Crowds in May? Help me plan my days!

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hello all,

Yes, I am an obsessive planner. Spontaneity is not in my vocabulary! So, I am going to be spending two days in DL/DCA in May (the Tuesday and Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend). How are the crowds? I am not much of a crowd person.

From reading the boards, I decided to get to the parks really, really early (I'll be on New Jersey time anyway). Do the parks open at their posted times or do they open earlier- like Main Street or something like that?

I plan to ride Space Mountain and Star Tours first because the last time I went to DL/DCA, I pooped out by the end of the day and missed those two rides.

Do I really need to use Fast Pass during this time? When I went in Feb 2003, the lines were so short that FP was not necessary. Also, what is the best place to watch the fireworks from outside the park? (I will be in Anaheim over the weekend, but not at the parks- I have convention meetings during the day).

Any other tips please. Much appreciated from Obsessive Planner of the Year!

 

[iceskatejen]

I think that the crowds won't be too bad (consider that I usually go on Saturdays and anything less than 50,000 people in the park isn't bad to me at all). It does get more crowded the closer it gets to summer (and since in May the weather is generally pretty nice it makes people take the day off from work/school to go when it's not so crowded), but if you can handle some waits, it's doable. I recommened still using FP on the more popular attractions (you'll probably need it for things like Space and Splash Mountain and Indy). The parks gates open 30 minutes prior to posted opening so long as opening is 9am or later. If the park opens at 8, (which it won't on a weekday in May) then gates open at 8.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Thanks- I thought they might open early. I usually travel off peak times, but I am in California already for a convention.