Which park to do on Memorial day???

[BABYJOSIE98]

We are planning already for our trip May 28th! Which park would be less crazy on the Monday of Memorial day??

I know to stay away from MK,but we were thinking of doing AK. Getting there at opening and trying to get a lot done in the morning hours??

Anyone been to AK on Memorial day???

I can't believe I have to call for ADR at the end of the month!!

One good thing about this time of year is longer hours at the parks. I am not used to that. We are always there in the off season!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We were at WDW over Memorial Weekend this past year. MK was not too bad in the early morning but was WAY too crowded for comfort by lunchtime. Epcot in the evening was a madhouse!! We spent the afternoon at the pool -- crowded but enjoyable. Keep in mind that this past MW, all resorts within 20 min. or more of WDW were COMPLETELY booked. We found this out because we extended our original 8-day trip to 10. We didn't think we were going to be able to find a room but fortunately caught a cancellation at CSR at the very last minute (as in = we had packed our car at AKL and were ready to head home).

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We are arriving on Sunday and staying through Friday.

How were the days after Memorial day?????

I am already booked at the BWV...

I know it will be pretty busy,but I will make sure that we have a plan.

Do you suggest going to the parks that had extra magic hours the night before?

Like MK...Monday and Tuesday the hours are till 11pm with extra magic hours on Tuesday night. So we were thinking of going to MK on Wednesday morning at opening??

I would love to go the week before Memorial day again,but If we have snow days and missed school it would mess up my dates and I don't want to take a chance of losing my studio at the BWV...So we moved it too 5-28.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We went to Epcot on Memorial Day 2 years ago, and I'd recommend it.

 

[missypie]

Over Mem. Day weekend, we were at MK on Saturday, Epcot on Sunday and MGM on Monday. The only day that felt crazy-crowded was Sunday at Epcot.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We are arriving on Sunday and staying through Friday.

How were the days after Memorial day?????

I am already booked at the BWV...

I know it will be pretty busy,but I will make sure that we have a plan.

Do you suggest going to the parks that had extra magic hours the night before?

Like MK...Monday and Tuesday the hours are till 11pm with extra magic hours on Tuesday night. So we were thinking of going to MK on Wednesday morning at opening??

I would love to go the week before Memorial day again,but If we have snow days and missed school it would mess up my dates and I don't want to take a chance of losing my studio at the BWV...So we moved it too 5-28.

Tuesday is MORNING extra hour at MK - the evening one is Sunday. I know this because those are the dates I am looking at, too!

 

[debbiedoo]

Last year on Memorial day, we went to MK, and it was not bad at all. Then we had a PS at WCC and had our BBQ dinner, and then we went to Illuminations for fireworks--that plan worked out well -- good luck!!

 

[VickiVM]

We were also there this past Memorial weekend. I believe we did AK on that Sat, Epcot that Sunday and MK that Monday. Yes, I know we did because my husband chose not to do MK with us on that Monday (it was our second visit of the week) so he went to Epcot by himself. The kids and I had so much fun. We had originally planned to just stay until it became too crowded, but we were able to get on/visit so many attractions that we didn't leave until just before dinner - like maybe around 5pm. We planned a lot of rides early and just kind of winged it the rest of the afternoon. If you haven't already - get your lunch or dinner reservation in soon because that short respite out of the heat is really what kept us going. My kids were absolute troopers and that day convinced my that I wouldn't mind making a trip with the kids and without Dad!!

 

[Magalex]

During Memorial day weekend does the crowd level become so high that they ever had to close the gates? We may have to stay off-site and don't want to miss being at the parks.

Thanks
Magalex

 

[princessesrule4]

We went to MK at about 3pm on Memorial Day last year and it was very uncrowded. We were very excited and surprised!

 

[Teacher03]

We were there several years ago for a week before Memorial Day and a couple days after. We went to MK on Memorial Day, and it was crazy! My children were small at that time, and my husband and I had a difficult time hanging onto them during parade time. It took us forever to take the boat to Fort Wilderness, and someone did tell us they closed the park to offsite guests. We went back a couple years later at the same time, and just stayed at our resort that day and swam. The week before was wonderful, and the days after were also great. Good luck whatever park you go to.

 

[VickiVM]

There are a couple of things that you should take into consideration when planning a park visit on a holiday - 1)Is it an EMH morning? and 2)Was there EMH the previous night? My perception - and I may be wrong - is that when there's EMH the previous night, that many people take advantage of it and that park's attendance is extremely light the next morning - but the trick is to get there right at opening. I've read where that EMH at night is far worse crowd-wise than EMH in the morning. I would be the first one to say to STAY AWAY from MK on a holiday, but I took the advice of TGM and other's experiences as expressed here on DIS about going in the early am to MK on Memorial Day. I'm glad we did and we had a lovely time.

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

For our only Memorial Week trip, we went to IOS and Universal on Monday and Tuesday. We were there at park opening. After lunch we had done everything on our list and were ready to go back to our hotel for a swim. I've never seen crowds so big as when we were leaving. So take everyone's advice and get to your chosen park early!! PS We're going back Memorial Week on 2006!!

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

Oops, meant IOA and Universal Studios

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I feel much better about my planned trip now.

I guess I was looking at it wrong for the extra magic nighttime hours?? I thought it said Tuesday?? Oh well..I think we are going to do MK on Wednesday anyway.
I do plan to get to the parks when they open!! Morning is by far the best time to get major attractions done.

I am ready to call for our dining reservations at the end of the month!

Mister fans are also on my list of things to get.

Won't be doing the castle breakfast this time!! my goodness it is expensive!!


Thanks for all the tips!