Disney World In May 2026 (Weather, Crowd Expectations, and Details)
May marks the start of the summer season at Walt Disney World. This May is going to be significant for a couple of reasons. For starters, The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut a new scene featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22nd. Additionally, a new destination will debut for Soarin’ at Epcot by Memorial Day. Lastly, late May marks the start of Cool Kids Summer in 2026. We’ve added both of these to our May 2026 timeline below and will have more updates as the month approaches.
This guide has been updated for 2026 pending news and announcements. We’ll provide those updates as they are announced.
The Weather In May
Things start to heat up in May, if they haven’t already. The brief springtime is usually behind us at this point, but you will likely still experience pleasant evenings. We have entered the tropical period, so you can expect random storms and plenty of rain showers. Often, these things tend to pass somewhat quickly, and you can continue with your day. The storms can, however, put a damper on things. Make sure to pack your poncho and/or a rain jacket wherever you go.
I usually keep a couple of cheap disposable ponchos in my backpack that I can throw away when I’m done with them. If I’m pretty sure it will rain, I always bring my rain jacket. I don’t love to carry it all day, but I prefer to have it if it will be rainy for a significant amount of the day. I also carry a couple of lightweight umbrellas with me when people are visiting. My friends and family will tell you that I am almost always prepared for these kinds of things and that they rely on that. Umbrellas are a nuisance because you’ll need to have them out and in front of you when you go through security. If you have a regular umbrella, it will also weigh you down. If it rains, you’ll be so glad you’re prepared. That said, if a monsoon is going on outside, you’re probably best to stay put under shelter until it lets up. Nothing will help when the rain is blowing sideways. Be warned, Florida lightning is pretty extreme in the summer.
May Crowds
May is my number one favorite month to visit Walt Disney World. The first of the month will be one of the slower times of the year. Yes, there will be dance teams and cheerleader competitions this month, among other things that draw specific groups of guests. As schools start to let out and guests start to come in for Memorial Day weekend, things will pick up considerably for the end of the month. Overall, though, I have found that Memorial Day weekend is one of the more pleasant holiday weekends to visit. The overall vibe is that school is out for the summer, and it’s time to celebrate.
May 2026 at Disney World
Here is our timeline for the month:
Major Holidays and Events
- May 1st is Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Anniversary
- May 4th is Star Wars Day
- May 22nd: Debut of new scenes on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Read details here.)
- May 26th: Start Date of the Complimentary Water Park Perk benefit offered in 2026. (See below for details.)
- May 26th: Start Date for Cool Kid Summer at Disney World
- By Memorial Day: (Exact Date: TBD) A new destination, Soarin’ Across America, is set to debut by Memorial Day. (Read details here.)
- May 25th Memorial Day
Other Reminders
Complimentary Water Park Perk Benefit: Guests visiting an eligible Disney Resort Hotel between May 26th and September 8th can enjoy water park admission on their check-in day, included with their stay. Additionally, guests will be able to choose which water park they want to visit because both Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will be open simultaneously during these dates. (See the complete 2026 water park perk announcement for hotels, eligibility, and dates.)
Cool Kid Summer: This special Disney promotion allows for more surprise character pop-ups and activities in the parks and resorts geared toward children. If you’re visiting anytime this summer, see our guide: 5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Cool Kid Summer at Disney World.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival: This is the last full month to enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot.
Extended Evening Hours
We’ll list the dates for extended evening hours for May as they are posted:
- TBD
Extended Evening Hours are offered twice weekly for deluxe and deluxe villa resort guests. If you would like to learn more about this benefit, see our guide to Extended Evening Hours at Disney World.
Disney After Hours Dates in May
Disney After Hours will be held on the following evenings in May 2026. They will not affect park hours, but you might see more crowds at the park between 7:00 p.m. and regular park closing times as guests begin to arrive for the event:
- Magic Kingdom: May 4th, May 11th, May 18th, and May 25th
- Epcot: May 26th
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: May 6th, May 14th, and May 30th
If you would like to learn more, see our guide to Disney After Hours in 2026.
Ride Closures:
Magic Kingdom Temporary Ride Closures: TBD
Epcot Ride Closures: TBD
Hollywood Studios: TBD
- Reminder: The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closed in March. A new version of the attraction is expected to open in the summer.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: TBD
- Reminder: The entirety of Dinoland U.S.A. closed in early February 2026. A new land is being constructed in that area of the park.
For all scheduled refurbishments for the year, see our list of Disney World Ride Refurbishments. For ongoing and upcoming refurbishments at the various resorts, see our list of Disney Hotel Refurbishments.
Significant park construction continues throughout 2026 at Magic Kingdom (Villains Land and new Cars area), Hollywood Studios (Monsters, Inc.-themed land), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Tropical Americas-themed land).
Special Offers for May
Disney has released a number of special offers for summer travel dates in May of 2026. You can preview them all in the guide below:
Four Special Offers Announced for Summer 2026 Travel Dates to Walt Disney World
Final Thoughts
We will update this calendar as more announcements are made. As always, we hope that these timelines will serve not only as a current reference but also as a future one. For a complete overview of what to expect throughout the year, see our guide: The Best and Worst Months to Visit Disney World. It is the best place to start regarding the various seasons, or you can browse the months below.
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Make sure to check back with Resorts Gal soon for the latest Disney news, planning, and reviews. You might also enjoy joining our newsletter list.
In the Comments
Did you find this May planning guide helpful? Will you be visiting in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
