Disney World In May 2026 (The Complete Guide)

May marks the start of the summer season at Walt Disney World. This May will be significant for a couple of reasons. The good news for May is that it’s usually one of the most reasonable months to visit. That said, this month is packed with lots of “new”, especially if you’re visiting the last week or so before Memorial Day. If so, you’ll want to be prepared. We have numerous updates to unpack below.

All four parks will have new and/or returning attractions in May. Plus, the return of Cool Kids Summer this month means there will be even more activities for the family. Let’s take a look at what to expect.

This guide has been updated as of mid-March 2026.

The Weather at Disney World in May

Things start to heat up in May, if they haven’t already. The brief springtime is usually behind us, but you will likely still experience pleasant evenings. We have entered the tropical period, so expect random storms and plenty of rain showers. Often, these things tend to pass 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. If I’m pretty sure it will rain, I always bring my rain jacket. I don’t love carrying it all day, but I prefer to have it in the event of significant rain. 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.

Disney World in 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 toward the end of the month. Overall, though, I have found Memorial Day weekend to be one of the more pleasant holiday weekends. 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
• Early May: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to reopen. (No exact date yet.)
• May 12th: Typhoon Lagoon water park reopens. (Reopening details)
• May 13th: Magic Kingdom will close early for a private event (Announcement available here.)
• May 13th: Soarin’ Around the World closes at Epcot. This will be the last day to experience it. (Details for this ride closure are available here.)
• May 22nd: Debut of new scenes on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Read details here.)
• May 25th Memorial Day
• 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
• May 26th: A new destination, Soarin’ Across America, opens at Epcot. (Read details here.)
• May 26th: Bluey’s Wild World opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• May 26th: Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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: Cool Kid Summer in 2026 at Disney World.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival: This is the last full month to enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. See our 2026 Epcot Flower and Garden Guide for details.

Extended Evening Hours

Here are the dates for Extended Evening Hours this May. (We’ll add the rest of the dates as they become available.)

• Monday, May 4th at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (6:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 5th at Magic Kingdom (10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.)
• Monday, May 11th at Hollywood Studios (9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 13th at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.)
• Monday, May 18th at Epcot (9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 20th at Magic Kingdom (10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.)
• Monday, May 25th at TBD
• Wednesday, May 27th at TBD

Get a copy of our May 2026 Extended Evening Hours Calendar.

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: 

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for a lengthy refurbishment and is expected to reopen in the Spring of 2026. (Update: This attraction is set to reopen in early May.)
• Pete’s Silly Sideshow is closed for refurbishment. The characters who normally meet at this location are still available within Storybook Circus.
• Big Top Souvenirs is closed for refurbishment at Magic Kingdom.

Epcot Ride Closures: 

• Soarin’ Around the World: As noted above, this attraction closes on May 13th. It will reopen as Soarin’ Across America later in the month.

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:

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. You can access all of our individual Disney World Monthly Guides by selecting the month of your choice:

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.