crowds and Mother's Day weekend???

[lisareneeo]

We will be in WDW May 7th through 11th (Mother's Day) and were wondering if Mother's Day impacts the crowds in the parks, MK in particular. What do you think this Saturday in MK will be like ?( I know MK on Saturdays are usually pretty crowded) There is also a grad night planned for Friday May 9th. Should we avoid MK on Sat and Sun and visit at the beginning of our trip? We usually like to spend our last day in MK (which happens to be Mother's Day) and are thinking we might not be able to do that this trip. We thought about visiting MK Sat evening (riding rides while/if they have Spectro) but think it might be too crazy. Help!! Opinions please.
Thanks Lisa

 

[shelly3girls]

If flight availability is any indication (which I doubt it actually is...) then everyone is leaving WDW on Sat. before Mother's Day. We were bumped from our flight home on 5/10 and only had a choice of early morning or late night to fly home. Every flight on Sunday was still available. Sounds like everyone is flying home to be with mom.

 

[Moby]

Hi Lisa,

We were hoping to go to MK on May 9, but you mentioned there will be grad night? Can you tell me more?
Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

We were there for mother's day weekend in 2000 & 2001. We arrived Saturday afternoon and went to MK on Saturday night because it was the only night for Spectro. It was a madhouse. On Mother's Day, we went to Epcot to get the free picture taken in the WS (similiar to MVMCP) and then to MK in the afternoon. Neither were overcrowded. We missed it last year because we went the week before because our AP's were expiring. This year we'll be there May 9 to 16. Planning AK for Saturday morning, MK for Saturday night (assuming that's the only night for Spectro), Epcot & MK for Sunday.

 

[DMRick]

We were there last Mother's Day, and other than crowded restaurants (and a hike in the prices that day only), things were fine, and not overly crowded. We stayed at POR-Riverside, and except for the usual weekend crowd at the pool, we didn't find anything overly crowded.

 

[lisareneeo]

Moby,
What I know about Grad night is that Magic Kingdom is closed on certain nights (May 2, 3 and 9) . Local seniors go to the Magic Kingdom for their senior class trip. I THINK grad nights start at 9:00 pm. I do not know what time they will close the MK to regular guest to get them cleared out and the MK ready for this event. I am guessing they might close around 6:00 but I am only guessing.

Debbie B, We are planning on AK Saturday am as well. We were also hoping to go to the MK Sat evening if it isn't a mob scene. We wanted to ride rides and skip Spectro since we just saw it in December. We are hoping most people will be watching Spectro if this is the only night it runs. We will be leaving Sunday afternoon so we are just planning on take it easy Sun am with breakfast at Bomas.
Thanks for the input everyone!!

 

[RobinLyn]

Grad Nights usually begin at 11 PM and end at 5 AM, at the Magic Kingdom, starting April 25, 26, and then again on May 2, 3, and 9 as lisareneeo stated.