Visiting Disneyland in May 2026: Grad Nites, Season of the Force, and more!

Visiting Disneyland in May can be a great experience, but there are a few things worth keeping in mind. The weather is usually very pleasant, making it a lovely time to be in the parks. However, May also brings a handful of holidays and events that can lead to bigger crowds. These include Star Wars Day on May 4th, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend, and Grad Nites. That said, with a bit of planning ahead, May can still be a fantastic time to enjoy the magic of Disneyland!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Planning a Disneyland vacation in 2026? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer this year, including the Disneyland Half Marathon, special ticketed events, holiday festivities, and more!

In This Post

May At-a-Glance

May Events

May Refurbishments & Closures

May Weather

May Disneyland Crowds

Ready to Start Planning Your Visit to Disneyland in May?

May At-a-Glance

May temperatures are still quite pleasant, but be prepared for some rain showers. Mornings could still be a bit chilly, but for the most part, temperatures are warming up. As far as rain, it is no longer considered the “rainy” season, but that doesn’t mean May won’t see some rain. It’s always good to be prepared this time of year.
Grad Nites will likely be back in 2026. This popular ticketed event will be returning to California Adventure in 2026 on select nights. While they are a fun opportunity for graduating seniors, the parks can get a bit crowded for the rest of us. So keep this in mind when selecting your vacation dates.
Be prepared for some crowds. May is a popular month to visit with the locals. The weather is warming up, holidays and holiday weekends get busy, and Grad Nites are a special tradition for many.

May Events

May the 4th be with you! It’s Star Wars Day on May 4th, and Disney joins in on the celebration!

Holidays in May include both Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. While there are no parties, parades, or special events attached to these holidays, there are definitely a few things to keep in mind if planning to visit the parks on these days. Mother’s Day doesn’t typically see a huge surge in crowds, but you may want to make any special dining reservations early, as they do book up quickly. Unlike Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend could be significantly busier than normal, as most three-day weekends bring crowds to the Disneyland Resort. (It’s also the “unofficial” beginning of summer!)

Grad Nites is a special ticketed event that will be back in 2026. The parties take place on select dates in both May and June. There are three ticket options ranging in price from $129-$259. This year’s dates include May 9, 12, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28, & 30 and June 3, 5, 7, 10 & 12.

Disneyland Grad Nite Private Party Experience at Disney California Adventure – Ticketed grads will gain access to Disney California Adventure Park after 9:00 PM for an “immersive, once-in-a-lifetime celebration.”
- Ticket Prices: $129-$134 per person
Disneyland Grad Nite Private Party Experience plus a full day at Disney California Adventure – Enjoy a full day at Disney California Adventure Park before enjoying an exclusive event after 9:00 PM in the park.
- Ticket Prices: $159-$179 per person
Disneyland Grad Nite Private Party Experience plus a Park Hopper experience at both Disneyland theme parks – This option allows grads to spend the day at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on the same day, as well as attend the exclusive party at Disney California Adventure Park beginning at 9:00 PM.
- Ticket Prices: $239-$259 per person

May Refurbishments & Closures

*We’ve included all current refurbishments here on this list… even ones that may be open in time for May 2026. (Please note that this list could change at a moment’s notice.)

Disneyland Park

Haunted Mansion will be closed from August 9-21 in order to add the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay. (It will likely close again for a short time in January to remove the overlay.)
it’s a small world will likely close for a short time in October for the installation of its holiday overlay. Exact dates have not been announced yet. (It will likely close again mid-January for the overlay removal.)
Star Tours – The Adventure Continues will be closed from June 30 through September 4.
Storybook Land Canal Boats closed on July 21, 2025. An opening date has yet to be announced.
Casey Jr. Circus Train closed on July 28, 2025. An opening date has yet to be announced.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close on September 2, 2025, for refurbishment. An opening date has yet to be announced.
Mark Twain Riverboat will be closed September 8-11, 2025.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island will be closed September 15-17, 2025.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant will be closed September 16-17, 2025.
Main Street Cinema will be closed beginning September 8, 2025. An opening date has yet to be announced.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will be closed beginning September 7, 2026. A reopening date has not been announced.

California Adventure Park

Radiator Springs Racers will be closed August 18 through September 25, 2025.
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! will temporarily end for the Halloween season.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will be temporarily suspended for the Halloween season.
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will be permanently closing early 2026 to make room for a new Avatar-themed area.

May Weather

Overall, the weather in Anaheim is still quite pleasant in May. So if you’re looking to visit Disneyland without the summer heat or winter rain, this may be the perfect time to go. The average high is 74 degrees, and the low is typically around 54 degrees. It is also typically a dryer month in terms of rain. That being said, May is an excellent time to visit in terms of weather!

May Disneyland Crowds

Crowd calendars are very popular, but they can also be a bit unpredictable. While they can be a big help in planning your trip, keep in mind that they are predictions at best. When anticipating future crowds, we take a look at events, school calendars, ticket prices, park hours, holidays, and typical monthly patterns. Unfortunately, our estimates cannot predict other things such as weather, travel advisories, pandemics, or last-minute openings or closings of shows and attractions.

May can be a popular month to visit the Disneyland Resort. With Star Wars Day on May 4th, Cinco de Mayo on May 5th, Memorial Day Weekend, and Grad Nites… there are certainly days that get very crowded with the locals. So keep these dates in mind if you are trying to avoid the crowds in May.