Going to WDW in May and I Have Several Questions.

[sylvenmaid]

Hi everyone. I usually lurk more than I post but we are planning our trip for near the end of May. We were going to go in Jan 08 but some issues came up so I think I am going to wait until then to go and no worries about school with ds. He gets out on May 21st in hopes of beating the summer crowds. I did notice they changed their dates on seasons for next year so of course now we will be paying the more expensive rates for the hotels. We can't win b/c airfare during first week of Jan was over $850 for 4 people!!! OUCH!

So if we plan for May 20th thru 15th then how far in advance do we book? I can afford the deposit but just wondering how long before the trip the balance is due. Just wondering what disney's timeline is like.

Also, we want to fly. Am I too early for trying to book for Jan? I keep checking the dates and all keeps saying unavailable for Jan 2nd thru 7th for Southwest. So are they really booked full already or just not ready to be in the system yet? I was just wondering for those that fly how early do you book or do you wait for that ding? Is May a better time for cheaper airfare? I would LOVE to go in Jan but just not sure but if we wait for May then we can stay longer but do have to pay $20 more a night. Decisons decisions. LOL!

Also, what is the weather like in May? Is still warm like 80's or starting to get hotter like upper 80's to low 90's? I live in South Louisiana so our temps are still pretty good and not too hot but just wasn't sure what the weather in FL is like then.

We do plan to stay at POP and my dh is so excited. His birthday will be during that stay in May if we do that instead. Either way it's someone's b-day during our Jan or May trip. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[TheHewitts]

We too live in Louisiana and the temps when we went last May(23-28) were warm but not nearly as humid as it was here.
As for airfare prices we noticed that the closer it got to time for our trip the higher the prices got...almost $1400 for us 4 round trip from Alexandria to Orlando. We drove instead to Destin for 1 night and stayed in a condo plus our gas round trip and still came out ahead.
Go to www.airfarewatchdog.com and you may luck across a good deal. We learned about this site after the fact but it is worth a try. Any otehr questions just post away...

 

[princess lovers mom]

southwest is booking out through january 11th at this time...when you enter your information you should see all of the flights and if it says unavailable by all of the rates and times then yes they are sold out...I think they came out over a month ago...they usually release dates 4-6 months ahead

we have been in May and it is a great time...northern states are still in school until the end of June...the week of and after Memorial Day it seems to get busier but before that is great....

you can book any time now as rates are released, not 100% sure, but I think final payment is due 45 days before and things can be changed or cancelled up until then

 

[sylvenmaid]

Ok thanks for all the info. We may just drive down there instead in May. We get out early on the 21st. The kids have 2 1/2 days before so last year they didn't do anything those 2 days before school ends. So I might try to leave the day before. I don't know yet. I just can't believe they sold out that quickly. I remember last year checking Jan dates in November and still had plenty of flights available. I just wish we could make up our minds. I just hate to pay those summer rates for $40/nt more than the value season of $82. I have thought about staying off grounds too but I don't know what to do. So confused. LOL! I'm glad to hear the humidity isn't as bad in May. I have heard great reports about May being nice. We will be there for Memorial Day weekend and leaving that Tuesday. I just don't think my mom and hubby want to take off that much time from work. It doesn't matter to me since I don't work. Thanks for the info. I just need to really sit and think about all this.

 

[TheHewitts]

Yes sitting down and going PROS/CONS is brain racking. GOOD LUCK!!! Hope you guys have a wonderful time.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'd vote for May and do water parks too!

 

[DisneyBarlans]

We went this past May and it was good, except for the Love bugs. I don't know if you have them in Louisiana or not, but they are EVERYWHERE at Disney World in May, especially in Animal Kingdom and Epcot (Flower & Garden Festival attracts them). Besides that, the weather was in the mid
80's which is not too hot if you're used to it (we're from GA so we don't mind the heat). We went on Memorial Day weekend, and it was not very crowded the first couple of days, then Monday it was very crowded, but nothing like the crowds at Spring Break. Hope this info helps.

 

[sylvenmaid]

It really does. YES the love bugs. We have them in May and again in September. So we are quite used to them. May is usually nice here but it can be hot so it depends.

 

[TheHewitts]

You had to remind me of the love bugs....
We did the water parks too but when we went the weather was just not hot enough for it.The water was SO COLD we rode two slides and opted out for MK instead of frozen kids.PLus the day we went it was cloudy which made it colder of course.

 

[danielle782001]

Southwest has no set date to put up new dates. You will have to go back and check at the beginning of each week. BUT it should be a few more months before the dates come up for May. We went this past May and we were able to book the flight on Southwest in Feb. Each ticket was $99.00 each way. But you should continue to check the flights because sometimes they drop in which case you can get a credit. Don't bother with the child rate. Because you have to call for that and the phone fare is at the highest rate. Just book online and get the Internet fare for all (kids included).

May weather was amazing. Not too hot (mid-80s by day, mid-60s by night). It only rained for about 15 minutes twice. Loved going at the time of year.

The crowds were a mixed bag. Magic Kingdom and MGM were super quite! No lines on anything. I think the longest we waited was 15 minutes for Splash Mountain. We walked right on Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror, Rockin Rollercoaster... The Animal Kingdom and Epcot were packed. Long waits on everything and the parks just had a lot of crowds around. The Flower Show created the wait in Epcot from what I understand. Animal Kingdom was crazy and I don't know why. We not there for the week before or after the holiday and we visited both parks mid-week. So just plan to use Magic hours and fastpass.

And make sure you make your dining reservations at the 180 mark. It is really important for the popular places!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Southwest has no set date to put up new dates. You will have to go back and check at the beginning of each week.

actually, this isn't quite true anymore...
SWA now displays on their website when the next dates will be released. Just click on 'travel tools' and it will be at the top of that page. once new dates get released, it usually takes them a few weeks to put up the next new release date. this has been great for us o-c planners!

 

[danielle782001]

actually, this isn't quite true anymore...
SWA now displays on their website when the next dates will be released. Just click on 'travel tools' and it will be at the top of that page. once new dates get released, it usually takes them a few weeks to put up the next new release date. this has been great for us o-c planners!

Interesting... is was not like that in years past and we always use Southwest. Good to know for the future! BUT I actually just checked the Travel Tools section and didn't see it. What link is it under? Just for the future.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Interesting... is was not like that in years past and we always use Southwest. Good to know for the future! BUT I actually just checked the Travel Tools section and didn't see it. What link is it under? Just for the future.

they just started this past spring. once you click on travel tools, it's below the bold print 'travel tools' but above the gold bar that has the word 'air' in it.
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/travel_center.html?ref=trvltls_gn

here's a copy:

We are currently accepting air reservations through January 11, 2008. On August 23, we plan to open the schedule for purchase through March 7, 2008. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently.

 

[MinnieMe2DW]

We're going in the beginning of May and I've been keeping my eyes open for cheap flights.. impatiently waiting for SW to post their new dates for May ! tap tap tap !

Thanks for the good weather news and what the helk are lovebugs??

 

[DisneyBarlans]

We're going in the beginning of May and I've been keeping my eyes open for cheap flights.. impatiently waiting for SW to post their new dates for May ! tap tap tap !

Thanks for the good weather news and what the helk are lovebugs??

Love bugs are little black bugs that fly around everywhere, get stuck in your hair, land on you constantly, and in some cases (mine) bite. I'm not sure if they're at Disney yet in the beginning of May, but they are everywhere at the end of May. I would pack bug spray just in case. They are called love bugs because they are always joined together at their bottom extremeties...get the picture?