Crowds in May

[jason976]

For those of you that have been in May, can you tell me what the crowd levels are like? In 2007, we went in February, crowds were okay, but it ended up being pretty cold all week. This year we went during spring break. The weather was better but the parks were packed. Thanks to a lot of great planning, we were still able to get everything we wanted done multiple times.

For 2009, my wife and I have decided to take our son out of school on the first week of May in hopes of missing the spring break crowd and beating the summer break crowd. It seems that the weather would be perfect and the crowds manageable. Is this a good idea?

 

[DznyGrlSD]

I went the 1st week in May this year and the weather was BEAUTIFUL and the crows were light. I'm planning on going again this year :sohappy:

 

[Disney05]

May is our favorite time to go. Mid May is usually nice. Weather great, crowds not too bad. End of May crowds are just a bit higher but still ok.

 

[Kelsybelle]

May is my absolute favorite time to go to WDW. The first 3 weeks are usually not too busy and the weather is perfect! It's also the Flower and Garden Festival in Epcot so it makes it a very festive time to visit!

 

[pinkrose]

We were there the first week of May this year and the crowds weren't bad at all.

 

[hwdelien]

We usually go on week 26, which usually is the last week of April or the first week of May. The weather is nice, some days are not warm enough for swimming, but not often. The crowds are as light at any other time that I have been there and you barely even need FastPasses. In fact, we had instant FastPasses that we got from Disney Vacation Club and didn't even use them all and gave them to someone in line wait for a meeting with Mickey at DHS. We didn't miss any rides in all four parks.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We took our first ever trip in May this year without the kids. We were there the 2nd week. Some of the days get pretty warm in the afternoons but for the most part we would leave the parks and head back to our room around lunch to relax, rest, shower, swim, do laundry, etc. Crowds were pretty light starting out but as the week wore on it got busier. The last day we were there was a Saturday and it was much more crowded than the rest of the week. We talked to a lot of parents who said they took their kids out of school for the final week or so of school because the kids generally wouldn't miss much with standardized tests already completed. I know my brother's kids got out in early May this past school year so it made sense. We thought about May for a vacation as well but decided we just didn't want to wait that long. LOL! You'll have a great time. Enjoy!

 

[DISMOM]

In 2004, and 2006, we were there the second week of May. In 2008, we hit the first week of May. We were able to swim each day and enjoyed the water parks on all three vacations. Crowds were very good. In 2008, the temps were up there [low 90's at times] with a hot dry wind blowing the entire time. With each trip we notice more crowds. This year, we noticed not too many Americans as the dollar was down in Europe, Asia and Australia.

 

[Disney05]

......This year, we noticed not too many Americans as the dollar was down in Europe, Asia and Australia.

We noticed that last week too.

 

[MMFanCipher]

We went in May of 2007 and the weather was great and the crowds light.

 

[mbtohill]

I have to agree with everyone else...we went in May '06, '07 and '08. Always go Sat-Sat around mother's day. Take my DD's out of school, they are 8 and 5 now and the crowds are light and the weather is always great.

I have seen an increase in the crowds in the 3 years we have been going as other parents realize the benefits of going in May.

We have already booked for May 2-9 '09.

 

[Tater48]

Ditto, here as well. Went 3rd week of May this year and the crowds were not bad at all and the weather was terrific. Pool was a little chilly on a couple of these days, but not bad on the others. Will be returning in 2009 from May 16-23.

 

[jason976]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. We are counting down the days to this trip and now we are even more excited about going in May.