Anyone ever gone the first week of Jan?

[dangler]

Hi,

Has anyone ever gone the first week of Jan.? I know the weather changes daily, but is swimming an option? How are the crowds?
Another question, if we arrived on New Years Day, what are the chances of getting into a park that day? Just hoping to see some of the Christmas decorations.
Any info would be great!

 

[holden]

We went the first week in Jan. way back when WDW was celebrating it's 25th birthday (still have the t-shirts from that trip too!). The weather was great (warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt), and the crowds were minimal. However, friends of ours went a few years ago around that time and said the weather was unusually cold (in the 40's, I think). Even so, I'd go again during that week.

 

[dangler]

Great thanks, it would still be warmer then were I live and it would be a week away from the snow, even better!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

We were there the first week in January 2001. There was a record cold snap. We wore our winter coats because it literally was 32 degrees one evening.

Crowds were not an issue. If you dress for the weather you get rather than the weather you wish for, you should be perfectly comfortable

 

[kcbean]

We are thinking of going that week also since our school system goes back later in Jan. What are the park hours like? Do they close early? I am curious about crowds too. So far the posts make it sound ideal. I would rather bundle up than have to wade thru crowds. We just went the second week of May and it was very crowded.

 

[mtdevine615]

Crowdes are never a problem in Jan. ecept around MLK. The weather can be unpredictable but compared to what I'm use to it's no big deal. Highs in the 60's is perfect. The parks do close early MK usually around 7:00 and DS around 7:30 - 8:00, Epcot is always at 9:00. We'll be taking our two nieces with us this coming Jan. It should be a blast. Maine

 

[GGOOFY1]

We have gone several times the first week of January. Not very crowded, but the weather is unpredictable. One day you are in shorts and a tank top, the next day you have your winter jackets on and they are covering the plants so they don't get frostbite. Even though the pools are all heated this time of the year, we have stayed away from the water parks. It is too cold to be getting in and out of the water. We have gone swimming at our resort pool, but you don't linger by the pool when you are done. January first the parks usually reach capacity, and this year alot of schools will not go back until 1/9, which leaves a week after NY, might have higher crowd levels. Also the WDW marathon is the first weekend in January.

Less than 30 days till we go home to OKW!!

 

[dangler]

Thanks for the replies. My kids don't go back until Jan.9th this year either. Thought it might be nice to go down and not have them miss any school! If the parks are full do they close them for anyone wanting to get in? Just wondering if we didn't get there until the afternoon of the 1st if we would be able to enter any of the 4 parks?

 

[GGOOFY1]

If you are staying on property, they will not turn you away.

 

[dangler]

Thank-you, that is good to know.

 

[MKCP5]

it's a fabulous time to go. We arrived new years eve '03 and it was a miserable mob scene. It is the only time in all the visits (60 or so) I have ever felt unsafe in the parks. New years day (now '04) was probably half that and by jan 2nd everyone had gone home. The Christmas decorations were still up and we walked on and off all the attractions. Terrific! We got a wonderful bout of unseasonable 80 degrees all week, but our last day it dropped to a frigid 40! Loved that trip though. All the pools are heated so swim swim swim. Just don't bank on shorts and t shirts!

 

[Mysteria]

If you are staying on property, they will not turn you away.

Actually they will. Capacity is capacity and is there for everyone's safety. Imagine if a park was at capacity and then 10,000 resort guests showed up to get into that park. Unlikely scenario yes, but just illustrating why they can and will turn resort guests away at capacity.

Myst

 

[SonyaD]

We went the first week of 2004. It was not very crowded the weather was in the 80's. We had a great time and swam a lot. The pools were heated. It was a little chilly at night when we got out of the water but we just hurried to the room to change. I think it is a great time to go. I didn't notice new years day being that much busier.

 

[dangler]

Thanks again for all the responses. I think I will try and convince DH to go then.

 

[Ashes8380]

I love the first week of January! Crowds are low, holiday decorations are still up, and the weather can be great. Granted, I've lucked out both times. high seventies to low eighties for both trips!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We were just there in January. It was sunny and in the 80's all week. We didn't swim (because I really hate swimming), but it was definitely warm enough. In the evenings we didn't wear sweatshirts, except one evening it dipped down to 68 and I got the chills...lol. On the Sunday it was the marathon, we just slept late that day and got to MK at around noon and there weren't any crowds. But, the week before AND the week after we were there it was cold and rainy.

If you come down on NYE, you could always just skip the parks that day and do one of the resort shows like Hoop De Do Review, or the one at the Poly.

My children's schools don't reopen until the 2nd week of January, too. That's why we went that time and we'll probably go again the same time in 2006. The only thing is that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year and I'm wondering if the rest of the world will also have that first full week of January off, too. Last year, it seemed everyone had to go back to school on Jan 2nd (and my kids didn't have to go back until the 9th). We should take a poll and find out when kids go back to school.

Mary

 

[Simba's Mom]

We were there the first week in January 2001. There was a record cold snap. We wore our winter coats because it literally was 32 degrees one evening.

Boy, do I remember that year, complete with the little signs around POR "Please excuse our appearance. Jack Frost paid us a little visit"
I've been in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2005 the very first week in January. IMO, it has never been warm enough to swim, but I did see some people in the pools (even in 2001!), so I know others may disagree. On January 1 this year, the parks and DTD were all packed, also January 2. Crowds usually decrease a couple days after the first, depending on the common return to school dates for public schools. Yes, Christmas decorations are still up and Christmas music is still playing, so it's still Christmassy until about the 5th.

 

[Mysteria]

We should take a poll and find out when kids go back to school.

Mary

Did this just last week. Check HERE

I will bump it back up to see if more people will respond.

Myst