Going to Disney beginning of May...what to expect?

[marriedmarylander]

I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid... We are planning to go the beginning of May. I wanted to know what the expect - how crowded, weather, special events, etc. I know many people on this board go to Disney a lot so maybe you can give me the scoop

I also think we narrowed it down to the Caribbean Resort - any feedback? I think they are all nice. He really was intrigued by the beach they have for some reason!

 

[Stitch1962]

Since the beginning of May is also the same time as the beginning of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, I would expect crowds... especially if you happen to be there during the press events, as some of the parks may have abbreviated hours and many celebrities and press types.

 

[marriedmarylander]

Are you serious? Press events and celebrities?
Is there a way to find out in advance?

Oh well, I guess we will deal with it.

 

[*Susan*]

What are your dates? The start of the 50th celebration is on May 5th & from what I've read, the press events are at Epcot (Epcot closes at 3 that day and MK is open until 10, whereas during the rest of the week it is only open until 9 - the extra hour tells me they are expecting higher crowds).

I also noticed that many of the Epcot resorts are showing no availability for some days that week, compared to the MK resorts which have more availability.

We are going to go to Epcot in the morning of the 5th but will leave if it's too crowded.

We've never been in May but from what I've read, generally speaking it is a good time of the year to go.

 

[marriedmarylander]

Everytime I search for the 2nd week in may I get results... and these are Moderate resorts near Epcot. We are not going on the 5th itself. We'll be there 8th thru the 14th.

 

[Luv4Disney]

We're going the 11th through the 21st. I asked a CM if she noticed if there were a lot more ressies and she said no...pretty much same as last year. She did however say that the summer ressies are up by 15% from last year. Yikes!

 

[LAWalz23]

We have been there in May 3x and the parks are much less crowded than the summer. Also the longest we ever waited for anything in May was 30 minutes and that was to meet Ariel for my niece. It was hot though, 2 of the three years the temps were in the 90s. I would go again in May anytime.

 

[marriedmarylander]

Room are booking up... we wanted to go when we can get express shuttle service after may 5, but may 5 and week after standard rooms at caribbean beach are booked already.That is where my husband must stay for some reason (don't ask me).. may 8 is mothers day and plus the celebrations.... .. So we have to go May 16-22 .. luckily memorial weekend is the weekend after!

 

[*Susan*]

Marylander: when I said Epcot resorts I meant BC, YC, BW. You probably won't have any problem w/your dates - have fun!

 

[sapdaddy]

We will be there from May 8th to the 18th. I picked May almost a year ago just because I was told that it would be a great time of year to go. I didn't know about the celebrations until a few months ago.

 

[DrTomorrow]

We'll be there a few weeks before you, because May 2 is our 25th Wedding Anniversary - and I can promise you that we picked that date long before news of the 50th celebration came out!

May is a nice time to go - not too crowded, not too hot. And - IMHO - the actual beginning dates of the 50th won't be that big of a deal except for press & celebs - after that, while it will increase park attendance over the next year, there's no big urgency for people to go "right now".

Be well!