Disney in May?

[Amy Shelton]

We are thinking about planning a trip for May 2015. What week is the best time to go as far as crowds, events and holidays?

We have the option to go in September as well? What would you pick?

Thanks!!

 

[Weather_Lady]

We are going in May, too and I'd recommend it! We chose the week of the 4th due to nice average weather and low crowds, although anytime in the first half of May is generally a great time to go (particularly since you'll be well past the Easter breakers -- even more so next year, when Easter Sunday is fairly early - April 5th). During the last 2 weeks as you get closer to Memorial Day, the crowds go up a little and the weather will continue to get hotter and more summer-like, but there's no really "bad" time according to the crowd calendars I've reviewed.

September will obviously be even lower crowds (on a scale of 1-10, you're looking at 1s and 2s in September, as opposed to 4s and 5s in May) -- getting lower (and the weather growing cooler) as the month progresses and schools start their fall session. Airfare is also likely to be cheaper that time of year and WDW is more likely to offer some kind of discount or free dining.

Go with whatever is most convenient for you. You can't lose either way.

 

[ShookieJones]

We used to do May (first week) and now we do September (last week)

Crowds -

Crowds have been very similar, moderate easy to manage.

Events -

May - Flower and Garden - They didn't have the food booths when we used to go but it was still nice.
September - F&WF - Tons of food and beverages , but big crowds at WS on the weekends.

Weather -

All our May trips (7 total) we didn't have but 45 minutes of rain total.

We've only had 2 September trips but they've played out:

1st year with quite a bit of rain but not to the point we couldn't have fun.
2nd year (last year) there was barely a drop, much like our May tri.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

We used to do May (first week) and now we do September (last week)

Crowds -

Crowds have been very similar, moderate easy to manage.

Events -

May - Flower and Garden - They didn't have the food booths when we used to go but it was still nice.
September - F&WF - Tons of food and beverages , but big crowds at WS on the weekends.

Weather -

All our May trips (7 total) we didn't have but 45 minutes of rain total.

We've only had 2 September trips but they've played out:

1st year with quite a bit of rain but not to the point we couldn't have fun.
2nd year (last year) there was barely a drop, much like our May tri.

What he said. Just an FYI we experienced the "crowds" to be a lot of school groups so bring your patience for forty 11 year olds screaming in the middle of walk ways.

 

[bigorangeandy]

If it was me I would go for May, humidity is not as bad (all things are relative) to me. Also with September you are in peak hurricane season. Another thing May has is that it gets here 4 months earlier, so you don't have to wait as long. As long as your trip is done by the end of May for the Memorial Day crowds, it should be good. I don't think that either will be a bad choice, it will just come down to what works best for you, or cheapest.

 

[belledream]

May and September are the two months that I usually plan my Disney trips for. Lower prices, manageable crowds, and great events! May is Flower & Garden, while September is Halloween and Food & Wine. I personally found September to be the least crowded and a relatively inexpensive trip, but the parks also had slightly shorter operating hours so there's that to take into account as well.

Weather is unpredictable - go with what interests you and what fits your budget!

 

[Mukta]

I vote for September because the hotel prices are the cheapest and crowds are super low.

 

[RMichael21]

I would recommend September. This is because it will most likely be a little bit cooler. Also, there will be Halloween decorations up around that time so that's a plus to.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I have to say May and September are a lot alike but I noticed that I've gotten to go for a better price in September and the crowds a little bit less crowded

 

[lostpro9het]

We have the option to go in September as well? What would you pick?

Depends what you like/want

We've found the crowds are much lighter the first two weeks of September, once was all of September but since they've started F&W even earlier, late September gets busy. In May, you battle Expedition Everest race, cheerleading and F&G the first weekend, then you have Star Wars weekends the remaining of the month with some F&G overlap.

We've also found the weather in September a bit more pleasant. Last May we had showers every day and one downpour, no biggie it's Florida, but the heat was more noticeable than in September.

Outside of the F&G, the parks all look normal in May. In September the Halloween decorations are up and that's pretty neat to see and experience.

Having done two May visits and two September trips, with a third trip for each coming this year, I'd personally give the edge to September.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I would recommend September. This is because it will most likely be a little bit cooler. Also, there will be Halloween decorations up around that time so that's a plus to.

Cooler in September? I have found September to be one of the rainiest, muggiest, hottest times of year. May all the way. More sun, less rain, less humidity, few flight delays.

 

[jeffk410]

I love May. Started going May every year about 4-5 years ago. I have been almost every week bracket in the Month. My preference is early May as the crowds seem to be lighter and there is less chance of rain.

 

[JoeT63]

I think everyone should go in September this year...

...since I'm going in May.

 

[LAKid53]

We go in late April and late October. Both months the weather is nice and cooler than May and September. Spring break/Easter is done by late April. The kids are definitely back in school late October and the Halloween decorations are up and you can go to MNSSHP, if you want. September is usually the busiest month as far as hurricane season (June to October), but central Florida hasn't been affected since 2004/2005 hurricane seasons. We've never had a problem with rain in late April and sometimes the days are clear and cool (upper 60s to low 70s). I agree that September is still hot and muggy and you may have school kids who go back in September for that last trip. Avoid the federal holiday weekend in October (Columbus Day?) as I understand kids in Orange County have that Monday off and the park will be crowded since it is the only 3 day weekend between Labor Day and Thanksgiving - we found out the hard way....

 

[Rodb]

Always like taking the kids out of school the three days before Memorial Day weekend.

 

[LAKid53]

Always like taking the kids out of school the three days before Memorial Day weekend.

For us, that would be taking them out the last 2-3 days of the school year...

 

[KCheatle]

You have proposed my 2 favorite times to go, so from my perspective it's a win-win . Having said that, here's my thoughts on the 2 times, in case any of it helps you:

(1) From a "mental" standpoint, I prefer May to September because after a long winter it's nice to look forward to Disney. September is just so far away from winter, and by the time you get back it's time for winter again and you don't have another trip booked yet because you just got back
(2) From a crowds perspective, the crowds are better in September than in May. We have always gone in early May, though, so the crowds aren't bad. But in September, the parks are dead if you get there at Rope Drop.
(3) As far as weather, I prefer the weather in May. May's weather is a little milder than September. September can get very, very hot. And, there's always the risk of hurricane season in September.
(4) From an activities perspective, my kids have really enjoyed MNSSHP. However, the downsides to MNSSHP are that it costs extra (and, it's not cheap), and that MK closes at 7 multiple nights of the week for that party. That gets annoying when you are not going to the party because it cuts into your time in the parks. In May, you can go to the MK every night if you want. And, because we stay at WL, we like to end up at MK when we can.

 

[jlsHouston]

I love March, April, July, August, October and November. Those are all the months I have visited Disney. I love them for different reasons. I would expect May would be warm enough for some good pool time, and a whole lot less humid than September since Orlando weather is very similar to Houston. If I were going in September I would choose late September to try and catch some of the F&W at EPCOT.
I just deceitfully and spontaneously booked myself a trip in May because...

1. I want to go one more time before it gets real hot and humid
2. I want to go one more time on the AP I bought last July and this years summer trip is already booked for August because of Weddings and stuff
3. I want to go for a Star War thing
4. I want to maybe go for that 24 hour thing at MK
5. I want to go