1st Week of January?

[Lori2816]

I'm thinking about WDW for the 1st week of January, 2010. Is this a good time to go? I'm hoping that it will be because all of the Christmas/New Year's vacationers will be going home. So if any of you have been to WDW (1st week) please help me to decide my plans!! Thank you sooooo much!!

 

[drusba]

Depends on exactly what you mean by first week. Jan 1 will be a Friday. Those huge Christmas crowds will still be there Jan 1, 2, and 3 (think 3 hour and longer stand-by line for Soarin'). In fact, based on the pattern we have seen during that time over several years, it will still be hugely crowded on Monday, Jan 4 -- less than prior days but still 90 minute to 2 hour stand by lines much of the day at popular rides.

Some leave on Monday, but the huge exodus occurs Tuesday. On Tuesday, the world will be enormously different. Some times of the day you will find long stand-by lines (and Soarin seldom gets below 45 minutes any time of year) but for many times of day you will find stand-by's below 20 minutes and a lot of things just walk-ons. It will bascially be the same through the end of the week. The Marathon crowd comes in on Friday (with the events on Sat and Sun) but they really do not increase the park crowds that much.

 

[MichaelH]

We were there two years ago and Disney was giving the people running in the Marathon great deals. New Years day was on a Tuesday and the crowds never let up the whole time we were there. We stayed from Saturday to Saturday.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're beginning our Marathon weekend stay on the Wednesday night before. People say it's crazy that week, so I hope we're giving us 2-3 days of low crowds. Actually, I'm not coming in until Thursday night, but the others are going to be there from Wednesday. This is our first experience. Can't wait to book it.

Bobbi

 

[psindone]

We are usually there from the 3rd to about the 7th every January, due to husbands birthday. Crowds are not to bad except for the newer rides, Toy Story and Soarin. Weather is also pretty good. I say go for it......

 

[Muushka]

We arrived on Sat 1/3. We expected a mass exodus by Monday, didn't happen. I am certain that it wasn't as crowded as the Christmas week, but certainly not 'dead'. And more crowded than when we go in early Dec.


This past Jan's crowds may have something to do with their 4/3 deal going on. But as a DVC owner who needs to book vacations many months in advance, it is difficult to just change the date to go with the crowds.

We won't be going that week again.

 

[nunzia]

I'm booked for Jan 3-9 and expect crowds on the 3rd (Sunday) but want to see the Osbourne lights, so will suck it up. I'm hoping the crowds will le lower the rest of the week. I'm a DLR regular so won't do much at Magic Kingdom or other rides they have in DLR, but am looking very forward to Animal Kingdom (never been) and World Showcase (without kids). I guess I'm hoping the things I want to see most will be the less popular things.

 

[Billybob7]

What DVC resorts do you think will be available during this time period (1/2- 1/7) at 7 months out? I need a studio. I'm already booked at SSR my home resort, but wanted to try something different.

Thanks.

 

[drusba]

Could be anything (or possibly even nothing) but more chances at AKV (savanna view) and BWV preferred non-boardwalk view than others and perhaps there may even be possibility for BLT lake view.

 

[katmittens]

We were at OKW from Jan 1 to Jan 9 of this year and it was busy up until the 4th. The crowds did ease up after that, but rides like Soarin and Toy Story were still very busy, but we did ride Toy Story Mania three times and once we waited 15 minutes. We did use Fast Passes. We have been at Disney at this same time on previous trips, but I think this past Jan was busier than any of those other times. We are going to be there Dec 31 to Jan 8 of 2010. We do like this time of year. Good luck hope you decide on this time, since decorations are still up and it is still not as busy as Christmas Week.

 

[Muushka]

Speaking of decorations still being up, we (wrongly) assumed that WL would still be decorated for when we arrived on 12/4. We were so disappointed.

 

[Cyndibear]

We arrived on Sat 1/3. We expected a mass exodus by Monday, didn't happen. I am certain that it wasn't as crowded as the Christmas week, but certainly not 'dead'. And more crowded than when we go in early Dec.


This past Jan's crowds may have something to do with their 4/3 deal going on. But as a DVC owner who needs to book vacations many months in advance, it is difficult to just change the date to go with the crowds.

We won't be going that week again.

I have to agree with Muushka. We were there from 1/1/09 - 1/9/09. Felt is was crowded all stay. Expected crowds to go down Monday, but it didn't happen. We did well with going at rope drop and using EMH's in the evenings. We had guests along so we felt we had to do "everything" otherwise if it was just DH and I, we would have taken it slower and just went on the attractions we wanted to.

Eitherway, we were happy that we could start the New Year out right, at WDW.

Have Fun!

Cyndi

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just booked my marathon weekend trip this morning arriving on wednesday the 6th (altho I am thinking about calling back and arriving on the 5th instead). I thought the crowds this year were light around the marathon. I love going at this time of year.

Anyone know how long the Osbourne Lights stay up until?

 

[CruznLexi]

We were at POp Jan 3-11 and bought into DVC while we were there but I thought it would not be as crowded. It was very crowded most of the time. When EMH were used we had an easier time. But SW and Aquatica were not busy at all. We will wait till after the first week next year.
Lexi

 

[Lori2816]

Thanks so much for all of the info.! We booked our trip for Jan. 2 - 9. We didn't really have a choice. My DD and DN attend the same University and they (univ.) changed the Christmas vacation schedule for next year. It is really the only week that works for everyone. I'm crossing fingers and toes for a good week. Again thanks for all the input!!!

One more thing...will the Christmas decorations still be up?

 

[Raivyn]

We were there Jan 6 - 12 this year. The Christmas decorations were up on the 6th, by the 12th they had started to take them down.

 

[tiberius]

My family loves that time of year. It is a great compromise between my DDs, who love going for New Year's and seeing the Christmas decorations, my DW, who is crowd averse, and myself, who would go to WDW at anytime for any reason .

The crowds will definitely go down starting Monday and Tuesday, just don't expect it to be totally dead the next week leading into the marathon. It is a great time to go.

I just made my THV reservations earlier today for that period (1/3-1/8). I'll be adding onto that reservation later this week when we nail down which weekend we expect to stay.