Crowds in May?

[Kramer]

We have been to WDW many times, but never in May. We are in the early stages of planning a trip for May 2006 and I was wondering how the crowds are usually during that time of year. We are looking at May 14-21.

My two year old is getting very excited, btw... he has been to WDW 3 times, but this is the first trip that he is old enough to start asking to go see who he calls "Disney Mouse".

 

[poohfan]

We've been in May twice and liked it. The first time the weather was great... not too hot and no rain... the crowds were manageable with no long waits. The 2nd time we went it was HOT but again no rain and the crowds were great. The park wasn't empty but especially if you go early when the park opens you'll be able to walk on a lot of rides and others have a very short wait. By the afternoon we were using fastpasses. On our trip in September we didn't have to use a fastpass at all the entire week.

 

[bytheblood]

I am so glad to hear that because I am going in May 2006.

 

[donaldsgal]

We are going nearly the same time - May 17-22. I am glad too about low-ish crowd levels. One thing to keep in mind: this is a higher attendance year (or so I've read) due to the Happiest Celebration on Earth. That won't stop us though! Glad to see some other May visitors popping out of the woodwork.

The Unofficial Guide's crowd blog is helpful in determining which days to hit which parks.

 

[arizonacolbys]

We were there this past May and it was a bit more crowded than we were used to - but, we always go during Value seasons - January, late September & early December were all less crowded.

The parks were never bad the first half of the day - by afternoon there were some long waits. The weather was great - 80 degrees & no rain the whole trip. It's a fun time to visit with the Flower & Garden Show at Epcot & Star Wars weekends at MGM - I think these events draw additional crowds on the weekends from more locals coming into the parks.

Enjoy!

 

[ReggieB]

We went for roughly the same time frame this year. We normally go in mid-October. We found it to be busier than then, but if we planned well we could still get on rides with a minimum wait. I was amazed at how crowded AK was on the day we went (Saturday, it EMH morning, bad move) Never seen it that busy at AK. We also were there for the first Star Wars weekend, so naturally MGM was busier for that weekend (it was very busy around the Star Tours area, mobbed in fact) but it wasn't so bad the rest of the park. Epcot was very busy at Soarin (it had just opened) and Test Track was not one you could do stand by with, unless you were happy with a 60 minute wait. The rest of the park was great, we got to the World Showcase as it opened and had a wonderfully tourist free roam. Got some great pictures. Did that too at MK one morning as well.

Mornings were fine, walk ons pretty much all over. Did really crowd up by afternoon. So get there early you'll have no problems. Again we have been spoilt by October time, when the weather is a bit cooler and the crowds less, or though we did notice last October a bit of an increase in crowds. The weather was sticky..very hot. Lots of thunderstorms forecast, but none materialized, we could have done with one to clear the air. However it was manageable. I have tried to be honest, but a lot could be chalked down to 'in my opinion' I bet compared to July/August the weather is great and the crowds small!!

 

[donaldsgal]

Again we have been spoilt by October time, when the weather is a bit cooler and the crowds less, or though we did notice last October a bit of an increase in crowds. The weather was sticky..very hot. Lots of thunderstorms forecast, but none materialized, we could have done with one to clear the air. However it was manageable. I have tried to be honest, but a lot could be chalked down to 'in my opinion' I bet compared to July/August the weather is great and the crowds small!!

When you said, "The weather was sticky" and following, are you still talking about October or are you going back to discussing May there? Sorry - I'm not sure I read it right!

 

[ReggieB]

Sorry May was hot and humid!! It wasn't normal for the time of year, by the way. It usually doesn't get like that until later on. I don't think the weather anywhere this year has been normal to be honest.