Recommendations for May-August 2026 Trip and Crystal Ball Guestimate on Crowds

[Teamubr]

First, HUGE thank you to @Karin1984 and everyone else that helped with our 1st DLP trip in 2023. We added 4 days at DLP on the end of a 12 day, 7 country bus tour of Europe. Poor planning on our part because we were too worn out to really appreciate DLP.

So... we are coming back in 2026 (Mediterranean cruise this year, or it would have been this summer). We are huge Disney fans and frequent visitors to WDW in Florida (spent 17 days there this past November).

I'm considering any time from May through August. We don't like cold. We were there in mid-June in 2023 and it was great. I've heard July and August are quite busy due to European holidays. How much busier than June? I teach an online course at a university that runs mid-May through early July. I can work it from anywhere, but it is nicer to not have that bother. I was leaning towards late July/early August, but the wife doesn't like big heat (>85F/29C ) or massive crowds (we know parks are busy, but don't like crazy busy)

Also leaning towards the Disneyland Hotel since it reopened. We stayed at Sequoia Lodge in 2023 and it was nice. Newport Bay looked nice too, but being right between both parks and Disney Village looks great. I can swing double+ the price of Sequoia once for the experience.

j

 

[Karin1984]

You're welcome!

The school holidays in France in 2026 start on the 5th of July and end somewhere around the 31st of August. This is roughly the same for the rest of Europe. So these months are busy and warm. If you can do May or June, I would recommend to go then.

 On staying at the Disneyland Hotel, if the goal of this trip is to relax, it could be a good choice. Rooms are bigger and nicer than Sequoia, so that's great if you want to sleep in and relax. If you want to "get your money's worth", then you should spend time at the hotel and use the amenities.

If the goal of this vacation is to properly see the parks and be there from opening till close, I am hesitant. I would say, either go for Newport Bay Club level or Marvel. These rooms are about the same size. Use the money you save on nicer restaurants, guaranteed access for shows, fast pass etc.
Personally, I would go for Newport Bay Club level, as you get access to the lounge, and a dedicated security point in the morning. Marvel shares theirs with the other hotels.

 

[Teamubr]

Thanks Karin.

I'm planning 4 or 5 days at DLP, so taking a relaxed approach to the parks is the plan. I love the old Victorian feel of Disneyland Hotel. I live in the US and have a 126 year old Victorian house and have always loved the Grand Floridian at WDW. Just couldn't justify the price at GF, especially since I can take my motorhome (caravan) to Ft Wilderness for a fraction of the price.

( November 2024 for 17 days at Ft. Wilderness.)


The embarrassing part is I can spend 4-5 days at DLP in the Disneyland Hotel for 1/2 the price of staying the same 4-5 days at a similar deluxe hotel at WDW.

I appreciate the suggestion of early May. I'll pay attention to the weather this year in early May. I'd prefer it to be 70-80s (20-30C), but I'll deal with less crowds and cooler temps better than crazy crowds and nicer temps.

j

 

[Karin1984]

You're welcome! First week of May is a holiday week in many EU countries, so go for 2nd week or later.
Some other French bank holidays, also these are days off for most of Western EU.
1 May Labor Day
8 May Victory Day
14 May Ascension
24-25 May Whit Sunday/Monday.

And of course as always, during the week is quieter than during the weekend.

 

[Teamubr]

First week of May is a holiday week in many EU countries, so go for 2nd week or later.

Darn. I teach an online course at university. My summer term course usually starts the middle of May. 12 May this year. I can run the course from anywhere, but it cuts into holiday time.

Maybe I'll consider late April. It looks like bookings are available through March 2026. I'll check on pricing in a few weeks for late April and watch the weather in Paris that time of year.

And of course as always, during the week is quieter than during the weekend.

Planning on a Sunday-Thursday stay, specifically to avoid the weekends.

j

 

[Karin1984]

Here are the bank holidays https://publicholidays.fr/

Here are the French School holidays
https://publicholidays.fr/school-holidays/

In 2026 the school holidays end early in May, so after the 3rd it should calm down.

May the 4th is not a really big thing here, but there might be some additional star wars stuff going on.