Memorial Day Weekend, full?

[ryanpatricksmom]

It's getting close to our mini-trip 5/24 thru 5/27, so naturally I am curious as to how many non-DISers will be joining us. I went to the Disney on-line reservation site, and tried to book a package for the weekend. Not only is the GF booked (where we will be staying), every other resort that I tried is booked as well. Has anyone heard about the projected attendance? I was under the impression, especially since the e-nights for May were cancelled, that attendance was down. I'm getting a little nervous...we are only at WDW for the weekend. If we have greater than anticipated attendance, and the hours remain as scheduled, we may have a difficult time fitting everything in.

 

[Shar5]

We went to Disney last year around the same time and I have to admit I was bit surprised at how crowded the parks were. We have always gone in May but never that late and will be scheduling earlier for next year. Enjoy!

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we were there over memorial day weekend in 2000. it was pretty crowded-much more so than the first 3 weeks of may when we usually get to go. my son and dil will be there over memorial day weekend this year as well. the one good thing is that the parks will probably be open later due to the crowds.

 

[Demosthenes]

We go to WDW every Memorial Day, and while the MK is usually PACKED all weekend long, the other three parks are quite manageable. We love to go over this weekeknd because the parks stay open late, which allows you to avoid the afternon crowds with a swim @ the pool, then return for cooler evenings in less crowded parks. We do prefer to stay in the Epcot resort area for this weekend because we love Epcot and MGM, so proximity to thes less crowded parks on a ahirt busy weejejnd has been preferable to us.

BTW, their is still a good amount of availability this coming Memorial Day weekend, at least there was as of last Thursday--and that was checking for AP rates.

 

[gepetto]

Parks aren't open all that late for Memorial Day weekend. You may want to check the Disney site for park hours. We go Memorial Day every year and hours are a bit shorter.

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

Demosthenes,
I sure hope that you are getting more accurate information than I am. Maybe there is a glitch, but every resort that I try to book online is coming up as full. Let's hope that only a certain number of rooms are available online in the first place.
Keeping my fingers crossed....

Gepetto,
I have to agree. I don't think that the hours are that great for the weekend. MK has a closing time of 11pm on Saturday which is great, but MGM's hours were cut (about a week ago) along with a second showing of Fantasmic. Between that and losing the E-night on Friday, if it is crowded we are going to have a tough time fitting it all in.

This trip has certainly been a scheduling challenge!!!!

 

[All Aboard]

The weekend will be very busy, but right before and right after shouldn't be too bad.

We are going to Tallahassee for the weekend with stops at WDW on the way up and the way back. This morning, I was able to book the night of the 23rd (thu) and 27th (mon), had my choice of moderates at the FL resident $84 rate. So, I guess there will be a bunch of folks making just a weekend trip out of it.

 

[Grumpy92]

As many have stated Mem Wkd is a busy time, especially MK. I would suggest calling CRO. Cancellations occur and after a few calls we are usually able to get something. Remember that there is a 5 day cancellation policy to get a deposit refund, so the closer it gets the more chance you have of getting a resv. Call early they open at 7am. You also might want to consider not going with the pkg, you can usually save some $$. Good Luck!

 

[Demosthenes]

Because I was curious, I called just a few minutes ago, and there is availability @ the BC, AKL, CR & WL under the CFQ code. I don't know if I'm just getting lucky, but it oculd be that the online system isn't as up-to-date as CRO. As for the hours--yuck, you're right. I looked at the hours about a month ago, and MGM was open all weekend until 10pm, and MK was open untill 11 on Saturday and 10 (I think) on Sunday. Now they have been cut back. That throws a kink in my touring plans.

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

Thanks Grumpy92, we actually already have a reservation (since November, I think). I was using the reservation system to get an idea as to how crowded it was going to be...hopefully it is not a true measurement!
I had initially expected crowds, what threw me the curve was the cancellation of e-nights and the recent change to the MGM hours. When I saw that, I thought that maybe the crowds would be less, but now I don't think so.
I guess we'll find out soon enough!

 

[caitycaity]

i am hoping (keeping my fingers crossed) that if the crowds get really bad they'll bring back the e-night on the 24th and legthen the hours abit. when we were in november we were pleasantly surprised that an e-night was put into the system the same week that it was supposed to happen. as a matter of fact, a cm at town hall in the mk didn't believe us that there was an e-night that night until she looked in her computer! also, on our november trip, the hours were changing almost every day. i'm hoping that happens over memorial day.

maybe we'll see you al there -- don't forget your green ribbons!

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

CaityCaity,

We may even be on the same plane! Delta Express/Dulles?

I need to remember to hit Michael's this weekend to look for the ribbon. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[caitycaity]

nope, but close! we're on united out of dulles.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We will be there too!
We arrive Saturday and I don't plan on hitting any park that day just because the day will be half gone, I know it will be busy and we meet up with another Dis-er and her DH for the MurderMystery dinner.
Sunday at DAK.
Monday on the UnDISCOVERed tour! I picked that day just in case it is still crowded.

Last year we were at DL/DCA for the same time frame. We didn't go into DL/DCA until mid week and the closer to the weekend, it got, the crowds were MUCH heavier. (And that was the weekend after Memorial Day.) I was glad we were there mid week and Friday night only.

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

I got the call back today from Disney regarding my e-mail that I sent a month or so ago. I'm gonna post the response here since it really only effects those of us going on Memorial Day Weekend.

Basically, I was offered an apology and words of encouragement. The CM suggested that even though the resorts may be full, the parks may not be. Do we really think that people are flocking to WDW and staying away from the parks? I expressed my concerns, was reminded about fastpass, and assured that they monitor the situation daily and that perhaps hours would still be extended. I pointed out that the hours for MGM were shortened recently, yet the resorts seem to be nearly booked, which seems contradictory. I was reminded again about fastpass. I pointed out that I am familiar with most of the tricks of the trade already, and thanked her. I let her know that I would certainly appreciate it if the hours were extended during our trip, however, the changes to the hours thus far have wreaked havoc with my planning, and it could be that I will not be able to take advantage of the extended hours as we may already have PSs, etc. that we would not want to change. I pointed out that we had counted on the e-night to squeeze everything in, anticipating a holiday weekend crowd. I expressed my dismay that the e-nights were cancelled and hours shortened on a holiday weekend. She apologized, I hung up, end of story.

 

[gepetto]

I wish they'd just come out and say that E-ticket night costs too much money or something instead of pushing the fast-pass. They run out of fast passes early on crowded days....or your return time is in 5-6 hours.