Memorial Day weekend vs Grad Nites

[smallsy]

Yet another crowd question, but if you had the choice of going 3 days at the end of May would you rather go:

1. Friday, Saturday, Sunday of Memorial Day weekend
-or-
2. Thursday, Friday (grad nite), Saturday after Memorial Day


I realize both of the options will be more crowded than normal anyways, but didn't know if one would be preferable to the other. Hotel prices are slightly better with option 2, but not enough to sway us entirely. TIA

 

[Pluto468]

I had this exact dilemma a few weeks ago and everyone suggested avoiding Memorial day. I rearranged my trip to the Th, Fri, Sat the following weekend.

 

[joseph821]

Yet another crowd question, but if you had the choice of going 3 days at the end of May would you rather go:

1. Friday, Saturday, Sunday of Memorial Day weekend
-or-
2. Thursday, Friday (grad nite), Saturday after Memorial Day


I realize both of the options will be more crowded than normal anyways, but didn't know if one would be preferable to the other. Hotel prices are slightly better with option 2, but not enough to sway us entirely. TIA

Memorial Day weekend will be crowded. No ticket deals announced if there will be any at all.
Grad Nights affect attendance but their impacts vary. Oogie boogie nights impact more so I think GN are not as big attendance wise.

Go for option 2.
PS I will there in late May to June 1 I’ll report back!

 

[Cal-Pie]

Option 2, but avoid DCA on Friday night, or altogether that day if you don't have hoppers.

 

[joseph821]

Also worth noting Grad Nite prices went up 17% this year when compared to 2024. OC Register had an article this week.

 

[LKing]

May 29 is the last day that the two lower priced MK passes can visit the park until August. I would expect that to add to the crowd size on Thursday. I still think that weekend will be better than Memorial Day weekend.

 

[wendlle]

I'll be at WDW during Memorial Day, we leave on the 29th and head to Disneyland. We will be at Disneyland May 31 - June 2.
There are Grad nites but will just roll with it.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I'll be at WDW during Memorial Day, we leave on the 29th and head to Disneyland. We will be at Disneyland May 31 - June 2.
There are Grad nites but will just roll with it.

You will definitely need to script which attractions take your priority well before you walk through those magical gates.

 

[wendlle]

You will definitely need to script which attractions take your priority well before you walk through those magical gates.

Over the memorial dates at WDW we are planning mainly resort days, and we are staying at Grand floridian so will take advantage of extra evening hours, we are there for a week prior to do the parks so while it is super busy we will do other things.
I got the LLMP for Disneyland.

 

[Jawwdoc]

Personally, based on the single day ticket pricing for your two date options, I would choose Memorial Day weekend as the single day prices are higher but the multi day ticket price is the same. The last time I visited on a Grad Nite, DCA was the more crowded than any other visiit in the past 15 years.

 

[Jawwdoc]

If the hotels are less expensive after Memorial Day weekend, that is a tell that they are expecting fewer out of town guests on those dates, conversely, this would indicate that more locals are anticipated the weekend after Memorial Day. As DLR is more of a “locals” park, it is possible that the crowd levels would be higher the weekend after Memorial Day vs Memorial Day weekend.