College Graduation Impacting Attendance?

[dcmbshafe]

I have seen very little mention of college graduations and the impact this might have on attendance in mid-late May. We will be in WDW May 16-21 and were wondering whether this is something to be concerned about. All of the guides we've read say that attendance at this time should be below average. Any thoughts from those who've been this time of year?

 

[dcmbshafe]

Nobody has thoughts on this.

 

[tmfranlk]

I went to WDW after college graduation several years ago at the same time you are talking about. I thought that the crowds were great. We didn't wait in lines much at all and were able to do just about everything that we wanted to do.

I hope that you find the same!!

 

[dijid]

Well, you can count on one extra person being there. My youngest sister graduates 5/8 and instead of me going to her graduation, she asked to join us on our disney vacation. DH and I thought it could be fun (I've traveled with her before, so I know we can get along ok and my kids are fond of her), so she's coming with us.

Generally, I don't think it's a big addition to attendance. Anyone who also has children in high school or younger will probably wait til those kids are out of school to go.

 

[SoonerKate]

I don't think college graduation really affects attendance that much. (Except, of course, for the former CPs who graduate and immediately move back to Orlando!)

There are grad nites during that time, but they're for high schools.

 

[dcmbshafe]

Thanks all for your responses...I'm feeling a bit better about it but I'm still very anxious because park hours haven't been published for when we'll be there and it is driving me nuts!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

It really isn't an issue, mostly b/c American new college graduates usually go straight into a job if they have one lined up, and a lot of them have to move to get wherever the job is. I suspect that if they plan a vacation, they are more likely to go abroad, since it is the last chance they are probably going to get to take a trip more than 2 weeks long (before retirement, anyway.)

We've been at WDW several times in May. May is traditionally a slow month all over Florida, and though WDW is more crowded then than the beaches are, it is still a relatively quiet time until you get near Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We took DS to WDW last year to celebrate his college graduation, and I don't remember there were many other young people his age there (except for a couple cute girls he noticed at the pool!) And NotUrsula, you're right-got back from vacation on Sunday, Monday he packed up, and Tuesday he moved to Laredo, Texas to start his new career, so he went pretty much straight to his new job.