Memorial Day weekend strategies?

[Dodie]

May be taking a last-minute trip over Memorial Day. DH has no vacation time with his new job, so we are desperate to squeeze something in over a holiday weekend.

I've never been during a peak holiday time before, but am prepared for crowds.

We've been enough times that it's not urgent that we see everything.

Any strategies from those who have done this weekend before? Parks to try and/or avoid on Saturday? Sunday? Monday? What to expect, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[grinningghost]

Memorial Day weekend veteran here! MK was always by far the most crowded, even the late parade was mobbed. I found Epcot to be the most manageable park during that time. My advice is get to the parks early - do what you can - hop to a waterpark in the late morning. It does get very hot at the end of May, and it usually rains - bring the umbrella and ponchos. All in all, we really loved going that week, but since DD has been in the higher grades, we can't take her out of school, so we go in summer. I think you'll enjoy yourself - just prepare for the weather - and USE FASTPASS!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We're going this year, the first time for us going at this time (5/25-6/1). I've done a lot of research, and it looks like our best bet is to hang around the resort Sunday (check-in for us), go to Epcot just for a while during the day on Memorial Day itself, but back to the resort later, save Fantasmic, Pleasure Island, Beaches and Cream, ESPN for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and hope Enite Friday at the MK gives us our MK "fix" (probably-we're all adults, except me when I get to Dumbo!) How does that sound?

 

[JLS]

We went last year for MD weekend and are going again this year - I found the weather and the crowds to be very agreeable. We went to Epcot on Saturday and had very little crowds - great idea for Saturday. Sunday morning (early) we did the MK - it is amazing how much you can get done at the MK in a few hours if you get there when the park opens. I believe MK this year will have early entry on the Sunday, so you can get there at 8 if you are so inclined. I highly suggest this - last year on Sunday, the MK was very full by about 11:30 and still more full by about 1, which is when we left.... Monday (the holiday) we went to Islands of Adventure at Universal and had no problem with crowds, surprisingly. Tuesday morning we went to MGM Studios and were shocked at the crowds that had built up by 9:45 a.m. The place was packed that morning, for some reason. Then we went to Blizzard Beach and also found it to be quite crowded (but was probably less so than it would have been the prior days). MGM was less crowded on Tuesday evening.

I think the strategy is the same for any time of anticipated crowds: GET TO THE PARK EARLY!! Then when it gets crowded, you will be so pleased at all you have accomplished, and you can leave and relax and let the non-DIS people wait in line for 2 hours to ride Splash Mountain.

 

[cammie810]

We are going 5/21-5/30. We are planning on hitting MGM on Thursday, Mk on Friday, TL on Sat, AK on Sun, and Epcot on Monday. I had absolutely no trouble making ps at any of these places so hopefully it wont be too bad for crowds. We are spoiled because we usually go late Sept. when there are few crowds. I am planning a midday swim and nap break on all of these days!!

 

[fredms]

cammie810 - I had a very similar itinerary to you, however I am thinking of switching Saturday to MK because of the e-nite, spectro and FIT which won't be available on Fri. Have you thought about that?

 

[cammie810]

I am thinking about it but I keep hearing about how crowded MK is on Saturday!!! We have a ps for Ohanas on saturday night so I was hoping we could enjoy the mk fireworks from the outside after dinner. Also, we have family coming up from Ft. Meyers that weekend so I need to see what they want to do. I keep hoping that disney will add more viewings of spectro for the week after memorial day weekend!

 

[JLS]

Cammie - I think that the MK is crowded on Saturday, but the crowds are now spread out more between Saturday and Sunday because the early entry day got switched from Saturday to Sunday.... I expect that Saturday will be a little less crowded than before when early entry was that day, and Sunday will be a little more crowded. Get there early, which ever day you choose!

Does anyone know whether there will be a Spectromagic parade over Memorial Day weekend? I have never seen it, and I would like to.

 

[DisneyWhirled]

JLS-

There is a SpectroMagic on Saturday, May 24 at 8:45pm at the MK followed by fireworks at 9:30pm. Hope this helps!!

We will be there too!! Have a great time!!

 

[ffys]

Go ON Memorial day! There is NOBODY there. We go on Memorial Day and Labor day most years and the park is GREAT!


FFYS

 

[pooh2001]

We will be arriving on May 23 and leaving May 31. I do not mind
the Memorial Day crowds. I hope it 'thins' out during the week
which follows ht eholiday weekend