Please tell me about May Touring!

[TXTink]

We are planning on going in May this year (never been in that month before).

How are the crowds the second or third week (is there a week we should avoid)? Are there any large touring groups that go that time of year that we should know about?

I know the weather can change, but what have your experiences been?

Thanks! Any thoughts are appreciated!!

 

[Bob P]

May is pretty empty, except for Star Wars Weekends and Memorial Day weekend (and the few days preceding and following Memorial Day).

Average daily highs are in the mid-upper 80s and morning lows are in the 60s. Howeverm there have been some days that don't get out of the 70s (especially at the start of the month) and many days that get into the 90s.

Have fun!

Bob

 

[mill4023]

We were there this year the first week of May. It was our first WDW trip, so I can't compare it to other times of year. We were worried about crowds due to the kick-off of the 50th celebratioin, but the only day that seemed really crowded was Friday, May 6th at Epcot. Earlier in the week, crowds weren't bad at all at MK, MGM, and AK.
Weather was a mix. We had a couple hot days(85-90), a couple days with a bit of rain, and a couple days that were cooler(70-75) and dry.

We enjoyed it enough that we are planning to go back next May. We considered going in Jan/Feb instead for the lower crowds and cheaper rooms, but decided we'd rather have the longer park hours and the warmer weather in May. My wife and kids want to make sure it's going to be warm enough for swimming and water parks. And for some reason, my wife thinks we should wait until we get our tax refund. Doesn't she know that's what credit cards are for?

I'm interested in hearing other more experienced Dis'ers opinions though. I haven't quite given up on convincing her we should go in January just so we don't have to wait as long.

 

[TXTink]

Thank you for your input!

We have been several times in June, and thought May would be less crowded, it sounds like it will be.

I didn't realize that the hotels were more in May. I am thinking about getting an Annual Pass in hopes of getting a hotel at a lesser rate. Anyone have experience with this? (I guess I should ask over on the resorts board!)

 

[mill4023]

Thank you for your input!

We have been several times in June, and thought May would be less crowded, it sounds like it will be.

I didn't realize that the hotels were more in May. I am thinking about getting an Annual Pass in hopes of getting a hotel at a lesser rate. Anyone have experience with this? (I guess I should ask over on the resorts board!)

May is regular season. So it's cheaper than peak season (2/16 - 4/22) and holiday season (12/20 - 12/31), but more expensive than value season.

Here are the rates and seasons for 2006
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/Rack-Rates-2006.htm#hm-2006-rackrates

 

[aubriee]

We enjoyed it enough that we are planning to go back next May. We considered going in Jan/Feb instead for the lower crowds and cheaper rooms, but decided we'd rather have the longer park hours and the warmer weather in May. My wife and kids want to make sure it's going to be warm enough for swimming and water parks. And for some reason, my wife thinks we should wait until we get our tax refund. Doesn't she know that's what credit cards are for?

I'm interested in hearing other more experienced Dis'ers opinions though. I haven't quite given up on convincing her we should go in January just so we don't have to wait as long.

I took my son and GD 1/9/05-1/15/05. We were told to take a variety of clothing as you never knew what the weather was going to do. Consequently I had two big suitcases plus a carry-on to deal with and my son and GD each had a large suitcase and a carry-on. The weather was hot all week until the last night when it turned cold. It was defintely warm enough for the water parks and my GD enjoyed the resort pool every night. The last night and the day we left we wore fleece pullovers however. It also rained the morning we left. There were also quite a few Brazillian tour groups loud and cutting in lines in January.

I went back solo in May (5/13-5/22) and it was warm everyday. I wore shorts and t-shirts every day I was down there. I didn't need to carry even half the clothes I did in January and the parks were open later. It was also daylight longer at night. I was really surprised when I got back home to Texas to find that it was cooler in Florida during that time than here at home. The weather in Florida was perfect all week (warm and dry). I didn't notice any groups in May.

Saying that, I will be going back in Sept and hope to get all my clothes in a carry-on (or else just one suitcase) and then I'll be going back in Dec and expect to carry two suitcases plus a carry-on again due to the unpredictable tempertures of the Florida winters. I'll also be going back in the spring (probably May again) and am already looking forward to being able to pack light again. Dealing with one light suitcase is alot easier than dealing with three heavy ones.

Both January and May were nice and the crowds seemed about the same. Personally, I think I prefer May due to not having to pack near as many clothes and because of the Flower Festival going on.

 

[TXTink]

I took my son and GD 1/9/05-1/15/05. We were told to take a variety of clothing as you never knew what the weather was going to do. Consequently I had two big suitcases plus a carry-on to deal with and my son and GD each had a large suitcase and a carry-on. The weather was hot all week until the last night when it turned cold. It was defintely warm enough for the water parks and my GD enjoyed the resort pool every night. The last night and the day we left we wore fleece pullovers however. It also rained the morning we left. There were also quite a few Brazillian tour groups loud and cutting in lines in January.

I went back solo in May (5/13-5/22) and it was warm everyday. I wore shorts and t-shirts every day I was down there. I didn't need to carry even half the clothes I did in January and the parks were open later. It was also daylight longer at night. I was really surprised when I got back home to Texas to find that it was cooler in Florida during that time than here at home. The weather in Florida was perfect all week (warm and dry). I didn't notice any groups in May.

Saying that, I will be going back in Sept and hope to get all my clothes in a carry-on (or else just one suitcase) and then I'll be going back in Dec and expect to carry two suitcases plus a carry-on again due to the unpredictable tempertures of the Florida winters. I'll also be going back in the spring (probably May again) and am already looking forward to being able to pack light again. Dealing with one light suitcase is alot easier than dealing with three heavy ones.

Both January and May were nice and the crowds seemed about the same. Personally, I think I prefer May due to not having to pack near as many clothes and because of the Flower Festival going on.

Wow! Great information!! Thanks!!

It is nice to hear that the crowds are manageable!

And I haven't even thought about operating hours yet! So, it is good to hear that the parks are open later by that time of year.

 

[maxiesmom]

In the past I have always gone in October. This year my family went in May. May was much hotter! We chose May this year to see the Flower and Garden Festival and to do Star Wars Weekend. We had a great time, but for us October is the way to go!