April or May? Crowds/Weather

[daystar91]

Crowds during the months of April and May?? Which is the best week to go during one of those months? Does anyone know what the weather is like during those two months? Can decide what would be the best for our vacation...Our family plans on going with our family and friends and staying on property...I'm trying to find a week that is less crowded..Thanks

 

[dgundry]

I would recommend that you stay away from the first 2-3 weeks of April due to Easter and Spring Break vacationers.

Historically, you will find crowds during the last week of April through the second week of May to be very reasonable (around a 4-5 on a scale of 10). The weather is great (and pretty consistent) during these times as well. It is one of our favorite times to vacation.

The only holiday in that time period is Mother's Day which is actually pretty reasonable at all parks in terms of crowds. (Great day to see the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot IMO.)

 

[KellyNY]

We love first week of May. It gets warmer every day and while in late April it was a bit cold at night, in May it is warm even at night. During the day it gets hot but not as hot as in July.
Crowds are low but not as low as in late August.
Overall, first week of May is very pleasant.

 

[nkereina]

I've been last week of April and first week of May. Weather was great - low 80s, not too hot. Crowds were moderate - not crowded but not low crowds either. Easter happened to be early that year which I think made a difference. I would try to go late April or early May - hopefully you can avoid the spring break crowds and also anyone coming in for Memorial Day. Those would be the most crowded times during that period.

 

[daystar91]

We were thinking May 5th to the 11th...

 

[DisneyDreamMaker]

In 2011 we went from May 8-14. Weather was hot but not unbearable. We stocked up on waters and sports drinks and stayed hydrated and sunscreen and hats were very helpful. Crowds were very manageable. There were lines but nothing major and anything that was long we just did FP and returned later. We got on everything the kids wanted to go on. It rained twice while we were there. Once was a passing shower and the day we we leaving there were heavier showers on and off during the day. We will be there this year from May 7-15. Can't wait!!

 

[pigletto]

We will be there from April 30th to May 7th this year
From everything I have researched it looks like moderate crowds and anywhere from nice to hot weather.
Touringplans still has numbers predicted that are much higher for that time frame than other sites. But if that is the case we've gone enough to use a good touring plan and still have a blast.
We have been 3 years in the end of August. If we can have a good time in that weather May can only be an improvement

 

[keepmoving4ward]

We will be there from April 30th to May 7th this year
From everything I have researched it looks like moderate crowds and anywhere from nice to hot weather.
Touringplans still has numbers predicted that are much higher for that time frame than other sites. But if that is the case we've gone enough to use a good touring plan and still have a blast.
We have been 3 years in the end of August. If we can have a good time in that weather May can only be an improvement

I too have noticed TP has given May a high crowd level. I wondered if I was missing something, but instead am hopeful that they are going off 2011 crowds. Easter was much later that year, end of April.

 

[mickey mouse lover]

May seems to have gotten a little more crowded than a few years ago. We've noticed quite a few school groups. I guess their end of the year trips. The weather can be really good, but this last year it was a little warmer than I like.

 

[Scubee]

We've taken early May trips but avoid the Spring break/Easter crowds in April. The first week of May is usually very manageable crowd-wise (5,6, and 7s by our measurement). Weather can be nice.

We experienced record-setting highs in May 2010 with temps in the upper-90s with 100% humidity. AK when it's 97 degrees and you sweat from the first moment of the day to the last is NOT fun with a 2-year-old!

 

[kimmer]

We've taken early May trips but avoid the Spring break/Easter crowds in April. The first week of May is usually very manageable crowd-wise (5,6, and 7s by our measurement). Weather can be nice.

We experienced record-setting highs in May 2010 with temps in the upper-90s with 100% humidity. AK when it's 97 degrees and you sweat from the first moment of the day to the last is NOT fun with a 2-year-old!

Yeah, it was at animal kingdom last may that we send out two youngest (3 and 4) home with my mother in law. they actually wanted to leave lol. it was DAMN humid & hot. We stayed on with out 5 year old...

We've gone the last three years in mid-may and save for last year, the weather is quite nice as pp's have mentioned. Crowds pretty managemable too. Have fun!

 

[pigletto]

I too have noticed TP has given May a high crowd level. I wondered if I was missing something, but instead am hopeful that they are going off 2011 crowds. Easter was much later that year, end of April.

I was thinking the same. There's just no reason I can see for numbers that high. And if you check the years past on TP for the same dates they don't go anywhere near that high for the same week.. even last year which was right around that late easter. I expect some more adjustments as that time frame approaches. There's no huge events, the promos aren't that great, there's no holidays, there's no free dining. Nothing I can see that would make the numbers where they are sitting on Touring Plans.

 

[The_Alice]

Crowds during the months of April and May?? Which is the best week to go during one of those months? Does anyone know what the weather is like during those two months? Can decide what would be the best for our vacation...Our family plans on going with our family and friends and staying on property...I'm trying to find a week that is less crowded..Thanks

I would recommend late April to early May as well. The weather is still pretty moderate and the crowd levels are lower. We usually go in early May, though we have gotten caught in a heat wave, the evenings just can't be beat!

 

[Wadecool]

We love first week of May. It gets warmer every day and while in late April it was a bit cold at night, in May it is warm even at night. During the day it gets hot but not as hot as in July.
Crowds are low but not as low as in late August.
Overall, first week of May is very pleasant.

We also love the first week in May. Last year, the weather was warm, but not crazy hot like August. Since DD is starting Kindergarten next year, 2012 will be our last chance to go during this time for a long while.

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

Another vote for late April/early May. That's our favorite time to go. Warm to sometimes hot weather but not like it is during the summer, F&G festival at Epcot and moderate crowds. Sadly, we can't go during this time anymore due to kids school schedules. Enjoy!!

 

[Mamu]

I can only tell you of my own experiences.

Been twice in April first time was during Easter week many years ago. Weather was awesome.
Went again in 2000, weather was hot mid-90's for 3 days then dropped into the 60's during the day for a few days, then back into the high 80's low 90's.

Been twice in May once the 2nd week weather beautiful high 80's.
3 week in May last year, leaving a cool climate where temps were still low (a very cool spring) and arriving to high 90's every day. There were a few days the heat index was over 100. Too hot for me. I was lighted headed the whole week and no matter how much I drank it didn't make a difference. Too hot to quick.

April and May are beautiful months to visit, but I'm thinking we will probably go back to the fall months.

 

[The_Alice]

I can only tell you of my own experiences.

Been twice in April first time was during Easter week many years ago. Weather was awesome.
Went again in 2000, weather was hot mid-90's for 3 days then dropped into the 60's during the day for a few days, then back into the high 80's low 90's.

Been twice in May once the 2nd week weather beautiful high 80's.
3 week in May last year, leaving a cool climate where temps were still low (a very cool spring) and arriving to high 90's every day. There were a few days the heat index was over 100. Too hot for me. I was lighted headed the whole week and no matter how much I drank it didn't make a difference. Too hot to quick.

April and May are beautiful months to visit, but I'm thinking we will probably go back to the fall months.

That was our experience too this past year. Crazy hot in the third week. We ended up going mainly in the evening hours and staying late, sleeping in, swimming, then repeat. Worked out well, but I agree. We won't do that time again which kinda saddens me as I used to love going then.

 

[kristennn]

We're planning to go in early May this year and it looks like it will be a nice time to go. Our original planj was to go sometime this spring ... We didn;t get everything together in time for February) and when we were there two years ago at the end of feb it was freezing anyway. All of March seems to be someone's spring break and then the first 2 weeks of April are Easter - which again is spring break for some areas.
It looks like earlier in May is better than later. Weather is anywhere from 65-90 - the one time we were there in may it was over 80 pretty much every day.
I don;t think it will be as slow as Jan/feb but not as busy as summer or holiday time ... i think you'll still be better off if you do some planning and effectively use the fast pass system but I think with doing those things you shouldn't experience too many long waits.