Help please! Never planned a May trip?

[ocalla]

My family and I have visited Disney several times, mostly in the fall (during the least crowded times) and also the second week of December (almost NOBODY there times). This next year we were thinking of going during the last week in May. We plan to pull the kids out of school since it is the last week but are really wondering how crowded it is?

Also what are the temps like? We are used to hot humid weather here in LA, will it be the same at that time?

Thanks in advance

 

[elemusing]

The last week of May is absolutely my favorite time to go. The crowds are there, but not near as bad as summer. It is hot and humid, but not nearly as bad as June, July, and August. But it is warm enough to swim comfortably and wear shorts at night, etc.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Let's see if I can help you. As you can see by my signature my favorite time to visit Disney is in May. Hubby and I celebrate our anniversary on May the 22nd, so we usually leave for Disney a few days before that putting us in Disney anywhere from 6-7 days the third week of May.
The weather is quite comfortable. There are some days where it gets unbearable, but not too often though. I've only encountered rain twice on our visits and each time it never hindered anything we wanted to do. Crowds aren't bad at all. We usually leave Memorial Day weekend and that's when it gets very busy!!!
By what you say, it looks as though you plan on being there Memorial Day weekend, so plan for crowds and longer wait times on rides. Just take advantage of FastPass and Early Entry. You can go to www.wdwig.com or even www.ourlaughingplace.com to find out when Early Entry days are. They are actually referred to as Extra Magic hours, but it's the same thing.
If you have any other questions about your trip in May, just PM me or email me at yashuaschild1969@yahoo.com I will do the best I can to help you.
www.mousesavers.com also has some great info. You can get some WONDERFUL discounts on that sight that will save you money on your trip.

Best in your planning,
Denise

 

[Desnik]

Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I am speaking from my experience.
Having gone to WDW 5 times, mostly in Nov., once in Oct. we took a trip in May to get more use out of our AP's before they expired. The reason we always went off season and the fall is because DH and I hate large crowds and extreme heat. We went the 2nd week in May and it was very hot, really humid and crowded. We ended up spending most of the trip at the pool, it was just too hot at the parks. Also, most of the south gets out of school in May so I assume that contributed to the crowds. But we live in NY so we are not use to the heat, so you may have an advantage being from LA.
I just wanted to give another opinion.
No matter what you'll be at Disney, so it could be worse!!
Have fun.

 

[franw]

If you can, change your plans to the first week in May. The chances of the weather being cooler is much greater (but not guaranteed, of course). We went twice during the first week and both times had wonderful weather and got to enjoy the Flower and Garden Show at Epcot which was beautiful. The crowds were very minimal and we had the best of times.

 

[Artuero]

I went in May 2002 (I think the 15th to the 25th or something like that). The crowds did not strike me as bad except in the Magic Kingdom on the weekends. The weather was quite hot and rainy. We had a great time. I actually thought it was a pretty good time to go.

 

[RussH]

The last 4 years because of vacation scheduling at work I have been at WDW in May. I always go in early December too and IMO May sucks. As already said the earlier the better but it will be still be very Hot and humid to the point of effecting your park enjoyment. Early in the month the crowds are light with short wait times 15 minutes max my last trip. I dont use PS and could always walkin and be seated quickly. But I would always like to be in the parks all day and not ponder going back to the resort at noon for another shower or if at AK going on Kali a lot and hope for the drenched seat.
RussH

 

[gonga]

We always go in May, right before school is out. We have found it a great time to go, minimal lines, great tables in restaurants. Drastic difference from when school is out! The weather has always been great, not too hot or humid. I have to say the exception was this past May, it seemed the "summer" came very early to Orlando this year and it was end of June temps, which was very unusual for May (at least that is what the weatherman said). It did not bother us much, as we were so happy to feel the warm sun after a long cold winter in NY.

Overall, it it our favorite time of year to go, even if it is unusually hot, the smaller crowds make it really nice.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

****bumping****

 

[hipporina]

We went this past May near the end of the month and it was great! We were gone from May 16-26 and in the parks from the 18-23. We left on Memorial Day weekend and hit the beach on the way home. I found the weather to be rather mild (but here in TX we regularly have 100+ temps in summer) and the crowds were great. We never waited more than 15 minutes for anything.

An extra perk this time of year is that you will likely hit a Star Wars Weekend. These are really cool, especially if you are a fan of the series. My boys thought it was incredible.

If you go before Memorial Day, most schools are still in. Ours around here usually let out right after Memorial Day. But be warned that if you go too early in the month, there are grad nights that might interfere with your touring plans.

 

[sters]

I'd agree with an earlier poster, try to go earlier to take advantage of the Flower and Garden show at Epcot. It's spectacular! I've been once the last week in April and again the first week in May. We stayed at the All Stars both times and did run into some problems with Grad Nights (I'm a light sleeper and teens arent' known for their quietness). Not sure if that would be an issue at another park.

This year, you might be in great luck. With so many taking advantage of the FTP this fall, it might alleviate some of the Spring crowds. (We were planning on going in April, but now are going next week.)

 

[ocalla]

WOW!!! Thank you all so much for the information, a couple of more questions though---------

1. When does the Flower and Garden show end?
2. What do you mean by Grad Nights?
3. When are the Star Wars Weekends, and will they make the park more crowded?


We have never been able to use the water parks and would love to experience them, but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if it were not hot enough!!!!!

Also have not been on Kali River Rapids because it is usually too cool for me to handle it!!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I've gone to WDW during May twice now and I'm planning my first December trip! Maybe we can swap tips *lol*

The crowds are fine ... most of the times the rides are 10-15 minutes waits. For some of the more popular rides (ie. Test Track) you could wait 45 minutes or more but its all really manageable if you get FP.

The weather is quite warm ... can be quite humid on some days, especially after it rains. Remember to drink lots of water

Grad nights are nights when the park closes early to everyone ... it's an event for high school students to attend. I think those are usually scheduled the first week of May.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by ocalla
WOW!!! Thank you all so much for the information, a couple of more questions though---------

3. When are the Star Wars Weekends, and will they make the park more crowded?

When hubby and I were at Disney back in May of 2001 Star Wars Weekend was going on, so that should put it around the 3rd week of May. Does it make the park a bit more crowded, to tell you the truth, I didn't really notice, but hubby and I weren't in MGM on the weekend, we did it on a Thursday. From what I just saw on a site, the Star Wars Weekends start about the third week of May and run til the second week of June, or at least this year it did. That could change from year to year. Visit DEB'S SITE to get an idea on what to look forward to next May.

I do hope I've helped once again!

Denise

 

[Alexandra]

Oscalla,

Hi there, my family and I are going to Disney the last week of May also. We have gone the last 2 times during the first 2 weeks and the weather varied from some rain to some hot days nothing too bad and the crowds were great because there weren't any. Our son is in 3rd grade and we are also pulling him out of his last week of school to go. how old are your children my son is 9 will be about 9 and a half by May. I feel bad because it is just the 3 of us it might be nice to try to meet up somewhere and say hello. We are staying at All Star Movies Sun-Thur and splurging and staying at AKL our last night Fri. I'm so excited that I have become a junkie at this site. I've becaome a big planner at the ripe old age of 40.

 

[sk8belle]

Ocalla:
Just to give you the heads up, Disney is having its 2nd Inline marathon on May 2 next year. There were 1500 skaters last year and they are hoping for twice that number this year. So be warned the hotels, if not the parks, may be a little more crowded that first weekend in May. The marathon won't really interfere with the parks all that much. We start at 0'dark thirty in the AM, and are required to be done by about 10. The only thing you may see, other than skaters on the roads, are parts of entrances to EPCOT, MGM and Wide World of Sports coned off. You'll be able to get in, just fewer turnstiles at certain entrances will be available.

sk8belle