1st Week of Jan park days- Two options

[nikmasteed]

Hi all! I'm planning a trip for exactly one year from now-- 12/31/25 - 1/10/26 so I've been trying to pay attention a bit this week to what things are like in the parks. My wife and kids aren't huge on heavy theme park days (even though I am!) so we're putting more focus on resort time which gives me the leeway to space out 4 park days over 9-10 days (skipping AK this trip and going to HS twice, just our preference). I have always been very aware that the end of this week is the lead-in to Marathon weekend and will be next year also. I thought I was super happy with my original plan (Option 1 below) until I read yesterday (Thursday of Marathon weekend) that park reservations were sold out in all 4 parks, and in looking at wait times in the app wait times did seem to be pretty darn high yesterday. So, now I'm re-thinking.

Below are two paths I'm thinking at the moment-- I'm including the marathon events for reference only-- I MIGHT do either the 5k or 10k but this is NOT the focus of my trip at all. Obviously I need to decide that before registration in March.

Option 1:
New Years Eve (Wednesday) = Check-in day
Thursday = non-park day
Friday = Water Park Day
Park day #1 = Saturday first weekend after New Year (Hollywood Studios)
Sunday = non-park day
Park day #2 = first Monday of the year (Magic Kingdom)- plus After Hours event
Tuesday = non-park day
Park day #3 = Wednesday which aligns with start of Marathon Expo (Epcot)
Thursday = non-park day, possibly sign up for 5k
Park day #4 = Friday of Marathon weekend (Hollywood Studios)
Saturday = Check-out day

I liked this Option 1 alot because it had a rest day between. But as mentioned yesterday (Thursday) I started to get spooked by what appeared to be reports of major crowds and sold out reservations, so I put together this Option 2 that moved Park day #4 earlier off of the marathon events, which would bunch things up a bit earlier in the trip but give us a very leisurely / relaxing end to our trip

Option 2:
New Years Eve (Wednesday) = Check-in day
Thursday = non-park day
Park day #1 = Friday day after New Year (Hollywood Studios)
Park day #2 = Saturday first weekend after New Year (Epcot)
Sunday = non-park day
Park day #3 = first Monday of the year (Magic Kingdom)- plus After Hours event
Tuesday = non-park day
Park day #4 = Wednesday which aligns with start of Marathon Expo (Hollywood Studios)
Thursday = Water Park Day
Friday = non-park day, possibly sign up for 10k
Saturday = Check-out day

Option 2 keeps park days almost completely clear from crowds arriving for the marathon weekend. But maybe I'm overthinking this?

I will likely keep Magic Kingdom on the Monday no matter what because of After Hours (assuming same schedule as 2025) and the thought that this should would probably be the lowest crowd day of this entire week. The water park day is really just a floater for whatever day is warm enough to go-- we really enjoy water parks. The Thursday day after check-in day is also almost certainly going to remain a non-park day because we are driving 16 hours on New Years Eve and arriving that evening, so want to take things easy Thursday.

Opinions for those other uber-planners out there? Thanks!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Schools here go back on Tues, Jan 5, 2026. I would tend to back load your days as you did in Option 1. Yes crowds may arrive for marathon weekend closer to your departure but I think you need to give more consideration to those who are already there, many likely until Jan 3rd.

I think regardless, you are visiting during a busy time of year and will want to be prepared for crowds. As you have a year to prepare, you may wish to budget to purchase LLMP all 4 days if you can. Epcot may be optional though and you'd only need 3 days.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I'm curious why you would want a non park day for your first whole day?
Also curious why you would put the After Hours on the same day as a park day - that's a really long park day! Why not have your MK day on a different day, and do After Hours after a mostly resort day?

 

[nikmasteed]

Schools here go back on Tues, Jan 5, 2026. I would tend to back load your days as you did in Option 1. Yes crowds may arrive for marathon weekend closer to your departure but I think you need to give more consideration to those who are already there, many likely until Jan 3rd.

I think regardless, you are visiting during a busy time of year and will want to be prepared for crowds. As you have a year to prepare, you may wish to budget to purchase LLMP all 4 days if you can. Epcot may be optional though and you'd only need 3 days.

Thanks @scrappinginontario that is very useful to know! That does indeed lead me to maybe stick with my original thinking. I plan to get LLMP for MK, EP, and one of the 2 HS days. Might skip it on the second HS day and focus on shows and our preferred dining for hat day.

I'm curious why you would want a non park day for your first whole day?
Also curious why you would put the After Hours on the same day as a park day - that's a really long park day! Why not have your MK day on a different day, and do After Hours after a mostly resort day?

Non-park day on the first full day is mostly because I'll have driven 16 of the prior 24 hrs starting at 2 or 3 am on the early morning of 12/31, then we'll probably try to view NYE fireworks from somewhere outside the parks. So we'll definitely need a relaxing New Years Day

After Hours on the same day as a normal MK day is because I myself would be the only one in the family staying late, I didnt mention that. The rest are just simply not big theme park people-- they love the Disney parks just aren't very ride focused. The After Hours would be my time to get in MK rides efficiently albeit solo, and I for sure know I wouldn't be tuckered out myself after a "leisurely" day in MK with the family. I could do it a different day than our family MK day but that would likely just cut into something else I'd be doing with the family, and coupling it is less travel time for me solo. It's a fair point though.

 

[Tom_E_D]

After Hours on the same day as a normal MK day is because I myself would be the only one in the family staying late, I didnt mention that. The rest are just simply not big theme park people-- they love the Disney parks just aren't very ride focused. The After Hours would be my time to get in MK rides efficiently albeit solo, and I for sure know I wouldn't be tuckered out myself after a "leisurely" day in MK with the family. I could do it a different day than our family MK day but that would likely just cut into something else I'd be doing with the family, and coupling it is less travel time for me solo. It's a fair point though.

Orlando public schools will resume classes on Tuesday January 6, 2026. Monday, January 5 will be the only day during their winter break that is not blocked out to Pixie Pass annual passes. You may want to avoid going to a theme park that day. Going solo to the After Hours event that night means having the evening of your MK park day to be with the family. I think that balances out, more or less. Admittedly, it would cost extra travel time. I don't believe you mentioned where you are staying. It would obviously be a bigger factor if you were staying offsite miles away than if you were at a monorail resort.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Non-park day on the first full day is mostly because I'll have driven 16 of the prior 24 hrs starting at 2 or 3 am on the early morning of 12/31, then we'll probably try to view NYE fireworks from somewhere outside the parks. So we'll definitely need a relaxing New Years Day

My bad, I missed that disclaimer at the bottom. Rest day after that is probably a good idea. Hope you get a good meal at the end of that drive!

 

[nikmasteed]

Orlando public schools will resume classes on Tuesday January 6, 2026. Monday, January 5 will be the only day during their winter break that is not blocked out to Pixie Pass annual passes. You may want to avoid going to a theme park that day. Going solo to the After Hours event that night means having the evening of your MK park day to be with the family. I think that balances out, more or less. Admittedly, it would cost extra travel time. I don't believe you mentioned where you are staying. It would obviously be a bigger factor if you were staying offsite miles away than if you were at a monorail resort.

This is helpful to know also. Glad I have asked! I think you all have convinced me to at least consider MK on a different day (maybe Tuesday) and I could still always do After Hours solo on Monday night. Something to think about!

Will be doing a split-stay on property-- All Star then French Quarter then Wilderness Lodge. We love the resorts!