Crowds for 50th celebration and Mother's Day??

[NJDisneymom]

We planned our WDW May 6th-13th trip before I even knew about the 50th Celebration of Disneyland that will be happening at all the parks. We won't be there on the 5th, but how bad do you think the crowds will be the rest of that week??

Also, that Sunday (5/8) is Mother's Day (and also my birthday!!). DH picked that week for that reason, but I've heard Mother's Day is one of the busiest days down there.

Is it worth considering a different week?? We are pretty flexible, but like I said DH picked that week to celebrate my birthday in Disney. With 2 young kids I really would like to avoid a HUGE crowd if possible.

 

[Karibeth19]

I would like to know as well, since we will be there at the same time. I have tried to research crowd trends on Mother's Day, and everything I've seen says it's a bit busier, but not like "major holiday" busy. That said, I think we will spend the day at Epcot, and not venture to the MK until Monday at the earliest, since I figure that will be the most crowded that day.

For what it's worth, we asked the CM when we booked our room how full they were, and she said they were wide open for that week (at POFQ). Of course, that probably will change over the next few months, but obviously, not a lot of people were booking early.

I can't wait to spend Mother's Day at WDW! Happy Mother's Day to us!!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I was there for Mother's Day in 2000, 2001 & 2003. I don't think it was more crowded than any other Sunday. Definitely not huge crowds. The rest of the week is great. We usually go to Epcot to get our picture taken (they do them free like MVMCP) and then to MK with dinner at Cinderella's. Planning it again this year! If you make a PS at a sitdown restaurant, you have to leave a credit card guarantee. In 2003, they also offered to sell you a corsage that is on the table when you arrive (they called upstairs with a code word at the desk). My mom was so surprised!

I think it was about $10:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3db02b3127cce9cbb81c3c2a300000046108AZOGTFq4ZtJ

 

[NJDisneymom]

thanks! I was so worried after hearing one post on another board of it being worse than 4th of July (or some other major holiday). Do you think the 50th anniversary will really draw the crowds that weekend???

Can you tell me more about the free picture at Epcot?? Someone suggested going to epcot that day since the flower festival will be going on. I haven't even begun putting our itinerary together.

Karibeth... we will be going that same week and staying at the same resort!! How old is your dd?? Mine will be 5 1/2 in May.

 

[keddy]

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[Karibeth19]

thanks! I was so worried after hearing one post on another board of it being worse than 4th of July (or some other major holiday). Do you think the 50th anniversary will really draw the crowds that weekend???

Can you tell me more about the free picture at Epcot?? Someone suggested going to epcot that day since the flower festival will be going on. I haven't even begun putting our itinerary together.

Karibeth... we will be going that same week and staying at the same resort!! How old is your dd?? Mine will be 5 1/2 in May.

What a coincidence! I'm really looking forward to staying at POFQ since I've heard so many great things about it. We stayed at POR last year and it was really nice, too. My DD is 7. Are you also going to be celebrating your DD's birthday along with your own while you're there? That would be so much fun!

I don't know about the pictures, but here's a link to an article from AllEars.net about a Mother's Day brunch that has been held at Epcot in the past. I haven't seen anything about it for this year yet, but I hope they have it because it sounds really nice.
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/mother.htm

 

[DebbieB]

Hopefully they will still be doing the pictures. I think they had 3 or 4 places taking the pictures. One was by China by the lake, one was in Canada by the garden, one was in Future World, Innoventions I think. The setup was like MVMCP, you filled out a form and the picture was mailed to you. I think the hours were limited, we went as soon as WS opened at 11:00.

 

[Cellthing]

We were there on Mother's Day this past year (2004) and I don't think it was much worse than a typical Sunday. We went to Magic Kingdom that day. We had early PS at CRT so we got in early. They handed out carnations to all the moms that morning. Of course by lunch time it was more crowded, but I personally didn't think it was horrible. I've seen worse that's for sure. I would go again if that helps. I think the heat was worse than the crowds. We avoided Epcot thinking it would be more crowded with the brunch and picture thing. Just our preference. So we got ressies at CRT instead to make it a little more special.

We went to Epcot's test run of the evening EMH that night and I feel it was worse. Test Track had about 1 1/2 hour wait and fast passes went fast. Did ride Mission Space a few times then decided to go due to wait lines. Maybe we hit the rides at MK just right that day which didn't make it too bad, I'm not sure. I don't know what the new celebration will do to the crowds, but I enjoyed that time of year other than the heat. I might regret saying that after we go next week if it ends up cold. This will be our first trip in January. Mickey here we come!!!