May Crowds - Assuage my Fears

[BrianL]

Okay, so I have been a few times over recent years, twice in October, once in February. I am used to low/moderate crowds. My next trip is for mid-May (7th-12th). Easy's crowd calendar has this week at a 5 with a 6 on Saturday. Now, this is very much in line with my previous October dates (4s and 5s usually).

I keep reading all these reports about the parks being Super-Crowded, and the days are only 4s and 5s. It seems that the crowd calendars don't take everything into account (like Mardi Gras). Should I expect things to be rough in May? How is it usually? Is there anything I don't know about going on (I avoided Memorial Day)? I'm just having some anxiety about it now.

Thanks.

 

[bamamolly]

We went the week of May 22 a few years ago and during the week it was fine. Not crowded at all. I think at most we waited 20 minutes to get on a ride. The weekend was a different story but that was the start of Memorial Day weekend. I think you'll be fine. May is a great time to go since it's not too hot yet but still warm enough to swim.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I used to go to the parks that week when I was in college, and I wish I still could! My mom would pick me up after finals and we would head to the airport. If I weren't a teacher, I would still go that time of year. Everything from the weather to the park hours to the crowds was so pleasant. It's definitely warm/borderline getting hot, but it's not too humid, and the mornings and evenings are still relatively cool. Lowest park crowds I've experienced with the exception of ToT 10 Miler weekend in September.

 

[LSUfan4444]

The thing to remember about crowds and reports you read on here is that two families on the same day, both at WDW when the crowd is a 5/10 can experience two different size crowds based on the park they are in, arrival time, etc.

Take today for example. Overall crowd level is a 5/10. Magic Kingdom is recommended and Hollywood Studios is not.

Current wait times (11:30 EST)

Magic Kingdom (recommended)
ETwB - 60 min
Thunder Mnt - 40 min
Dumbo - 30 min
Peter Pan - 50 min
Space Mnt - 35 min
Speedway - 20 min
Under the Sea - 45 min

Hollywood Studios (non recommended park)
Rock n Roller Coaster - 70 min
Star Tours - 30 min
Tower of Terror - 40 min
Toy Story - 80 min
Backlot Tour - 30 min
Great Movie Ride - 25 min

These aren't all the wait times, just some of the headliners.

As you can see, the times at Magic Kingdom in the middle of the day aren't that bad, but good luck over at Hollywood Studios.

A 5/10 overall might really be a 4/10 at Magic Kingdom and a 7/10 at Hollywood Studios.

The family that arrived to Magic Kingdom at Rope Drop will have a MUCH different experience than the family who showed up to Hollywood Studios at 9:45 am

 

[ucfknight]

Early to mid May is usually a pretty good time to go. The weekend will be a bit more crowded than normal at Epcot with the penultimate weekend of Flower and Garden. Flower and Garden always draws a lot of Orlando area residents on Saturdays and Sundays.

Also, if the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens in early May as expected, the Magic Kingdom will be absolutely slammed on the weekend with all of the locals wanting to get their first look at it.

 

[katt789]

I would say you'd be fine for that week.
We usually go in early-mid May and things are usually fantastic.

Be aware that in Epcot is the flower & garden festival, that now has food booths, so weekends at Epcot might be more crowded.

Star Wars weekends being May 16th I believe, so if you are not wanting to participate in that, steer clear of DHS on the weekends and you should be more than fine!

 

[summermac]

We've been there three times in May. It's my most favorite time to go and IMO the crowds are just fine.

 

[susanh]

Also, if the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens in early May as expected, the Magic Kingdom will be absolutely slammed on the weekend with all of the locals wanting to get their first look at it.

Really?
Will a ride opening have this much impact?

 

[BrianL]

The thing to remember about crowds and reports you read on here is that two families on the same day, both at WDW when the crowd is a 5/10 can experience two different size crowds based on the park they are in, arrival time, etc.

Take today for example. Overall crowd level is a 5/10. Magic Kingdom is recommended and Hollywood Studios is not.

Current wait times (11:30 EST)

Magic Kingdom (recommended)
ETwB - 60 min
Thunder Mnt - 40 min
Dumbo - 30 min
Peter Pan - 50 min
Space Mnt - 35 min
Speedway - 20 min
Under the Sea - 45 min

Hollywood Studios (non recommended park)
Rock n Roller Coaster - 70 min
Star Tours - 30 min
Tower of Terror - 40 min
Toy Story - 80 min
Backlot Tour - 30 min
Great Movie Ride - 25 min

These aren't all the wait times, just some of the headliners.

As you can see, the times at Magic Kingdom in the middle of the day aren't that bad, but good luck over at Hollywood Studios.

A 5/10 overall might really be a 4/10 at Magic Kingdom and a 7/10 at Hollywood Studios.

The family that arrived to Magic Kingdom at Rope Drop will have a MUCH different experience than the family who showed up to Hollywood Studios at 9:45 am

Yeah, but those MK wait times seem a little high to me for a 5 crowd day. I just recall Space being more like 20 most of the day in October on a weekday. I dunno, yesterday sounded CRAZY!

I will definitely Rope Drop and I am fully aware that the weekend will be a different story, and we're doing MK on Saturday for my friend's brother who is driving up from Tampa (I have warned that it is not recommended).

 

[bentopher]

The past 2 years I've went in May..
May 2012 we went earlier.. May 9-12.
It was great! We barely used Fast Passes, and I don't recall lines very long at all. Mind you I didn't the Mountain Rides cuz the boys were too little. But generally the parks didn't feel overly crowded.

May 2013 we went later.. May 15-22. We intentionally went for Star Wars Weekend. HS on that weekend was VERY busy.. however, the ride times weren't overly long. It was crowded more so for characters and such. We walked on to Star Wars several times with no wait at all. We even managed to grab FP for TSM and do it stand by in the morning with about a 10-15 min wait (barely?). The other parks, nothing struck me as overly busy or ridiculous wait times. We are rope(ish) droppers, and I was happy with the amount of rides we maximized.

Now I'm doing the opposite of you, and planning for my October trip this year

 

[wdwpirates]

DH and I visit WDW in May every year....we've been during all weeks throughout the month. I would say that moderate crowds accurately describes what the parks look like. A lot of times there will be walk-ons for rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and IASW. It's a manageable crowd and I can't say that I've ever felt overwhelmed with the number of people at all. Have fun!! Ooh...one more thing....Memorial Day weekend would be the exception here...but even then, it's not THAT bad.

 

[BrianL]

I guess it's just my friend, who hasn't been since he was a kid, has heard all these stories about how we had the run of the place in the previous off-season trips. He doesn't quite understand what I meant as he recalls waiting hours for things. I guess it'll be better for him no matter what, but I am trying to use my planning skills to the fullest here. May is just so close to "on season" for me not to worry!

 

[kapoof]

Really?
Will a ride opening have this much impact?

Well yes of course it will hugely impact the mk crowds...look what Tsm did crowd wise to dhs.

 

[kapoof]

I guess it's just my friend, who hasn't been since he was a kid, has heard all these stories about how we had the run of the place in the previous off-season trips. He doesn't quite understand what I meant as he recalls waiting hours for things. I guess it'll be better for him no matter what, but I am trying to use my planning skills to the fullest here. May is just so close to "on season" for me not to worry!

Just make sure to hit rope drop and you will get a lot done early. I think the crowd calendars are having issues due to fast past+ which has thrown the system for a loop.

 

[libinatorsmom]

We will be there in Early May and cant wait! We were there in May of 2009 and it was fantastic - about the same time period. I love this time period and yes I DO pull my daughter out of school to go this year! Shes working on her 3rd year in a row of perfect attendance so I think shes earned it

 

[WishesLuv]

We always go in early May and love the great weather and low to moderate crowds! You shouldn't have any issues!

 

[ucfknight]

Really?
Will a ride opening have this much impact?

The Mine Train will be heavily hyped as it is the final piece of New Fantasyland, the centerpiece of the land, and the first new "mountain" to open at Magic Kingdom in over 20 years.

They're holding a media event for the grand opening, which means it will be all over the local Florida newspapers and airwaves. When they hold media events like this, they also usually have major local radio stations broadcast from onsite. Believe me, people around Florida will know the Mine Train is opening.

Locals and AP holders will come in droves. Especially seasonal passholders who will only have 4 weekends in May before their 2.5 month summer blockout period starts.

 

[Jfsag123]

We were there the week of the 20th last year and found the crowds to be extremely manageable up until the Friday leading into Memorial Day weekend. Monday-Thursday were wonderful.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Okay, so I have been a few times over recent years, twice in October, once in February. I am used to low/moderate crowds. My next trip is for mid-May (7th-12th). Easy's crowd calendar has this week at a 5 with a 6 on Saturday. Now, this is very much in line with my previous October dates (4s and 5s usually).

I keep reading all these reports about the parks being Super-Crowded, and the days are only 4s and 5s. It seems that the crowd calendars don't take everything into account (like Mardi Gras). Should I expect things to be rough in May? How is it usually? Is there anything I don't know about going on (I avoided Memorial Day)? I'm just having some anxiety about it now.

Thanks.

We were there in May 2011, and the crowds weren't bad. Here is one strategy to consider: avoid visiting the parks that had EMH that morning. Those will tend to be more crowded. Or, if you do EMH, switch to another park in the afternoon.

 

[epcotty]

I usually go in early May and the crowds aren't bad, usually wait times aren't long