was great! The longest we waited for a ride was 15-20 minutes. Weather was hot but not brutal. We are going back for the same week in 2016

 

jmkjr72

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 20, 2009

• Nov 24, 2015

• #8

We went the first week of may 2nd through the 10th last year and are going the first week again Apr 30 to may 8th it was great a little warm for our likings towards the end but still doable
Most everything we didn't need our fast passes for exceot mine coaster and anna and elsa and some of the stuff for really young kids
Being school is still in and towards the end not many older kids but plenty of younger ones in strollers
the only day we had any issue getting a last minute dinning was on mothersday for breakfast

 

jmkjr72

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 20, 2009

• Nov 24, 2015

• #9

I will say it may be hard to get a bog or crt adr or any pre park opening adr as the 180 day window is allready out

 

Canuck16

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 12, 2014

• Nov 24, 2015

• #10

We went the first 2 weeks of May 2014 and the weather was wasn't too hot and the crowds were quite manageable

 

snj0504

Earning My Ears

Joined

Mar 11, 2011

• Nov 24, 2015

• #11

Accident said:

In my opinion it's almost unheard of for below a 5 these days so 5-7 sounds far. that's the last weekend of Flower and Garden.

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Not anymore! They extended out F&G until May 30th, so thankfully that won't be the LAST weekend that people have a chance to go. I'll be there May 14-22, but I've went in May several times before and found the weather/crowds pretty manageable.

 

Bullseye

Faithful Companion

Joined

May 8, 2009

• Nov 24, 2015

• #12

Early May should be fine. Like you said OP schools are in session and early May is still pretty comfortable by Florida standards. I don't know for sure but I think that's right around love bug season down there if that's a consideration. We always go late May, early June and even then weather or crowds aren't overwhelming.

 

NewbieMouse

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 13, 2010

• Nov 24, 2015

• #13

Bullseye said:

I don't know for sure but I think that's right around love bug season down there if that's a consideration.

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What's "love bug season"?

 

Bullseye

Faithful Companion

Joined

May 8, 2009

• Nov 24, 2015

• #14

They are these natty lil winged bugs that are everywhere for about six weeks or so every year.

 

mullysisters

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 10, 2009

• Nov 25, 2015

• #15

I have gone in May for the last three years. I go wednesday to wednesday that includes my birthday, May 15th. I get park hoppers and make every rope drop and make use of all EMHs.
I have never felt the crowds were too large. I ride every ride I want, as often as I want. I leave the park at 1100am to shop and go to a resort for lunch. I go back to my resort and head out again around 5-6 pm to a second park (the one with EMH)
I book fp+ this way. If I'm going to MK I get them there, always. If it's not a MK day I book fp+ for my evening park. I can't and don't wait more than 20 minutes in line. Early morning and late night at MK is the stuff dreams are made of.
The weather has always been great, no rain in three years. Crowds good, no large groups, I walk up to most TS restaurants.
Hope this helps a little, you'll love May!

 

princessesandpascal

"Guys, I want a castle."

Joined

Jan 31, 2012

• Nov 25, 2015

• #16

We were just there early May of this year, the 4th to the 12th. It was good weather (hot but bearable, only two days with rain). The walkways,etc seemed crowded, but the lines could've been a lot worse. No trouble getting ADRs or FPs, we even changed our Via Napoli from a dinner to a lunch on another day while we were at Disney with no problems at all. Great spots for parades, etc, even though there were still crowds. It was manageable for sure! I'm hoping to return May 2016 because we loved early May so much.

It was also love bug season, but we honestly hardly saw any our entire week.