If you’re looking for light crowds and short lines, the month of May is usually a great time to visit Disneyland. The long and busy Spring Break season, which starts in the middle of March and through April, is finally over with, making way for a less crowded resort in much of May.
While the annual Grad Nite event does take place after park closing on some nights and the weather starts to get warmer during the day, it’s not the summer season just yet. The bulk of the summer crowds don’t begin to arrive until June.
The Disneyland Resort anticipates Monday-Thursday to be the least busiest days of the week in May. The crowds do tend to pick up on Fridays, and weekends will generally be busier. Here’s some of the dates you may want to try to avoid if you’re going this month.
Dates To Avoid
Memorial Day Weekend – Big crowds and long lines are the norm throughout Memorial Day weekend. If you don’t like crowds, avoid going on that Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
After Memorial Day – Disneyland is expected to get crowded for the summer right after Memorial Day. With midnight park closings and a full entertainment lineup scheduled for the entire week, the summer season crowds don’t let up until the end of August.
May Crowd Calendar
For the forecast of crowd levels of any day in May, be sure to check out the Disneyland Crowd Forecast Calendar.
For real-time updates and information on current crowd levels and conditions at the park, check out the Disneyland Live Crowd Tracker.
Have you gone to Disneyland in May? How were the crowds? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Image: uubergeek
Yes, I’d be prepared for some 60min waits on that day, hopefully less though. The lines are usually shorter in the morning, so try to get there early.
We have our trip planned for Tuesday after Memorial Day for 5 days. We are used to going during Christmas. What do you think crowds will be like for those days right after Memorial Day.
I think that’s a good time to go before the big summer season crowds start to arrive. Crowds are usually moderate on the weekdays after Memorial Day. Try to arrive early though. The weekend should be more crowded, and May 28 & 31 or Grad Nite days, so they might be a little busier (especially in the evening).
My family and I our planning our once a year vacation to the Disneyland resort for may 2- may 4 2014. Any thoughts on how the crowds will be?
Saturday might be a little busy, but it shouldn’t be too packed on those days. Early May is usually pretty quiet, so I think it will be manageable.
I was planning on Going to disneyland/cal adv May 5th and 6th. I just realized that it’s Cinco de Mayo. I made a hotel reservation at Paradise Pier but then called back to possibly adding a day and all 3 hotels are booked. Any ideas if that means the parks will be crazy as well? The calendar said Ghost Town but how is that with ALL the hotels booked in the park.
Do you know if May 5th and 6th will be one of those best days or is it busy due to Cinco de Mayo?
I don’t think Cinco de Mayo will affect the crowds much. It traditionally isn’t crazy in early May. The Spring Break season is over and the summer crowds aren’t out yet, so it’s usually very manageable.
I need help or advice please π
I am planning to go to disneyland on the 17th of may which is on a saturday. I checked out the hours and schedule for that day and it showed that all passholder are blocked? Does that mean it will be crowded and I’ve read so far theres a grad nite that day too ? Please i need information .. What day should be best to go ? Less wait lines ? Before the 23rd of May please
I don’t believe May 17 is a Grad Nite day. I’d be prepared for it to be busy since it’s a Saturday, but I don’t think it will be super crowded since most of the summer crowds won’t be out yet. The earlier in May you can go, the less packed it should be.