May 16-23...typical crowds?

[MrToad]

Hi,

This will be our 5th trip to WDW, but we have never been in May before. Any idea on the typical crowds we might see during the 16th -23rd of May? (That's Monday through Monday schedule).

-MrToad

 

[marklar]

I too would like to know. We will be visiting May 19 & 20. Hope it's not too crowded.

 

[marriedmarylander]

We are going that week also.

I was told usually not that crowded, but the popular restaurants have no PS's open that week so who knows if that's any indication, right?

 

[MrToad]

Uh-oh...what popular restaurants are you speaking of?

Can you give us some examples of those that are full?

I suppose we better get calling!

 

[4fordisney]

I read somewhere that May is usually only moderate crowds, but my dh says because we are going to be there it will be very crowded...and he says he is an optimist!

 

[marriedmarylander]

Uh-oh...what popular restaurants are you speaking of?

Can you give us some examples of those that are full?

I suppose we better get calling!

Cinderella's Royal Table - I've called a few times they said they had no PS available the whole week. Of course watch you call and you get one!

Le cellier was booked for dinner the day we were going to Epcot, we got one for lunch (several times were open).

I guess CRT is the most popular, and probably character dining and Fantasmic Dinner Packages.

I asked for a PS at a DTD restaurant and everything was available, so it may just be some of the ones at the parks.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

They didn't have any fantasmic packages for the three days that week I checked. Nothing, at any of the restaurants.

Had an easier time getting PS's to everything else, including Sci-Fi, The Plaza, and, surprisingly, LTT on one of the MK's EMH nights. I figured they'd be booked because people were planning on that park that night, but I actually got a pretty desirable time (5:10 I believe).

I also got an 8:10 am at Breakfastausaurs one day - was surprised at that availability as well. This was all ressies made last week.

I'm hoping a fantasmic package opens up before I go - I'm going to keep checking. I really don't want to be caught without reserved seating on the MGM EMH night - though if I can get a package another night on our stay we might just skip Fantasmic on EMH night and enjoy the rides from 9-9:30 while everyone else is in Fantasmic. I bet I could get in 4-5 rides on RnR.

N.E.D.

 

[mhingher]

I'm thinking this May might not be "typical" due to the anniversary celebration. I heard a lot of people will be there. I'm going May 2006, and a friend told me the crowds were minimal/moderate and weather was perfect. Have a great time- I just went in March but I'm still jealous that you're going in a month and I have to wait over a year!!!

As far as PS, I always recommend that they are made ASAP b/c you just never know...

 

[idofabric]

This web site has a list of how busy each day is for the whole year...
http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm
The week up to Memorial Day looks ok for Mon, Tues,Wed, but it goes to heck in a hurry for the weekend and the week after.
And it is because I will be there , so youall don't blame yourselfs! Hope you are watching my shoulders get broader to bear all the blame !

 

[aubriee]

I'll be there May 13th-May 22nd. Since I'm going to be solo this trip I considered not making PS and just playing it by ear, but after considering the celebration and reading on various sites how many people were going to be there during that time, I decided to play it safe and make ALOT of PS (ten of them). I may not keep alot of them, but am glad I made them since it seems like the parks are going to be alot more crowded than in Mays past.

I had requested a 7:30pm PS for three different nights at Rose & Crown planning to try for a patio seating to view Illuminations, but apparently everyone else had the same idea because the only thing I could get was either a 7:10pm or 8:00pm. The CM suggested I take the 7:10pm and if I was lucky enough to get on the patio to tip the waiter really well before ordering (for slow service) and to eat very slow until 9:00pm. I've also been calling back to see if later seatings for the Fantasmic Pkg have opened up and so far none have. I've got Mama Melrose's for 5/19/05 at 4:30pm, but that is just too early for dinner.

 

[Grand2me]

In order to get priority seating at a restaurant, who do you call? It seems like everybody is calling WAAAAAAY in advance. Do you call the regular Disney number or do you call the restaurant directly? Thanks in advance.