A Busy Saturday in January with a 5-year old....

[PurpleJesus]

So, I'm taking our 5-year old on a birthday trip Jan 25-28, and for some reason the crowd calendar on TP updated that Saturday to an "8". I'd just assume not mess with that large of a crowd, and so I'm going to take her to a water park, instead that day.

If it were you: Would you go to Blizzard Beach, or get an Uber and head over to Volcano Bay? I've never been to VB, and it's been a decade since I went to BB. My 5-year old is of the brave variety, so 'scary' slides aren't an issue at VB if that's where we end up going.

What would you folks do? How are crowd-levels at water parks in late January? From what I've seen on the Tim Tracker vlog they seem pretty minimal vs. the summers. Thoughts?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I think in January the weather could be iffy for the water park. I wouldn't worry about the crowd calendar. Go to the park with a good plan and you'll be fine!

 

[PurpleJesus]

I think in January the weather could be iffy for the water park. I wouldn't worry about the crowd calendar. Go to the park with a good plan and you'll be fine!

Cool, I've already gotten all my FP's setup for Animal Kingdom that morning. I was thinking we'd hit all those and then head to one of the water parks afterwards (probably around noon) b/c that's when the largest crowds would be in the parks. Also, was hoping it'd be a little warmer by the afternoon. We're from the mountains so mid-70s, to us, is realllllly warm in January. Here's hoping it gets to the mid-70s, lol.

Anybody have any experience with a 5-year old at Volcano Bay?

 

[Lisa F]

I went swimming at the pool at the poly when it was only 68 out on my february trip (figures my planned pool day was the one day that wasn't in the 80's). It was emtpy though and the water was fine but the air was a bit cool.

I am going the week before and got similar touring plan alerts yet there are still many prime FPs available so I'm not sure crowds will be as awful as they say... also tons of good ADRs left (not the really hard to get ones but a surprising amount). I would check what FPs are available before believing TP that it will be an 8.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Since your trip is short, and the weather might be iffy, I say just stick to a WDW waterpark.

 

[PurpleJesus]

Thanks very much for your opinions so far.

Just curious if anyone has any experience at Volcano Bay at this time of year, or more specifically, with a young kid? Any insights?

 

[jaceraden]

We've been to Volcano Bay in December on cool and warm days so probably pretty similar to when you'll go. My kids were 10, 8, 5 at the time. The 5 year old loved it! There were a couple things he couldn't do but it really didn't matter. He loved the water coaster, the kids area, the tube slides, etc. The coaster and the fearless river were his favourites though.