Ahhh, beautiful May.  As much as I’d go to Disney World pretty much any week of the year, I have to say that May is my absolute favorite time to be there.  The weather is incredible (I don’t mind the heat, especially without the heavy-duty humidity of the summer months), crowds are low, there’s not a lot of rain, and I just love Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival which ends on May 18th.  Maybe I should keep May a secret!  Crowds do pick up quite a bit just before the Memorial Day weekend and remain steadily high throughout the summer until the very end of August.

Crowd Levels & Special Events

The first few weeks of May are really an ideal time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort.  And while crowds and resort pricing aren’t the absolute lowest you’ll see all year, the weather is amazing and crowds are low enough that you won’t feel pressured to amp up your touring pace in order to “fit it all in.”  Mother’s Day falls on the 11th and I can’t think of a better place to spend it!  As for special events, the Expedition Everest Challenge is scheduled to take place on the 3rd.  The race is held in the Animal Kingdom Park after hours and will not affect crowds.  Additionally, Star Wars Weekends will likely begin around the middle of May causing those days to be far busier than usual at Hollywood Studios.  When the exact dates are announced I will update that information here.  Finally, you’ll see the red creeping into the calendar around May 23rd which is the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend.  That week officially kicks off summertime crowds at Disney World and resort pricing increases to Summer Season rates.

Click on calendar to enlarge image.

Weather

Disney World in May definitely starts to feel hot, but without the oppressive humidity you get during July and August (and even September).  Daily highs average at 89° and with an average low of 65°.  Weather is perfect for swimming and a midday resort break is a good idea as the sun is hottest during those hours.  Touring the parks in the mornings and evenings is a nice way to get a break from the heat.  May’s average monthly rainfall is 3.1-inches making it another drier time of year to visit.

Resort Pricing

Disney Resort pricing is based on multiple “seasons” throughout the year ranging from Value 1 (which is the least expensive) to Holiday (which is the most expensive).  In between the two are Value 2, Fall Season, Regular Season, Summer Season, and Peak Season.  Thrown into the mix are various holiday, weekend and special event rates which range from Regular Season to Holiday Season P

• May 1 – 29 Regular Season ($$$)
• May 30 – 31 Summer Season ($$$$)

Closures & Refurbishments

There are no attraction refurbishments to note at this time in April.  Work on the Polynesian Resort DVC continues.

The Magic Kingdom’s Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will be closed in preparation for the new Festival of Fantasy Parade scheduled to debut Spring 2014