Memorial Day weekend is almost here, with a
record-breaking 2.6 million Floridians expected to be travel over the course of five days. The federal holiday lands on May 26 this year and is a day of remembrance and commemoration for military members who lost their lives in service. Many Americans also take advantage of the three-day weekend to travel, especially to Florida's theme parks. AAA projects
45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26. The organization said this year’s domestic travel forecast will increase by 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and set a new Memorial Day weekend record. For wanting to spend the three-day weekend at Disney World, Universal Orlando or any of Florida's theme parks, here's what to know about
traveling and what the weather forecast will look like.
What are the top travel destinations for Memorial Day weekend? Orlando ranks high
Orlando unsurprisingly ranked in first place on AAA’s list of the top 10 most popular Memorial Day weekend destinations in the U.S. for 2025. The list is based on AAA booking data for trips between Thursday, May 22 through Monday, May 26.
Where are Florida's main theme parks located?
How busy will Florida's theme parks get during Memorial Day?
Florida's theme parks will be incredibly busy — and not just because of the holiday weekend. Universal Orlando's newest theme park, Epic Universe, will open to the public a few days before Memorial Day on Thursday, May 22. The new park will see large crowds in its first months (or even years), seeking to immerse guests in five new worlds to experience and explore. Theme park travel blogs always stress how packed the parks can get during holiday weekends. Memorial Day weekend is
listed among the busiest times to visit in general.
What is the busiest travel day this Memorial Day weekend?
Good news for those going to Epic Universe on its opening day — you'll be avoiding the beginning of major Memorial Day weekend traffic. According to
AAA’s Memorial Day weekend travel outlook for 2025 , you should avoid driving on Thursday and Friday evenings. And if you’re planning to travel home on Sunday, the earlier you leave, the better.
What will the Florida weather forecast look like?
Memorial Day weekend is gearing up to be a scorcher in Florida. Temperatures above normal are expected from May 18 through May 22, especially for Florida, south Texas and stretching into southern Georgia, according to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. "Hot," the National Weather Service Melbourne said, saying residents across the East Coast and Central Florida can expect "
well above normal temperatures ," although records are a little more uncertain at this time. A moderate heat risk is expected across most of the area through the weekend.
