Looking for the best visiting Disneyland Paris in May tips? In this guide we will tell you everything that you need to know for visiting Disneyland Paris in Springtime from what it is like at Disneyland Paris in May, how crowded you can expect the parks to be, what to expect from the weather and what to pack for Disneyland Paris in May to where to stay at Disneyland Paris in May, what to do and of course what special events are on at Disneyland Paris in May.
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Is Disneyland Paris open in May?
Visiting Disneyland Paris in May tips
So now you know that Disneyland Paris is in fact open in May probably the next question you want to ask is about the attractions at Disneyland Paris at this time, we will now turn our attention to the rides and attractions during this month.
Are Disneyland Paris rides open in May?
If you are visiting the parks in May you shouldn’t worry too much about ride closures. You will find most ride maintenance is completed on Disneyland Paris rides during January or even February when the crowds are low.
Therefore the only rides that may be closed during your May visit are those that either have temporary down time due to ride error and those scheduled for maintenance which you can find more information about here and look up before booking your trip.
Some of the outdoor rides at Disneyland Paris will shut during heavy rain but as you are visiting in May this is unlikely to be a big problem.
In answer to whether or not Disneyland Paris is crowded in May I would say that this very much depends on the year you are visiting and whether your trip coincides with a school vacation either in Europe or in the UK. But generally you can expect the crowds to be higher than they are in January and February but lower than the peak summer months and over the easter vacations.
Note: it is almost always quieter at Disneyland Paris on a weekday to a weekend (outside of holidays when all bets are off). Be sure to check out this guide of best day to visit Disneyland Paris for more comprehensive information.
If you don’t have children who are tied to the school holidays and are visiting Disneyland Paris with toddlers or even visiting Disneyland Paris as adults then you should definitely consider traveling outside of the school holidays to avoid the crowds as you will be rewarded with shorter queues for rides and find it much easier to get reservations for character dining etc.
Although May isn’t considered peak season by comparison to Easter and Summer vacations it actually has some of the busier days in the park. That is thanks to a series of French public holidays and the British School holidays.
If you are looking at going to Disneyland Paris in May and have some flexibility in dates then I recommend avoiding the below:
May 1st – Labor Day
May 8th – Victory in Europe Day
May 18th – Ascension Day
And the Whitsun Holidays which for 2023 are scheduled as c.May 26th – 6th June 2023 (give or take based on local areas).
NEXT READ: if are traveling on these or any other date in May and looking for information on how to get to Disneyland Paris – check our our guides to help guests find their way to the park from the airport and Eurostar terminal below:
The weather at Disneyland Paris is usually comparable to that in the UK specifically London and the South Coast. However just to be clear keep reading to find our exact temperatures and rain information for May.
How hot is Disneyland Paris in May?
If you are wondering how hot Disneyland Paris is in May and worried about traveling in the heat with your little ones, then don’t be. May is actually a great month to visit Disneyland Paris weather wise.
The weather in May at Disneyland Paris tends to be moderate and pleasant. The temperature ranges from lows of 9 to highs of 19C. Which not hot, but pretty good temperatures for spending long days in the park.
Does it rain at Disneyland Paris in May?
Although the temperatures in Disneyland Paris in May are pleasant, you do stand a chance of seeing rain if you visit in this month. On average there are 9 days that experience rain during the month of May in Paris. However the good news is that these are unlikely to be huge and prolonged downpours. Usually rain at this time of year is short showers so while you should pack some water proof wear it is unlikely to have a huge impact on your trip.
Remember if your visit to Disneyland Paris spreads over two months be sure to check out our other monthly guide for further weather and special event information:
As Disneyland Paris has relatively moderate conditions in May you won’t want to be packing your heaviest weight clothes but you definitely still want to have some layers with you.
I think that May is actually the perfect t shirt and jeans or chinos weather for Disneyland Paris and it what I would opt to wear. However I would also have a hoodie and some layers for if you plan to stay to watch the fireworks and illuminations.
Some of the things you should consider adding to your Disneyland Paris in May packing list should include:
Jeans and T Shirts
Hoodies and Sweaters
Some Waterproof clothing
Trainers, preferably waterproof ones, crocs
If you have children then the above also applies. However if they want to wear costumes as my little one always does I recommend taking some layers that match their dresses or costumes and just removing these when taking photos indoors.
We also recommend packing costumes rather than buying them in the parks as you will pay a premium in the parks.
I would say that it is totally worth going to Disneyland Paris in May especially if you can avoid the public holidays in France of the British school holidays (the crowds will be higher during these dates)
One of the reasons for this is because of the pleasant weather that make it easy to spend long days in the park. Also as you will be visiting the parks during their summer operating hours you will have more time during daylight to hit the rides while waiting for the later evenings to start the fireworks and illuminations which really mean you are maximising your time in the parks.
Usually the park is open from 9:30 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and then slightly longer from 9:30 AM to 10PM on weekends. However it is worth checking the official Disneyland Paris website for the opening hours as these are subject to change.
Please note these timings are just for guidance and are subject to change and haven’t been released for 2023 yet so be sure to keep checking back.
Visiting Disneyland Paris in May Tips
Best places to stay at Disneyland Paris in May?
Wherever your Disneyland Paris budget allows we recommend staying at one of the on-site hotels. This is because:
all onsite hotels are walking distance to the parks
some have on site swimming pools (the more high end ones) – which are great to relax in after long days in the park
have in hotel character Meet and Greets – usually in the morning and evening. It will be one character – you won’t be told who though usually it is one of the fab six, and they will be available to meet in the foyer. The queues here are much less than in the park so a great way to adding some autographs to your Disney autograph book.
you get Early Magic Hours – you get in the parks earlier than general public which optimises your time in the park and has shorter queue times.
I think watching the exclusive to Disneyland Paris Mickey and the Magician Show is a must for any Disneyland Paris bucket list. The show is on at the Walt Disney Studios and usually runs February – September. If this is on during your visit in May be sure to add this to your itinerary.
Watch the illuminations and fireworks
May is a great month to visit because you get a longer day due to the longer day light hours in May but you can still see the fireworks and illumination at a time that is suitable for young children.
When we visit Disneyland Paris in August my little ones do struggle to stay up late enough to catch the fireworks display or the illumination. That is because of the long summer daylight hours. However in May it is just about doable for them.
Do character meet and greets
Doing character meet and greets is a must Disneyland Paris whatever time of year you visit. If you are traveling outside of public holidays or UK school holidays the lines for these should be less than if you were traveling in the peak peak season.
If budget and finding cheap eats at Disneyland Paris is not a priority and you can afford to splurge on a meal you should consider doing a character dining experience. This is a great way to meet lots of characters without a queue. You can read more about character dining at Disneyland Paris here.
And if you are vegan at Disneyland Paris then check out this guide which includes seasonal offerings.
These experiences are always hard to nab but if you are traveling outside of public or school holidays it should be a little easier just be sure to make sure you know the date your reservations open (usually 60 days before travel).
Watch the Parade
This is another must whatever time of year you visit. I find May is one of the more pleasant times to watch the parade as the parks aren’t overly hot or too cold while you are queuing and waiting for the parade to start.
Explore the Castle of Sleeping Beauty
In my opinion the Castle of Sleeping Beauty at Disneyland Paris is in fact the most beautiful of all the Disneyland Castles around the world but it also has a surprise – a dragon. Be sure to take some time to fully explore the castle when visiting in may – you won’t regret it.
