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Planning for Disney World in May

by Leap on January 30, 2017

For those of you looking to escape full-blown summer crowds at the Orlando theme parks, the answer is May. Disney World in May still sees its share of crowds around the holiday and on weekends, but the rest of the month sees lower crowd levels. Not September crowd levels, but better-than-summer lower crowd levels. We'll take it.

May is truly one of the Frog Family's favorite months to visit the Walt Disney World Resort and the Orlando theme parks because there are a ton of fun events at the parks.

Crowds at Disney World in May

The first half of the month sees the lowest crowds, with neutral crowd levels during the week and slightly higher crowd levels on weekends. The days leading up to Memorial Day Weekend and the week of the holiday will see the very highest crowds of the month.

You should definitely check out our Orlando Crowd Calendar to see the best dates to plan your trip to Disney World in May. No matter when you visit, make sure to download our wait-time apps before you head to the parks.

Weather at Disney World in May

With all of the water parks open, get ready to have fun in the sun! The average high is 91 with the average low at 60. There are medium rainfall chances in May, so make sure to bring that pancho. Here is the packing list for this time of year.

Events at Disney World in May

There are a ton of events happening at the Orlando theme parks and Disney World in May. Be sure to check out special events pages for Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa for full details.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida

Are you planning to visit Disney World in May? Share any questions you have in comments below! You'll find more resources to help you plan your Disney World vacation on our When to Visit Orlando page inside the Orlando Planning Guide.

Keep hopping!

Tags: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Star Wars Weekends, Crowd Calendar, Gay Days

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Apr 13, 2017 at 9:21 p.m.

Hugo Says...

We are going To Orlando from May 14 to 21. Planning to go to MK at Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday Epcot. Family of six with child of 2-6 and 8 years ago.

Thanks

Oct 25, 2015 at 10:26 p.m.

Jennifer Says...

Hello, my boyfriend and I are going to Disney 5/8 - 5/14 of 2016. How are the crowds that time as I've never been there in May.

May 14, 2015 at 7:31 a.m.

kunal Says...

reading about so many things and replies you are doin a great help..

we are a family of four (kids 6&9) we will be there on the 27th to 2nd of may .

i really dont know how to plan the trip as kids wanna do all and know nothing of the parks and passes . which day to go where considering the busy days and eased out days. how to plan for universal studios as well ..

please help ..

thanks

May 15, 2015 at 9:41 a.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kunal,

I would plan at least four days at Disney World and at least two at Universal. You can follow our Crowd Calendar for daily park recommendations. If you haven't yet, I would also check out our touring plans. We have brand-new printables that you can take with you, and they include tips, FastPass+ recommendations for Disney, a general map and packing lists.

Apr 12, 2015 at 12:25 a.m.

serge Says...

what do you think about quick quiew sea world ticket and universal express ticket for a week day in may (10 - 14)?

Thank you

Apr 13, 2015 at 8:45 a.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Serge,

We love to skip the lines no matter the time of year, but we are expecting neutral crowds during this time and don't think they are absolutely necessary. I would prioritize Express Pass over Quick Queue, although the former is more expensive.

Keep Hopping!

Leap

Feb 28, 2015 at 4:48 a.m.

Vipul Shah Says...

Hi, I visitng Orlando from 7th to 15 may with my wife and 14 year old daughters.

can you help me guide the most important parks to visit and what combo tickets to buy.

thanks

Mar 6, 2015 at 12:49 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Vipul,

It sounds like this is a first visit for you all. Given your daughter's age, I would suggest you visit Disney World and Universal, and consider SeaWorld Orlando too. If you are thinking about Magic Your Way tickets, I would spend at least four days at Disney World so you can see each of the parks.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Feb 18, 2015 at 11:49 a.m.

Tracy Walton Says...

Good morning from the Windy City, my grandson is 4 and we will be visiting the Monday after Mother's day will there be any special events happening that week? Thank you in advance ÷

Feb 23, 2015 at 11:15 a.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Tracy,

Yes, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be happening during visit and would be a lot of fun for you and your grandson!

Keep hopping!

Leap

May 21, 2013 at 3:03 p.m.

Melanie Gardiner Says...

Thanks you answered my question perfectly!

One more thing...is there a schedule of Star Wars events and times....mostly what time is he parade they hold. I. I cant find anything specific on WDW website. Thanks!

May 21, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Melanie Gardiner Says...

We are arriving Fri 2 adults 2 kids 4&6. Do you know if you get into MK before midnight if it will register any admission for Sat? We don't have park hopper and am not sure we re doing MK Sat but don't want to use it up by staying after midnight. Never been to Disney so I don't understand when you use admission tickets. Thanks!

May 21, 2013 at 12:46 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Melanie,

I am assuming you are talking about May 24. If you visit Magic Kingdom on Friday, it will count as one day's ticket through 6 a.m. Saturday as part of the "All-Nighter." The park will then close for three hours and reopen at 9 a.m., which would then count as another day's ticket.

Let me know if you have more questions!

Best,

--Leap

May 13, 2013 at 10:14 p.m.

Cheri Says...

Thank you Leap,

We will give ourselves plenty of time, I'm assuming even parking will take a lot longer than usual as the crowds flow in for the night!! If there was a chance of not getting into the park we would head over in the early afternoon, however, since we can get in because of our reservation we prefer to spend a relatively more "calm" day elsewhere and head over to MK that evening without high expectations of doing more than have dinner and being a part of the crazy experience! We start our week this coming Saturday the 18th and the 24th is our last day there so should be memorable!!

Appreciate all your tips and tools!

Cheri

May 10, 2013 at 1:18 a.m.

Cheri Says...

We are visiting the end of May. One thing that is stressing me out -- we have a BOG reservation on May 24th at 9:15 pm. We wanted to spend the day at either Animal Kingdom or Typhoon Lagoon and head to MK for the evening for our reservation. Do you think we will have trouble getting into MK with the 24 hour event going on? We would hate to miss out on our BOG reservation. Any tips are appreciated!

Thanks!!

Family of 4, kids are 9 and 11

May 13, 2013 at 1:45 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Cheri,

I think you're smart to be thinking ahead about this. If you have a dining reservation at Magic Kingdom, you will be allowed in, provided you have theme park admission of course! I would allow yourself ample time to get over to Be Our Guest as Magic Kingdom is expected to be very crowded.

Have a great trip and let us know how it goes.

Best,

Leap

May 5, 2013 at 2:01 a.m.

maria Says...

Great tips! Any idea if MK is usually busy during Mother's day wknd? that is when me and my family (husband and two small children under 7) are gonna go there for one day. Thanks!

May 5, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Maria,

Our daily crowd level for all of the parks on Mother's Day is 8 out of 10. Magic Kingdom has a neutral recommendation.

Enjoy your Mother's Day!

-- Leap

May 2, 2013 at 6:53 a.m.

Jill Says...

We are visiting in May! Our group includes me, my husband, and our 3 kids (boy 2, girl 4, girl 7). We are flying in late on Sunday 5/19 and will be flying back on Saturday 5/25. We just booked our trip so we are really planning at the last minute but so far, so good!

Our plan is to spend 2 days in the Magic Kingdom and the rest of the time swimming, shopping, and visiting local family. One of our park days will definitely be the Wednesday 5/22 (thanks to your crowd calendar!) and the other day will be Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday (now that we know to avoid Friday, again thanks to you!). The actual day will depend on whether we can get reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table...of course everything is booked as of right now, but we are hoping to get lucky closer to that day.

We will hit the ground running and follow your recommendation to see Belle and Ariel first. Truth be told, I was clueless about the new Fantasyland but consider myself amazingly lucky with our perfect timing, as these happen to be my children's favorite princesses - yes, even my son! Maybe even more so than his sisters!

May 2, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jill,

Sounds like a great trip! Let us know if you get reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table. A possible alternative for you since this is a hard one to get is Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot, which includes the princesses.

Have fun!

-- Leap

Apr 30, 2013 at 2:50 p.m.

Glenn Levin Says...

We are planning MK and HS on May 24 and 25. We have single park admission tix for each of those days. We have 2 adults and 2 young tweens (12 and 9). Star Wars is not super important to us, but is something we'd enjoy if we were there on Friday. However, with the 24 hour MK day on Friday, it has confused my plans. Should I stick with my original plan of MK on Thurs and HS on Friday, or switch it. Or...convert one of the single park tix to a park hopper and do MK on Thursday, and BOTH HS and MK on Friday. Although, I'm not so sure how late into the night we would stay, as we are planning both Universal parks for Sat and Sun. Ugh!!!! I'm so confused....too many options. Help!

Apr 30, 2013 at 7:14 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Glenn,

You might have already seen my response on Facebook. The idea of 24 hours in Magic Kingdom is tempting, however, keep in mind that the park will be incredibly packed! On Leap Day last year when Magic Kingdom was open 24 hours, we received a wait-time submit of 80 minutes at 2 a.m. for Peter Pan's Flight! Unless you just want to be part of the "All-Nighter" experience, you will most likely see fewer crowds keeping to your original plan.

--Leap