Curious what it’s like celebrating May the 4th at Disney World? One Disney World expert did just that, and is sharing what it was like.

When it comes to celebrating May the 4th, the unofficial Star Wars holiday, there are few places as fun or unique to celebrate as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, if you’ve ever been curious about what to expect from the crowds, wait times, or general atmosphere of the day, I’m here to tell you all about my family’s experience.

Crowd and Wait Times to Expect on May the 4th at Disney World

Surprisingly, the crowds were manageable during the earlier part of the day. I was expecting it to be extra busy right from the start. My family managed to ride Rise of the Resistance in under an hour without needing to purchase a Lightning Lane, which was a massive highlight for my Star Wars-loving family. However, the late afternoon and evening brought a different experience, with significantly increased crowd levels, especially in Galaxy’s Edge. As we approached the lightsaber meet-up, walking through Galaxy’s Edge became exceptionally crowded. 

How to Snag the Exclusive Souvenir Popcorn Bucket

I’ve seen the videos and read about these limited edition popcorn buckets that guests are willing to wait hours in line for. Initially, I had no intention of doing that until I saw how cool the popcorn bucket was on May the 4th and realized my whole family wanted one. But was I really going to wait for hours to get it? The line was massive, and I’d pre-booked Lightning Lanes, allowing my family to enjoy all the attractions we wanted. The thought of waiting in line for a potentially long time was not appealing. With only a limited number of these popcorn buckets available, the fear of them selling out made waiting in line seem like the only option.

However, I discovered through the My Disney Experience App that I could mobile order the popcorn bucket and receive a notification when it was ready for pickup. It was a game-changer; I secured a bucket without having to wait in line, allowing me to fully enjoy our day at the park. It was seamless. 

Screenshot from the My Disney Experience app

Our arrival time was scheduled for later in the evening, so when that time arrived, we confirmed our presence through the app and received an order notification that allowed us to pick up our bucket. Located right beside First Order Cargo was a convenient pick-up spot, with cast members directing everyone who had made a purchase. All I had to do was show them my order number, and they brought me the bucket with a complimentary bag of red popcorn from Kat Saka’s Kettle. It was such a great experience. 

Other Exciting Events that Occur on May the 4th at Disney World

Along with a limited release of popcorn buckets, a May the 4th Merchandise Event was also taking place at the Stage 1 Company Store. A virtual queue was available through the My Disney Experience App, and once you joined, you were assigned a callback time and an estimated wait time. 

Screenshot from the My Disney Experience app

Unfortunately, we were deep in the standby line for Rise of the Resistance when we received the notification that we could check out the store, so we missed out on this May the 4th-only event. There were souvenir light sabers that came with the specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; they were a hit with the kids and much easier to carry around than a full-size lightsaber. 

I had a fantastic time celebrating May the 4th at Hollywood Studios, and I would love to visit again. Any Star Wars fan should experience the park on this day, as it’s filled with Star Wars-themed magic. This once-a-year event is worth attending. Even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan, it’s still a lot of fun being at Hollywood Studios on this day.