DL in May?

[LucasandMickey]

What is your experience with Disneyland during the month of May? Weather? Crowds? Airfare/hotel deals? We had so much fun with my two little ones in September that we are dying to go back and we were thinking May 2012 for DD's first birthday!

Thoughts on the month of May?

 

[starshine514]

We went last May 17-20. Crowds weren't too bad. It rained our first two mornings and there was only one day I was able to wear short sleeves mid-day while we were there. I booked our hotel in February, I think and paid a moderate rate. We have a trip planned for May 14-17 next year (we bought APs) and booked the same hotel at at lower rate at couple of months ago, but still not as low as our early March rate I got when I booked it a couple of weeks ago.

So, just based on rates, May is already filling up the hotels, while early March isn't. From experience, however, crowds weren't horrible and temps weren't too bad. Like I said, we're going back!

DSIS's BF flew in to join us (the rest of us drove). I thought his airfare was high - $200 from Tucson, AZ. But, I think he could've gotten a better deal if he had booked earlier.

 

[skiingfast]

I really like May.

Overcast and cool morning and warm semi hot afternoons are common. Rain is not.

Crowds are low except for Memorial Day weekend. Weekends are always busy, all year.

Rehabs are common.

Hours are short.

Entertainment is limited to the weekends.

Being an almost month long offseason period deals are common.

This May has an unknown which could dramatically effect crowds and prices. Carsland may open as could the rest of DCA's remodeled areas. There is no known date on when these things will happen, but May is a strong possibility.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We love May, and have done DL twice over Mother's Day weekend... weather was perfect, mid-70's, no rain, crowds not bad... Friday night was the worst each year, and you could still get around, but you do need a dinner ressie for sure. If you are interested in fireworks, or F! or WOC, make sure you have a Fri, Sat and maybe a Sunday too in your days, otherwise the parks will likely close too early for any of that (8 or 9 pm), which with a little one might be a blessing anyways.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Oh! And I see you are flying from Portland too... we always fly Jet Blue into LGB and then grab a cab or do a private shuttle... anyhow, we usually find awesome fares with Jet Blue!

 

[Rhonna]

Keep in mind that almost all Friday nights in May this year are grad nights in DL park.

 

[LucasandMickey]

Awesome. Thanks everyone. This info should help me convince DH.
@mommy2princessabby- Jetblue is definitely the cheapest I am finding but its still $200pp. Is that the cheapest we are going to find or do you think that we might find something cheaper if we keep an eye on it.

And thanks for the grad night info Rhonna. Does that mean that the parks close early or do they unleash the grads in the park before it closes or how does that work? My hope is that we would do something like Sun-Wed or Wed-Sat so there is a weekend in there so we can catch a show. If not, thats ok, my babies can go to bed early.

 

[skiingfast]

And thanks for the grad night info Rhonna. Does that mean that the parks close early or do they unleash the grads in the park before it closes or how does that work? My hope is that we would do something like Sun-Wed or Wed-Sat so there is a weekend in there so we can catch a show. If not, thats ok, my babies can go to bed early.

It's not exaclty known because they have changed how Grad Nights work for 2012. Because May doesn't have long hours, you may miss an hour or two on a Friday Night in DL. DCA will probably stay open later so you and thousands of others can go over there. They also may open DL eariler to get an hour back that would be lost at night.

On weekday nights it shouldn't effect the hours anyway because they are short hours.

The grads can enter all day, but the private parties start at night. Since it's May and kids have school, they aren't likely to show up until the evening.

See the possible dates at http://www.disneyyouth.com/grad-nite-disneyland/catalog/


You idea to have you visit include weekend days and weekdays is ideal to mix full entertainment and low crowds. Keep in mind that Friday is also considered a weekend day at DL.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We did grad nights during school days and spent the entire day in so cal. Previously many schools did universal during the day, a dinner (medieval times) then the Disneyland event. Disney's new system may mean many schools would do Disney all day since its already included. Unless they are local, I wouldn't count on schools not being there all day.

 

[caffingdu]

May is probably the best month to go to Disneyland as far as crowds and weather go. The park's empty in May. I think that the park hours might be shorter though??

 

[SilentFeline]

My first trip with DBF was in May of '09, and I highly recommend it. We went the week of Memorial Day, and the crowds were actually quite manageable. We found that most rides were walk-on if you timed it right. When we saw long lines for a ride we wanted to go on, we just waited until later in the day or evening and the line would be down to 10 mins or shorter. This worked particularly well for PotC and HM. There was one Grad Night when we were there and it did get kind of crazy, but we just left the parks early and spent a wonderful evening in DTD, so we still had lots of fun! Also, the weather was perfect. I had a sweatshirt on the whole time, but it wasn't heavy jacket weather and I liked that it wasn't hot. I would definitely go in May again if given the option.

 

[HydroGuy]

While I prefer high season, IMO May is the best off-season month to go to DLR. Weather is nicer, warmer, less rain, and while there will be refurbs, often the major ones are completed by May in preparation for summer. Weekdays will have limited entertainment and shorter hours. See links in my tip threads below in my signature for weather and historical park hours.

 

[larina]

We went in May this year. It was a nice time to be there. There was grad night while we were there, but as said, it is going to be different in 2012. We actually enjoyed the grad nights because we were at the PPH and there were extra showings of WOC that we watched from our room. It was wonderful!!!

 

[Rhonna]

We went in May this year. It was a nice time to be there. There was grad night while we were there, but as said, it is going to be different in 2012. We actually enjoyed the grad nights because we were at the PPH and there were extra showings of WOC that we watched from our room. It was wonderful!!!

Just to be clear for the OP - grad nights are in DL park in 2012.

I think most people would be happier if they held them in DCA park - but for now they are alternating parks each year.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

For Jetblue from PDX to LGB, the cheapest we've gotten was $59 each way + fees... Think it turned out to be just under $150 each. The more "normal" fare we get is $79 each way, which sounds like what you are seeing...

 

[8timesblessed]

Awesome. Thanks everyone. This info should help me convince DH.
@mommy2princessabby- Jetblue is definitely the cheapest I am finding but its still $200pp. Is that the cheapest we are going to find or do you think that we might find something cheaper if we keep an eye on it.

And thanks for the grad night info Rhonna. Does that mean that the parks close early or do they unleash the grads in the park before it closes or how does that work? My hope is that we would do something like Sun-Wed or Wed-Sat so there is a weekend in there so we can catch a show. If not, thats ok, my babies can go to bed early.

I would just wait on your tickets and keep checking. Alaska just did $40 each way tickets from Seattle to Long Beach or Orange County. I think you could do $70 each way on Jet Blue so I would just watch. I try different days, different times and write them down and watch for sales and then you will know when it's the lowest price.

 

[LucasandMickey]

I would just wait on your tickets and keep checking. Alaska just did $40 each way tickets from Seattle to Long Beach or Orange County. I think you could do $70 each way on Jet Blue so I would just watch. I try different days, different times and write them down and watch for sales and then you will know when it's the lowest price.

^^My mom and dad got on that Alaska flight for Feb! haha

I am hoping that HOJO will release their entertainment card rates for May after the first of the year. As much as i would like to be there ON DDs actual bday, we are pretty flexable with our dates and can base the trip around when that rate is available.