Which park on Mother's Day?

[fun & fancy free]

We have never been to WDW on Mother's Day. I am reading that that is one of the busiest days of the year. Any recommendations on which park is not too bad that day. Maybe we should spend the day at the pool or DTD. Oh, I just don't know what to do. We will probably do a nice dinner/Lunch that day to celebrate but even that we don't know where. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[bethbuchall]

We were at MK on Mother's Day 2002 and MGM on Mother's Day 2004. Neither park was crowded at all. In fact, last Mother's Day was the least crowded day that we had all week. This year the crowds may be heavier, because Mother's Day is 5/8, and the big celebration is 5/5.

Beth

Edited to add: We didn't do any sit-down meals on Mother's Day, because we expected those restaurants would be busier than normal, so I can't help with planning a nice lunch/dinner. I would just suggest calling as soon as you are eligible for PS's.

 

[fun & fancy free]

Bethbuchall Were does WDW get it's info then. Everything list Mom day to be one of the busiest. What time of day were you at MK? I will have to give this some serious thought. I would love to be at MK for mom's day. I would even pass on the sitdown meal if I had to.

 

[minkydog]

We were at Epcot on Mother's Day 2003. My mother and I loved it: the weather is great, not too hot, the flowers are gorgeous. While it was busy it wasn't awful. We did not do a sit-down dinner, just "snacked" our way around the lake.

Cathy--leaving for WDW in 4 days

 

[bethbuchall]

May, 2002 was much less busy overall than May, 2004, and the park hours were a lot shorter. Maybe we were just lucky. We were at MK the whole day that year, but it closed early...like 6:00pm or 7:00pm. That year Mother's Day was May 12th which is also my brother's birthday. It was our first day in the parks. We went with extended family and stayed off-site at my parents' time share. I know that we were "home" in time to have a Mother's Day/birthday dinner. Also, I don't believe that Sunday was EMH for resort guests at MK that year (though I could be wrong).

Last May, we were so excited that MGM was empty that day, because it was our first day in the parks. We saw everything had went on ToT and RnR multiple times. I just reviewed my itinerary, and we did actually have a sit-down lunch at 50's PT that day. I do remember now that they made mention of it being Mother's Day so I got to make all the decisions at the meal. We had a bit of a wait (I think about 20 minutes after our PS time), but it certainly wasn't bad. We went to Fantasmic that night (one show at 9:00 pm). We arrived about an hour ahead of show time and had perfect center seats about half-way up the section...close enough to feel some mist, but not so close that we were wet. We noticed that you could have walked in about 5 minutes before the show and had a seat over on the far left.

Beth

 

[fun & fancy free]

Thanks Beth for all the details. I'm thinking we might have to play this day of the hip. If one park is busy we can go to another (AP). Now for dining that's another plan entirely. I don't want to wait till the last minute because of the 90 ps rule. I will have to do some research. Thanks again, Beth

 

[DebbieB]

My Mom and I were there for Mother's Day in 2000, 2001 & 2003. We went to Epcot in the morning to get our picture taken, they were doing free pictures similiar to MVMCP. They hand out pin-on carnations at the entrance. Then in the afternoon went to MK and had dinner at CRT. Neither park was real crowded. We're planning it again this year, I have to call in a couple weeks for the CRT PS (Feb 7). They require a credit card guarantee for PS's on Mother's Day. I think the cancellation rule is 48 hours. In 2003 they also had an offer to order a corsage from the WDW Florist which will be sitting on the table when you arrive.

 

[brermomof2]

I would choose EPCOT if large crowds are a concern, as it is more spread out and will "feel" less crowded. Also, I prefer their dining choices. You will have to be prepared to call first thing on the 90 day out mark to make your PS. If another park is preferred, you can always start the day there and then if it becomes too crowded head to EPCOT sooner.

 

[luvchip]

We were at Mothers Day last year and we didn't really have a problem. We got to the park for 9:00 am opening and went right to Fantsyland. We rode everything back there, stopped for a few autographs, went to Toontown did pictures in the Judges tent with Cinderella, Tigger, Pooh, rode the Barnstormer and rode Buzz lightyear and were back to our rooms by 12:00-12:30. We then went back later in the afternoon, around 4:00 and it was more crowded but we still rode buzz lightyear, indy cars, saw the performance at the Castle had dinner and then stayed for Wishes. I'd say the key is the get there early and leave if it is crowded. I found a couple days later in the week more crowed at MK than Mothers Day,

 

[Princess Glenda]

We went to MK for Mother's Day last year. The crowds were very light. We had a wonderful day. When we walked through the gates they gave each Mom a carnation. It was a magical day.

 

[DebbieB]

I made my PS for dinner at CRT, they did not require a credit card guarantee. I just read on allearsnet that they are no longer requiring it for holidays.