Things to Do in Orlando in May

VerdictFair
Ranked#7 of 12
PricesModerate

May in Orlando means one thing above all else. The wet season has arrived. After months of dry, mild winter weather, the pattern shifts hard in May, and by mid-month you can practically set your watch by the 3 p.m. thunderstorms that roll in from the west. Temperatures average 31.3°C (88°F) during the day, and that 70% humidity makes it feel closer to 35°C (95°F) when you're standing in a theme park queue at 2 p.m. It's a noticeable step up from April's more tolerable warmth.

That said, May still has some things going for it. The big summer crowds haven't landed yet. Schools across Florida and most of the country are still in session until late May, which means theme park wait times on weekdays can be 30-40% shorter than what you'll face in June or July. The Orlando Fringe Festival takes over Loch Haven Park for two weeks, bringing over 100 shows to one of the oldest fringe theatre festivals in the United States. And EPCOT's International Flower & Garden Festival is still running, with its outdoor kitchens and elaborate topiary displays.

The honest trade-off looks like this. You get lower crowds and slightly better pricing than summer peak, but you're walking into increasingly punishing heat and daily rain. If you can handle afternoon storms that dump hard for 30-45 minutes and then clear, May is workable. If your ideal trip involves being outdoors comfortably all day, October or November will treat you far better.

Why visit in May

Theme park crowds on weekdays are significantly lighter than June through August. Wait times at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tend to run 30-40% shorter than peak summer, especially Monday through Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.
The Orlando Fringe Festival in Loch Haven Park runs for roughly 14 days in May, staging over 100 performances across multiple venues. It's one of the longest-running fringe theatre festivals in the country, and individual show tickets are affordable compared to mainstream Orlando entertainment.
EPCOT's International Flower & Garden Festival continues through May, with garden-themed outdoor kitchens serving seasonal dishes and drinks. Admission to the festival activities is included with park entry.
Hotel rates in early-to-mid May typically run 15-25% below peak summer pricing, especially along International Drive and in the Kissimmee corridor south of the parks. Memorial Day weekend is the exception.

Worth knowing

Daily afternoon thunderstorms become the norm by mid-May, with 128mm of rainfall spread across roughly 14 days. The storms are intense but usually pass within 30-45 minutes. Still, they can shut down outdoor rides and pool time without warning.
Humidity sits around 70% and combines with 31°C (88°F) highs to produce a sticky, draining heat. Standing in open-air queues at Universal or Disney without shade becomes genuinely uncomfortable by midday.
Memorial Day weekend (last Monday of May) brings a sharp spike in both crowds and pricing. Theme parks hit near-summer-peak attendance, and hotel rates along I-Drive can double compared to the week before.
Lightning is a serious concern in Central Florida during wet season. Orlando sits in what meteorologists call Lightning Alley. Outdoor activities at places like Wekiwa Springs or Lake Eola Park get interrupted regularly.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 31° / 21°C 128mm rain · 14 rainy days · 70% humidity rains perceptibly ~1.4h/day · 89% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing is essential. Cotton will stay damp all day. Bring a compact rain poncho rather than an umbrella, since theme parks and outdoor venues make umbrellas impractical in crowds. A wide-brim hat or baseball cap helps with sun exposure during the cloud-free morning hours. Waterproof sandals or shoes that dry quickly will save you from squelching through the rest of your day after an afternoon storm.

May marks Orlando's shift into wet season. Mornings typically start warm and hazy around 21°C (69°F), climbing quickly through the 20s by late morning. By early afternoon you're at 31°C (88°F) or higher, and the humidity at 70% makes it feel several degrees warmer. The pattern most days is clear-ish mornings, building cumulus clouds by noon, and a hard thunderstorm between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. that drops heavy rain for 20-45 minutes before clearing to a muggy evening. Total rainfall hits about 128mm across 14 rainy days, more than double April's 91mm. Evenings cool only to about 21°C (69°F), so you won't get much relief after dark.

Seasonal caution

Central Florida sits in Lightning Alley, one of the highest lightning-strike-density areas in the United States. Outdoor rides at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando shut down during nearby lightning. Swimming pools and water parks close as well. Check radar before heading to any open-air venue in the afternoon.
The UV index in Orlando during May regularly reaches 10-11 on the UV scale, categorized as 'very high' to 'extreme.' Sunburn can happen in under 20 minutes of unprotected midday exposure. SPF 50+ reapplied every 90 minutes is not optional.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Orlando
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	20	10	52
Feb	24	13	60
Mar	27	15	73
Apr	28	17	91
May	31	21	128
Jun	32	23	240
Jul	32	24	225
Aug	32	24	263
Sep	30	23	338
Oct	28	19	108
Nov	25	16	83
Dec	23	13	59

Headline events

Citywide

Orlando Fringe Festival

Mid-May, running approximately 14 days (usually second through fourth week of May)

One of the longest-running fringe theatre festivals in the United States, the Orlando Fringe stages over 100 shows across multiple indoor and outdoor venues in the Loch Haven Park cultural district. Expect everything from one-person plays to experimental comedy, dance, and spoken word. Most performances run 60 minutes or less, and the festival's Fringe-for-All preview night lets you sample acts before committing. The outdoor stage and food vendors at the festival village are free to enter.

#OrlandoFringe

Best things to do in May

Walt Disney World Weekday Park Hopping

theme_parks

With Florida schools still in session through late May, weekday attendance at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom drops noticeably. You'll find shorter standby lines at headliner rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind compared to what you'd face in June. Rope-drop strategy (arriving at park opening) can get you 3-4 major rides done before noon heat builds.

Pre-Memorial Day weekday crowds are among the lightest of the warm-weather months, making it possible to cover more ground with less waiting.

Booking tipBook park reservations as far ahead as possible. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios fill their reservation calendar faster than Animal Kingdom on most May weekdays.

Orlando Fringe Festival Performances

arts_culture

Over 100 independent shows take over Loch Haven Park's cultural campus, including the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the Orlando Repertory Theatre venues. Shows range from solo spoken-word pieces to full ensemble comedies and experimental dance. The outdoor festival village along Princeton Street has live music and food stalls with no admission charge, so you can browse the scene before buying show tickets.

The Fringe runs exclusively in May, and the concentration of 100+ performances in a 14-day window doesn't happen at any other point in Orlando's calendar.

Booking tipPopular shows sell out within the first few days. Check the festival schedule online when it drops and grab tickets early for anything with strong preview-night buzz.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

nature

Wekiwa Springs sits about 30 minutes north of downtown Orlando off Wekiva Springs Road in Apopka. The spring maintains a year-round temperature near 22°C (72°F), which feels genuinely cold against May's 31°C air. You can swim in the spring head, rent canoes or kayaks to paddle down Wekiwa Run, or hike the 13 miles of trails through sand pine scrub. The spring is one of the few places in the Orlando area where you're likely to see wild manatees in the run.

The spring's constant 22°C water provides real heat relief when May air temperatures push past 31°C, and weekday visits before Memorial Day mean lighter crowds at the spring head.

Booking tipThe park closes its gate when the parking lot fills, which happens by 10 a.m. on weekends. Arrive by 9 a.m. or go on a weekday.

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

theme_parks

EPCOT's annual Flower & Garden Festival runs from early March through early July, and May sits in its middle stretch. The World Showcase promenade features over 100 Disney-character topiaries, butterfly gardens near the Butterfly Landing exhibit, and about 20 outdoor kitchens serving seasonal small plates and cocktails. The Eat to the Beat concert series runs on select nights at the America Gardens Theatre.

May catches the festival in full bloom before summer crowds arrive. Weekday evenings in early May are particularly manageable for sampling the outdoor kitchens without long waits.

Kayaking the Econlockhatchee River

nature

The Econ River runs through eastern Orange County and Seminole County, passing through cypress swamps and hardwood hammocks. The upper stretch near Oviedo is popular for 2-3 hour paddle trips. You'll likely spot great blue herons, turtles on half-submerged logs, and possibly an alligator basking on the bank. The tannic water is tea-colored and warm by May.

Water levels in May are still moderate before the heaviest summer rains raise the river, making for easier paddling conditions. Morning trips before noon tend to avoid the afternoon storms.

Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

sightseeing

The 12-mile, roughly 1-hour boat tour departs from the dock on Morse Boulevard in Winter Park and winds through a chain of lakes and narrow canals lined with live oak trees and lakefront estates. The captain narrates the history of Winter Park's founding families and points out wildlife. The homes along Lake Osceola and Lake Virginia date to the early 1900s in some cases.

Morning departures in May let you enjoy the lakes before afternoon storms build. The boat provides some breeze, which is a welcome break from the still, humid air on land.

Explore the Mills 50 District

food_culture

Mills 50, centered along Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive northeast of downtown Orlando, is the city's densest concentration of Vietnamese restaurants, bubble tea shops, and independent businesses. Pho 88 and Lac Viet Bistro have been anchors of the strip for years. The district also holds a monthly art walk, and May's edition tends to coincide with comfortable early-evening temperatures before the worst of summer.

The Mills 50 district is mostly indoor dining and shopping, making it an ideal afternoon pivot when May's thunderstorms chase you off outdoor plans.

What to eat in May

In season: fruit

Florida Mangoes
Florida's mango season starts gaining momentum in May. The Tommy Atkins and Haden varieties begin appearing at local farmers markets around Orlando, and you'll find them sliced into salsas and salads at restaurants across the city. The flavor tends to be sweeter and less fibrous than imported varieties.

On menus now

Stone Crab (tail end of season)
Florida's stone crab season officially closes on May 15. The final two weeks of availability mean restaurants along Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road and in Winter Park feature them prominently before the seasonal cutoff. The claws are cracked and served cold with mustard sauce, a texture somewhere between lobster and crab.

What to drink

Frozen Citrus Treats
Orlando's citrus heritage still shows up in May through frozen orange juice stands, citrus-based cocktails at bars along Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando, and housemade orange sorbet at local creameries. The heat makes a frozen citrus anything feel like a small mercy by mid-afternoon.

Festival food

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Bites
The outdoor kitchens at EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival serve seasonal small plates through May. You might find items like pineapple prosciutto flatbread at the Hanami booth or a lavender honey cheesecake at the Festival Favorites stand. Menus rotate yearly, so check the current lineup before your visit.

Regular events in May

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

Ongoing festival at EPCOT with topiary displays, butterfly exhibits, outdoor kitchens, and the Eat to the Beat concert series at America Gardens Theatre. Runs March through early July.

Daily through early July

Orlando City SC Home Matches

Orlando City plays MLS home matches at Exploria Stadium on Church Street in downtown Orlando during May. The atmosphere is lively, with supporters' groups in the north wall section. Match dates vary by the MLS schedule.

Multiple dates, schedule varies

Memorial Day Weekend Events

The last weekend of May brings fireworks, special programming at the theme parks, and increased activity along International Drive and in downtown Orlando's bar and restaurant district. Walt Disney World and Universal both run extended evening hours.

Last Monday of May and preceding weekend

Leu Gardens Plant Sales

Harry P. Leu Gardens on North Forest Avenue in Orlando holds plant sales and gardening workshops in May, timed to the start of the wet season planting window. The 50-acre botanical garden itself is worth a morning visit for the rose garden and tropical stream garden.

Varies, typically a Saturday in mid-May

Best places this May

Loch Haven Park
arts_culture
Orlando's cultural campus, home to the Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, and the Mennello Museum of American Art. In May, it also serves as the hub for the Fringe Festival. The park sits on the shores of Lake Formosa, about 3 miles north of downtown.
Loch Haven
Wekiwa Springs State Park
nature
A first-magnitude spring about 30 minutes north of downtown, with 22°C water year-round. Canoe and kayak rentals available on-site. The 13-mile trail system passes through longleaf pine and sand pine scrub habitat.
Apopka
Disney Springs
shopping_dining
Walt Disney World's open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex off Buena Vista Drive. No theme park admission required. The waterfront area along the lake has a mix of retail and restaurants. It gets crowded on weekends but is manageable on weekday evenings in early May.
Lake Buena Vista
Lake Eola Park
parks
A 43-acre park in the center of downtown Orlando, anchored by the iconic Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain. The 0.9-mile walking path around the lake is popular for morning runs. Swan boats are available for rental. The Sunday farmers market along Robinson Street draws a consistent local crowd.
Downtown Orlando
Winter Park
neighborhood
The town of Winter Park, immediately north of Orlando, centers on Park Avenue, a tree-lined street of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art holds the world's largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany works. The Scenic Boat Tour departs from Morse Boulevard.
Winter Park
International Drive
sightseeing
Orlando's main tourist corridor, running roughly 11 miles through the city's hospitality zone. I-Drive holds the Orlando Eye observation wheel (now called The Wheel at ICON Park), SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, and a high concentration of restaurants and hotels. It's busy but not at summer peak in early May.
International Drive
Blue Spring State Park
nature
Located about 45 minutes north of Orlando in Orange City, Blue Spring is best known for winter manatee viewing (November through March). By May, the manatees have mostly dispersed, but the spring itself is open for swimming and the 72°F water is refreshing. The boardwalk trail runs along the spring run to the St. Johns River.
Orange City
Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve
nature
A 440-acre preserve on the western edge of Orange County, off Winter Garden-Vineland Road. Three trails of varying length wind through scrubby flatwoods, bayhead swamp, and cypress dome habitats. It's quieter and less visited than Wekiwa Springs, and morning hikes in May can still be pleasant before temperatures climb past 30°C.
Windermere

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Compact rain ponchoMore practical than an umbrella in theme park crowds and at outdoor festivals. The afternoon storms come fast, and fumbling with an umbrella on a packed walkway is miserable.Shop
Moisture-wicking shirtsCotton absorbs sweat and stays damp for hours at 70% humidity. Synthetic or merino blends dry noticeably faster, especially if you get caught in a downpour.Shop
SPF 50+ sunscreenThe UV index in Orlando in May regularly hits 10-11. Reapply every 90 minutes, more frequently if you're sweating through queues. Spray formulas are faster in the field.Shop
Waterproof shoes or quick-dry sandalsAfter an afternoon storm, theme park walkways puddle badly. Leather shoes and canvas sneakers will stay soggy the rest of the day.Shop
Refillable water bottleStaying hydrated in 31°C heat with high humidity is non-negotiable. Walt Disney World and Universal both have water fountains and will give you free cups of ice water at quick-service restaurants.Shop
Wide-brim hat or baseball capMorning sun before cloud cover builds is intense. A hat helps with UV exposure and keeps sweat out of your eyes during outdoor walks.Shop
Portable phone chargerChecking radar apps, pulling up theme park wait time apps, and taking photos drains batteries quickly. A 10,000mAh charger should last a full park day.Shop
Light layers for aggressive air conditioningOrlando's indoor spaces, especially restaurants, malls, and hotel lobbies, tend to run air conditioning very cold. A lightweight long-sleeve layer saves you from the 15°C temperature swing between outside and inside.Shop

Insider tips

Download a radar app like MyRadar or Weather Underground before your trip. Orlando's afternoon storms are trackable on radar about 30-45 minutes before they hit your location, which gives you time to duck into an indoor ride or restaurant rather than getting caught in the open.
The week immediately after Memorial Day weekend, typically the last few days of May, often sees a brief dip in crowds as families who traveled for the holiday head home. If your schedule is flexible, those 2-3 days can be a sweet spot.
Walt Disney World's park reservation system means you should book your park days as early as possible, even if you haven't bought tickets yet. EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival makes it the most requested park in May, and its calendar fills first.
Orlando's tap water has a noticeable sulfur taste that catches first-time visitors off guard. It's safe to drink, but you might prefer bottled water or a filtered bottle if the taste bothers you. The sulfur smell is from the Floridan Aquifer.
If a thunderstorm shuts down outdoor rides at a theme park, indoor rides see their wait times drop as well, because many guests leave or take shelter. Use storm downtime to hit indoor headliners like Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth.
Parking at theme parks is a significant added daily cost. If you're staying at an on-property hotel at Walt Disney World or Universal, transportation is included. Off-property visitors on International Drive can use the I-Ride Trolley to reach some parks and save on parking fees.

Avoid these mistakes

Scheduling only outdoor activities for a full day. May's afternoon storms will interrupt any plan that requires being outside between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Build indoor alternatives into every afternoon.
Underestimating the humidity. Visitors from dry climates often plan the same walking pace they'd keep at home. At 70% humidity and 31°C, you'll fatigue faster. Plan for breaks, shade, and water every hour.
Arriving at Wekiwa Springs State Park after 10 a.m. on weekends. The parking lot fills and the gate closes. May weekends see strong local demand for the spring, and there's no overflow parking.
Booking Memorial Day weekend expecting shoulder-season pricing. That weekend is priced and crowded like a summer holiday. If your dates are flexible, the week before Memorial Day offers better value.
Skipping sunscreen because the sky looks overcast. Orlando's cloud cover in May is often thin enough that UV radiation still reaches high levels. Overcast doesn't mean UV-safe.

Practical tips for May

Book theme park reservations as far ahead as possible, especially for EPCOT during the Flower & Garden Festival. Carry rain ponchos, not umbrellas, and plan indoor activities for the 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. storm window every day. Mornings from park opening until about noon offer the best combination of tolerable temperatures and dry weather, so front-load outdoor activities. For dining, reservations at sit-down restaurants in Walt Disney World should be made 60 days ahead through the My Disney Experience app. Rental cars are the most flexible transport option, but tolls on the 408 and 417 expressways add up. Keep an E-Pass or SunPass transponder in mind if you're driving frequently between attractions and your hotel.

FAQ

Is May a good time to visit Orlando's theme parks?

It depends on your heat tolerance. Weekdays in early-to-mid May have noticeably shorter wait times than summer, especially at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The trade-off is daily afternoon thunderstorms and humidity around 70%. If you can plan around the 2-5 p.m. storm window and handle the heat, the lower crowds make it worthwhile compared to June through August.

How bad are the afternoon thunderstorms in Orlando in May?

They're intense but short. Typically, storms build between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., dump heavy rain with lightning for 20-45 minutes, and clear out by early evening. They happen on roughly 14 days in May. The storms are enough to shut down outdoor rides and pool time temporarily, but they rarely last long enough to ruin a full day.

What should I wear to Orlando theme parks in May?

Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics are your best option. Cotton absorbs sweat and stays damp in the humidity. Wear waterproof shoes or quick-dry sandals, and carry a compact rain poncho for the afternoon storms. A hat and sunscreen rated SPF 50+ are critical, since the UV index regularly reaches 10-11 in May.

Is Memorial Day weekend a good time to visit Orlando?

It's one of the most crowded weekends of the spring. Theme park attendance spikes to near-summer levels, and hotel rates along International Drive and in the Lake Buena Vista corridor rise sharply. If you're looking for lower crowds and better rates, the first two weeks of May are a significantly better window.

Are there free things to do in Orlando in May?

The outdoor festival village at the Orlando Fringe Festival in Loch Haven Park is free to enter, with live music and food vendors. Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando has a free Sunday farmers market and walking path. Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista requires no admission and has waterfront dining and shopping. Many of Orlando's nature trails, including Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, charge minimal or no entry fees.