Disneyland in May 2024: Everything to Know About Weather, Crowds, Events
Disneyland in May is a great time of the year to visit if you want to enjoy some of the perks of visiting in the summer months while also avoiding the crowds and heat that can materialize in the summer.
Everyone has personal preferences to consider when planning the date of their Disneyland trip. Each season will have its pros and cons and guests' choices will vary based on those. Make sure to read our Disneyland crowd calendar to get an idea of what to expect when picking a date to visit Disneyland.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland in May including current events, what weather to expect, crowd level predictions, and what to pack!
In this article:
Disneyland Events in May
Season of the Force
The Star Wars celebration Season of the Force will run through May. It will feature the return of Hyperspace Mountain, specially-themed food and beverage, merchandise, and more. You'll also see new scenes on Star Tours as well as a new perspective on the Disneyland fireworks from Galaxy's Edge with “galactic music.”
Disneyland After Dark Star Wars Nite
The Disneyland After Dark Star Wars Nite will be returning with multiple parties during the month of May. The event will include rare Star Wars characters, special themed entertainment and food items, and more. The parties will take place in May on the following dates:
- May 2, 7 & 9
Mother's Day
Mother's Day doesn't necessarily bring anything official to the parks (aside from free carnations on the official day!) but it is a popular time to visit so be sure to make advance dining reservations if you plan on being at Disneyland that weekend.
Pixar Fest at Disneyland
Pixar Fest, a celebration of friendship featuring favorite Pixar characters, colorful decor, themed menu items, and special entertainment, will continue through May. It will feature an all-new daytime parade “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” at Disney California Adventure and the returning “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” with new scenes at Disneyland Park.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is another popular holiday weekend and can draw large crowds. If you plan on visiting during Memorial Day arrive prepared with a plan and get to the parks early each day.
Grad Nites
Grad Nites is an event led by Disneyland to celebrate the graduation of local high school seniors in California. These events can bring big crowds to California Adventure where most of the celebration is held. Some areas of the park may also shut down early for these events so it's good to be aware of when they occur. The 2024 Grad Nites will take place on the following dates in May:
- May 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28 & 31
Discount Disneyland Tickets
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Disneyland in May Pros
May is a great time to visit Disneyland if you're looking to find any ticket or hotel specials as this is the time of year that Disneyland will offer promotions. Watch out for any deals on your hotel or tickets that may be offered in May. Just watch out for popular weekends like Memorial Day as those typically won't offer the same discounts.
May is also a great time to visit if you want the benefits of a summer trip but with lower crowd levels. The weather in May starts to closely resemble summer while the crowds remain more reasonable except for Memorial Day weekend. The weather is still relatively mild but warm enough that you could enjoy your hotel pool.
If there are new attractions or events happening at Disneyland, sometimes May will be the month they make their initial debut which gives guests visiting Disneyland in May the first peek at any new additions.
Disneyland in May Cons
One of the cons of visiting Disneyland in May is the potential for ride refurbishments and closures that may still be lingering from the Spring months. There may still be refurbishments that are finishing up in May but this can be hit or miss- you may not see any at all. You can check Disneyland's website prior to your visit to check for any ride closures that may be in place.
While May generally enjoys lower crowd levels than the summer months, there are some weekends that can be especially crowded like Memorial Day weekend. If you plan on visiting during a holiday weekend then prepare yourself for larger crowd levels than usual.
What is the Weather in Disneyland Like in May?
The weather in May at Disneyland can be mild and pleasant with an average high temperature of 75 degrees and an average low temperature of 66 degrees.
Since Spring is coming to an end in April so does the increased chance for rainfall leaving you to enjoy mostly sunny weather during your trip. The sun also begins to stick around longer in May with the longest day allowing guests to enjoy 14 hours of sun at the parks.
It can be a bit muggy at Disneyland with the higher humidity levels that begin increasing.
What Should I Wear to Disneyland in May?
You should plan for warm and sunny weather when visiting Disneyland in May with the average high around 75 degrees making for some warm afternoons. You should be prepared for weather hotter than that since it's not uncommon for Southern California to surprise guests with hot days. Pack what you would bring for heat such as sunscreen, swimsuits, etc. so you're prepared.
It will cool down in the evenings so also bring a light jacket or sweatshirt that you can wear once the sun goes down. The warmest part of the day will be in the afternoon until sunset- you can always store any extra clothes in a locker if you don't want to carry them. For a list of everything you might need to pack for Disneyland check out our complete Disneyland packing list.
Disneyland in May Tips
Here are a few tips when choosing May as your month to visit Disneyland:
- Make dining reservations- don't forget to make your dining reservations before you visit! You can make your dining reservations up to 60 days in advance of your trip. This is a must as popular restaurants will fill up!
- Use Genie+ to Beat Lines- if you're not familiar yet with Genie+ I recommend reading through our Genie+ guide so you have the best tips on how to maximize your time on your trip. Genie+ is a program that allows you to save your spot in line virtually and return later when the line is shorter by using the “Lightning Lane” which greater reduces your wait.
- Check the weather- be sure to check the weather leading right up until your trip so you're away of any trends that may influence your packing choices like rain, heat, etc.
Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!
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