Unofficial Guide's Crowd Predictions for May

[margaretjr]

We are going on our second visit from May 20th to June 2nd. Having chosen this time partly because we thought it would be less crowded than later in the summer, imagine my dismay when my newly purchased Unoffocia l Guide gives crowd ratings of 8-9 for virtually all of our stay at all the parks. I know there are no guarantees of anything, but, as I've not used this guide before, I'd be interested in any comments about the accuracy of the Unoffocial Guide's predictions. Of course, I am secretly hoping that you will all say, "No, of course it won't be that crowded.....!!!!" Is it too early to be getting stressed about crowds? YES, I know it is, but would be pleased to have your comments anyway.

 

[rkmassa]

The online version has it at 7's and 8's. It is pretty crowded during that time-Memorial Day Weekend will be really crowded. We have been once during that time. Very crowded and hot. I would think the days earlier in your trip might be a bit better. They are the 7's on the online days. Use Fast Pass and arrive early. You will still have fun. Afterall, you are going to Disney.

 

[scubamouse]

we were there memorial day week in 2003 and it was crowded!! definitely most crowded on the weekend, less so during the week. that sunday, the people there admitted it was really crowded even for WDW. we did MD at sea world and it was packed. that i wasn't prepared for! there were also a lot of end of year school groups there.

that said, we had a great time and hit every park for morning EMH and followed touring pland and hit most of what we wanted to - even dumbo and peterpan. we did EMH mornings for TOT and rockin roller coaster.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We were there the week before last year and it was wonderful! We could tell that crowds were starting to pick up by Friday of Memorial day weekend.

We stayed at AKL and then we did go over to Sea World and it was really nice. Not too crowded at all. Everyone we talked to said the parks were not bad.

We are going down this year May 28th through June 2nd. I wanted to go the week before,but with Snow days possible the kids may not be out of school in time. I already pulled her out 3 days for our cruise on the Magic in October and so I did not want to push it!

So we will arrive on Sunday of Memorial day weekend and stay that next week.
We just plan to get up early and take afternoon breaks! It will be ok. One good things is that the parks are open later.

I think we are going to brave AK on Memorial day. Get there real early! Bring mister fans along too.

So I would not worry about it too much. You will be there long enough that you don't have to rush to do things. Take your time and you will be able to do everything you want.

I think I can call for ADR's tomorrow!! woo hoo!

It is hard to know where you want to eat this far in advance.
We are going to try the new OHana Character Breakfast.
Mexican restaurant at Epcot,Ohana Dinner(MyFavorite)

Happy planning!

IT COULD STILL NEVER BE AS CROWDED AS MID JUNE THROUGH JULY!

 

[lentesta]

Memorial Day is indeed the culprit.

margaretjr, in terms of accuracy, the crowd calendar's predictions are currently running within +/- 8 minutes of actual peaks. So if we're predicting peak waits of 65 to 74 minutes, the waits usually fall somewhere in the 57 to 82 range. And when the predictions are off, we're equally likely to be a little above the mark as below.

The Unofficial Guide's online Crowd Blog (sorry, can't post link) contains the raw data showing what we've observed when we're in the Magic Kingdom, versus what we predicted. That's probably the best place to look when asking about the accuracy of the predictions.

Good luck on your trip!

Sincerely,

Len Testa

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Well, today is the day we find out if we are going at the end of May, the middle of June, some other week in summer, or not at all! Today is "vacation bid day" for DH!

I knew Memorial Day wouldn't be low crowds, but it would be good from a scheduling standpoint. Yeah, for me and about 500,000 other people!

Good luck to all the Memorial Day planners! I really, really, really hope I can join you!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We were at WDW the last week of May this past year. During the week, the parks and our resort (AKL) were crowded. Over Memorial Weekend, things were crazy! All hotels within 20+ minutes of WDW were completely booked. (I know this because we decided to extend our vacation through the weekend. BIG mistake!)

Ironically, we found the parks to be far less crowded during our July/August trip -- when you would normally expect huge crowds!

 

[sandshal]

The Unofficial Guide 2006 - Memorial Day

Any ideas why Epcot is showing in the book as a "best avoided" park - I assume its because at time of print Monday was the EMH day - Has this now changed as "The Dis" is showing Monday 29th EMH to be MGM and EMH-E as AK?

Have booked Le Cellier for 5.30 at Epcot on Memorial Day - anyone know if this is a good or bad idea?

 

[bookworm]

We are also planning a trip to WDW from may 29-june 4. I'm also hoping it won't be quite as crowded and hot as when we were last there in July. We went 3 years ago at the end of May and the humidity wasn't as bad as July. Hope this years the same. We also have to wait until school's out and allowing for snow days that is about the earliest we can manage it. Hopefully missouri won't have too many snow days.

 

[lovevacations]

We are going on our second visit from May 20th to June 2nd. Having chosen this time partly because we thought it would be less crowded than later in the summer, imagine my dismay when my newly purchased Unoffocia l Guide gives crowd ratings of 8-9 for virtually all of our stay at all the parks. I know there are no guarantees of anything, but, as I've not used this guide before, I'd be interested in any comments about the accuracy of the Unoffocial Guide's predictions. Of course, I am secretly hoping that you will all say, "No, of course it won't be that crowded.....!!!!" Is it too early to be getting stressed about crowds? YES, I know it is, but would be pleased to have your comments anyway.

We are going May 20th - May 30th and I had the exaxt same reaction to the Unofficial Guide's prediction. I'm using Tour Guide Mike's website as well and he has similar predictions. I figure we have 10 days to see the parks and it should be fine with a good plan and early arrivals!! This will be our first trip during a busy time but I'm hoping all goes well. Good luck!

 

[mantysk8coach]

We were there May 20 - 23 this past year and it wasn't too bad, at least that I remember. But I was just so thrilled to be there that I really didn't notice. If I remember correctly, Epcot wasn't bad at all. Magic Kingdom was somewhat crowded, but just make good use of Fast Pass and you should be fine.

Have a great time! We'll be there the following week, June 9 - 16.

 

[james15]

Gay days fall the 1st week of june. I believe they end june 4th so all of Orlando will be busy that week.Thats why we waited till the second week of june to go.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We are from Missouri too. I wanted to book for the week of May 21 but am afraid of snow days too. We had none last year,but I can not imagine getting that lucky again.
So we went ahead and booked for May 28th through June 2nd. We will be leaving right before Gay week starts. I know it will be busier than the week before Memorial day,but it iwll be ok.

We have a plan!!

I know my way around WDW enough that we should be able to do and see everything with no problems.

This will be the busiest time that we have even went......

We rented DVC points this time and so I had to secure my dates for the BWV. They are already getting full on the Studios. I am ready!!
I just hope it does not pour down rain the whole time like last year.

We left WDW on Friday before Memorial day and then the rain came. I remember everyone talking about it on the boards.

I would much rather go in May than mid June and July.....

 

[sandshal]

Rain in May! - Please don't - we have far too much of that in the Uk to travel 9 hours on a plane for more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! holiday'd in late June last time and saw far too much of it so brought it forward a month this time to avoid the wet stuff.

 

[james15]

We are from Missouri too. I wanted to book for the week of May 21 but am afraid of snow days too. We had none last year,but I can not imagine getting that lucky again.
So we went ahead and booked for May 28th through June 2nd. We will be leaving right before Gay week starts. I know it will be busier than the week before Memorial day,but it iwll be ok.

We have a plan!!

I know my way around WDW enough that we should be able to do and see everything with no problems.

This will be the busiest time that we have even went......

We rented DVC points this time and so I had to secure my dates for the BWV. They are already getting full on the Studios. I am ready!!
I just hope it does not pour down rain the whole time like last year.

We left WDW on Friday before Memorial day and then the rain came. I remember everyone talking about it on the boards.

I would much rather go in May than mid June and July.....

Where about in missouri are you from.Where from Republic about 12 miles sw of springfield.Would much rather take the family trip in October but the school district is cracking done on Vacations in the school year.So where doing the family frip JUne 1st -18th .Then my wife and i are going by are selfs in October.Dont know how a trip with out kids will feel but i bet we can find something to do.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We are from Dittmer Missouri. About 45 miles Southwest of St.Louis.

I look for short weeks in the Fall to pull DD out of school. We love DCL and I can not afford Summer prices. So she missed 3 days this past October cause they were off on that Thursday and Friday of the week I pulled her out!
The school was really understanding and encouraged a family trip and so I was glad about that. Althought they did send a ton of homework and it is only 2nd grade!!
We did it on the plane and so that worked out fine.

We will continue to do some sort of trips in the Fall.

I really want to go to WDW in December next year. MVMCP!! Loved it. We may pull her out a couple days in the middle of the month and go.

I am kind of excited to go at the end of May. I have never got to go when the parks are open later. I think we will be just fine. I know it will be busy and hot. We plan on afternoon downtime to swim.

I called and made all my ADR last night. My Cousin managed to get one of 2 spots left for the Wed May 31 Cinderella breakfast! I can not believe how popular Cindy is even after the huge price increase. I have done it 3 times and so I am passing on this trip.

I did get the new Ohana breakfast though with Lilo and Stitch!!

 

[james15]

Mid December is great. I believe a week of quality family time is has importan has a week of school.But the school board changed its policy this year.I have yet to find a bad time to go to WDW but christmas day 2004 was pushing it lol.

 

[thelionqueen]

Hey Michelle, we will be there at about the same time....same circumstances too!

We took our son out of school for 7 days in October, and I don't want to push it again. So, we are leaving 5/28 for 12 nights. I didn't realize until after I made the ressie that gay days and memorial day were going to create more crowds, but oh well!

How is the heat? In October, it was miserable! I hope it is not that bad, but we have annual water park passes too, so we can deal

We went in early May last year and everything was fine. Guess we'll see! Have a great trip!!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We were really hot on the cruise too. Usually by October the humidity has dropped.
We went to WDW for lunch the day we got off the ship and it was STEAMY HOT!!

I figure May will be hot...I am ready. We will deal with Memorial day and then I hope things calm down a bit.

I am planning MK for Wed May 31. The two days before it is open really late and I think EMH too. So I hope Wednesday will be a little better.

I am ready for warm weather!! We are already freezing her in Missouri!! High 24 today!!

It is going to be a long winter!!!!