When Do Crowds Start Coming for Memorial Day?

[Luv4Disney]

Just curious as DBF and I will be staying until the 24th this year. We've never stayed this late but had to adjust our plans due to DBF's job. However, we've always gone the same time the past two years and have noticed that the crowds noticeably increase around the 20/21st due to southern schools letting out. Do the crowds start heading in about a week before, or mid week before? Any ideas from those who go for Memorial Day? Thanks in advance!

 

[jmommy]

I, too, would be very interested to know about the crowds. We are arriving on the 19th (doing Universal 19 -21) then on to Disney from 21- 28....know that the end of week will see increased holiday crowd, but was sure hoping that we could get a lot done at the beginning of the week. We live in the South (North Carolina) and we do not get out of school until June 8th...we are taking the kids (5th and 2nd grades) out for a week, but they will be finished with the end of grade testing by then so will not miss much school. I know most schools in NC do not get out until first week of June...not sure about further south. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[brettgirl]

Interested too, we are going May 20-28th. Taking the kids out of school for 4 days, we don't end up here in Northeastern PA until June 8-a week early as we did not use all of our snow days! Keep in mind that Star Wars weekends are going on.

 

[jwfla422]

WELL, being that we just got back yesterday I have to tell you...the crowds are already there! We have been to WDW the past 5 yrs in late April/early May and it was never as crowded as it was this past week this time of the year.

I would imagine the closer to Memorial Day the more crowded it will be. Many FL schools finish the week before. Here the last day of school is the 25th so I'd be prepared for high crowds several days before.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We had no problems at all the week before Memorial day last year. We talked to several people on the busses that said it was not that crowded at all.
We stayed at AKL and our resort was not full and our pool area was always good and chairs available. We went to Sea World too and it was a wonderful time to go!

Now when we checked out on that Friday before Memorial day I noticed things really picking up!!! The resort was hoping that day!

This year I had to wait for my Cousin's kid to get out of school and so we don't check into the BWV till Sunday May 28th. I know it will be busier than the week before, but still not as bad as mid summer. We hope after Monday that things will settle a bit for the rest of the week.

We have a plan to get to the parks at opening and get a lot done in the morning. My kid gets out on the 22 nd and I wish I could go then!!!!!

One positive thing I have noticed is there is plenty of resort availability for the week we are going. So that is a good sign. I know the week after it is really full...

 

[bobbiwoz]

We had no problems at all the week before Memorial day last year. We talked to several people on the busses that said it was not that crowded at all.
We stayed at AKL and our resort was not full and our pool area was always good and chairs available. We went to Sea World too and it was a wonderful time to go!

Now when we checked out on that Friday before Memorial day I noticed things really picking up!!! The resort was hoping that day!

This was our experience last year as well, we stayed at BCV and got to do everything we wanted to do including multiple times on Soarin! We even got to make same day (actually only 2 hours before dinner, we thought about it as we were swimming in SAB) dining reservations at Alfredo's, a place DH wanted to try.

Bobbi

 

[bobkbaines]

Sounds like it won't be too bad! We're going the day after our schools get out here in east central Georgia - May 20-26.

 

[eeyoregirl]

I, too, would be very interested to know about the crowds. We are arriving on the 19th (doing Universal 19 -21) then on to Disney from 21- 28..Keeping my fingers crossed.

We are going to WDW May 19-28 also and were wondering the same things. We anticipate Memorial Day weekend to be jammed, but what about earlier in the week? Oh well. As I have read here before many times, "a bad day at Disney is better than any other day somewhere else."

Can't wait to go!

 

[cjb71870]

That week is also the annual week for Gay Days at Disney. May 27- June 4th.
Just to let you know.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Saturday June 3 is the big day they will all be celebrating in MK. Plus I know from my hairdresser who goes that they all stay at the moderates and they are all booked starting June 3!!!!

I believe it is the first full week of June, but I could be wrong???

I know the first week in June is Gay week everywhere..Even at Six Flags in Missouri!!! Last year we noticed it big time.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

talks like Sunday June 4 is the big day for MK this year??

News and information portal relating to events scheduled during GAY DAYS in Orlando, Florida.
June 1st - 4th, 2006
On Saturday, head to GAY DAY at UNIVERSAL'S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE. And on Sunday, be sure to participate in GAY DAY at DISNEY'S MAGIC KINGDOM

hope this helps!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Thursday June 1 is GayDay at AK, Friday the 2nd is MGM, Saturday is WDW and Sunday is Epcot. (reference www.gaydays.com)

According to TouringPlans.com ... from now till May 20th pretty much, expect crowds of a 7 on a scale out of 10. Starting May 20th, it bumps up to an 8 and then on the 26,27 the crowd level is a 9 ... then it drops back to 7 for the week of GayDays..and then starting on Sunday June 04 , it's back up to 8 for the month of June and July.

J

 

[Mom to Will and Finn]

We were there last year, too. The week before Memorial Day was fine. Not empty, but manageable crowds. Once Memorial Day hit, though, look out! It got crowded fast!

 

[Luv4Disney]

This is good to hear! I was getting nervous. Thanks everyone!