Park Watch: What’s Happening This Month
MAY 2024
With Spring Break and Easter behind us and Memorial Day just on the horizon, summer is ramping up in Disney Parks.
Disney World
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Show
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Show continues this month – ending May 27, 2024 – and so does the Garden Rocks Concert Series which is accompanied by the Garden Rocks Dining Packages. When you book a Garden Rocks Dining Package, you can choose from eight different restaurants offering a pre-paid dining experience and a guaranteed seat at one of the Garden Rocks performances that day.
These are probably not all going to sell out but performances by more popular performers may book up fast. MouseWatcher is here to help find a seat if you need us.
Star Wars Day. May the Fourth Be with You!
Sadly this year still does not see the return of Star Wars: Galactic Nights in Hollywood Studios, but Disney World is still celebrating Star Wars this month, introducing a special limited time menu of Star Wars themed snacks and sips across Disney World Parks. These items will be available beginning May 4 through the month of May.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon
Formerly known as H2O Glow Nights, Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park this month. This late night splash fest includes a DJ dance party with some beloved Disney characters, special park lighting effects, glowing accessories, plus snacks and drinks. And of course, all of the attractions at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be available.
This is a separate ticket event and will be held on from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM on select evenings from May 25 to August 31, 2024.
Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 27 and, as the traditional kickoff for summer vacation, when summer crowds start showing up to the parks. Prior to Memorial Day weekend, crowds are slightly below average. There are no special events happening that we know of, but you can expect the crowd levels to be higher than the rest of the month.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening?
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been moved up from an original “late 2024” opening to a “summer” 2024 opening. There’s been no official announcement yet, but when the same thing happened for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind in 2022 they opened the attraction on Memorial Day weekend. So fingers crossed I guess.
Disneyland
Grad Nites
Every year in May and June, Disneyland hosts Grad Nites for the local graduating high school students. These events bring big crowds to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure park especially later in the evening. these are special ticketed events so California Adventure will close to all park guests without a ticket at 9:00 PM on the nights that grad nites are taking place.
This separately ticketed event will be held the following dates:
May: 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28 and 31
June: 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14
Season of the Force
Disneyland will be celebrating the Season of the Force for the first time in nearly a decade. The galactic celebration kicked off April 5th and runs through June 2. That means Season of the Force will overlap both Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite AND the observance of May 4th celebrations. That’ll be some crazy days to be in the park!
The celebration includes special entertainment, overlays on favorite attractions like Hyperspace Mountain, Star Wars themed foods and merchandise, and more. Notable new additions this year include Galaxy’s Edge viewing of Disneyland Fireworks on select nights, and the debut of Ahsoka themed adventures on the Star Tours attraction.
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite
This special ticket event is packed with special Star Wars entertainment and activities. The main entertainment draw is the Star Wars themed fireworks with music from the films. There’s also the fan favorite Lightsaber Meetup in Galaxy’s Edge, the March of the First Order featuring Captain Phasma and her stormtroopers, special exclusive Star Wars characters out in the parks and, unlike some of the other Disneyland After Dark parties, the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction will be open for guests during this after-hours party.
There’s even a special Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite Dining Package at Cafe Orleans.
You’ll also find Star Wars-themed eats and treats like galactic churros, exclusive merchandise, photo opportunities, and more. Star Wars costumes are encouraged though guests will still have to follow the Disneyland costume policy.
This separately ticketed event will be held on April 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30, and May 2, 7 and 9 from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Ticket availability is limited and this one will sell out quickly. Tickets for this event have sold out.
Pixar Fest
Pixar Fest continues through August 4. During this celebration of all things Pixar, Disneyland parks, hotels and Downtown Disney District will have a Pixar twist including an all-new daytime parade “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” and a new nighttime spectacular, “Together Forever.”
As a bonus, Disneyland added a Parade Viewing Dining Package at Sonoma Terrace.