Never been to DL before - is May a good time to go?

[CrzyforPiglet]

Howdy!

We were thinking of doing a couple of days at DL next spring in combination with a trip to Hawaii my DH is dying to take. According to my Hawaii guidebooks, May is a great time to go since it is off season but I'm just wondering if that is a good time for DL? We've been to WDW in May and aside from being hot it wasn't too bad crowdwise so I guess that's what we're hoping for DL. Thanks!

Laurie

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Yes, I believe May is a great time to go. Until the kids were in school we always went within the first 2 weeks. Check the DL calendar for the refurb calendar. In mid May these are the attractions that are down.

Disneyland Railroad
Fantasmic! River Show
Professor Barnaby Owl
Splash Mountain
Tom Sawyer Island

The Pirates Premiere is on May 19 so I would avoid that weekend if you dont want heavy crowds and of course Memorial day will be crowded but the rest of the month is pretty nice. It's warm enough to wear shorts then but cool in the evenings.

Have a great trip and I'm jealous of the Hawaii portion too!

 

[HydroGuy]

It depends on what you mean by "good time to go". Many people equate "good" with lower crowds, and May is not high season and so it will not be that crowded. Most of the refurbs are usually done by then so most rides will be running. This May the exception is Splash Mtn (down until May 19) and Fantasmic (down until June 1).

However, you can expect:

o Shorter park hours (DL closes at 8PM and DCA at 6PM)

o Limited shows and parades on weekdays

Because of the limited shows on weekdays, you should try to overlap some of your days on weekends. The weekends will be a lot more crowded than weekdays, but will allow you to see Fireworks, etc.

You may also find some helpful info here: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

And get a hotel that is near the parks: "HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

Thanks! Yes I equate good with lower crowds. I find even with lower crowds that I think it is still too many people for me so I can't even imagine going in the summer. I am bummed about splash mountain though. It is one of my favs at WDW but I'm sure I'll have so many other new things to try that it won't bother me too much!

 

[HydroGuy]

I find even with lower crowds that I think it is still too many people for me so I can't even imagine going in the summer.

FWIW, DLR in the summer is not nearly as bad as WDW in the summer and cannot be compared. The weather in SoCal is just so much more tolerable.

Further, at DLR the difference between weekends and weekdays is much larger than WDW, so even in the summer if you go on weekdays you will get a more tolerable crowd level.

I am bummed about splash mountain though. It is one of my favs at WDW but I'm sure I'll have so many other new things to try that it won't bother me too much!

Splash Mtn at DL is charming, but it is one of the few rides that is clearly better at WDW. So if you had to miss one, that would be a good one.

 

[LindaM]

Went last year in May it wasn't too crowded, weather was great!! Have a great time.

 

[mystic_path]

i think it depends on when you are going. I would say the first week of may would be the best because your not worried about the crazy mid month mothers day weekend or the end of the months memorial day weekend.

 

[jakoky]

hi there, we were there last may from the 13th til the 23rd..crowds were very low and weather was nice and warm...the only crowded day was the saturday, we did all other days during the week..this is definately the time we will go back next
sharon

 

[godalejunior]

We are going 5/9-5/12. Flying out on Mother's Day to miss the crowds. I am not anticipating it to be busy. Does not appear that any major conventions are in town. Kids should be in school as Spring break just happened and summer break will be letting out in June. It will be interesting to see how the attendance will compare to our Jan/early Feb. trip.