Anyone Been First Week of January?

[dixiedizfan]

After I started the thread on taking kids out of school, I now find out that the week we had planned to take them out they will be having mid-terms. Sooo ... since they don't return after Christmas holidays til January 10, guess we'll try for the first week of January. Has anyone been at WDW during that time and can comment on how the weather was ... and crowds. Thanks!

 

[hockey mom]

We went at that time in 2000. It was freezing. We had to chip the ice off of a few rides before we sat down. That was a freak year though. The next year we checked the weather on line and it was alot warmer- moral of my story- be prepared for any weather.

Crowd wise it was great after new years.

 

[DisneyWorldDad]

We were there in '04 around the second week of Jan. The wind was blowing pretty steady so it seemed pretty chilly. I agree with hockey mom - crowds are low, but pack for all kinds of weather.

DWD

 

[cinder1]

We were there the first week of Jan in 2003 (and we will be there the first week of Jan 2006). The crowds were great. The weather ran hot and cold, literally. One day, we went to the Tiki Room. The weather was fine when we went in. When we came out, we needed coats (not jackets, coats!!). The kids and I rode an indoor ride while DH ran back to CR to get coats and long pants for everyone. On the same trip, it was so hot that we ran out of shorts for everyone. I was pregnant with baby #4 so I did not feel like walking the parks, then doing laundry so we cut some sweat pants into shorts for 2 of the older kids. Worked great!! Truly, you need to be prepared for all kinds of weather. We had a complete blast, hot and cold!!

 

[HopperFan]

2002 started fairly decent but rainy, then turned freezing cold - we had to buy hats and gloves and wear our winter coats. Parks were packed like our summer trips.

2005 beautiful, cool mornings, 80's by afternoon, shorts, tshirts and swimming everyday Parks were empty.

Ya just never know........watch the weather channel before you leave, but be prepared to layer !

We will be there all week before running the marathon weekend races. Race is closed through Disney, 29,000, but still registering through charities. Could be a busy week since the winter break falls again like it did in 2002 for south.

 

[miss missy]

I was there last year that week, end of Dec for 10 days! I would do it again in a heart beat, but need to use my AP before then so I am going 1 month earlier.

The weather was PER-FECT!!! We swam, did water parks, and didn't need even a sweatshirt. I got a chill one night after going on SP and getting wet... but that was it for the whole trip! NO RAIN at all!!!!!!!!!! I loved it! I had winter clothes and hand warmers packed, didn't need any of it!

You never know with weather, you could go any time and get all rain. I would NEVER not go during that week becuz of weather.

The crowds were heavy for New Years, then it was fine. But even with heavy crowds, we had a blast and I learned to never fear crowds, that weekend is soooo busy there and I did fine!!!

 

[riu girl]

So Hopperfan, you are saying that in Jan 2002 the first week of January was very busy due to schools going back later in Jan. That is exactly why we are going this year (school not back til Jan 9). I was really hoping for low crowds but I can fully understand why people would go then (value season rates plus some kids not going back until Jan 9).

Suzy V

 

[melk]

We went once, the crowds were nonexistent. It was unusually cold though. I remember at the nighttime parade there were people with socks on their hands to keep warm, lol. But if I could I would go again.

 

[drusba]

As you can tell from above weather can vary from the quite chilly (no higher than 50 during mid-day) to the ideal. Jan 2005 was probably the best I have ever seen the first week -- 80 and sunny everyday. You can often tell how cold it will be by checking weather in Chicago about 3 days before you leave. If Chicago is having one of those huge high pressure systems dropping down on it out of the north and it is in single digits or below, that system will reach Florida in a few days and make it cold. If Chicago is in the high 20's or greater and having winds out of the west, it will likely stay mild to warm in Florida while you are there. Crowds will be Christmas time heavy through Jan 2 after which they will begin decreasing significantly but entire week is still busier than most of Jan.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes, in 2002 we went back to school late here in the south (semester system and they like HS kids to finish their exams before holidays so we get out as late as possible). That year it was @ Jan 7th so us and cousins got FW cabins for the week before. Everyone in the campground (many live there for a couple months around holidays) could not get over how crowded it was. They had never seen that way. We explained that was because many of us had a delayed holiday vacation. Made sense to travel the open week. The parks were packed, I really was surprised.

Now 2005 we went back to school earlier so we only snuck down for the long weekend for the marathon race. Place was pretty empty, lines but very short and the weather was wonderful. Mostly families with very young children. Very few teens like mine.

So this year we have the late school vacation again, so we are doing the entire week again.
Hoping for the best - including weather and am mentally getting ready for some togetherness

 

[riu girl]

Hopperfan,
Thanks so much for the info. Its not great news , but at least I know what we can possibly expect.
Suzy V

 

[HopperFan]

And maybe we'll get lucky and lots of folks will change their plans

 

[xmelissax]

I hope it doesn't end up being really busy. I was looking forward to it being less crowded when we are there, the 2nd-9th.

 

[ehaley]

We will be there 1/1- 1/9 too. I've been at both Thanksgiving and Christmas when was cold most of the time, but it was still FUN. However, I did check a weather site that gave the highs/lows for Orlando for the first week of Jan for the last several years. Mostly sunny and fairly warm (70's-80's) with only a few cold days/nights or rain. Schools here go back 1/3 or 1/4 so I'm thinking that while many schools don't go back until 2nd week of Jan, alot of them still do go back the first week. Still think./hope it will be less crowded than week between Christmas and NYE.

 

[riu girl]

About crowd levels for the first week of January, IMHO, I think we will have a better idea once (and if) Jan/Feb discounts are released. If discounts don't start until the second week of January, then I think we can assume that attendance will be UP that week due in part to some schools not going back until the 9th as well as Marathon attendees coming early in the week.

We are booked at Disney for Dec 31 - Jan 8 due to the fact that school doesn't go back here until Jan 9.

 

[bigmac5]

I know a lot of people from Ontario going to Disney between Christmas and NY's and staying the first part of January. I hope you have great weather. I just wish I could go. We we there about 1 1/2 months ago and it was soooo hot and soooo humid. I would take the cold over that. The plus side is that we walked onto just about every ride and only FP twice.

 

[Disney Doll]

 

[xmelissax]

School here in CA goes back earlier than the 2nd week as well.