1st week of dec or last week in jan - The DIS Discussion Forums

3princes+1princess · 03-08-2013, 08:32 PM

Our one and only Disney visit was the second week of December 2011. We are planning our next visit for the end of this year or beginning of next.

I really want good weather...to me that's on the colder side, low low crowds and minimal ride closure. According to some chart on the Internet....that would be the 1st week in December or last week in January.

Which one would be better. Of course I would choose the one with free dining if available. Do those two weeks tend to be in the free dining dates? Anything bad about feb as I know December was good and I liked the Christmas atmosphere.

Thanks in advance for all your opinions. M

Wood Nymph · 03-08-2013, 08:46 PM

There are always ride closures in January. Splash Mountain and the Kali River Rapids were closed for refurbishment this year in January. It is also the time they close some of the resort pools for refurbishment. And one of the water parks is usually closed, too.

We have been to Disney many times in January and we have gotten mixed weather. We were there the last week in January in 2009 and it was freezing cold. They were pulling up all the dead plants because they had frozen. We were just there last month, Feb 5th to 11th, and had great weather.

There wasn't any free dining offered in January or February this year, but there was free dining in December last year.

December weather can be mixed, too, but at least all the rides are open.

raven69david · 03-08-2013, 11:22 PM

First week of December is better than taking a chance on running into a BTR in January. They swarm in during January and if you come across them, go in the opposite direction, or better yet, find another park to visit.

gogo · 03-09-2013, 08:26 AM

We've gone to Disney for the last six years the 3rd week of January. The weather has always been excellent. Only this past January was it the coldest. And, even then, we used the pool a couple of afternoons. So, it wasn't that cold.

But, each year the crowds are heavier than the previous year. This year was no exception. The lines for the popular rides were over an hour and even Spaceship Earth had quite a wait.

I know you mentioned the last week of January, but I can't imagine the crowds being much less than the third week.

VillianDiva · 03-09-2013, 10:41 AM

We are going the first week of December.

This year we are going with a friend's family. I've never been during this time but they love it and say it's the best time to visit. We are usually there in October!

I hope the first week of December is good because I've already booked.

Spoisal · 03-10-2013, 02:21 PM

We have been the last week in Jan or beg of Feb many times. It is my favorite time to go. LOW LOW crowds! Walking on most rides - weather was almost always perfect (1 year it was cold). I LOVE the fact that it is after Christmas......gives you a huge thing to look forward to after Christmas has ended. I am too busy in December getting ready for Christmas - if I vacationed then, I would feel like I was so rushed after we got back to get ready for the holiday.

03-08-2013, 08:32 PM	#1
3princes+1princess Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 108	1st week of dec or last week in jan Our one and only Disney visit was the second week of December 2011. We are planning our next visit for the end of this year or beginning of next. I really want good weather...to me that's on the colder side, low low crowds and minimal ride closure. According to some chart on the Internet....that would be the 1st week in December or last week in January. Which one would be better. Of course I would choose the one with free dining if available. Do those two weeks tend to be in the free dining dates? Anything bad about feb as I know December was good and I liked the Christmas atmosphere. Thanks in advance for all your opinions. M

03-08-2013, 08:46 PM	#2
Wood Nymph DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 1,398	There are always ride closures in January. Splash Mountain and the Kali River Rapids were closed for refurbishment this year in January. It is also the time they close some of the resort pools for refurbishment. And one of the water parks is usually closed, too. We have been to Disney many times in January and we have gotten mixed weather. We were there the last week in January in 2009 and it was freezing cold. They were pulling up all the dead plants because they had frozen. We were just there last month, Feb 5th to 11th, and had great weather. There wasn't any free dining offered in January or February this year, but there was free dining in December last year. December weather can be mixed, too, but at least all the rides are open. __________________ We're going back to the WL - Nov 30 - December 5, 2013 Wilderness Lodge - February 5 -11, 2013 BC - April 2011, BW - January 2009, BCV - 2007, 2005, 2004, Poly - 2002; BC - 2001, 2000, 1995, 1992; YC - 1997; GF - 1989, 1988; Poly - 1987, 1986, 1985; CR - 1981, 1980; offsite - 1982, 1976, 1973 Last edited by Wood Nymph; 03-09-2013 at 07:37 AM.

03-08-2013, 11:22 PM	#3
raven69david I am a Superuser. Got a problem with that?! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,826	First week of December is better than taking a chance on running into a BTR in January. They swarm in during January and if you come across them, go in the opposite direction, or better yet, find another park to visit. __________________ You mean there are other places to vacation besides Walt Disney World? 1997-2003: Off-site, 2004: DD born ; missed this year, 2005: SoG for MVMCP, 2006: AKLSV for Magical Beginnings, 2007: ASMo/AKLSV for MVMCP, 2008: CSR for Surprise Trip in August, 2008: AKLSV/CR/POP for MVMCP, December 2008May 2009: Pop/AKLSV, August 2009: POFQ/WL-CL, December 2009: AKLSV for MVMCP Too many since then to list and WAYYY tttoooooooo many more to go.............

03-09-2013, 10:41 AM	#5
VillianDiva Falling in LOVE with Disney! Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Memphis Posts: 150	We are going the first week of December. This year we are going with a friend's family. I've never been during this time but they love it and say it's the best time to visit. We are usually there in October! I hope the first week of December is good because I've already booked. __________________ Mom (57) Me (28) DS (12) '08 (Dolphin) , '09 (All-Star Music), Disneyland 2011, and 2012 (POP)! Just Scheduled for December 2013! (POFQ)

03-10-2013, 02:21 PM	#6
Spoisal DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,801	We have been the last week in Jan or beg of Feb many times. It is my favorite time to go. LOW LOW crowds! Walking on most rides - weather was almost always perfect (1 year it was cold). I LOVE the fact that it is after Christmas......gives you a huge thing to look forward to after Christmas has ended. I am too busy in December getting ready for Christmas - if I vacationed then, I would feel like I was so rushed after we got back to get ready for the holiday. __________________ *Stephanie* Me, DH, DD15, DD13 Jan 2002 - CR/WL Jan 2003 - WL May 2003 - CBR Nov 2005 - POP Nov 2008 - POR Jan/Feb 2011 - BC CL April 2014 - CSR

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03-09-2013, 08:26 AM	#4
gogo Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 405	We've gone to Disney for the last six years the 3rd week of January. The weather has always been excellent. Only this past January was it the coldest. And, even then, we used the pool a couple of afternoons. So, it wasn't that cold. But, each year the crowds are heavier than the previous year. This year was no exception. The lines for the popular rides were over an hour and even Spaceship Earth had quite a wait. I know you mentioned the last week of January, but I can't imagine the crowds being much less than the third week.

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