May planning

[kbkids]

I'm starting some preliminary planning for our end of May trip - week before Memorial Day (5/22-5/28). Should we avoid the parks on their early entry day (we will be staying on site)? We're also wanting to spend one day at a water park, and one (possibly two) days at Universal. Any tips on the best days to do what? Also, this will be our first trip to Universal. Is it possible to do that park in one day (6 yr old and 3 yr old), or should I allow two days for it? Thanks for any tips you can give me. We always have gone during the slow season, so I'm a little unsure of how to plan for the moderate season.

 

[Alexandra]

Hi,
We have been two times in May before but they were both in the first two weeks. We are also going the same week of May you are going next year. We have a 9yr old son. The only day in could remember being a bit crowed was the day we went to the Magic Kingdom, it was early entry day and I think it was a Monday. Where are you staying? We are staying at All Star movies the first 4 nights and splurging our last to stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge. We have been to Universal, the non major rollercoaster park and it definetly took up the whole day but we really enjoyed it, I think David was 5 then and he really enjoyed those attractions we did there. Hope this helps a little.
Alexandra

 

[kbkids]

I'm not sure where we're going to stay yet. We will have the grandparents with us for a portion of the trip, so I'm hoping to be able to having two adjoining rooms (one of the value resorts) during the portion that they are there, but I'm not sure I will be able to pull that off since we will be checking in and checking out on different days than them. We're staying at the Pop Century in February, so if we like it, we'll probably stay there again. I'm just going to have to wait and see if any discounts come out before I make that decision.

My plans right now is to do Blizzard Beach on Saturday, AK on Sunday, (grandparents will get there Sunday night), Epcot on Monday, MK on Tuesday, MGM on Wednesday, Universal on Thursday (grandparents will leave Friday morning), and Friday is kinda open - Universal again if we need more time, hang out at the hotel, repeat another Disney park, whatever we decide to do, and then check out on Saturday as the Memorial Day crowds are rolling in.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

This is kinda off track kbkids, but where in Pensacola are you??? Look at my location....I'm just right down the street from you. I work at Ruby's on Hwy 29.

 

[kbkids]

We actually live in Milton, but since no one outside of people around here know where that is, I always say Pensacola. I'm a big Ruby Tuesday's fan myself - love that Spinach Queso Dip!! - but we always go to the one in Pace. Nice to meet you!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by kbkids
We actually live in Milton, but since no one outside of people around here know where that is, I always say Pensacola. I'm a big Ruby Tuesday's fan myself - love that Spinach Queso Dip!! - but we always go to the one in Pace. Nice to meet you!

Nice to meet you too! Yep, I know Milton well. DH's boss lives in Milton and works in Navarre, don't know how he does it though. My drive is only about 20-25 minutes one way to work. Not too bad really.
I would love to give you some advice on your May trip but it's 2:30 in the morning and I REALLY need to go to sleep. I will reply later as DH and I always visit in May as it's a great time to be there.
Denise

 

[Mickey76]

In my experience, the parks that have an early entry day is the busiest park. As for the water parks, if the weather is nice, the park will be busy, no matter what day it is. Get there early or go in the mid to late afternoon when the morning crowd has started to leave.

May is a great time to go. Have a great time!


Mickey76

 

[hightown]

Hope you don't mind if I post a couple of May questions too. We're looking at May 12-18. Finally got APs and just have to use them and my DD (10) is a big time Star Wars fan. So, hoping to hit Star Wars Weekend.

Alexandra, have you done SWW and do the resorts tend to book up? I'm used to crowds during Super Soaps and Food&Wine and know the resorts will get filled.

Do Grad Nites pop up then at the Magic Kingdom? Something to avoid like the plague?

How has weather been? I'm from Colorado and thought I'd die last September in the heat and humidity. I know there are always extremes but generally, what is May like?

Thanks so much!
Sharon

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by hightown
Hope you don't mind if I post a couple of May questions too. We're looking at May 12-18. Finally got APs and just have to use them and my DD (10) is a big time Star Wars fan. So, hoping to hit Star Wars Weekend.

Alexandra, have you done SWW and do the resorts tend to book up? I'm used to crowds during Super Soaps and Food&Wine and know the resorts will get filled.

Do Grad Nites pop up then at the Magic Kingdom? Something to avoid like the plague?

How has weather been? I'm from Colorado and thought I'd die last September in the heat and humidity. I know there are always extremes but generally, what is May like?

Thanks so much!
Sharon

Let me see if I can help you out Sharon as May is the ONLY time DH and I visit the World.

I have not known the resorts to book up in May, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. DH and I always stay at the Allstar Music resort and I always book about one year out.
Grad nites do pop up in May, but that's the first week and YES they ARE to be avoided like the plague!! I was a CM and you won't believe the stories I heard about grad nite when I started working there!!
The weather varies really...as hot as 90 some days to as comfortable as the 80's. See I live here in FL so the 80's are very comfortable to me. It does rain that month, but I always remember the showers being minimal and not ruining anything. It rained for 15 minutes before we were to see Illuminations at EPCOT and wouldn't you know just minutes before the show, it stopped. How awesome right??
I have never done SWW, but I can tell you this from what I've heard while there at the time, MGM can get very overwhelming on the weekends, so just be prepared for it.

Here is my advice for you okay:
Take advantage of the Extra Hour Mornings...aka Early Entry. Yes that park is busier on the day, but if you access fastpass along with your EE, you can be out of the park by 12 or 1pm. DH and I were always out of the parks by that time, it worked out quite nicely. We never really do EE for EPCOT as we go there on our anniversary date and for the past couple of years EE hasn't fallen on that day of our anniversary. I'm not interested in Test Track or Honey I Shrunk the Audience anyway, so I'm not missing out on anything. We tend to stay in EPCOT til a little after 2pm because I always make us a lunch PS at one of the showcases and it's quite nice.
For those who don't do EE they will do E-Nights, but that's only for the MK. That's when you pay a little extra to come into the park after close and ride all the big rides. You can read about that at DEB'S SITE to learn more info. Just remember, you won't find out about E-Nites in May til about a month or so beforehand. I just don't like paying the extra so that's why I take advantage of Early Entry. There are those who swear by E-Nite, but for me, I want my money for other things...food, food, and did I mention food!!??
Well I do hope I've helped. Have fun planning!
Denise

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Hightown,

Do Grad Nites pop up then at the Magic Kingdom? Something to avoid like the plague?

Some of the Grad Nites could be in May, but they only bring the Seniors in after Park closes and stay all night, they don't interact with regular guest. So you don't need to avoid them. (They do use DTD as a holding area for the students until MK closes so Pleasure Island might be very crowded early in the evening until they allow them to enter MK)

The weather in May is the best time here in Florida. (Warm but not stifling hot) You may have some rain showers.

 

[hightown]

Thanks All for the May advise. I'm an old hand at November trips as you can see by my signature but this would be a new time/experience for us. I'll miss the "value season" price but looks like may gain in a little longer hours and maybe an e-night. Haven't see one of those since 2000! We might go on the cheap to make up for multiple trips and try the Allstars or POP. Whereever, I'm sure it will be great.

I didn't know that Grad Night was after normal park hours so that's good to know.

Here's to May 2004!

Sharon

 

[Alexandra]

Hightown I have never been to MGM during the SWW, however I'm sure it's the same as when we went but it was during the week, that was about 4 years ago. It was definetly crowded but we had a good time because we are huge Star Wars fans. In fact I'm bummed out they only do this on weekends. We drive to Florida and use the weekends to do our traveling to and from Florida. Still majorly bummed about this but can't dwell on it. MGM is one of my favorite parks. I'm so glad we hit the day they had the Star Wars stuff we had no idea and it was a wonderful time my 5 yr at the time loved it and we got everones auto graph and tons of pictures.
Alexandra