Anyone spend Memorial Day weekend at WDW? My family is driving me . . . .

[amjl]

CRAZY!!!

I hope someone can help me out with this question . . .

We are planning a family reunion at WDW for 2005. We were all set to go the 3rd week of April but now some of the families have heard that the 3rd week in April is too crowed so they want to go the week before Memorial day and stay through Memorial Day. Anyone been at WDW that week before Memorial Day? I would think that it would be more crowded than late April?

I welcome any input please . . .
thanks!

 

[HunnyPots]

We spent Memorial Day at EPCOT. This was our arrival day so I can't tell you about the week leading up to it but Memorial Day itself was not bad. We had a ps for Garden Grill for lunch and arrived early but were seated right away. We rode Mission Space with about a 15 minute wait. Got a great spot for Illuminations about 8:30 behind the fish and chips place. It did not seem like a holiday or anything, as far as crowds go.

 

[ColoradoDis]

We arrived May 21 and left on May 31 (Memorial Day)

The beginning of the week was less crowded than later in the week, but it was still more crowded than it will be during the last week of April. We quit going to EMH because there were so many people there. Instead, we went to another park when it opened.

It was also very hot (high 90s all week).

We only went that week because of school calendars. We won't go during that week again.

 

[amjl]

So I guess late April would be better than late May . . .

Thanks for your input I really appreciate it!

 

[las3888]

We just got back from Memorial Day...we came the day before Memorial Day (Sunday) and left the following Thursday. The weekend itself was busy. The days following were much slower. My advice though is that there is a difference in the heat in May than April...April is a little more do-able, but when we were there at the end of May, it was pretty darn hot. I like it hot, but it was too much for even me at times. To walk about 200 feet around 3:00 or 4:00 is just drenching. I remember thinking that we will go earlier in May to avoid this if possible. You are also getting really close to the rainy season, so it's possible there would be less rain in late April.

I hope that helps a little with your planning. Good luck!

 

[QuickGold]

I was there for Memorial Day Weekend and if you can avoid it, do so. Crowds are large, it gets pretty hot by then so you're better off in April if you can swing it.

If you want a listing of wait times at MGM to see how each week was, try http://www.mgmstudios.org/wait.html

 

[yasuern]

DH and DD9 were at WDW may 27-30th -- the thursday-monday of Memorial day wknd - In my DH words"OH MY GOD I COULDN'T BELEIVE THE CROWDS" we have been 2x in the summer once in mid July and once the week before the 4th - DH states the crowds were worse in May. That said they had a WONDERFUL TIME! they utilized fastpass and did alot of pool time and just had a BLAST!

Sue

 

[G's mommy]

We were there May 28th - June 5th. The weekend was pretty crowded, we did Epcot on Saturday with no problems, wait times not bad at all. The weather was extremely hot, high 90's and not a cloud in the sky.

 

[SCgoofy64]

We have been going since 1999 either the week of Memorial Day or the week before and this year Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon it was crazy packed, alot worse than previous years, the MK very crowded just as crowded as Thanksgiving. After Memorial Day it was not as bad and later in the week it was nice but we hit the Magic Kingdom many times and it was the most crowded I have seen recently.

 

[Missy1961]

I think your family is thinking about spring break/Easter crowds....but Easter is March 27 in 2005...so April might not be that bad. I'd go in April.

 

[las3888]

this year Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon it was crazy packed, alot worse than previous years

I didn't want to say that, because I thought it was just my imagination, but I really agree with you. We go often around Memorial Day in celebration of our anniversary (the 23rd), and this was the first time I have come back and NOT recommended going around Memorial Day on the DIS boards. I will say the crowds really diminished after Tuesday or so, but it was DARN HOT!!! We are looking at going May 15 next year - not a big difference time-wise, but might help a bit with crowds, high temps and avoiding the rainy season.