WDW in March or May

[etwinchester]

Our last trip to WDW was in March and the weather & crowds were GREAT. I just hated the fact that MK closed around 7:00 at night. That is way too early for me. I love to be at the parks at night to see everything lit up. March is also considered PEAK season and the park closes that early??? It doesn't make sense.

Our next trip we are planning to stay onsite for the very first time. I noticed that May would be regular season and save us some money vs. staying in March.

Could anyone tell me what the first two weeks of May is like? How are the weather and crowds? Is there anywhere I can view park hours for May or get an idea?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Safari Queen]

Our last trip to WDW was in March and the weather & crowds were GREAT. I just hated the fact that MK closed around 7:00 at night. That is way too early for me. I love to be at the parks at night to see everything lit up. March is also considered PEAK season and the park closes that early??? It doesn't make sense.

Our next trip we are planning to stay onsite for the very first time. I noticed that May would be regular season and save us some money vs. staying in March.

Could anyone tell me what the first two weeks of May is like? How are the weather and crowds? Is there anywhere I can view park hours for May or get an idea?

March is peak because of Spring Break. If it wasn't busy, chances are you hit a week when there were schools on vacation, hence the limited hours. May weather is usually wonderful...warm enough for swimming but not to make you bake, pleasant in the evenings. The crowds are pretty low compared to high summer or holiday/spring vacation periods. It's usually ideal from every perspective, but the parks still might not be open later at night except on weekends.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Just to let you know, Grad nights in 2006 will be May 5 and 6. The MK park will probably be closing at 6:00 those nights.

I can't help you with your other questions. But there are some things you can do when the parks close early, like the hayride at Fort Wilderness, the horse drawn carriage at Wilderness Lodge (and some other resort also has this, I'm sure someone can tell you which one), the Luau at the Poly, things like that.

I'm actually planning on being there the first week in May. I'm going down with some friends for a birthday celebation, so I'm looking into what we can do when the MK closes early.

 

[hockey mom]

We have been in march and may and I prefer May. Weather was warmer and crowds were lighter.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Been both in March and May. Mid May was wonderful, lovely weather and low crowds. March was nice (a bit chillier at times) but busy because of Spring breaks and Easter (when it is early like in 2005). Since this will be your first time ON property, you will be able to take advantage of the EMH evening hours when selected parks stay open 3 hours later. You will be spoiled by the evening EMH and never want to stay offsite again!
Enjoy your trip!!

 

[etwinchester]

Thanks. I think I'm leaning towards May just for cheaper room rates, especially when staying for 2 weeks.

When you book a room with the dining plan that is considered a package, right?

There is no way to get room codes or discount codes then?

 

[sammielynn]

I like May! Never had a bad May trip. We go every-other year the week before Memorial Day. Pick the boys up from their last day of school and head south. Weather is great and the crowds are low. Did everything we wanted to do in AK by 2:00.

 

[LittleBoPeep]

So far, we've only gone in May. The parks are open later (MK until at least 10 p.m. during the week, 11 p.m. or midnight on the weekends), there are light crowds and the weather is nice and warm...just right for a visit to the waterparks! And you only need a light sweater if anything at night. The longest we've ever waited in an attraction line was this year during the Happiest Celebration kick-off, and it was 25 minutes at Soarin' (and it was so worth it, too!).
Good luck with your decision!

 

[etwinchester]

Thanks. I think I'll be changing my dates till May. This will give me 2 extra months of saving for our next trip.