Jan 09

[chemie15]

We are planning to go Jan 18-23, any ideas on crowds? Should be hold off and go the following week jan 25-30? trying to get the lowest crowds.

[n2mm]

The week of the 18th is MLK holiday, plus inauguration day is the day after, which gives us Federal employees here in the Wash. DC area two federal holidays in a row. Add that to my normal Friday off and I only have to use 2 vacation days to be off an entire week. I booked this week at the 11 month window. If it was not for the 2 holidays, I would be booking the 25th instead. That would be my choice for the quieter week between the two. I'm sure there are many other USG folks and folks who work in DC that are also going to be heading South for the long weekend.

[Starr W.]

Plus over MLK weekend you have the big Lotus conference over at the Swolphin.

To be honest I called to switch our resorts at 7 months and got a 2br BW view. Also BCV and VWL were available.

[WelcomeHome]

Relatively speaking, January has small crowds throughout the month. I was there MLK week and we breezed through many attraction due to the short lines - just keep in mind that the parks close much earlier than they do in the summer due to the relatively small crowd attendance!

If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy short lines, January is one of the BEST times to go regardless of the week you choose.

Have a great time!

Best wishes,
Dave

[dianeschlicht]

In the grand scheme of things, neither of those events will effect crowds much in January. We love January for the low crowds. We are going to be there from Jan 20-31, and I'm just going to avoid the MK on the Sunday and MLK day.

[Starr W.]

In the grand scheme of things, neither of those events will effect crowds much in January. We love January for the low crowds. We are going to be there from Jan 20-31, and I'm just going to avoid the MK on the Sunday and MLK day.

If MK has late EMH on the Sunday of MLK weekend, do not go to AK that day. It was like everyone was "MK's open late, we'll do that in the pm". I have been to AK on Thanksgiving day and it was much busier on that Sunday. Though did get FP's and did EE twice that day.

We have a 4 day weekend and head down on Thursday after school. That Friday is great, rode Soarin' just about back to back with FP's.

[drusba]

If you want one of the weeks of the year with the lowest possible crowds that last week of January (your 25th to 30th) is it. MLK time is not hugely crowded but still quite a bit more than that last week.

[bwvBound]

Plus over MLK weekend you have the big Lotus conference over at the Swolphin.Lotusphere (http://www.lotusphere.com) will impact hotel availability at Dolphin/Swan/Yacht/Beach and to a lessor extent BWV units -- but will have little impact on park crowds.

[cmariew]

Don't forget that the Super Bowl will be in Tampa Feb.1st that will affect crowds the last week in Jan.

[thebigman79]

We used to go alot during this time but haven't the last few years due to other problems but there used to be a dance group competion during that time at Wide World. Are they still doing it then?

[ejsteg]

We have been there the 2nd to last week in January and think that is one of the best times to go. We never, never had to use fastpass. As a matter of fact, we often were allowed to stay on the rides and just ride again without even getting off (ie - Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Rockin Rollar Coaster and most of the other popular rides). The weather did get a little chilly at times, but I would take that over hot and humid any day. Have a great time!

[Starr W.]

We used to go alot during this time but haven't the last few years due to other problems but there used to be a dance group competion during that time at Wide World. Are they still doing it then?

There was some soccer thing going on MLK weekend, plus College Cheer/Dance competition over at DHS(they were using the Indy show venue for the competition that weekend). They didn't cause much trouble.

A lot of Brazilian tour groups.

[lisah0711]

We were at WDW for MLK day in 2004, 2006 and 2008. It is definately more crowded for MLK week-end, then tapers off and increases again toward the end of the week. After being packed like sardines on Main Street for an hour after Spectro the day before MLK day DH says let's wait for a week after MLK for 2010.

I would go later if I had the choice. That's my 2 cents worth.

I am sure that you'll have a good time no matter when you go. :goodvibes