How Hot Will it Be?

[MichaelFromSeattle]

As we are planning our trip to WDW, we want to know how hot it will be compared to Disneyland. We will be going in late May, the week of Memorial Day.

Also, we want to know how the crowds will compare at WDW than at Disneyland. We are assuming larger crowds, but how much larger?

 

[ErinsMommy]

From what I've heard DL can fit in the parking lot of WDW (could be an exaggeration?) so hard to compare but Memorial Day crowds will be high As for heat not as sweltering hot as June-Sept but still hot -- with that said for me Cali hot is diff than Fl hot. Maybe lack or lower humidity?

 

[MichaelFromSeattle]

Thank you!

 

[rcraw45425]

Week of Memorial Day will be super busy, Pandora at Animal Kingdom opens on Memorial Day weekend. And it will be a whole lot hotter than what your'e used to at Disneyland.

 

[MichaelFromSeattle]

Thank you! We will watch for crowds and keep track of our times at AK.

 

[NJ Goofy]

We've been there twice the week before Memorial Day the 1st time temps were in the mid 80's perfect weather if you ask me. The 2nd time it was much warmer, heat index was @ 100 !! With that said we still had a great time. If it is super hot, go to the parks 1st thing and take an afternoon break at the pool or in the AC.

The crowds were very manageable but we left before Memorial Day weekend.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

As we are planning our trip to WDW, we want to know how hot it will be compared to Disneyland. We will be going in late May, the week of Memorial Day.

I'm a big fan of data, so... http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?month=5

ETA: I will also say that the "feels like" temp is very often higher. Late May averages about a low of 68 and high of 89. We were there once where the "feels like" temp was over 100 every day. Another time it was much closer to the average.

No matter what, stick with the tried and true WDW heat-coping mechanisms (drink A LOT of water; take breaks in A/C -- stores, restaurants, some rides; midday pool breaks; etc.), and you will be fine.

 

[pmaurer74]

From what I understand with my research in the opposite (going to DLR in June) is the humidity is much higher in Florida whereas it can be hot in Anaheim but still bearable. Unlike DLR, WDW is busy every day not just the weekends. Avoid MK on Mondays. I have gone around memorial day before and it was mid 90s but not as humid as summer. Go to the parks in the morning, reserve your FPS for late morning/early afternoon then go back to the resort and swim and cool off then go back in the evenings. Dining reservations are VERY important at WDW. If you do not have them yet, get them!

 

[mshanson3121]

It will be much busier, as for the temperature it will be quite a bit warmer than California. The average for May in Anaheim is 78, in Orlando, it's 88. Now people will tell you that Orlando is much more humid than Anaheim, which isn't exactly true. The afternoon humidity levels are almost identical in May - both areas will see humidity levels of around 50-60% in the afternoon. However, the morning humidity levels are higher in Florida: 80-90% (average) compared to 70-75% average in Anaheim.

So, once you get into the summer season of Florida, the day starts out hot, and the humidity is around 80-90% in the morning - so when it's already 80 degrees at 9:00 and it's 80% humidity, you have a real feel of 97. And of course even though the humidity falls in the afternoon, the temperature goes up, so 88 at 55% will feel like 102. Compare that to a high of 78 at 55% in Anaheim which feels like 86.

 

[PanamaMike]

From what I've heard DL can fit in the parking lot of WDW (could be an exaggeration?) so hard to compare but Memorial Day crowds will be high.

WDW has many parking lots but it is true that the Magic Kingdom parking lot is larger than Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

Yes, WDW is many times larger than DL, and WDW is our "home" park, but DLR has a very special feel to it that is lacking at WDW. And with almost the same number of attractions, many different ones, the east of navigation both parks, DLR is a wonderful park to visit for Disney fans.

 

[dclpluto]

There are many ways to protect yourself from the heat at wdw.

Take advantage of the free water.

All inside places have air condition

Don't eat at a place that is outside. Eat in a place that has inside seating.

Go on rides and shows that are inside in the afternoon. If you are staying in the parks all day.

Don't forget the sunscreen, hat, and wear light weight clothing.

 

[MichaelFromSeattle]

Thank you all who replied to my post. You are much appreciated!

 

[brooke789]

We've been twice at Memorial Day. Once we felt like we hardly broke a sweat (maybe mid 80s) and the next trip (last year) we were all drenched in sweat the whole trip. It was more like 90s. So, expect hot! Does Cali have the humidity if not that is going to be a huge difference!!

 

[stinkpickle]

In 2015, I visited WDW near the end of May (SW weekends) and DLR in the middle of August. WDW in May felt hotter than DLR in August, but that was mostly the humidity. At DLR, I was comfortable as long as I was in the shade. As far as crowds go, DLR felt just as packed as WDW, but DLR didn't seem to have near as many strollers clogging up the walkways. Everyone else in our party noticed that, too.

 

[becd]

The crowds are unreal as compared to DLR. I do not think I have ever been to WDW and had it not be crowded. Wall to wall people crowded. WDW is a 1.5 hour flight from us so we go fairly often and have never found a "slow" time. I have always found DLR to be much less so populated. I have been twice to DLR. The first trip was the weekend after Thanksgiving one year and the second was for a 4 day weekend in May. Even the Thanksgiving one I found to be less crowded than WDW. In fact walking down Main St. on a Saturday afternoon during the May trip I took a picture to show my friends and no one could believe how empty it was - WDW is never "empty" except maybe during ticketed events.

 

[becd]

In 2015, I visited WDW near the end of May (SW weekends) and DLR in the middle of August. WDW in May felt hotter than DLR in August, but that was mostly the humidity. At DLR, I was comfortable as long as I was in the shade. As far as crowds go, DLR felt just as packed as WDW, but DLR didn't seem to have near as many strollers clogging up the walkways. Everyone else in our party noticed that, too.

It may because DLR does not rent the dreaded double strollers so people who need them have to bring them in. Those suckers can really take up a sidewalk (I have twins so I am not slamming them).

 

[momto2js]

I don't know about the crowds, we were at DL that same week about a year ago, and we thought it was pretty crowded. At DL there isn't a lot of room because they have packed the attractions so close together. It felt a whole lot more crowded than we have experienced in May at DW. The weather is an entirely different ball game. In May at DL, you needed a jacket in the afternoon. At DW, you may need a shower mid day so you can stand yourselves. Since you are from the North West, be prepared to feel like it is hotter than the face of the sun. I agree with all of the above suggestions for light weight clothing and LOTS of water. However, one clear difference is that a lot more of the attractions and line areas are actually inside.

For size comparison, we average 13 miles a day walking at DW and we walked 8 a day at DL.

 

[Micca]

There are many ways to protect yourself from the heat at wdw.

Take advantage of the free water.

All inside places have air condition

Don't eat at a place that is outside. Eat in a place that has inside seating.

Go on rides and shows that are inside in the afternoon. If you are staying in the parks all day.

Don't forget the sunscreen, hat, and wear light weight clothing.

I would add frozen drinks/slushies/ice cream/milkshakes/dole whip It might be tough but we do what we must @MichaelFromSeattle Welcome to the Dis!