Any reason for no availability in Jan.?

[AJ 1977]

I've been reading the boards for years but never actually registered. My wife and I have been thinking about going to Disney World for a week in January, preferably from the 11th to the 19th. When I go to Disney's Web site, every value site and even Port Orleans come up as unavailable? Anyone know why this might be? Thanks!

 

[frayedend]

I have no idea. I am booked at the WL that week. Now you have me nervous about crowds. I think it's strange for them to be booked up this week, unless there is something I don't know about.

 

[AJ 1977]

I find it hard to believe that crowds would be high as this would be atypical for this time of year. So have no fears. I think it is either a computer error, or perhaps they are holding these rooms for some other reason. I sent an email to Disney as well to confirm if these resorts are really all booked up. So I'll let you know...

 

[disney-super-mom]

January 10-13 is the WDW Marathon Weekend, so you might want to check and see if there are any room openings after Jan. 13th.

 

[frayedend]

January 10-13 is the WDW Marathon Weekend, so you might want to check and see if there are any room openings after Jan. 13th.

I just did a quick check and they have mods starting on the 14th. So that is probably it. I know nothing about the marathons, but I expect it doesn't affect crowds too much.

 

[AJ 1977]

It's very interesting. If I book from the 14th to the 18th, there is availability. But if I try extending that through MLK weekend (19-21) everything is unavailable again. Perhaps the marathon and the holiday weekend is more popular than I orignally thought.

 

[clkelley]

Although there may be plenty of availability during the week, weekends book up fast. Any holiday weekend, or special event weekend books up months in advance.

Disney enjoys between 80 & 90% occupancy rates.

 

[MissMet]

I just did a quick check and they have mods starting on the 14th. So that is probably it. I know nothing about the marathons, but I expect it doesn't affect crowds too much.

The marathon does affect the crowds in two ways. The crowds are up, but still in NO WAY busy, just more than any other time in Jan. The other way it's affected is the day of the marathon. The runners run through all of the parks. Due to that, they change some of the bus routes making bus rides a little longer. Also, because they run through the parks, you may have to dodge them when first entering the parks. Also, we had a lot of trouble with all the family & friends using the buses to catch up with the runners, so it was always standing room only on the buses.

I've been twice during the marathon weekend. It not bad if you plan for it. The first time we didn't & we were sorry. The second time we specifically stayed at BWV & just took the boat over to MGM that day. It won't be bad, but it will affect the crowds, just in a different way. The good part about it is the ride lines are empty the day of the marathon, but not the days leading up to it or after.

 

[shellybaxter]

The marathon is part of the problem, but I suspect that Disney; for any number of reason, reduces the number of rooms available during the "off season". They can refrub rooms that way and possibly staff at a lower level that is better supported by the amount of revenue coming in

 

[Ashes8380]

We go a lot in Jan., and I am almost positive it's cause it's the marathon weekend. The first two times I went in Jan. the place was dead. I don't think I waited more than 15-20 mins for anything, and I did (I think) every major ride in each park. Never crowds on buses, plenty of walk up dining,e tc. We happened to coincide with the marathon weekend last year, and it was much busier. Waits of over 30 mins, standing on buses, had to make ADRs for table service. Nothing unreasonable, but definitely a bit busier than January usually is.

 

[shellybaxter]

We go a lot in Jan., and I am almost positive it's cause it's the marathon weekend. The first two times I went in Jan. the place was dead. I don't think I waited more than 15-20 mins for anything, and I did (I think) every major ride in each park. Never crowds on buses, plenty of walk up dining,e tc. We happened to coincide with the marathon weekend last year, and it was much busier. Waits of over 30 mins, standing on buses, had to make ADRs for table service. Nothing unreasonable, but definitely a bit busier than January usually is.

Last year was unique in that the marathon weekend came at the end of a week that most school were still out for winter break. I think that is the reason last year produced higher crowds. The week after the marathon seemed like regular January to me

 

[Mrs. Bee]

A few weeks back when I was booking out trip...POR was booked up on the 20th. So we pushed out trip back to the 24th-30th.

 

[frayedend]

The marathon does affect the crowds in two ways. The crowds are up, but still in NO WAY busy, just more than any other time in Jan. The other way it's affected is the day of the marathon. The runners run through all of the parks. Due to that, they change some of the bus routes making bus rides a little longer. Also, because they run through the parks, you may have to dodge them when first entering the parks. Also, we had a lot of trouble with all the family & friends using the buses to catch up with the runners, so it was always standing room only on the buses.

I've been twice during the marathon weekend. It not bad if you plan for it. The first time we didn't & we were sorry. The second time we specifically stayed at BWV & just took the boat over to MGM that day. It won't be bad, but it will affect the crowds, just in a different way. The good part about it is the ride lines are empty the day of the marathon, but not the days leading up to it or after.

Thanks for all that info! I guess what I meant was they may not affect ride lines. I didn't know they ran through the parks. Do spectators need park passes to watch that part or will they be observing from other places?

 

[MissMet]

Thanks for all that info! I guess what I meant was they may not affect ride lines. I didn't know they ran through the parks. Do spectators need park passes to watch that part or will they be observing from other places?

Yeah, they run in the parks. They don't go through all of the parks, just really the main entrances of the parks, like main street or whatever. I only remember seeing spectators outside of the AK entrance, very few in the parks & LOTS on the buses bus hopping. Once you get past the main entrance of the parks you won't notice anything different. It's kinda funny. One year we were getting our picture taken at the entrance of MGM & you can see a bunch of the runners in our pictures. One lady is running right next to me.

 

[frayedend]

Well, with Marathons one week and MLK the next I had to pick something. I'm sure we'll just be happy that it isn't 90 degrees and humid.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I've moved this over to the resorts board, it's more of a booking question.

The experts here might have some ideas for you.

 

[HopperFan]

We go a lot in Jan., and I am almost positive it's cause it's the marathon weekend. The first two times I went in Jan. the place was dead. I don't think I waited more than 15-20 mins for anything, and I did (I think) every major ride in each park. Never crowds on buses, plenty of walk up dining,e tc. We happened to coincide with the marathon weekend last year, and it was much busier. Waits of over 30 mins, standing on buses, had to make ADRs for table service. Nothing unreasonable, but definitely a bit busier than January usually is.

We went for Marathon in 2005 2006 and 2007. In 2006 and 2007 it landed as part of the end of our school's winter break so we went for the entire week. We found many families had done the same in addition to normal crowds including the Euro, UK and SA visitors still on holiday. We again have that first week off in Jan but the marathon is a week later. As a comparison the Family 5k sold out by summer last year but well into the fall this year it had not. I think the difference is you won't have as many families traveling in the week before, just runners for a long weekend like we did in 2005. So rooms probably full of runners, but don't think the family issue at parks will be a problem. I was told marathon weekend is always the one before MLK. MLK is always going to be busy, if I live in FL, have a pass, it's cooler weather and a long weekend - you bet I'll be at WDW

Marathon weekend - Family 5k should be Friday in AK am, Half Marathon is Sat starting at EPCOT, run through MK and back through EPCOT, Full is Sunday with all four parks involved. Spectators must have tickets in all but MK........but that is the first park to run in. They should all be clear of the park by opening. We arrive early, they let us in at 6 am, with wristbands. We can only go on mainstreet and up to castle...all other areas are closed off. You see them run up mainstreet and then come back through castle before they head over to Liberty Square. Lights, Music, Mainstreet all open. It is pretty cool, and I would love to watch it for a while even if I didn't have a runner. Full on Sunday they start at EPCOT, go MK, then AK, then MGM, then EPCOT. There will still be runners in the last three when parks open, and the last two until well after lunchtime. Many roads closed and buses slow, plan extra time.

Oh and on Marathon weekend we found restaurants on Friday and Saturday night were packed !

 

[CindyMomto2]

We're going for Marathon weekend and doing the Family 5K run. I hope it's not too busy at the parks so we can't enjoy ourselves afterwards.

Good Luck. I know someone trying to find a place right now and having a very difficult time.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

The Saturday night before the marathon is notorious for being a hard night to get on short notice! That night, most resorts are filled to capacity. And one bad night will make an entire reservation unavailable. And then with Martin Luther the next weekend - it can be a hard time with availability for sure!

My January trip starts the night of Martin Luther King Day (Jan 21st), and I had no problems finding rooms (and at an AP discount, too!). I hope the crowds all clear out that week!

 

[scjo68]

We are going Jan 18-27. I managed to get POFQ, but only starting on the 19th. I added the 18th just this week, but POFQ is full, so we will spend the first night in CSR.
I am not too worried because the resorts were "full" last year when we went at the end of Jan. We had no trouble booking POFQ 6 months ahead of time, but in December we wanted to try to upgrade to the CR or Poly (thanks to some nice Christmas gift money). Both were comepletely booked. Called every day to check availablity. Nothing. Checked values and Mods on the website, just out of curiosity. Nothing available. I was worried, posted here trying to find out if there was some big event that would cause total gridlock during my trip.
Well, it was certainly not crowded. We visted both CR and Poly for meals during our trip, and there was no evidence of the resorts being full at all. Very quiet. So, whatever it was (closing off roooms for refurb? ...Conventioners who don't tour the parks?) did not impact touring at all.

I am hoping that is the case again this year.