May Trip - Tips, Please!

[sconnell]

I am so excited to have joined DIS! My DH & I are planning DD's 1st trip to WDW! (For her 2nd Birthday!) May 19-24. We purchased a 4-day park hopper and we will be going that Thurs.-Sun. My DH & I honeymooned there 3 1/2 years ago & went back for our anniversary in Dec. 2002. Another couple will be joing us this trip with their DS(1 3/4) They have NEVER been to WDW. I am so excited about our trip and sharing this experience with our DD and our friends.

We plan to take it slow, because of the kids & I am expecting DS or DD (due Nov. 3!).

Any tips you pros can give will be appreciated! I haven't been in May since I was a kid. Tips for a late May visit? Tips for DD's B-Day? The other couple will have just celebrated an anniversary when we arrive, any tips? What order should we do the parks? What should we do first at each park?

 

[beglluvr]

I don't have any advice for you, but I am curious to hear what others have to say.

We will be there pretty much the same time as you, our DD's B-day is on the 15th and we were able to get PS for CRT for breakfast. Be sure to get a birthday button from whichever park you are in on your DD's B-day, she might like a little extra attention from the characters.

The other question I've been having is what kinds of crowds I can expect for that week?

Welcome to the DIS and congrats on the new baby!

 

[wuv tigger]

We will be there May 16 - Jun 1 so we will find out also. Last year the crowds were not bad at all. Most people say crowds have picked up this year.

Make sure you get a birthday button from Guest Services when you enter each park. They really do pay attention. Last time a CM gave my DD a princess pin for her birthday which really made her day.

Take advantage of a character buffet meal. At that age kids eat free at all buffets, so they can see the characters and you do not have to pay. If Pooh is a favorite you have to do the Crystal Palace. If you want Mickey Mouse try the Garden Grille for a relaxed time or Chef Mickeys for and adrenaline rush

I would hit Dumbo first thing at the MK because it is not a continual load ride and the line gets long quickly. My kids also love Its a Small World and the Carousel.

Another thing we did was hit Mickeys Toontown when the rope dropped at 10:00am. Crowd was very light early and you can see lots of characters at the country fair barn. DDs got to spend about 15 minutes with the Pooh characters because no one else came through the line. They really enoyed that

Have a great time. I am jealous of the drive from Savannah. That is where we stop on our way down.

David

 

[sconnell]

Thanks, David! We love it here! I was wondering about the lime green shirts, pins, etc. I have only been a DISner for a couple of days and I have picked up on a little bit. But, could you describe a little more for me?
Thanks!

 

[shayronnie]

We will be there the same week you are!

Watch out for the rides that go in circles. Last time we went to WDW (Sept. 2000), I was 3 months pg. Made the mistake of riding the Space Orbiter with my dd while dh rode Space Mountain w/ my dss. Not good! LOL Didn't feel right the rest of the day.

 

[Mommyto4Ds]

Hi there! We went last year for 2 weeks in May the 11ththru the 25th. It was very very hot hot hot!! I would advise you to buy plenty of bottled water off sight before you check -in. We have been in May before and last year exceptionally hot. We are hopefully going back again this year with our annual passes for 2 weeks again at the same time. We are so hooked on this time we love it in May. So just plan on alot of water .Last year we spent around $60.00 per day on just water in the parks. Now that is for a family of 6 but still it got expensive. We went off sight and bought water at the local Wal-Mart. >Also, be prepared for a little more rain than at other times. By that I mean we somtimes go in Nov,Dec, and Feb. although May is a favorite time we also found ourselves ducking into places alot more last year to keep dry. I really don't know what it was maybe just an off year. But hey we still had a ball at the Old World!! We loved it!!Had a Blast.......
A Very Disney Family

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

I will be there 11th - 18th !! yea!

I have also gone around this time of the year for the past 7 or so years.

I was thinking if You and your companions are NOT star wars fans I'd avoid MGM on the weekend and do the other parks then.

If you love Star Wars (as my 5 yr DS does) then it's a must

last year he was chosen to be luke skywalker in the parade

he still talks about it!


Happy Disneying!

 

[Gomez Gang]

You are going the PERFECT time of year in my opinion!
Take WUVTIGGER's advice about the b-day buttons and letting your server know that it is thier b-day. ALSO let your hotel know(if it is a DIsney hotel) they will ask the child's favorite character and send a b-day card to the room signed by that character!
I also agree with riding Dumbo FIRST THING!!!!
Star Wars week is SOOOOOOOO great if anyone in your party likes that stuff!
I have always had great weather --daytime was mid 80's and not rainy--60's at night.

 

[wuv tigger]

Originally posted by sconnell
Thanks, David! We love it here! I was wondering about the lime green shirts, pins, etc. I have only been a DISner for a couple of days and I have picked up on a little bit. But, could you describe a little more for me?
Thanks!

Lime Green is the official color of people who use this board and visit WDW. You can buy supplies at

http://www.disshop.com/subcat.asp?0=206 or bring your own.

My DW always dresses our family in the same color so we stand out in the crowd at WDW. She chose lime green for us, even before we found the DIS, hence our tag.

David

 

[HeatherC]

You'll definitely have a ball!! May is a great time. But since it can be hot, I wanted to throw out the suggestion of doing a character lunch at the Crystal Palace when you are in the MK. We have been a few times with our little ones and by 11:30 they were pooped. The lunch buffet is all you can eat and very good. Pooh, Tigger and friends are there to keep the kids entertained. Plus, getting into the air conditioning at this time of day was great. It helped give us all a nice respite and recharge us for the rest of the day. After lunch my little one napped in her stroller and we were able to tour a little longer.
HeatherC

 

[Happy Girl]

We are going to be there at the same time as well - YEAH!

 

[sconnell]

We just got our Park Hoppers in the mail! Wa-hoo! I'm going to Disney World!