Trips during early May.

[ram2016]

I know there are no longer slow times to go to WDW, but I'm trying to plan my family's second trip. Last year we went mid April and while it was busy we had a great time. Does anyone have any experiences with going the 1st week of May? Easter is late the next couple of years and I want to try to avoid overly crowded times where I can.

 

[pitpat]

one of the best times to go

 

[kniquy]

I think any time you can plan a trip which doesn't coincide with a holiday, school vacations, marathon or other big event (parties) can be pretty decent crowd level. Next year Easter is actually early on 4/1. Next year we are planning a trip to go during our kids spring vacation, which is usually the 3rd week of April. This year is like the perfect storm -- Easter, many on school vacation and Marathon weekend. I'm going only for a conference, but i am fearing the worst for crowds. Next year has to be better.

I would say early May is an ideal time to go -- no holidays or school vacations, weather is good and flower and garden is going on. Aside from early May, September might be the next best time to go -- kids are back in school and there are no holidays, but it is in hurricane season.

 

[kniquy]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-2017-school-vacation-weeks-by-state.3542690/

this is a good thread that compiles many of the various school vacations around the US as well as some other countries.

Might be helpful

 

[Liz Z]

Just tackled Christmas and New Years in WDW.

Don't get me wrong~~ we loved going over the Holidays.

Everything is so pretty all dressed up. You just have to have a plan and go with the flow.
Happy to hear that the 1st week in May might be a little less crowded.

 

[disney144]

How is the weather in may? I would think its unbearably hot

 

[BalooFan]

I have gone in early May many times. The weather during the day is generally in the 84 to 90 degree range, but I have experienced some chilly mornings and evenings. The crowds are manageable, but I wouldn't consider them light. I think it is an excellent time to visit.

 

[IrishNYC]

Its a fantastic time. We were there may 2-9, and while the temps were in the 80s, there was no humidity. It only rained once for a few minutes and the crowds were beyond manageable. I would go again that week in a heartbeat.

 

[DWillowBay]

Did this last year. VERY nice ...crowds, weather. very nice.

 

[lovethattink]

It's one of the most perfect times to go, both weather-wise and crowdwise.

 

[Chrelaine]

We were there the first week in May 2015. It was perfect. Great weather, lower crowds. Wish we could do that every year.

 

[PaintsWindColors]

We went the first week of May in 2015 and it was AMAZING!!! We went mid-September in 2016 and the heat was unbearable. We're going back the first week of May this year and I think it will be our default vacation week every year!

 

[BHartly]

Does everyone feel the same about the second week of May (7-14)? I would think weeks 1-3 would be about the same and then week 4 it really start to pick up. Thoughts?

 

[janicept]

Early May is a great time. It's after spring break and but before school gets out for the year. That's when I go - second week of May this year. The weather can be pretty hot but it's better than summer.

 

[Surgie2]

Does everyone feel the same about the second week of May (7-14)?

We are sure hoping the crowds will still be down at that time...we are planning May 4-13 next year. This calendar color codes each week as to how busy it is expected to be in 2018.
http://**************.net/wp-conten...-Ranked-in-Order-from-**************.net_.jpg

If your trip is 2017, use this calendar. http://**************.net/wp-conten...-Ranked-in-Order-from-**************.net_.jpg

The calendar changes each year based the moving holidays like Easter.

 

[Shellyred8]

Does everyone feel the same about the second week of May (7-14)? I would think weeks 1-3 would be about the same and then week 4 it really start to pick up. Thoughts?

The pricing of the resorts seems to reflect the timing you listed.
We are going mid-week 3 thru mid-week 4. Rooms were more expensive during week 4 than week 3.
We are planning to hit the parks heavy during our first several days there and then just relax for the last few days.
We've gone before in early May and agree with others on this post that it is a pretty excellent time to go. Lower crowds and pretty nice weather.

 

[Traver Freeman]

Our trip is May 3-10 this year. We are super excited, just a few weeks away! We specifically picked this time of year for the lower crowds. All vacation times for school kids are done, colleges are in the midst of finals week, and it's not too unbearably hot yet (lived in Florida for 8 years).

My wife went during this week about 7 years ago with her family and said it was pretty low on crowds. She said she noticed a larger presence of internationals. Not sure what vacations or things are happening overseas. It's looking to be a good week to go, though, in my opinion.

 

[anniemae]

I think it's a great time to go both crowd wise and weather wise.

 

[WiscMomof2]

Went May 4-9th last year and it was one of our best trips ever for crowds and weather.

 

[mckennarose]

Early May is one of our favorite times to go, and we usually go that time every year. This year we are going the middle of May due to one of my kid's college schedule. The weather is beautiful and the crowds mostly manageable. Disney has just gotten busier in general over the past few years, IMO.

Its a fantastic time. We were there may 2-9, and while the temps were in the 80s, there was no humidity. It only rained once for a few minutes and the crowds were beyond manageable. I would go again that week in a heartbeat.

Last year? We were there May 1st to May 8th last year, but I remember rain storms all day on Wednesday May 4th that kept a lot of people out of the parks, which made MK a nightmare on Thursday! I remember it because it hasn't happened to us before on other trips and we spent the day visiting resorts and DS. Usually the weather is great with a passing shower the times we've been there.