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Orlando in May is hot, bright and mostly dry for the first three weeks: NOAA’s climate normals put the average high at 88.4°F, and the rainy season usually arrives in the last week of the month. May 2027 also brings the final weeks of EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival, six Disney After Hours nights, the Orlando Fringe festival and Memorial Day weekend, May 29–31.
This guide uses NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals, National Weather Service (NWS) research, official school calendars and the 2027 dates published as of October 14, 2026. Dates and policies change, so confirm on the official pages before you book.
Quick answer: Expect highs in the upper 80s, lows in the mid-60s and about 4 inches of rain over roughly eight days, most of it late in the month. Going by official school calendars, May 1–16 overlaps the fewest breaks, while May 26–31 is the busiest stretch, with some US school years ending, Memorial Day and the start of half term in several English counties. Flower & Garden runs through May 31, Volcano Bay is scheduled to reopen from its maintenance closure on or before April 1, and Typhoon Lagoon had no reopening date at the time of writing.
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Orlando weather in May
NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give May an average high of 88.4°F and an average low of 66.3°F, about five degrees warmer than April. A typical May 1 runs from about 63°F to 86°F, and a typical May 31 from about 69°F to 90°F.
| Measure | May normal | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Average high | 88.4°F | Hot park afternoons |
| Average low | 66.3°F | Warm mornings |
| Rainfall | 4.02 in | Up from 2.58 in in April |
| Days with rain | 8.4 | Mostly late in the month |
| Days at 90°F or above | 13.6 | Almost half the month |
| Nights at 60°F or below | 2.8 | A light layer is enough |
Rainy days are still the exception, and only 1.4 a month bring an inch or more. The pattern changes fast, though: the daily normals show the chance of measurable rain nearly doubling over the month, from 22% on May 1 to 41% on May 31. By June, the airport averages 16.2 rainy days and 8.05 inches.
Days are long and the sun is strong. Sunrise moves from about 6:45 a.m. to 6:25 a.m. over the month and sunset from about 8 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., and with daylight saving time the sun is highest at about 1:20 p.m., not noon.
The first hours after park opening are the coolest part of a May day. Our Orlando weather by month guide compares May with the rest of the year, and our guide to the best time to visit Orlando adds crowds to the picture.
The rainy season usually starts in late May
The NWS office in Melbourne, which covers Orlando, gives May 27 as the median start of Orlando’s wet season, based on records from 1950 onward. Its forecasters describe a classic onset as a return of humidity late in May, with more showers and lightning storms within a few days once dew points reach 70°F or higher. The third or fourth week of May is the most common start, but some years it begins in early May or holds off well into June.
The NWS explains that many storms form where the Gulf and Atlantic sea breezes collide each day. The corridor from Tampa Bay to Titusville, with Orlando along it, gets the most lightning in the US, and the NWS says more than 90% of it strikes from May through October, between noon and midnight.
So plan rides and pool time for the morning, carry a poncho after lunch and have an indoor plan for mid-afternoon. Disney warns that its water parks can close temporarily for weather, sometimes with little notice. Our guide to things to do in Orlando when it rains has ideas for those hours. Hurricanes are not a May concern on paper: the Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center says the first named storm typically forms in mid to late June.
Orlando crowds in May 2027, week by week
Disney and Universal don’t publish crowd forecasts, so this is our reading of official school and holiday calendars (checked in October 2026), not a prediction. The more breaks your dates overlap, the busier the parks are likely to be.
| Calendar | May 2027 date | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| UK bank holidays | Mon, May 3 and May 31 | Two long weekends |
| UCF spring commencement | May 6–8 | Busy near campus |
| NYC public schools | Mon, May 17 | Closed for Eid al-Adha |
| Canada and Edinburgh | Mon, May 24 | Victoria Day |
| Orange County, FL, and Gwinnett County, GA | Wed, May 26 | Last day of school |
| United States | Mon, May 31 | Memorial Day |
| Kent, Hampshire and Surrey councils | May 31 – Jun 4 | Half term |
May 1–16: the calmest stretch
Nearly every school system on our list is in session. Dates to note: the UK’s early May bank holiday on Monday, May 3, the University of Central Florida’s commencement from May 6 to 8 and Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9. If you’re coming for a graduation, see our guide to hotels near UCF.
May 17–25: a holiday at each end
New York City public schools close on Monday, May 17 for Eid al-Adha, and Canada’s Victoria Day falls on Monday, May 24, also a council-school holiday in Edinburgh.
May 26–31: Memorial Day and the start of summer
Orange County Public Schools and Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia both finish on Wednesday, May 26, and Memorial Day weekend follows on May 29–31. The Kent, Hampshire and Surrey councils set half term from May 31 to June 4 for the schools they run (academies and some others set their own dates), and May 31 is a bank holiday across the UK. On paper, this is the busiest week of the month. New York City’s public schools, by contrast, stay in session until June 28, so the full summer peak builds in June.
For the weeks before, see our Orlando in April guide; our Orlando in June guide picks up with the summer break.
Events in Orlando in May 2027
Dates published on official pages at the time of writing:
| Dates | Event | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Through May 31 | EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival | Included with EPCOT admission |
| Select dates to May 16 | SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival | Cinco de Mayo on May 5 |
| May 6 and 13 | Disney After Hours at EPCOT | Separate ticket |
| May 17 and 24 | Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom | Separate ticket |
| May 19 and 26 | Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios | Separate ticket |
| May 18–31 | Orlando Fringe | Venues in Loch Haven Park |
| May | MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup | Teams set by April standings |
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: the final weeks
Disney lists the 2027 festival from March 10 to May 31, so May is your last chance. It’s included with valid EPCOT admission, though a park reservation may be required depending on your ticket type. The 2027 lineup hadn’t been announced at the time of writing; the 2026 edition included gardens and topiaries, the Garden Rocks concert series at America Gardens Theatre and a festival exhibit at CommuniCore Hall.
Disney After Hours in May
Disney After Hours is a separately ticketed, three-hour night event that Disney says brings lower wait times on favorite attractions, with snacks included. The May dates are EPCOT on May 6 and 13 (9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.), Magic Kingdom on May 17 and 24 (10 p.m. to 1 a.m.) and Hollywood Studios on May 19 and 26 (9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.), with entry from 7 p.m. Disney lists tickets at US$159–$189 for EPCOT, US$189–$209 for Magic Kingdom and US$159–$199 for Hollywood Studios, plus tax, varying by date.
SeaWorld: Seven Seas and Electric Ocean
SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival runs on select dates through May 16, 2027, with a Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5 and Viva La Música, a Latin music celebration, in May. SeaWorld says festival admission comes with your park ticket, while food and drinks cost extra. Electric Ocean, its summer night event of lights and music, is listed for May to September 2027 without exact dates yet.
Orlando Fringe
The 36th Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is scheduled for May 18–31, 2027 on the festival’s own application page, while its Eventotron application listing says May 18–30, so check the final dates. Its festival-managed venues are in Loch Haven Park (venues can change), about 11 to 12 miles by road from the Universal hotels and 20 from Disney Springs, and Kids Fringe is set for May 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2027.
What else to know
MLS’s 2027 Sprint Season ends its regular season in April, and the top eight teams in each conference then play single-elimination playoffs in May; an Orlando City home playoff depends on its April results. Walt Disney World’s four runDisney race weekends run from late October to April, so none falls in May.
Water parks and pools in May 2027
- Universal Volcano Bay: closes for maintenance on October 26, 2026, with a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027. Universal says dates are subject to change, so check park hours before you plan around it.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: temporarily closed for refurbishment, with no reopening date announced when we checked in October 2026. Disney suggests Blizzard Beach instead.
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach: heated to about 81°F, per Disney. Full-day weather closures appear on its calendar a day ahead; temporary same-day closures don’t.
- Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass: advertised at $89 plus tax at the time of writing, valid through May 15, 2027, with blockout dates.
- Island H2O Water Park: the Kissimmee park calls itself seasonal, from March to October; its calendar didn’t show May 2027 yet.
At hotel pools in May, shade matters more than heating. Our Orlando water parks guide covers seasons, heated parks and tickets.
Park hours, early entry and ride closures
- Disney Early Theme Park Entry: guests of Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels enter any Disney theme park 30 minutes early every day of their stay, a benefit Disney says continues through 2027.
- Extended Evening Hours: select parks stay open later on select nights for guests of Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts and four other hotels on Disney property, including the Dolphin.
- Universal Early Park Admission: Universal hotel guests can enter up to an hour early at select attractions, but Universal’s page listed dates only through November 30, 2026 when we checked.
- Closures: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom has been closed since July 6, 2026, and Disney expects it back in late spring 2027, so it may or may not be running in May.
Where to stay in Orlando in May
Pick a base that makes the hot hours easy. Three options sold on Booking.com:
Walt Disney World Dolphin: walk to Flower & Garden
The Marriott-run Dolphin at 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard is about 0.7 mile on foot, roughly 15 minutes by our route, from EPCOT’s International Gateway. FriendShip water taxis run to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios about every 20 to 25 minutes from an hour before the parks open, and buses serve Magic Kingdom (via the Transportation and Ticket Center), Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs. Guests get Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours, the 7-day Lightning Lane booking window (other guests get 3 days) and free standard theme park parking. The resort lists six pools and a white-sand beach with hammocks. Our Walt Disney World Dolphin review covers rooms, pools and dining.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, the resort listed a mandatory resort service package of $50 plus tax per day (benefits for two guests, including Wi-Fi), self-parking at $40 plus tax a day and valet at $51 to $61 plus tax. A third to fifth adult costs $35 plus tax per night. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See prices and availability at the Walt Disney World Dolphin
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Volcano Bay and bowling
Cabana Bay, at 6550 Adventure Way, is a retro resort on the Volcano Bay side of Universal Orlando. Universal says walking paths connect it to the water park, though Loews notes the path is unavailable while Volcano Bay is closed. Its two oversized pools include a lazy river and a dive-tower waterslide, and Galaxy Bowl, a 10-lane bowling alley with a table-service restaurant, is an indoor plan for stormy afternoons (fees apply; reservations required). Its 920 Family Suites have kitchenettes and sleep up to six. Guests get Early Park Admission on the dates Universal offers it and free shuttles to CityWalk. Our Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort review covers the room types.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, Loews listed overnight self-parking at $26 plus tax per vehicle, check-in at 4 p.m., a minimum booking age of 21, $20 per extra adult beyond two, complimentary Pack ‘n Plays and no pets. Universal Express isn’t included. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check your May dates for Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort on Booking.com
Gaylord Palms Resort: a 72-degree atrium for stormy afternoons
Gaylord Palms, at 6000 West Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee, wraps 4.5 acres of glass-roofed atriums with gardens and winding waterways, which Marriott says are kept at 72 degrees, a cool, dry refuge from the storms. Outside, the 3-acre Cypress Springs Water Park has seven waterslides, an action river and a FlowRider surf simulator, and Marriott says both of its pools are heated. The resort fee covers a shuttle to all four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs, bookable up to 5 days ahead; Animal Kingdom’s guest parking is about 4 miles away by road. Our Gaylord Palms Resort Orlando review has the details.
- Good to know: at the time of writing, Marriott listed a $45 plus tax daily resort fee covering Wi-Fi, the Disney shuttle and Cypress Springs for up to four guests. Marriott’s July 2026 overview listed self-parking at $40 and valet at $55 a day plus tax, while the resort’s Christmas FAQ lists self-parking at $38, so confirm. The same overview listed a minimum check-in age of 18; pets aren’t allowed. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See available rooms at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
What to pack for Orlando in May
- Breathable clothes: light, quick-dry layers for afternoons near 90°F.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- A poncho: for late-May storms, plus a zip bag for your phone.
- A refillable water bottle: for long, hot park days.
- Swimsuit and shoes that can get wet: for pools, water parks and rainy walks.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Orlando?
Yes, especially the first half. May averages a high of 88.4°F and a low of 66.3°F, and most of its rain comes late in the month. Flower & Garden runs through May 31. School calendars suggest May 1–16, 2027 is the calmest stretch, while May 26–31 brings the end of some US school years, Memorial Day and half term in parts of England.
What is the weather like in Orlando in May?
Hot and mostly dry at first, then stormier. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give May an average high of 88.4°F, a low of 66.3°F and 4.02 inches of rain over about 8.4 days. About 13.6 days reach 90°F, and the daily chance of rain rises from about 22% on May 1 to 41% on May 31.
When does the rainy season start in Orlando?
Usually in the last week of May. The National Weather Service in Melbourne gives May 27 as the median start for Orlando, based on records since 1950, and says the third or fourth week of May is the most common onset. Some years it starts in early May or not until well into June. June is the wettest month, with about 8 inches of rain.
Is Disney World busy on Memorial Day weekend 2027?
It’s likely to be the busiest stretch of May. Memorial Day is Monday, May 31, 2027, so the long weekend runs May 29–31. Orange County, Florida, and Gwinnett County, Georgia, schools finish on May 26, half term in Kent, Hampshire and Surrey starts on May 31, and EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival ends the same day. Book tickets and a refundable room early.
Is Volcano Bay open in May 2027?
It should be. Universal is closing Volcano Bay for maintenance from October 26, 2026 and plans to reopen it on or before April 1, 2027, but says dates are subject to change, so check its park hours before your trip. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon had no reopening date at the time of writing, while Blizzard Beach is heated to about 81°F.
What events are in Orlando in May 2027?
EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival runs through May 31, and SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival continues on select dates through May 16, with Cinco de Mayo on May 5. Disney After Hours runs at EPCOT (May 6 and 13), Magic Kingdom (May 17 and 24) and Hollywood Studios (May 19 and 26). The Orlando Fringe starts May 18, and the MLS Cup Playoffs are in May.
Bottom line
Orlando in May gives you long, hot days, the last weeks of Flower & Garden and, if Universal’s schedule holds, a reopened Volcano Bay. Aim for May 1–16, plan outdoor time for the mornings and keep an indoor option for late-month storms. Memorial Day week is the busiest, so book a refundable room early.
Compare rates for Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort for your May dates
Sources checked in October 2026: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals, Orlando International Airport, NWS Melbourne: onset of the wet and dry seasons, Disney: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Disney After Hours, Universal Orlando: Volcano Bay