Early May Trip. Crowded?

[AngieTink27]

New to the forums with a question. DH and I had originally planned a trip for early May. We both figured is a slow time since prior to summer vacation season. We were going to originally take DS(7) and DD(4), as this would be the kids very first time to Disney. HOWEVER, plans have since changed due to DH's job situation. As it looks now, a trip for all 4 of us just seems impractical and unfeasable because of financial situations. DH and I would still like to go ourselves to get our fix, and can easily arrange for the kids to stay with Nana and PapPaw during the week we would be gone. ((The kids do not know of planned trip yet, so would not be disappointed)). Luckily this could all work out, and then in a few years when financial situations have improved we can do a trip with all 4 of us. My question is about the time of year we will be going. For those who have gone in early May, what crowd can be expected? We do not want to wait until the schools are out and have the crowd issue, and we have to go sooner rather than later in hopes DH will be working come this summer which is good, but will also hender vacation time dry if he has a new job. He suggests early May would be our best bet to squeeze in what could possibly be our last Disney fix for a couple years. What is it like during that time? Can we expect calmer crowd levels despite the MM+ and new FL rollouts? Thanks in advance for any tips or advice.

 

[LostPrincessKarleigh]

We have been in the first two weeks of May, and we are going again this may, and it was not bad. Some days were a little crowded but taking a break in the afternoon kept us from the worst part of the crowds.
Personally, I thought October was better because it was cooler and we had free dining but the crowds were really about the same.

 

[AngieTink27]

Good to hear about early May! We try to arrive as soon as the parks open which also helps.

 

[wogwog]

Good to hear about early May! We try to arrive as soon as the parks open which also helps.

Except, keep in mind, the long awaited 7D Mine Train ride might be opening about that time. I have not heard a firm date but have heard the estimate from cast member friends. Bad news I do not think Disney is in a position to tell you now.

 

[AngieTink27]

That is sooner than I thought.We were expecting the ride to open sometime this summer as in after Memorial Day weekend. That would be nice to have it open when we visit, but hopefully would not influence an unexpected crowd rush.

 

[LostPrincessKarleigh]

I think the "official date", just via rumor, is may 2. But that is only because media days are a few days before.

 

[SMS55]

May is not too bad. Been going off and on for years. Sometimes you'll have some Florida schools doing day trips for their kids, but other than that it's not too bad. Get to the parks early and you'll be fine. Your real concern is the weather. The summer weather pattern has started. It will be hot and humid and expect the typical afternoon storms.

 

[AngieTink27]

Your real concern is the weather. The summer weather pattern has started. It will be hot and humid and expect the typical afternoon storms.

After the winter we have had up here in Idiana, that sounds perfectly fine to me. The hot weather that is, not the storms.

 

[stevehousse]

I guess I'll be the first, but seriously?!?!? You have 2 kids that have never been to Disney World yet, but you and your husband want to be selfish and just go by yourselves! I'm sorry but that's just too bogus to do to your kids...I could see if they have been there before, that's one thing, but you really need to go when you all can go. Go to Vegas or take a cruise if you want to go on a spousal trip...

Save your money up and go when you can all go as a family, period.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I guess I'll be the first, but seriously?!?!? You have 2 kids that have never been to Disney World yet, but you and your husband want to be selfish and just go by yourselves! I'm sorry but that's just too bogus to do to your kids...I could see if they have been there before, that's one thing, but you really need to go when you all can go. Go to Vegas or take a cruise if you want to go on a spousal trip...

Save your money up and go when you can all go as a family, period.

The OP said the kids don't even know about the surprised trip, so there's no hurt there. They do not need to go when the kids can go, too. There's absolutely nothing wrong with going to Disney without one's kids. I'm pretty certain I'll be doing that when I have kids of my own. Why is Disney only set aside for families?

 

[stevehousse]

The OP said the kids don't even know about the surprised trip, so there's no hurt there. They do not need to go when the kids can go, too. There's absolutely nothing wrong with going to Disney without one's kids. I'm pretty certain I'll be doing that when I have kids of my own. Why is Disney only set aside for families?

I don't think it's really matters if the kids know about it or not, they have never been before...u should wait to go to Disney with your kids. Like I said, it would be different if the kids have been before, but to just say screw it, we're gonna go without the kids instead is just bogus.

 

[C&D]

Agreeing with stevehousse; if both kids were under five, I'd say okay, but with a seven year old (it's time) and even the four year old would (probably) remember (his first) visit. This would be the opportunity to get those first pictures (memories for life). Just my opinion (and of course stevehousse's).
As far as early May: not too bad crowd wise; as has been posted on other threads, there are very few low-low crowd level days (anymore) but early May can be good weather and moderate for crowds (can be cool or hot, but usually, humidity hasn't kicked in full force yet). Hope you can 'swing it' and bring the kids. Best of luck to you.

 

[ImagineerDude]

After the winter we have had up here in Idiana, that sounds perfectly fine to me. The hot weather that is, not the storms.

Hey we live in Indiana too...and we are going in early May for the first time! Hopefully the Mine Train will draw crowds away from the other parks if anything.

 

[SMS55]

I don't think it's really matters if the kids know about it or not, they have never been before...u should wait to go to Disney with your kids. Like I said, it would be different if the kids have been before, but to just say screw it, we're gonna go without the kids instead is just bogus.

I'm with you on this. If the kids have never been I think this isn't the time to take a trip with out them. That's down the road if you want. The wife and I want to plan a long weekend to Disney with just us, but our kids have been there more than we can count. We want to go and do more adult stuff. Sure we'll ride our favorite rides, but drinking around the world, maybe a spa and some time lounging around the pool.

 

[AngieTink27]

I guess I'll be the first, but seriously?!?!? You have 2 kids that have never been to Disney World yet, but you and your husband want to be selfish and just go by yourselves! I'm sorry but that's just too bogus to do to your kids...I could see if they have been there before, that's one thing, but you really need to go when you all can go. Go to Vegas or take a cruise if you want to go on a spousal trip...

Save your money up and go when you can all go as a family, period.

No no no no lol! We certainly are not leaving out the kids and will take many trips with them in the future.Sorry for the misunderstanding. It is just the May trip that we cannot feasably go with all 4 of us. Once they are older they should remember more of the experience anyway. But gosh no we will not deprive them of experiencing WDW!

 

[Californian Elitist]

I don't think it's really matters if the kids know about it or not, they have never been before...u should wait to go to Disney with your kids. Like I said, it would be different if the kids have been before, but to just say screw it, we're gonna go without the kids instead is just bogus.

I could understand you if the OP decided to never, ever take their kids to Disney. It's just this specific time that they're going without the kids. One time. What's the big deal?

 

[stevehousse]

Sorry buts it's just weird to do that...why not wait to go until the fall when u can save more money for everyone to go! It's the right thing to do...

 

[Californian Elitist]

@AngieTink27 Go and have a good time with your spouse. Don't worry about the kids. I'm sure they'll be very excited for the trip where you all go. I hope it's not too crowded during your visit. Enjoy yourselves!

 

[PoppinsFan]

My DH and myself are planning our first trip early May without kids. We have been very fortunate to go as a family several times, and are really looking forward to an "adult" trip. Your children our still young, our kids were 10 & 7 when they went for the first time. I think you should go for it!

 

[Mr. Pricklepants]

I personally see no problem leaving the kids at home with grandparents. My daughter would love to spend time without us at either grandparents. Maybe this is just be a couple trip, time to reconnect instead of being Mom and Dad. To me that's not selfish at all. If they are like my wife and myself, they were a couple first and then kids. No one would question them if they were going to Vegas, but the notion that since it's Disney World you are required to bring to bring the kids is not right. Sometimes it's nice to enjoy fleeting notion of couple only bliss. First memories can be made anytime and kids are not entitled to go just because mom and dad are going. I'm happy for you that you get a chance to go. We are going in May as well with our kid but we going to have come kid-less time in the world.