September or May?

[KPK02090]

Planning our next trip (husband and three kids 8,7,5) and looking at late September 2016 or early May 2017.
Low crowds are my main priority. I remember hearing last September was busier than expected.
Anyone with experience in the parks during these two times care to weigh in?
Thanks!!

 

[mesaboy2]

While crowds seem to be trending to be more uniform throughout the year, September traditionally sees some of the lightest crowds of the year. May is not bad either.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Have been to both several years, Sept is always much lower than May.

 

[jcjen519]

The weather is likely to be better in May but we love september for the lighter crowds.

 

[SirMickey]

I've gone twice during the month of September and both times boasted low crowds. When I schedule my next trip, I'm definitely looking at going during that month again. I'd definitely recommend that the of year to beat the crowds!

 

[joanchris]

I've done May, weather is great, crowds are manageable. I'm doing May and Sept this year. So far the crowd calendar is much better for Sept, and I imagine that will stay, however, they're starting food and wine earlier so that may add some crowds. The heat is Sept is going to be brutal though. We did early Oct one year and it was pretty hot, later October in 2014, weather was more like May weather. If you are more concerned about crowds do Sept, if the heat will bother you more then go in May.