May or October?

[kbhehl]

Okay all you Disney pros, here's the question to help Grandma enjoy WDW:

Do you like May or October better?

How are the heat and crowds? We went this past May and thought it the crowds were fine most of the time, Friday at MK being the exception.

We're planning to go the week before Memorial Day and/or the second to last week in Oct.

Grandma (69) has never been to Disney, and does not do well in the heat, but these are the best times we can work out with the kids's school schedules.

HELP!!

 

[jwfla422]

It'll probably be a little hotter in May than in October but in October you still hit hurricane season so it can be wetter.

Crowdwise, October is becoming quite a busy month it seems according to these boards. We were there this past May and didn't find any of the parks too crowded.

The only main event going on in May is the Flower & Garden show at EPCOT (which is nice to see). In October the MNNSHP is becoming very popular and runs several days through October.

Also seems that there are better rate specials going on in May than in October for the resorts (this may also have to do with October being a very popular month for conventions in WDW resorts).

 

[elemusing]

I have been the EXACT dates in May and October that you listed. We love May - it is our favorite time. But it can get hot (not as hot as the summer, mind you . . .) We liked May better because we could swim. That is the #1 reason.

But the crowds in October were SO MUCH BETTER THAN MAY. So IMHO, if swimming isn't a priority, I would choose October for Grandma's sake.

The poster above is correct that the new Fairy Tale Package has really upped attendance in October, though. When I went, it was in 2001, right after 9/11, so it was definitely a smaller crowd because of that.

Angie

 

[GoofysPrincess]

We've been in both May and October, and we definitely prefer October. May temps last year were so high even the locals were complaining -- the thermometer at the pool was over 100 two days in a row! (Not sure what the official temp was.)

There is always the chance of a hurricane causing some cloudy/rainy weather in October, but I would chance that over the May heat. October can be cool, but there's almost always a couple of days that would be warm enough to do the water parks.

We actually took our Grandma with us on a trip in October and it was very comfortable for her. The kids ran around in shorts, but she was fine in slacks and a blouse.

Even though October has become more popular (used to be 'value' season but is now 'regular' season), I think the crowds the last week of May would have to be worse than October as some schools have already gotten out at that time.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We went in Mid-May 2001, and just got back from our Oct. trip.

I thought the crowds were worse this trip, but temps not as hot, and not as much direct sunlight. NO sunburns.

My husband and I think we will do May again next time. We did not think MNSSHP was all that, and we like the lower crowds in May.

I see that you are thinking a bit later in May. I would think that the closer to Mem. day, the crowds would be worse.

Good luck deciding. Have fun.

 

[ncbyrne]

We have been in both May and October, but prefer May. However our May trips have been in the beginning of the month and never had a problem with crowds. The best part of going in May is the Flower and Garden show. If you aren't locked into a specific week, try going earlier in May.

 

[ktglads]

I know that you have gotten the pros and cons about every possible time of being able to go, but you mentioned about the kids school schedules. I don't know exactly when your schools let out for the summers, but many schools end around memorial day, making it a busy time to go. I went in May this year, but went the weekend before Memorial Day so we missed the crowds. It was quite nice. I have been during Columbus Day weekend as well, and I would say that it was not as busy and the weather was nicer. It was much more humid in May than October.
People seemed to forget a little thing called Star Wars Weekends in May. That was the draw for me and could be the draw for your family as well. October, you get the Halloween party. It really depends on if you really wanted to see either of these things as to making your decision any easier. Of course if it were me, I would choose both times, but I don't think you had that as an option.

 

[Terry S]

We have gone to WDW in May and October for the last few years and brought along my Mom and Dad as well. Crowds were a bit bigger this year in October due to the press event as well as MNSSHP. Both are great times a year to go. May will be hotter than October, but my Mom prefers May because of the Flower and Garden Show. She really loves the flowers and topiarys, so if Grandma is into Flowers, May might be better even though it is a bit hotter.

 

[DoleWhip]

I would choose late October. Late May is hot. The crowd levels are about the same. Also, maybe consider which festival she would enjoy more: Food & Wine or the Flower Garden. If you can move your dates to early May though, I would choose early May. Not that hot yet, and much less crowds than late May or late Oct.

 

[kbhehl]

You guys are great--as always!

Sounds like May is better for lower crowds; Oct. for slightly less hot (seems wrong to refer to October in Florida as "cooler")!

Mayber I'll forward this to my mom and let her decide.

BTW, DoleWhip, great name. Love those floats!