Wondering if anyone has any idea of the crowd levels of Disney in May. I thought it would be a quieter time and have since found that it might not be...any advice on what parks get the busiest and how to keep kids ages 9months to 11years old happy...TOGETHER???other than leave them home and come alone!!

Thanks

There's a fantastic website that has extremely loyal participants (lots of them) on their boards at http://www.wdwinfo.com You'll get lots of feedback on all your WDW questions (assuming you are going to WDW and not Disneyland). There's so much useful info. there.

Depending on when in May, early to mid May the crowds are light, compared to June or July or Spring Break. Disney World is fun for kids of all ages.

Have a great trip.

I'm not sure if it's May or June (or both?), but I've read something about the local high school grads having the run of the parks near graduation time. You may want to look into that to see if the parks close early to the general public to let the grads in, or if the parks stay open later than normal to accomodate the grads, or if the celebrating grads intermingle with the existing crowds.

Does anyone know anything about this? I could be mistaken - it's happened before!

Hi,
We've been to DW in May 3 years ago. The first few days we were there were so so as far as crowd. However, beginning with the Friday before the Memorial weekend, the crowd grew. It is still very hot and humid. If you have very small children (9 months old), I would suggest staying on the Disney resort so that you can get back to the hotel much faster in the afternoon for the kids to nap. come back around 4PM or so. Disney All-star Music and Sports have reasonable rates. We went 2 times, once we stayed outside of DW resort and the 2nd time inside. We felt staying inside the resort was worth it. Cathy

I am heading down in eight days, 5-9 to 5-18. We are staying at the AS Movies. I am taking an 11 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. My 2 1/2 year old loves Toy Story so hopefully I have secured that building.

Crowds are considered to be at the moderate level in May, until about the end of May, then you start the heavy summer traffic. I guess it depends on when in May you are going. The later in May you go, generally, the more crowd you will hit.

Regardless, enjoy!

Mark
http://btsalltravel.tripod.com

We're going in mid-May and leaving WDW before the Memorial Day long weekend crowds show up. I assume that would be quite a busy weekend for WDW, and I assume there would be more crowds from that weekend on, till September.

In response to the poster on grad nite. They close the parks (usually MK) early -- like 8:30 and then the grads have it from something like 10 pm till 5 am. When we were there this past weekend the grads were at Downtown Disney prior to going to the MK for grad nite. It really didn't effect us at all. I have stayed at the Grand Floridian once during grad nite and the music was quite loud from the MK grad nite event -- you could hear it in our rooms very clearly.

I think the key to keeping the kids happy is to remember that the young ones will need to rest and get out of the heat. Remember the "baby swap" in case there's a ride you want to go on that the young one can't. (Your party waits in line together and then when it's time to get on the ride - one waits with the baby and the others go on the ride - then when they're finished with the ride, the other person can "swap" the baby and go on the ride -- that way you don't have to wait in line twice.

Jennifer,

May is a great time to visit Disney! In my opinion the best. By June 15th the place is packed! The weather in May is just right as well.

Wow, thanks to everyone for all the info. We are going from May 7-14. I checked park hours and found it odd that they were closing MK at 8:30 on Friday but staying open till 11 or so on Saturday, maybe they are doing that for the graduation/school thing. We are staying on Disney for three nights then off property for another three or so. My three year old is already scared of anything she considers a "Boy Ride!" she has big brothers and anything not DUMBO is a "BOY RIDE" Hopefully she'll love the buzz lightyear ride...she loves the movie.

Wow, what memories that brings back! The first time we went to Disney our youngest son had a problem with the Pirates of the Carribean ride. You can call me a bad parent if you want, but he wasn't afraid anymore after we bought him one of those wooden pistols they sell in the Frontierland area. He was able to shoot right back at the pirates (and he did!) and that made him feel safe. 6 years later we still have that gun and it still works! Best investment we made that trip!

Hi Jennifer, I did the whole Disney thing last May and we hardly ever had to wait to get on anything (i.e. a 5/10 min wait at most). The only thing we had to wait for were rides at Animal Kingdom, but only because (I think) it was a new park and everybody was going there. I previously went in late September/October and the queues were much much longer (1-1.5 hrs) and the weather was much worse. Can't help about the kids aspect of it as I don't have any myself but the Disney waterparks are brilliant and I am sure they would enjoy them!

Hannah

Hi Jennifer, forgot to say when in May we went. Arrived about 6 May and stayed for 2 weeks, leaving before Memorial Day weekend.

I loved the GUN idea for Pirates of the Caribbean!! I could get one for my daughter but them my boys (8 and 10 way old enough to know better would want one!) I did read somewhere about bringing a flashlight on! So Sarah is going to bring this cute lion one that roars!! But I'll look for a Pirate one! I think she will love the ride if she can get past the "Big Boy Ride" element. Anyone use Priority Seating, I have it for a few places but am wondering, have read its not reliable!

Thanks

Rather than instruct children that they should resort to gunplay and shoot at things that bother them, maybe it would be better to use a different approach. Perhaps it would be better simply to explain what the ride is and that it is all just pretend, or cuddle the child if they become scared, or simply refrain from taking the child on the ride if it is too intense. It is only a ride, after all, and they have baby swaps so that the other members of the family can enjoy the ride. Personally, I don't let my kids play with toy guns because I don't think guns are appropriate toys, and many parents have the same philosophy these days. If you agree, you might try the suggestions above. If not, let 'em fire away.

Have a nice time!