Best Week in May?

[DreamtheImpossible]

Hi everyone! We are looking to travel to Disneyland in May for a Wednesday-Sunday. Expedia shows that the cheapest is the first weekend in May, but that's the Tinkerbell Half-Marathon. Thoughts? We've been in October in the past, and it was busy but not SWAMPED.

 

[Indiana Scott]

We've been to the parks many times during May and I would say the best time will be the first or second week.
After that the crowds will ramp up quickly.

 

[Dr. G]

Hoping May 9-13 isn't too bad--that's when we'll be there.

 

[butterflymouse]

The first or second week should be fine. Despite the half-marathon or Mother's Day happening those weeks, I think it would be less busy than when school lets out mid-May. I went Mother's Day weekend a couple years ago, and it was moderately busy and very doable.

 

[figment_jii]

It seems like Disneyland is always busy these days, but I'd also agree that earlier in May is probably better than later in May. At this point, I would guess the least busy weekends are likely to be the second (14/15) and third (21/22) weekend. At this point, we haven't really heard of anything "special" happening on those weekends - although events and activities could be announced at any point. The two weekends I would have said to avoid were there Marathon weekend and Memorial Day weekend.

Marathon weekends are always busy - usually starting on Thursday as the marathon crowds begin to arrive in the parks. The crowds will remain high throughout the weekend and there will be some impacts on the operating hours (potentially) and there will be road closures in the morning. If you do opt to go that weekend, I would try very hard to find a place to stay where you can walk to the parks so you can avoid dealing with the road closures and the impacts at the parking structures. Crowds will taper off once the event ends (so starting on Monday), but you'll still see some folks wearing their medals for the next few days.

The other weekend to avoid is Memorial Day if you're looking for low crowds. Memorial Day weekend has started with the 24-hour day for the last few years (they have not announced a 24-hour day yet, but it's still early and they didn't announce it until mid-March last year) and that's the start of the summer season at DLR. It's also a three-day weekend, so crowds are high from Friday through Monday. I would guess being a holiday weekend, the travel prices are probably also high(ish), so you probably aren't considering this weekend very seriously.

 

[Nonsuch]

Dapper Day is May 1, low onsite hotel rates and discount tickets.

 

[dec2009mama]

weekend of May 21/22 is a long weekend in Canada (monday may 23) ~ some may take advantage of that even though our dollar isn't doing well!

 

[robin2588]

They do have Grad nights to consider as well if that is something you mind. They start that 2nd and 3rd weekend. If you went the 3rd weekend wed-sunday you would encounter 3 grad nights 18th, 20, 21. If you went the 2nd wed-Sunday you would encounter 2 on the 13,14. We are going the 2nd weekend but doing a Sat 14th- thurs 19th and skipping the parks on the 18th so we can miss a grad nite, and just deal with one on the Sat 14th.

Also fyi i just saw they added 2 more grad nites to the list.
Due to overwhelming demand, additional event dates have been added!
June 2, 2016
June 9, 2016

 

[goofy4tink]

They do have Grad nights to consider as well if that is something you mind. They start that 2nd and 3rd weekend. If you went the 3rd weekend wed-sunday you would encounter 3 grad nights 18th, 20, 21. If you went the 2nd wed-Sunday you would encounter 2 on the 13,14. We are going the 2nd weekend but doing a Sat 14th- thurs 19th and skipping the parks on the 18th so we can miss a grad nite, and just deal with one on the Sat 14th.

Also fyi i just saw they added 2 more grad nites to the list.
Due to overwhelming demand, additional event dates have been added!
June 2, 2016
June 9, 2016

Oh terrific! We arrive in the 16th, leave the 20th. Going to celebrate dd's college graduation!! Never even considered Grad Nights! Darn. I guess missing one night isn't so bad, but leaving just three is yucky.

 

[LizzyS]

I am considering going in May, but with the marathon happening the 1st weekend and grad nights starting the 3rd weekend, it looks like it might be 2nd weekend or bust for us if we go in May. I had to reschedule our trip next week because my grandmother has been very sick and we're going to visit her instead.

I have a question- is very early summer (think the next weekend after Memorial Day weekend) going to be crazy? If so, would you consider it any busier than at Christmas time, which is the last time we went to DLR.

I really want to make a trip before the 60th celebration is over and even though I was also considering September, I know that the celebration is ending that month.

 

[figment_jii]

Oh terrific! We arrive in the 16th, leave the 20th. Going to celebrate dd's college graduation!! Never even considered Grad Nights! Darn. I guess missing one night isn't so bad, but leaving just three is yucky.

Grad Nites don't really impact the park operating schedule. The actual Grad Nite is held over in DCA after that park closes to the general public. DCA usually closes at 10:00 pm on weekends and that's when the Grad Nite starts. DL's operating hours or entertainment schedule shouldn't be impacted.

I have a question- is very early summer (think the next weekend after Memorial Day weekend) going to be crazy? If so, would you consider it any busier than at Christmas time, which is the last time we went to DLR.

It depends on when at Christmas time you went last. The weekend after Memorial Day is not nearly as busy as the week between Christmas and New Year. For the most part, it's going to be busy (it's always busy at DLR these days), but I don't think it's going to be crazy-busy. Most reports indicate that the crowds are big on Memorial Day weekend (three day weekend and summer kick-off), then drop back down and steadily build up as the summer season progresses. So I think the weekend after Memorial Day weekend is likely to be okay (still busy, but probably less busy than the Marathon weekend or Memorial Day weekend). Now, that being said, it's possible that some event or activity will be announced that changes everything!

 

[sherilaine]

I am considering going in May, but with the marathon happening the 1st weekend and grad nights starting the 3rd weekend, it looks like it might be 2nd weekend or bust for us if we go in May.

Since May starts on a Sunday, the first full weekend is the Marathon (May 5-8) and the second full weekend begins with Grad Nites on the 13th. I don't think there is a weekend in between without an event or a grad nite to pick from.

If I had to pick - I'd pick going the 2nd weekend as at least there is no Grad Nite mid week until the 18th onward.

 

[goofy4tink]

Grad Nites don't really impact the park operating schedule. The actual Grad Nite is held over in DCA after that park closes to the general public. DCA usually closes at 10:00 pm on weekends and that's when the Grad Nite starts. DL's operating hours or entertainment schedule shouldn't be impacted.


It depends on when at Christmas time you went last. The weekend after Memorial Day is not nearly as busy as the week between Christmas and New Year. For the most part, it's going to be busy (it's always busy at DLR these days), but I don't think it's going to be crazy-busy. Most reports indicate that the crowds are big on Memorial Day weekend (three day weekend and summer kick-off), then drop back down and steadily build up as the summer season progresses. So I think the weekend after Memorial Day weekend is likely to be okay (still busy, but probably less busy than the Marathon weekend or Memorial Day weekend). Now, that being said, it's possible that some event or activity will be announced that changes everything!

Thanks!! That's what I was hoping would be the case!!

 

[LizzyS]

Grad Nites don't really impact the park operating schedule. The actual Grad Nite is held over in DCA after that park closes to the general public. DCA usually closes at 10:00 pm on weekends and that's when the Grad Nite starts. DL's operating hours or entertainment schedule shouldn't be impacted.


It depends on when at Christmas time you went last. The weekend after Memorial Day is not nearly as busy as the week between Christmas and New Year. For the most part, it's going to be busy (it's always busy at DLR these days), but I don't think it's going to be crazy-busy. Most reports indicate that the crowds are big on Memorial Day weekend (three day weekend and summer kick-off), then drop back down and steadily build up as the summer season progresses. So I think the weekend after Memorial Day weekend is likely to be okay (still busy, but probably less busy than the Marathon weekend or Memorial Day weekend). Now, that being said, it's possible that some event or activity will be announced that changes everything!

Thank you for the information!

I might be leaning toward the first weekend in June now that I have looked at the calendar. I need to discuss this all with my husband, I guess, lol.

 

[Bobsmom]

We are going to be in town starting 5/28 but will hit the parks on 5/31-6/2 (Tuesday through Thursday). Touringplans shows crowd level averages of 7 on those days (going to DCA will be a 6 on Tues, DL will be a 6 on Wed, and both are 7s on Thurs), with averages of 8 or 9 on the weekends before and after. Flight prices from where I am are not significantly higher for the holiday weekend, nor are hotel rooms.

 

[LizzyS]

I just can't decide what I want to do. We can actually take no time off work, drive over on a Friday night and do Saturday and half a day Sunday in the parks and then head home if we wanted to. I like to take a day or two off work, however, like Thursday and Friday or at least Friday. I normally am not indecisive like this and it's driving me crazy. I've even thought about late April- what thoughts do you guys have of that time period?

 

[Agent 86]

Is there a calendar which clearly shows all of the "events" in May 2016?

I'm an international visitor who will be at Disneyland from Wednesday, 18 May to Monday, 23 May 2016. I'm having trouble following all of the "events" being mentioned in this thread (Marathons, Grad Nights, Memorial Day, etc) and it would be great to have a clear understanding so that I can determine which parks I should visit on which days (especially as I don't have the park-hopper ticket).

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[tlovesdis]

Is there a calendar which clearly shows all of the "events" in May 2016?

I'm an international visitor who will be at Disneyland from Wednesday, 18 May to Monday, 23 May 2016. I'm having trouble following all of the "events" being mentioned in this thread (Marathons, Grad Nights, Memorial Day, etc) and it would be great to have a clear understanding so that I can determine which parks I should visit on which days (especially as I don't have the park-hopper ticket).

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

There is this thread that should help...

http://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3434866/

 

[Agent 86]

Thanks tlovesdis. So, a lot of "Grad Nights" but no other "events" during my visit. That's helpful to know.

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks tlovesdis. So, a lot of "Grad Nights" but no other "events" during my visit. That's helpful to know.

I just want to point out that the calendar thread lists events as I hear about them. So right now, we haven't heard about any other events in mid-to-late May, but that doesn't mean things won't be added as we get closer to that time.