WDW late April early May

[Brandilla]

That has been our experience with the various Cheer/Dance events when we are at the All-Stars as well.

They have Private Buses from Celebrity Hall to ESPN WWoS and also from Celebrity Hall to the Celebration Parties,but when they are just going to the Parks to tour,they are on the normal Guest buses with us.

The 15s HAVE in recent years begun to use Private Buses a lot of the time to go to the Parks(but not always).

Same here. We stayed at all star movies earlier this year over spring break and for the most part the big groups (cheerleaders if I remember right) weren't a huge problem, but one morning we were waiting in an already long line for the bus to get to a park, when a huge group of teenagers came and joined the line. They could've filled at least 2 busses themselves. I would've been so discouraged if we had ended up behind them in line.

 

[finedice]

This is the best time to go IF Easter is not in late April. The temps are generally perfect, the humidity is bearable, the average rainfall is at a yearly low, the crowds are tolerable and the park hours are reasonable. Most importantly, prices are better if Easter is not up against your "week". Don't worry about events - you'll be fine if you read these boards...

 

[WEDWDW]

This is the best time to go IF Easter is not in late April. The temps are generally perfect, the humidity is bearable, the average rainfall is at a yearly low, the crowds are tolerable and the park hours are reasonable. Most importantly, prices are better if Easter is not up against your "week". Don't worry about events - you'll be fine if you read these boards...

And Epcot is STUNNING during Flower & Garden!

There is "joy" in the air among Guests as SPRING has arrived!

 

[beccasmom]

We took a brief trip in late April this year and had perfect weather. We enjoyed the Garden Festival but it was pretty crowded on the weekend (we were only there for a few days). The following week was a fairly humid one (a colleague visited that week), so we indeed hit the weather sweet spot. May can be humid although we’ve often lucked out then too.

 

[_19disnA]

It seems Disney is always crowded since it is such a draw for people from around the world. As others have mentioned, big Holidays that move around like Easter can have an impact. Schools also tend to go on Spring break (or whatever they call it now) at various times. We went in early May this year and some days the parks were VERY crowded and also the temperature was quite warm. It rained a few times, but that didn't cause many issues other then a few outdoor rides were closed during that time. The Flower/Garden festival was worth seeing at Epcot, but wouldn't be enough of a reason for us to go at that time. Eventually, you just need to decide which dates best fit your needs and go from there.

 

[Farro]

It seems Disney is always crowded since it is such a draw for people from around the world. As others have mentioned, big Holidays that move around like Easter can have an impact. Schools also tend to go on Spring break (or whatever they call it now) at various times. We went in early May this year and some days the parks were VERY crowded and also the temperature was quite warm. It rained a few times, but that didn't cause many issues other then a few outdoor rides were closed during that time. The Flower/Garden festival was worth seeing at Epcot, but wouldn't be enough of a reason for us to go at that time. Eventually, you just need to decide which dates best fit your needs and go from there.

Wow, this is the first report I've heard that early May is VERY crowded. In fact, I normally read quite the opposite.

OP we are going early May - it's gonna be AWESOME!!!

 

[emily nicole]

We went that week during 2018 and 2019 and really enjoyed it both times. Crowds were low both years, and Flower & Garden is stunning. The weather in 2018 was PERFECT, not a drop of rain while we were there, and not overly hot or humid; but 2019 was a bit rainier and MUCH hotter, if I remember correctly.

We did notice a lot of cheerleaders in the park but I don’t feel they have any effect on the crowds. We did not stay at the values, though. (POFQ in 2018 and off-property in 2019).

 

[mckennarose]

We went in early May this year and some days the parks were VERY crowded and also the temperature was quite warm

We have gone in May for the last 6 years, and have never found the parks VERY crowded as compared to other times of the year that we go. Late April (which we have also gone) could be more crowded between Easter, Spring Break and Cheer groups, but we find summer or fall far more crowded than May. We also go pretty regularly in the Fall so we do have many trips to compare May to. I would agree that there are no slow times anymore, but May is still no where near what I would consider VERY crowded.

Wow, this is the first report I've heard that early May is VERY crowded. In fact, I normally read quite the opposite.

OP we are going early May - it's gonna be AWESOME!!!

It IS awesome! We love it! The temps are great, not surface-of-the-sun-hot yet, the crowds are lower than Fall, Flower and Garden is beautiful and NO HURRICANES! (we were there for Dorian the Fall and left early, ugh!) Coming from the Northeast, we LOVE the early start to Spring/Summer!

 

[_19disnA]

The day we were at Animal Kingdom in early May it was wall to wall people such that you couldn't easily walk around and basically just had to go where they were going until it thinned out. Magic Kingdom was the same a few days later. I guess if you don't mind that, then you will probably enjoy the experience.......LOL.

I can't speak to how that compares to other times since we only went once last year. As jammed with people as it was, I honestly don't see how it could be any busier regardless of the time of year.

 

[Unca’ Donald]

We’re thinking of bumping our usual early December trip to first week of May. My kids love swimming and it’s been a little too chilly the last couple trips we’ve been down. We’re from New England and I’m just nervous of the humidity but from what I understand it’s not as bad as summer?!

I live in Maine and we went May 4-11 this year. I had read that the heat/humidity usually doesn’t show up until later in the month, but it was hotter than we were expecting when we were there. It never felt unbearable though.
We were also there Halloween week and actually it felt much worse on a couple of those days, so you never really know what you’re going to get. But historically early May isn’t bad, so if you’re thinking about it I’d say go for it.

 

[mckennarose]

I don't think it's as simple as:

I guess if you don't mind that, then you will probably enjoy the experience.......LOL.

Disney is large, extremely popular and very busy... with tens of thousands of tourists visiting at a time. It's more about accepting HOW Disney is in actuality and working with it. Zig when others zag... work around the crowds because they're unavoidable, have a great time in spite of the many people around you.
May is less busy, trust me. If you want to see busy go for a major holiday, tour group season, Food and Wine or a sold out holiday party. That truly is wall to wall people. I'm not trying to diminish your disappointment with your experience of crowds, but when we're talking about Disney, it is unlike other areas or parks and "normal" rules don't apply. You need to have some sort of lose idea or plan on your days to work around the busy-ness. But in the times I've visited I can honestly say that May is way more "easy" to work with and definitely less busy.

 

[GovieMom]

The day we were at Animal Kingdom in early May it was wall to wall people such that you couldn't easily walk around and basically just had to go where they were going until it thinned out. Magic Kingdom was the same a few days later.

That turned out to be the case for us as well, when we visited during the second week of May two years ago. I couldn't believe how crowded the parks were, even in the rain (rained the whole week). AK to me was the worst; we had to walk waaaay back to find the end of the "fastpass" line for Safari!

 

[_19disnA]

^^ Our experience as well. After not going to Disney for several years, we thought it would be fun to go. Our general impression was it was TOO crowded, TOO expensive and even in early May, TOO hot to fight the crowds and long lines. Perhaps others enjoy that for their vacation, bet we prefer many other places we have been far more. Yes, for us the decision to not return anytime soon is an easy one. But to each their own.

 

[Farro]

Hey OP, stay positive and enjoy your vacation whenever you go! We intend to enjoy ours. Be there 5/6 and cant wait!!!