Five Things To Look For In Orlando In May

The thermometer tells us it’s heating up outside, and that means we’re galloping into summer in Orlando, with a host of new things to look forward to and enjoy.

This is the month that produces some of the biggest changes in the Central Florida weather as the hot days and cool evenings of the spring give way to summer heat.

Shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops are now the most desirable apparel, while it’s equally important to break out the high-factor sun-creams (our tip: SPF 50 and 50+ are the ones to look for) and increase your water intake.

An umbrella is also a handy thing to have close by, as May also brings the beginning of the rainy season. So, with all that in mind, we thought we would highlight the Top 5 Things To Look For in Orlando as our calendar reaches the fifth month of the year:

The Weather

Ah yes, this is the key factor at this time of year. It’s easy to think that May is still the Spring by UK standards and end up packing for a range of changeable weather. Don’t bother. Apart from some suitable rain gear (a lightweight jacket or poncho, or just a decent umbrella), you can really afford to pack light at this stage. The coolest temperatures you’re likely to encounter will be around 18C first thing in the morning, while it will probably heat up to 32C at some stage. That makes for some very, ahem, sweaty afternoons in the theme parks, so it’s important to dress light. Any rain will also pass through quickly, so don’t stress if you see “60 per cent chance of thunderstorms” in the daily forecast. We always joke that the weather folks post that forecast in mid-May and don’t take it down again until October!

Viva La Musica

May is very much Latin Month in Florida, and there are a couple of great events that are worth knowing about. The first is the annual Cinco de Mayo festival. The Fifth of May is a huge celebration in the Latin American world, marked in much the same way that St Patrick’s Day is in Ireland, i.e. with a good few drinks and a lively time in the pubs and bars! SeaWorld then follows up this one-day merriment with its own Latin-flavoured event, Viva La Musica. Held over two weekends from May 13-21, it features an evening concert series with Latino music stars such as Cuban-American singer Jon Secada and popular Puerto Rican merengue band Grupo Mania. For those who enjoy a few exotic tastes of the region, there are also a series of Latin-inspired food and drink kiosks, paying homage to dishes and beverages from the likes of Chile, Peru and Mexico. Menu details have just been announced and they include Bacalaitos, deep fried cod fritters with fermented spicy aioli and micro cilantro; Arepas de Pabellon, traditional homemade arepa, sweet plantain, carne mechada, black beans and salsa tartara; and Papa a la Huancaina, a Peruvian cheese sauce served a top Yukon gold potato. Our recommendation? Don’t miss the classic Chilean Pisco Sour and the daily Tequila tastings!

Flower & Garden Festival

For those who remember Epcot’s big garden festival as being purely a Spring event, here’s a newsflash: It now runs until July (for a record 127 days). And, for May, there are some neat additions to this truly fabulous flowery fiesta, with the Farmers Feast outdoor kitchen switching to an all-new Springtime menu from April 9 to May 20 and a Summer Solstice menu from May 20 to July 5. The (free) Garden Rocks concert series is also in full swing, and some of the key performers this month include Kool and the Gang, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Rick Springfield and The Orchestra starring former members of ELO (always hugely popular). The food booths open at 11am each day, with the evening concert series on stage in three sets at 5.30, 6.45 and 8pm. We’ve had several chances to sample the various food kiosks and can heartily recommend the Orange Sesame Tempura Shrimp with orange chile sauce from the Citrus Blossom kiosk and the (new in 2023) Kir a la Poire – sparkling wine with Monin Desert Pear – from the Fleur de Lys kiosk in the France pavilion, while we really love everything from the Farmers Feast!

Orlando’s new Michelin Guide restaurants

We were thrilled that Orlando finally (finally!) got its own Michelin Guide-rated dining commendations in 2022, and we will welcome another eight this month, giving the city 41 in all. It’s a long-overdue accolade for our destination, as the quality of restaurants has done nothing but reach stellar levels in the past 10 years or so. The famous French dining guide woke up to the culinary delights of Florida as whole last year, and we celebrated the fact with a brilliant cross-section of the city’s cuisines. Now we get to do it again as the Guide unveils its latest recommendations for fine dining, which will include Walt Disney World’s fabulous Victoria & Albert’s restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort. That gives Disney fully SEVEN venues with a Michelin endorsement, including the dynamic duo of The Polite Pig and Morimoto’s at Disney Springs.

Pipeline: The Surf Coaster

The big news in every way for roller-coaster fans will be the official opening of SeaWorld’s latest ride, and truly unique experience. This first-of-its-kind scream machine features a stand-up style of ride vehicle that allows riders to move with the curves and banks of the track as if they are actually “riding the waves.” It promises to be another step forward for a park that now calls itself “The Roller-Coaster Capital of Orlando,” as it will be their seventh out-and-out coaster, and it gives them a really high ride profile. It also makes for an iconic new entrance to the park as it’s the first thing visitors will see as they reach the car park. Ready to go “surfing USA” in Orlando? Now you can!

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