Early May Crowds?

[katmigordon]

What are the crowds like in late april/early may?

 

[Cal-Pie]

It's generally less crowded than most other times of the year. Disney has responded to that by adding after dark events to increase crowds. This year, Throwback Nites were in April, Star Wars Notes in May. Dates for next year won't be announced until a few months before, so it makes them difficult to plan around. DL usually closes to regular guests at 8pm on those nights.

 

[sophy1996]

Dapper Day is usually mid-April. This year DCA ended F&W on April 25 so there may have been a bit of a last-minute bump that last weekend.

Star Wars Day is May 4 so likely to have Star Wars nites in the first half of May, especially around May 2/3/4. Grad Nites start mid-May.

 

[foolish_mortals]

Yup, Star Wars Nites went as far out as May 11 this year and then a Grad Nite on May 12. First two weeks of May, I would expect a Grad Nite or Star Wars Nite almost everyday.

Luckily the dates for Grad Nite 2024 are out. May: 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28 & 31, 2024

Will probably have to wait until Feb/March for Star Wars Nites so the following is just speculation. Expect May 4(maybe…it’s a Saturday so who knows), and then Tues, Thurs, and Sun the first 2(maybe 3) weeks of May with a possible April date or two (28 and 30)

There was a bit of a crowd that last weekends of F&W. They know how to pack the schedule now.

Prepare for crowds and be pleasantly surprised if it’s not rather than be frustrated and unprepared.

 

[tink2424]

Yup, Star Wars Nites went as far out as May 11 this year and then a Grad Nite on May 12. First two weeks of May, I would expect a Grad Nite or Star Wars Nite almost everyday.

Luckily the dates for Grad Nite 2024 are out. May: 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28 & 31, 2024

Will probably have to wait until Feb/March for Star Wars Nites so the following is just speculation. Expect May 4(maybe…it’s a Saturday so who knows), and then Tues, Thurs, and Sun the first 2(maybe 3) weeks of May with a possible April date or two (28 and 30)

There was a bit of a crowd that last weekends of F&W. They know how to pack the schedule now.

Prepare for crowds and be pleasantly surprised if it’s not rather than be frustrated and unprepared.

Can you help to explain how grad nights affect the crowds? I'm assuming one of the parks close early that day. Is that mainly it? Thanks!

Also, are the weekends generally less busy in May or the week days? Planning to take my Mom for her 80th birthday on May 7th and then be there 3 more days that week. So looking to plan my days since we will still need to make reservations (boo DL for still having them).

 

[sophy1996]

Grad Nites bring in dozens of bus loads of teenagers. They have the option of buying all-day tickets so there may be large groups of teens roaming both parks.

Mondays are among the busiest days at DLR.

 

[tink2424]

Grad Nites bring in dozens of bus loads of teenagers. They have the option of buying all-day tickets so there may be large groups of teens roaming both parks.

Mondays are among the busiest days at DLR.

Thanks! So avoid the parks that day...

Would you advocate for me going on Saturday as one of my days? I have read that a lot of times Saturdays are less busy than during the week. Are there days that you think I should go and others to avoid (besides Monday which we already are avoiding and that Friday)?

 

[gmi3804]

I like early May for the combination of good weather, lower crowds, longer park hours, and low DVC point season.

 

[chezcurrie]

Thanks! So avoid the parks that day...

Would you advocate for me going on Saturday as one of my days? I have read that a lot of times Saturdays are less busy than during the week. Are there days that you think I should go and others to avoid (besides Monday which we already are avoiding and that Friday)?

Saturdays have been my best park days this past year as the lower tier Mkeys are blocked. With the new Mkey rates I would guess they will continue to be lower than other days as many (myself included) will drop our keys down a level when renewing.

In April/May due to all the after hour events park hoppers are a must.

 

[sophy1996]

Thanks! So avoid the parks that day...

Would you advocate for me going on Saturday as one of my days? I have read that a lot of times Saturdays are less busy than during the week. Are there days that you think I should go and others to avoid (besides Monday which we already are avoiding and that Friday)?

You’ll probably want at least one weekend day because fireworks only run on weekends (Fri/Sat/Sun). WOC should run every night. Saturdays can be better because of MK blackouts.

 

[katyringo]

I'm going may 10-13 (might be willing to wiggle that if a Star Wars night happens on Thursday the 9th..)

I've been to Disney- both coasts- many times like others on these boards. My motto is plan for the dates that work for you, expect and plan for the crowds and be surprised if they are light!

 

[tink2424]

Saturdays have been my best park days this past year as the lower tier Mkeys are blocked. With the new Mkey rates I would guess they will continue to be lower than other days as many (myself included) will drop our keys down a level when renewing.

In April/May due to all the after hour events park hoppers are a must.

Thanks! We already have hoppers as part of the tickets since the parks are so close it just makes a lot of sense.

I think we will plan for one of our days to be Saturday as it may be a good day for us. And if it is super busy it is likely our last day visiting so we can just pick what we really want to wait for.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Does anyone know why hotel prices jumped in the past week for roughly April 30 through May 5? (It might be for more dates, especially those last few days of April.) Did something get announced? Is there a big convention? I was looking at $1100-1500 for a hotel and now it's $1800-2000 for the same places.