May vs October - pros and cons

[goldenears]

I am working on planning our next trip and am torn btwn May and October. We did go at the end of Oct. a few years ago and liked the F&W Festival, MNSSHP, etc...We have never been in May before, but sounds like the weather is nice and crowds are low. Can anyone help me w/ pros and cons of both? TIA!

 

[bobbiwoz]

If I could only go to one, it would be in May for the F&G, but I especially enjoy seeing the topiaries, and listening to some of the guest speakers they have had in the past. Also, the Flower Power concerts feature artists who I enjoy listening to, but this year those concerts are only on weekends. I don't know if they'll have as many workshops during the week as they have had in the past, so it's really hard to say, "Definitely May" to you because things may have been eliminated. Last year, for instance, I went to a little workshop and got to plant and take home a crepe myrtle tree, about 6-8 inches high. I'm going in to F&G for a longer time this year, because it's the theme that's better suited to my tastes.

When I go in late September/October, it's the MNSSHP that attracts me, not necessarily the F&W. I've done my share of waiting in long lines for tiny tastes of food. The food is interesting, good, but I get tired of waiting in lines! Weekdays are definitely better than weekends for the food tasting. I have been interested in, but haven't gone to Sweet Sundays. Maybe this year, because we do have a Friday to Monday reservation. I'm hoping for MNSSHP (The MK is beautifully decorated for "harvest celebration" and for Halloween) on the Friday, and doing perhaps something special regarding F&W on Sunday. As far as the concerts, they don't interest me as much, but I have enjoyed the Village People one year,..they were great!

We have enjoyed the best pool weather during our May trips. Even before we owned there, most of our F&G stays have been at BCV. I'm not as consistent with our fall stays, and the weather has not been as consistently good for our trips in September/late October.

Bobbi

 

[DVCSAMNH]

We usually go the last week of October and Mother's Day week. The last week of October the weather can be iffy. We've had really nice weather. Warm, no humidity. We've also had record cold and rain.

May is usually much more summer like. Some years, although not often, it has been as my son calls it "Africa hot". It's still hot in the MK at midnight. But, it is usually beautiful in May. Sometimes, it's really slow to warm up here in New England so it's great to get down there and grab a book and bake in a lounge by the pool. Feels really good after the loooong, cold winter.

 

[goldenears]

If I could only go to one, it would be in May for the F&G, but I especially enjoy seeing the topiaries, and listening to some of the guest speakers they have had in the past. Also, the Flower Power concerts feature artists who I enjoy listening to, but this year those concerts are only on weekends. I don't know if they'll have as many workshops during the week as they have had in the past, so it's really hard to say, "Definitely May" to you because things may have been eliminated. Last year, for instance, I went to a little workshop and got to plant and take home a crepe myrtle tree, about 6-8 inches high. I'm going in to F&G for a longer time this year, because it's the theme that's better suited to my tastes.

When I go in late September/October, it's the MNSSHP that attracts me, not necessarily the F&W. I've done my share of waiting in long lines for tiny tastes of food. The food is interesting, good, but I get tired of waiting in lines! Weekdays are definitely better than weekends for the food tasting. I have been interested in, but haven't gone to Sweet Sundays. Maybe this year, because we do have a Friday to Monday reservation. I'm hoping for MNSSHP (The MK is beautifully decorated for "harvest celebration" and for Halloween) on the Friday, and doing perhaps something special regarding F&W on Sunday. As far as the concerts, they don't interest me as much, but I have enjoyed the Village People one year,..they were great!

We have enjoyed the best pool weather during our May trips. Even before we owned there, most of our F&G stays have been at BCV. I'm not as consistent with our fall stays, and the weather has not been as consistently good for our trips in September/late October.

Bobbi

Thanks Bobbi! Do you know how the DVC availability is in May? We are SSR owners. Do you think we would have any luck switching to BCV at the 7 month mark for May? We were able to switch to BCV for a portion of our trip this past Dec. and really enjoyed the pool w/ our two little ones.
Thanks again for your help!

 

[goldenears]

We usually go the last week of October and Mother's Day week. The last week of October the weather can be iffy. We've had really nice weather. Warm, no humidity. We've also had record cold and rain.

May is usually much more summer like. Some years, although not often, it has been as my son calls it "Africa hot". It's still hot in the MK at midnight. But, it is usually beautiful in May. Sometimes, it's really slow to warm up here in New England so it's great to get down there and grab a book and bake in a lounge by the pool. Feels really good after the loooong, cold winter.

Thanks for your input. I am leaning toward May at this point (if my husband is up for it) due to the more consistently nice weather I am hearing about. The year we went at the end of Oct. we did have some really warm days, but others were cooler. Like you said, it is nice to escape New England weather.

 

[cseca]

Just FYI, beginning of May is not as low attendance as october I think. We were there last year for our wedding and we think it's still WAY busier compared to Sept/Oct crowd we are used to (I like to go during hurricane season... nobody's there hehe).

That's just my 2 cents

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Just FYI, beginning of May is not as low attendance as october I think. We were there last year for our wedding and we think it's still WAY busier compared to Sept/Oct crowd we are used to (I like to go during hurricane season... nobody's there hehe).

That's just my 2 cents

Last year was the first time for that. Early May used to be pretty quiet. But, it was pretty busy last year. It will be interesting to see what happens this year.

I think the exchange rate had a lot to do with last May. There were Europeans everywhere because a lot of them were able to get a great deal on DVC and hotels and travel much cheaper to the states. Foreigners aren't here buying up property now and travelling and I didn't notice many at all in January besides the usual Brazilian groups.

It will all depend on Disney's deals

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks Bobbi! Do you know how the DVC availability is in May? We are SSR owners. Do you think we would have any luck switching to BCV at the 7 month mark for May? We were able to switch to BCV for a portion of our trip this past Dec. and really enjoyed the pool w/ our two little ones.
Thanks again for your help!

Even before we were BCV owners, I was always able to switch at 7 months a short...3-5 nights including some of the weekend, from BWV to BCV for our May F&G trip. I usually needed 2 studios, and were able to get them. We bought BCV points, so now I don't have to switch but maybe just a day, and I was able to get a studio for my DSis at 7 months for this year. This will be in the week before Memorial day,...we're leaving on a cruise on that Thursday morning.

Bobbi

 

[Maribel]

Last week of may (memorial day) can be really crowded. Also, some schools finish about that period of time.
Don't now about the first days of the month and have not being there in october.

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

We do mothers day and halloween every year. Great atmosphere and very fun around halloween and lite crowds but not much swimming or water rides. May is getting busier every year but nice weather but avoids alot of school break.

 

[goldenears]

Even before we were BCV owners, I was always able to switch at 7 months a short...3-5 nights including some of the weekend, from BWV to BCV for our May F&G trip. I usually needed 2 studios, and were able to get them. We bought BCV points, so now I don't have to switch but maybe just a day, and I was able to get a studio for my DSis at 7 months for this year. This will be in the week before Memorial day,...we're leaving on a cruise on that Thursday morning.

Bobbi

Thanks Bobbi! That sounds hopeful. If we end up going in May and the weather is that nice, it would be great to be able to enjoy SAB w/ the kids!
Do you know anything about switching to BCV at the 7 month mark for an Oct. trip?

We do mothers day and halloween every year. Great atmosphere and very fun around halloween and lite crowds but not much swimming or water rides. May is getting busier every year but nice weather but avoids alot of school break.

Yeah, we liked the atmosphere at Halloween time when we went a few years ago too. I would really like to go when the weather is a little warmer though, so we can enjoy the pool, etc... Have you ever gone in the beg. of Oct.?
What do you think of the crowds around Mother's Day?

 

[kimberh]

Both months are great. We usually go the third week of May, this year we are going the first week of May. The weather is wonderful, crowds very good. Oct is great also. We usually go the week of the 15th. We have 4 birthdays in one week.

 

[hakepb]

If I "had" to choose one time to go to WDW for the rest of my life, it would be May.

I did October last year. MNSSHP was more fun than I expected, but I'm not a big halloween nor wine person, guess I prefer to see the MK looking "normal" than halloween-ish

This year, we are back to doing May...

I guess I also prefer to start the summer at WDW than end it... (temperatures getting warmer after you return vs temperatures freezing when you get back...)

 

[goldenears]

If I "had" to choose one time to go to WDW for the rest of my life, it would be May.

I did October last year. MNSSHP was more fun than I expected, but I'm not a big halloween nor wine person, guess I prefer to see the MK looking "normal" than halloween-ish

This year, we are back to doing May...

I guess I also prefer to start the summer at WDW than end it... (temperatures getting warmer after you return vs temperatures freezing when you get back...)

Good point about starting your summer at WDW. What week in May do you typically go to WDW?

 

[hakepb]

Good point about starting your summer at WDW. What week in May do you typically go to WDW?

Last week. Little more confined by school now, but think I get in before most. I've found crowds decent except the Sun and Sat before Memorial day. (Memorial day gets better because usually people are going back home and locals are more likely to have thir own picnic..)

It's been 3 years since I last did May, though.

 

[helenk]

I love going in May. I generally go right after Mothers Day. I've had pretty good luck with the weather, hot but not as humid as July and August. The Flower and Garden Festival is nice, but the past few years the plantings etc are not quite as plentiful as they had been.
I've gone twice in October, both the first week of October and we had beautiful weather. Warm and not humid, and I loved going to MNSSHP.
For myself I've been kicking around the idea of going in May one year and then in October the next just to mix it up a bit.

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

Mothers day itself is crazy cause everyone is up early for buffets and breakfast which get booked fast but most leave on that mon or tues. They gave dw flowers and all moms were treated great at chef mickey last year

 

[goldenears]

I love going in May. I generally go right after Mothers Day. I've had pretty good luck with the weather, hot but not as humid as July and August. The Flower and Garden Festival is nice, but the past few years the plantings etc are not quite as plentiful as they had been.
I've gone twice in October, both the first week of October and we had beautiful weather. Warm and not humid, and I loved going to MNSSHP.
For myself I've been kicking around the idea of going in May one year and then in October the next just to mix it up a bit.

How were the crowds the first week in Oct.? I love MNSSHP too. It does make going in Oct. a little more special!

Mothers day itself is crazy cause everyone is up early for buffets and breakfast which get booked fast but most leave on that mon or tues. They gave dw flowers and all moms were treated great at chef mickey last year

Nice to hear that

 

[bobbiwoz]

A few years ago, we took DMom to the Mothers Day brunch at Epcot, and we all enjoyed it. Mary Poppins and Bert were there for pictures, the food was varied and very tasty. It was a great day for our family. It was hot, but I don't remember it being particularly crowded. We stayed at BCV, so I remember using the pool lots that weekend.

Bobbi

 

[hakepb]

How were the crowds the first week in Oct.? I love MNSSHP too. It does make going in Oct. a little more special!

Beginning of October this year seemed to vary a lot depending on any weekend activity. Around the 1st, October was outstanding (low ride wait wise) By our last day, on the 6th or 7th, Ride waits were long, even during the evening EMH at MK were mostly 45+ min (In comparison during an earlier Oct MNSSHP all rides were about 5min)

It also depends on where you go. World showcase was, of course, nearly packed due to F&W