Tell me about Disney in May, Please!

[harleyquinn]

I've tried to search, but the search doesn't like the word May, even when I use quotes.

I'm planning a may trip for 2006, and I'd like to hear whatever you have to say! I know the cheerleaders will be done there at some point, but I'm not sure of the dates. This may effect us, because we are planning on staying at a value resort.

I've only been in August and June, so I want to know everything about May--Crowds, weather, ect. I know about Star Wars weekends. Is the Flower and Garden festival awesome?

TIA!!

 

[Lynn4Mel]

I went in May in 98 and 02 and the weather was sunny and hot, but not unberable like July/ August I don't know about what groups may go down during that month. Both times down there was around Mother's Day. The Flower and Garden Festival was nice. We stayed off site in 98 and at the All Stars Music in 02. That was the first time onsite and will never go back to staying off site again. I liked being right there. Crowds aren't that bad unless it's near memorial Day because alot of schools in the South and Puerto Rico get out end of May begining of June.

 

[harleyquinn]

We plan to go probably the second week in May if that helps.

I swear I saw somewhere that cheerleaders will be down there, but it might have been a different month (I've looked at so many possibilities).

I've never stayed off-site as of yet. i know I'll have to try it some day.

 

[disney queen]

mother's day can be busy as can the star wars weekends. however, the flower/garden festival at epcot is wonderful. we have been the past 2 mays and the crowds were not bad, but the weather can be hot as mentioned. but the days we were there, mid-month, it seems only one day was really hot; the rest of the time was shorts weather, but pleasant.

 

[fanofdisney]

We went this year May 9-13. It was hot to me, but not miserable. The crowd levels were low. Some rides we got on with no wait! (Haunted Mansion and Pirates!) The longest wait was Peter Pan, 30 minutes. The flowers were beautiful!!!

 

[harleyquinn]

I found a two-page thread about the cheerleaders in May that didn't have any dates for them to be there, and only one person said they would be there with they're cheerleaders, so maybe that's nothing to worry about.

I've gathered that weather is pretty unpredictable, but it'll probably be a little coller than I'm used (from August and June), and a lot less crowded. I'm going to aim to go maybe the 4-11? Hit the first weekend before the Mother's Day weekend, which has a bunch of events.

Do you think this will be long enough after Easter?

 

[clutter]

Actually, the HOTTEST I've ever been was in May of '03. during a heat wave that was predictted to last two weeks. Sine then, we've been in June and July and they were both cool compared to that May trip. Haven't done August yet, that'll be next year.

 

[Lisa AF]

This is our favorite time to go. The weather is hot but I don't think as humid. We have never had rain when we have been in May. Most attractions have been reopened by this time after winter rehabs. The only down side is shorter park hours, but crowds are lower so you can get more done in s shorter amount of time.

We went the first week of May.

 

[ksdave]

May is usually pretty good up until Memorial Day weekend. DO NOT go during Memorial Day weekend, it gets very crowded and waits stretch out to hours. I'd think 5/4-11 will be pretty reasonable for crowds.
The only negative would be the cheerleaders and school trips. Unfortunately, even if they don't mean to, these groups can make park touring very difficult. They walk around in large packs, clogging up the streets and walkways. They also have a habit of letting all of their passing friends join them on line, which gets alot of people behind them very upset.
The best bet is to make sure you have park hopper passes. If you get to a park and the above-mentioned groups start getting out of control, just go to another park. These groups are usually all in the same park.

 

[grinningghost]

We've done Memorial Day week several times and let's just say it's HOT and very humid, and at least for us, it always rained alot.

Other than that, it's not that bad because the holiday gives you some extra park hours and guarantees parades are running.

The crowds are largest on Memorial Day weekend.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

May and October are my two favorite months to visit WDW. Kids are still in school, which in general reduces the crowd size. Weather is usually better than during high summer, although we've had some hot days in May. We normally go either the first or second week in May.

Just so you're aware, May 5-6 2006 are Grad Nights. The MK park will be closing early those days.

 

[harleyquinn]

Grad Nights! THAT'S what I heard was going on. Thank You!!!

So I gather: Basically the weather's like any other month--unpredictable , crowds will be bigger possibly on the 14-15 (lots of events). But Grad Nights are the 5 & 6, which actually closes MK early. i don't do MK on the weekend, so maybe that's okay.

It was in the low 90s the entire time I was there in June, so hopefully it won't be worse than that, but lower crowds will make up for the heat.

I really want to go in October, but DH is a hopeful teacher. Meaning we hope he'll get a teaching job for the next school year.

You've given me a lot to think about! Keep the advice coming!

 

[harleyquinn]

Bump!

 

[tarheel]

What events are going on the 14th and 15th that would make it busier? Is there something for Mother's Day? My birthday is the 12th and that's when I wanted to go. Of course I am a mom too---I'd love a special something to celebrate.

 

[Magalex]

I know Memorial Day weekend will be crowded but out of all the other holidays including Spring Break how does it compare. We have a chance to go 5/24-5/31 2006(as soon as my DS finishes school). We were there 3rd-4th week of April with the Spring Breakers from the New England states and it wasn't that bad to us. My DH and DS would love SW weekend too. Any good points about the last week of May?

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I will be there then too. Anxious to find out about the last two weeks of May!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I went this past May the 8th thru 13th and it was wonderful! I loved the Flower and Garden Festival and I thought the crowds were very manageable.
It was in the upper 80's to lower 90's while we were there and it was hot, but the humidity was very low so it was okay by me. I don't mind hot, but I hate sticky! -- I liked it so much, I am going back the same week for May 2006.

There were crowds, but with a little planning, the longest we waited for anything was 20 minutes for Kali River Rapids and 25 minutes for the Princess Room in Toontown. Other than that we walked on quite few rides or had waits of about 10 minutes.

I read somewhere that the last Grad night for 2006 is April 30th so you don't have to worry about that.

 

[MOmousefan]

We spent the last week of May 2005 at PoP Century and it was very enjoyable. The crowds were low until Memorial Day week-end and the weather was great. This was the only time we have been to Florida when it never rained. On Friday the crowds were heavy in MGM for Star Wars Week-end. A CM told us that the locals come to the parks for most three-day week-ends. We will always come in May and avoid August like the plague!

 

[Starrin]

Hi,

We were there 2nd week 2004 and it was very good ... no rain ... couple days hit over 90 degrees. But overall it was nice ... crowds were easily manageable.

We are now going at the end of this month and we went this past Jan..... I am interested in seeing the differences. So far Jan. is the winnner ... hard to beat Jan.

--Jason

 

[harleyquinn]

I think i'm going to go the 7-14. From what I've seen, Mother's Day really isn't that big of a deal crowds-wise. I wish Grad nights weren't the 5 & 6! I just had to pick a year that Easter is late.


Someone earlier asked about Memorial day. From what I've read on the boards, it's not as busy as some holidays. Most of the schools up North are still in session. It's just considerably buiser than the rest of May.