The truth about going in May, please!

[EmmaAndQuinnsMommy]

I would like to knoiw the low-down on going to WDW in May. I am pretty much decided on May because of the following reasons:

1. The weather doesn't seem as bad as the summer months (although I am sure it CAN get super hot). We are VERY sensitive to heat.
2. Less rain (average anyway)
3. Avoiding the March/April spring break crowds.
4. Better room rate (regular vs. peak)

Negatives:

1. Taking my daughter out of school for a week (after she has just been out for spring break no less! Major guilt over this.)
2. Having to wait longer to go. =)

So please tell me how it really is in May (1st or 2nd week probably) and help me decide about this!

Carrie

 

[JobeeC]

hubby & I went for our honeymoon the first week of may '97. the weather was fantastic! warm days/cool nights. we loved it so much during that time that we are doing it again this may, same week! about taking the kid out of school...as long as you arrange to get the work that will be missed before you go, you're golden! NO WORRIES...IT'S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR!

 

[spiceycat]

okay I think Dec/Nov is the best time.

dec has no crowds, the place is decorated, and all the special shows are happening.

plus the weather is liveable

May can be hot and I mean hot. Sometimes the weather in May is as bad as June.

I am very sensitive to the sun. If july once (they were having a cold spell) was colder than May.

on my last trip May 5-12, 2005 - the nights were nice, the early morning was great, but once that sun got up - I head indoors. the nice thing about summer is, that because of the crowds, Disney has more hours at night.

at night the sun is not a problem!

 

[Wishing on a star]

The first of May is FABULOUS!

No crowds...
Swimming weather, but not super hot

We love it!

We went the first week of May this year... And, the weather actually turned off cloudy... ( a few evening storms ) So, while we had a wonderful trip, and did find a few sunny times for swimming, we really didn't even have to worry about getting sunburned!

PS: We did take DS out of school, it was a short 4-day week. That is really a personal decision for you to make.

This has been debated time and time again!!! It seems to be a hot topic here... I hope that this can be avoided on this thread!

 

[u2bapeacock]

We went to Disney in May 2004 it was the end of May it was extremly hot we went this year in July and found it hotter in May could of just been the time we went but it wasn't as busy there in May although if you go near the end of May all the floridian children are out of school for the summer we found that a lot of the guests at our hotel were mostly people from different parts of Florida

 

[3mickeys&me]

We went in May of this year and it was by far the best month we have ever been. Weather was sunny and 85 everyday. It rained one evening while we were at Ohana for dinner and it was over by the time we were done dinner.
It was even awesome for our Wonder Cruise as well!!

 

[Pocahantas]

We went the second week of May this year and it was wonderful. We took our daughter out of school for the week with no problems. We actually used the trip as an incentive for her to do well in school. We told her all year that if her grades were not good the school would not let us take her out so she would have to stay at the principal's house for the week while we went to Disney. Needless to say she did well. The weather was beautiful while we were there with only one late afternoon of showers but that just cleared Epcot out so we had a wonderful spot to watch Illuminations. Crowds were a little busier than normal but I think that was because of the kick off of the Happiest Celebration. You won't regret going at this time of year!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

SpiceyCat - I was going to tell you how nice May is - but you were there at exactly the SAME TIME I was!!!

I was never at WDW in May before and my husband and I had our first ever trip to WDW without our kids this past May 5th-11!!

We had a blast, but I know what you mean, it was HOT during the days with that sun shining!! We had to leave the AK early because we were kind of uncomfortable. Other than that, the weather was gorgeous. We had a great time, but I didn't think it was that uncrowded. If I were pushing a stroller I would have been kind of unhappy! It makes a big difference.

Anyway, it could have been more crowded due to the Happiest Celebration kickoff.

My personal favorite time to go is the middle to end of JAN to the second week of FEB. If I didn't have a highschooler, that is when I would go. There is really not much of a wait for anything at that time. (That is more important to me than swim time) My parents just happened to volunteer to come up and watch the kids at that time in May SO WE WENT!!!

I have been during THanksgiving week & after in 2005. The weather is great, but I think that first December week is getting a bit more crowded. The girls and I wanted to extend our stay, but there were NO rooms open ANYWHERE from December 3 - 6th from CRO!

I think WDW is just getting more crowded year round. Tough decision on when to go. Good luck!

Happy planning!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[clutter]

We went in May, 2003, just before mother's day. We got off the airplane at 11:00 at night, and it ws like walking into a hot, wet washcloth. The entire time we were there, it was beyond hot. The next year, we went in July, then in June this year. Both summer trips were more temperate than that May. Now, it was a hot spell. One that was predicted to last 14 days, per the weather channel.

If you're truly heat sensitive, I'd go in Nov, Dec, Jan or Feb.

 

[jenelope]

It's hot, but not as hot as July! I'm a "could be worse" person. In July at WDW, my attitude was "It's hot, but I'm not at work!" Crowds are bearable in May. Lots of stuff going on, too, like Star Wars Weekends and the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

One hint, though: pack bug spray. Seriously. It's one of the active periods of the yellow fly, and when those suckers bite, they really bite. They tend to like hanging around water and biting people on the legs and feet. I wore sandals to Epcot on the second night of my last trip, decided to eat dinner sitting next to the waterfall in the Japan pavilion, and got bit on the soles and tops of my feet. My feet swelled so much, that my tennis shoes bruised them the next day, and I spent the whole week itching. (On the other hand, I now know that I can walk all the way around the World Showcase, with a lengthy stop at First Aid, in less than 40 minutes, even with a maddening itch on the bottom of my foot. I don't know if that will ever come in handy, though.)

 

[kahiko]

We have gone the third week of May for several years. We love that time.
We have been to WDW every month except July and August. Can May get really hot? Of course, it is late Spring in Florida. Did we ever find it unbearable? No. When it got really really hot we adjusted our day to make maximum use of air conditioned rides and attractions, and we drank lots of water.

Florida is interesting. It can be 95 in May or 65 and I have been there on New Years Day when it was 35 and when it was 80. Just go and enjoy.

 

[wld]

Too hot or cold is a bit relative depending on where you are from and what you are used to.
We went middle of May 2003 and wow was it hot and humid, the clothes and hair stick to you, can't even sit on our free upgrade balcony, thank goodness for air conditioning hot and humid. Went in June once and didn't find it too bad, it rained for a little while every day and cooled it off.
Went this past middle of May and while DH and I didn't find it too terrible DDs complained alot about the heat, wasn't quite as humid though.
The bonus to going in May is the Flower and Garden Festival and Star Wars Weekends. Otherwise I would probably skip it.
We took our DDs out of school, almost always in early Dec probably 5 or 6 times from grade school through high school. Never had a problem, school and teachers very supportive and in some cases giving neat assignments. Girls grades never dropped and it didn't make them think they could skip school any old time. They used plane time or since parks closed earlier time in the evening to do homework. Worked out just fine for us.

 

[southjerseymom]

If you are super sensitvie to heat - I would go a different time of year. We were there the first week of May 2003 and my son still talks about how "blazing hot" it was! We were there this past May (20th - 25th) and it was HOT! We did the parks in the morning headed back to BC for swimming and naps and then went out later that night. That way it was bearable. I don't know how people do the parks in mid summer! But - we were also at the Poly this past November and the parks do close earlier. So its a trade off - but if you REALLY can't stand the heat I'd reconsider May.

 

[Mom Of 2 Girls]

We spent 15 days at WDW this past May and I recall it rained only twice for about 2 hrs. The weather was nice on the "hot" side. However, it was much more pleasant than the July weather we experienced when we went in July of 2004. The crowds were a nice size and our ride waits were minimal. I would go again in May without hesitation!

 

[kidlit]

We have been the first week in May many times starting with our honeymoon in '91 (keep going back in May and Oct). We have also been in Sept, Jan, Feb, Mar, April, July and Aug. Early May is a great time to go. The mornings and the evenings are comfortable. The afternoons do get hot but it stays lighter later in the evening when it is quite pleasant. I would just watch for grad nights. I believe they are usually scheduled during April but we have been there when they have taken place in May. If you don't mind roves of teens you'll be ok.

 

[jwfla422]

This past May we were there the entire first week. Despite all of the press events and early park closings on certain days (Because of the press events for the "Celebration Kickoff", we found the crowds to be very light and the parks were very enjoyable. We just picked a park that wasn't closing early for that day and it worked out fine. Of course you probably wouldn't run into this next May.

The weather was quite cooperative most of the time. I was comfy in capri pants everyday and in long pants at night (can't do that in the summer months). The temps were in the low 80s and 60s at night. I don't remember any rain.

I would definitely plan to go again during this time. However keep in mind that when it comes to weather, "you never know". A few years back we went the same week and FL was having record high temps in the 90s everyday so it was hot!! Another year at this same time we had a lot of rain. So, it can really vary one year to the next. But, it DEFINITELY beats the heat and crowds of summer.

If your dd can make up her school work then I say, go for it!

 

[dixiedizfan]

We were there the first week of May in '03 and it got so hot and humid I could hardly stand it (and we live in SC). The parks may have been less crowded than peak times, but that's when schools take their field trips also. I'd much rather go when the weather is nicer ... Next year we're taking our kids out of school the second week of March (which is peak season) during a 4-day school week. Yes it's sure to be more crowded and the rates are higher, but I'd rather put up with that than being miserable from the heat and humidity!

 

[vettechick99]

I love the first week of May. Other than October, it's my favorite time to go (based on the reasons you said above).

But the taking your girl out of school problem -- that's really up to you. But I would think if she's been doing well all year and the teachers can give her take home work, what's the big deal?

 

[johnvree]

We went the first two weeks of May 2004. The weather was great - very little rain and not too hot. As far as weather goes, as other posters have said, it is always hit or miss. I was there one November when the temperature hit the high 90s three days in a row. The crowds in May were low-average I thought. I think they were actually lighter the last two weeks of this August. But we certainly didn't see the kinds of crowds we have seen around holidays and in July.

My only gripe about early May is that it seemed that there were a lot of rehabs going on. Not sure if that was just that particular May or if they typically rehab a lot of rides in early May in preparation for the Summer. Not a big deal at all though.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We have been to WDW in Dec, Jan, Feb, March, April, May and Aug. By far May was the best time to go, Aug was the WORST! I like Dec, Jan, Feb and March becuse it is an escape from winter for us. Weather is hit or miss. Sometimes very nice, sometimes a little cool.

1st week of May is what we like. The flower and garden festivle at Epcot is wonderful. Everyone should do it at least once in their lives. Weather is good, crowds are light. Just over all a good time.

No more Aug, never again. Too many other nice places to go in Aug anyway.