Anyone been to WDW in Nov. AND Jan.?

[aec]

We will be in WDW from Jan 20 - 25.

Our last two trips were in Mid-November (1999 and 2001) and we had a great time. Weather was nice and crowds not bad.

I thought that January would be even less crowded but the unoffical guide shows mid-January as more crowded than mid-November.

Has anyone experienced both Nov and January in recent years? If so was there a noticable difference in the crowds?
I am trying to decide if we should wing it, or if I should do more serious planning and set an itinerary and make some PS.

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

We go late October/early November and Late January each year, not to mention
a December trip for the Christmas festivities. To answer your question, January
is generally less crowded than November....except, for Martin Luther King Day
weekend, which is 1/15 - 1/17 next year. The week after, which is when we are going is usually quiet. Weather at that time can't be compared to November....it can get relatively cold for Florida (30's and 40's at night, 50's and 60's daytime), versus more tranquill weather in November. Here's what you're up against in November regarding crowds; Food & Wine, Veterans Day, the ominous "Jersey Week" (BTW I was born in Trenton), and Thanksgiving.
My vote is January, except for the 15th - 17th. Bring warm clothes and enjoy!

 

[aec]

Thanks - That's what I was hoping to hear. As long as the crowds are no worse in January than they are in November we'll be happy!

I am planning to pack gloves and ear muffs just in case!

Should I bother with packing the bathing suits?

 

[Sandyincanada]

Yes, bring your bathingsuits. Jan is crazy, it can be cold but it can also hit 80f. We've been a few times and have been able to hit the water parks and get a nice tan............bring everything, lol

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

That's the only problem with January...unpredictable weather. You have to pack for every eventuality. Pack mostly jeans and fall type clothes, but pack a couple of pairs of shorts just in case.

We are going down next month for the 4th time in January. We've been fortunate...high temps have always ranged from the low 60's to about 75, but as soon as the sun goes down it gets chilly. I don't swim when we go in Jan, but DS (10) swims for a bit each day. The pools are well heated. Have fun!

 

[lc1965]

I've been & much prefer Jan. The cold doesn't bother me because at home it would be in the 20s or 30s so getting there & finding the low temp for the day is 45 is no big. I just bring a sweater or light jacket for the evenings. I find the crowds are significantly smaller in mid-Jan as long as you get there after the FL kids have gone back to school. I believe they go back a week later than most schools.

 

[aec]

Interesting - I didn't realize that the schools were out longer in Florida for the winter break. We won't be going until 1/20 so that shouldn't be a problem. It is also the Thursday after the MLK holiday so I am assuming that the people enjoying the 3 day weekend will have left by them.

 

[phillybeth]

The first weekend after New Year's is busy too because of the Marathon. Other than that and MLK weekend the crowds are probably lighter than November. At least it seems that way to me!