Memorial Day Weekend crowds?

[sjv919]

We typically avoid Disney like the plague from May through September but are gathering up our courage and taking a weekend trip over Memorial Day weekend. How bad are the crowds really? UT crowd calendar has the weekend at 8 and 9 level crowds and I looked further into it, only to find some people saying it's not so bad to horror stories about the masses of people. We RD, spend the afternoon napping or by the pool, and head back out to the parks for dinner ADRs and a slower pace, so I'm hoping it should be too bad for us...anyone with experience or knowledge on that weekend?

 

[kmb584]

From personal experience the 8/9 crowd level sounds spot on. The parks are busy and the queues long, but you're definitely on the right track with RD. Get in and get as much done before the masses start coming in.

 

[sjv919]

From personal experience the 8/9 crowd level sounds spot on. The parks are busy and the queues long, but you're definitely on the right track with RD. Get in and get as much done before the masses start coming in.

Good to hear a RD strategy will work...

I read about people not getting back into the parks due to closures? Is that typical for that weekend? I know it happens over Christmas...forgive my ignorance, I'm fairly local (Tampa) and take more day trips than anything! The longer trips are usually in March and September...no crowds lol

 

[Brave teacher]

Good to hear a RD strategy will work...

I read about people not getting back into the parks due to closures? Is that typical for that weekend? I know it happens over Christmas...forgive my ignorance, I'm fairly local (Tampa) and take more day trips than anything! The longer trips are usually in March and September...no crowds lol

We normally go to WDW every year beginning the Saturday before Memorial through the following week. We have NEVER experienced a park closure during that time. We arrive prior to RD every day. I've also not experienced crowds on an 8/9 level...probably closer to 7 maybe 8 on the weekend and 6/7 during the week.

 

[hemmie]

We normally go to WDW every year beginning the Saturday before Memorial through the following week. We have NEVER experienced a park closure during that time. We arrive prior to RD every day. I've also not experienced crowds on an 8/9 level...probably closer to 7 maybe 8 on the weekend and 6/7 during the week.

Yikes, I hope no park closure. We are park hopping that Sunday (AK in the morning then to MK) due to a Be Our Guest reservation that night (the only night I could get it). I already have FP+s for MK, and due to predicted crowd levels, I'm not counting on being able to do any other headliners in MK that day.

If we already have a BOG reservation & FP+s, would they let us in even if they close the park to further crowds?

 

[mm1971]

We typically avoid Disney like the plague from May through September but are gathering up our courage and taking a weekend trip over Memorial Day weekend. How bad are the crowds really? UT crowd calendar has the weekend at 8 and 9 level crowds and I looked further into it, only to find some people saying it's not so bad to horror stories about the masses of people. We RD, spend the afternoon napping or by the pool, and head back out to the parks for dinner ADRs and a slower pace, so I'm hoping it should be too bad for us...anyone with experience or knowledge on that weekend?

We went 2 years for baseball tournaments and it was pretty busy. You get the normal crowds from the holiday weekend and there are a lot of sports tournaments drawing more guests into the parks.

We found that RD was pretty low crowd times. If you can get there early, that is your best bet. During the day, most of the teams are competing so it is not too bad. In the evening we saw a lot more teenagers and families since the competitions were finished for the day. Epcot was the slowest for us in the evenings. MK was busy, but HS was PACKED! It seems the teens all like to hang at HS due to ToT and RnR.

With your RD, rest, evening strategy you'll avoid most of the busiest times. While it was crowded, we enjoyed both times. Have fun!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We have went a few times over this time period and it is always very manageable. The most crowded area over the weekend that I always notice is the resort pools...Then after Monday it quiets down.


So they are adding another 24 hour day at MK on that Friday May 23rd before Memorial day weekend to kick off the summer!! We went last year and it was awesome!

If you can get there at 6am you practically have the park to your self till around 10am...We took a long break in the afternoon to swim and nap and then went back in the evening and stayed all night long!! it was wonderful and I wish we could go this year.

So you get lots of park time with that happening and then just spend Saturday at the pool relaxing...

I have been to AK on Memorial day and it was busy, but we still managed to do all we wanted by getting there at opening.

I am planning to go again next year over Memorial day! Hope they keep up the tradition of the All Nighter!! We really want to be there again.

 

[kakiegirl]

We normally begin our vacation on memorial day weekend. I have never seen a park closure on Memorial Day weekend and I have never thought crowd levels were a nine. I would agree with a previous poster probably more a 7 or 8, ( unless it is different this year). I would actually think it might be a little lighter this year because memorial day is a little earlier so a lot of kids will still be in school. I think with Rope Drop Strategy you will be fine and have a great trip.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We normally begin our vacation on memorial day weekend. I have never seen a park closure on Memorial Day weekend and I have never thought crowd levels were a nine. I would agree with a previous poster probably more a 7 or 8, ( unless it is different this year). I would actually think it might be a little lighter this year because memorial day is a little earlier so a lot of kids will still be in school. I think with Rope Drop Strategy you will be fine and have a great trip.

Very true! With the bad winter the US has had a lot of schools will be in session till June!! This may work in your favor.
I had a cruise booked for May 18th, but snow days are taking us too May 27th now so I had to change our dates to June 1st...Crazy!

 

[PEC]

I was there for Memorial Day and no there was no park closure. As pointed out with RD you can get alot done before about 1100. Outside of maybe Christmas to New Years time frame, the morning is never that bad for anything other than TSMM at HS. I went during the middle of Spring Break one time and by doing RD did everything I wanted at the parks plus some at all of them.

 

[Lorelei528]

Just keep in mind the 24 hour party is on Memorial Day weekend in the MK from 6am Friday the 23rd to 6am Saturday the 24th...

Also, Star Wars Weekend over at HS....