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A Complete Guide to Walt Disney World in May

May is another great time of year to visit Walt Disney World thanks to great weather.

In this post, I’ll share tips for visiting Disney World in May, including what to pack, what the crowds are like, special events, what’s new, what’s closed, and general weather info.

All dates and information subject to change throughout the year. This post will be updated frequently, but for the most up to date information on what’s closed and what’s reopened, check out my post about Disney World closures and what’s new.

Weather in Orlando in May

The average temperatures continue to warm up in May with an average high of 77° F and low of 57° F. 

While it does rain in May, the average precipitation is only 3.79 inches of rain, which isn’t all too bad, especially compared to Summer through early Fall.

Temperature and precipitation data courtesy of US Climate Data.

What to wear to Disney World in May

Photo of 2 women taking a selfie at Star Wars Galaxy Edge in Disney World's Hollywood Studios.
Disney

For the most part, cool layers are your best bet when visiting this month.

While it won’t be as hot and humid as it is in the Summer months, the temperatures can get into the 80s. 

Keep an eye on the forecast and at the very least, throw in a sweatshirt or light jacket and a pair of pants just in case.

Per usual, pack the shoes that work best for you, whether that be sandals or sneakers. 

I generally don’t recommend wearing heels to the parks, unless you’ll only be there for a short time, such as for a dinner reservation. 

No one wants to be stuck in their hotel room because their feet hurt too much!

At minimum, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses, and a compact rain poncho or umbrella in your park bag. These will help you beat the sun and rain.

For more tips on what to pack for Disney World, check out my Disney World packing list, which includes a FREE printable list to help you stay organized while you pack for your trip.

Special events & holidays

Custom graphic with a color-coded calendar for the month of May. Text at the top reads: free download. Below it reads: Disney World in May 2024.
Custom graphic by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

There’s not a ton going on in May event and holiday wise.

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival continues into May, so weekends will be extra crowded!

Next up, we have Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12. Why not take mom to her favorite park for the day?

At the tail end of the month is Memorial Day, so expect extra crowds in town for a long weekend visit.

Attraction and ride closures

There are several rides and attractions that are closed in May. As reopening dates are announced, this post will be updated.

Animal Kingdom

Photo of the entrance of Disney's Animal Kingdom with bright blue skies.
  • Colors of Mo’Ara face painting station in Pandora is temporarily closed with no reopen date announced.

Epcot

Photo of stone buildings at the Morocco Pavilion at Disney World's Epcot World Showcase.

The following shops and restaurants are closed with no reopen date:

  • The Brass Bazaar (Morocco)
  • Casablanca Carpets (Morocco)
  • Der Teddybar (Germany)
  • El Ranchito del Norte (Mexico)
  • Marketplace in the Medina (Morocco)
  • Mitsukohi Kiosk (Japan)
  • Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco)
  • Sportsman’s Shoppe (United Kingdom)
  • Trading Post (between Canada and United Kingdom)
  • Village Traders (between China and Germany)

Hollywood Studios

Photo of the main entrance for Disney's Hollywood Studios with cloudy skies.
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is closed and will reopen in Summer 2024.
  • Star Wars Bay Launch Theater is closed, but the shops, props, and meet-and-greets inside the same building are running.

Lastly, several notable shops that remain closed are:

  • Disney Studio Store
  • In Character
  • Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost
  • It’s a Wonderful Shop
  • Stage 1 Company Store

Magic Kingdom

Closeup photo of Cinderella's Castle at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Photo courtesy of Disney.
  • Country Bear Jamboree will be closed but is expected to reopen with an all new show in Summer 2024.
  • Splash Mountain is permanently closed and will be replaced by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Summer 2024.

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon

  • Typhoon Lagoon is expected to be open in May 2024, as it is hosting an after hours event in April.
  • Blizzard Beach is expected to be closed. However Disney has not made any official announcements about this as of January 10, 2024.

Other locations

  • The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disney Springs might still be closed in May 2024.

Are you ready for your trip to Disney World in May?

I hope this guide helped you sort out your itinerary for your Springtime visit.

If you have more questions, let’s chat in the comments below.

For more monthly planning guides, check out the following posts:

  1. WDW in January
  2. WDW in February
  3. WDW in March
  4. WDW in April
  5. WDW in May – you are here!
  6. WDW in June
  7. WDW in July
  8. WDW in August
  9. WDW in September
  10. WDW in October
  11. WDW in November
  12. WDW in December

About the author

Photo of Meg Frost on Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Blast at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

Meg Frost is the creator of The Park Pixie, where she covers Disney World, Disney+, and Disney fandom.

She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami in Florida.

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This post was originally published on March 12, 2022, and last updated on March 8, 2024.