Anyone planning a trip in Jan. 2010?

[ctamama]

I am thinking of doing a trip in January/February 2010. I have never visited DL in the winter months, and wondering where to look for some good tips on what to expect in the winter. We always go in the Fall months.

Anyone who went in Winter of 2009, and wants to share any advice or tips, I would love it!

 

[BrizMarc]

good question. im thinking about awinter trip next year and would like to hear about it too

 

[pixiewings71]

We've been in Jan over the past 2 years. It's nice, not as crowded but it's cold and it's wet. Take umbrellas and Sham-Wows to wipe off seats. It really helps!! Be prepared to get wet and take extra shoes and socks. I always have a coat with me when we go in Jan too.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'm planning an Anniversary get away to GCH with DH this January.

 

[kari12177]

We went Jan 2007 and it didnt rain at all, cold wind but with some clouds. We went around the 21st, crowds were pretty good. We only FP Space and Indy, everything else was like 15-25 min wait. We were in tshirts and sweatshirts the whole time until we went on Splash mt, then I bought a new sweatshirt cause I was soaked. But I had to ride it cause its my fav ride, and the cm's let us stay on an extra ride cause barely anyone was on it. I cant do heat anymore cause my heart and from now on, we always go in Jan.

 

[PeytonSdiz]

We went in January of this year and it didn't rain at all.

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

We went the 2nd week of Feb 09 and for the first 2 or 3 days it rained. We were totally fine with that because as soon as it started raining people ran for the hills and the park was practically empty. I'm from Seattle Washington and all it ever does here is rain. After a couple days, it stopped and was in the high 60's for the rest of our trip. I would say bring a little of everything. flip flops, jeans, shorts, hoddie, tank tops and a GOOD pair of walking shoes and lots of extra socks in case they get wet. Like I said before, we didn't mind the rain one bit so we had a blast because the crowds were so low. Hope this was helpful. Happy planning!

 

[PrincessYessenia]

DM and I are doing January 8 & 9 at PPH and 10-15 at VGC. Our last trip was for a week this past June, so we can't wait! I sure do hope it doesn't rain, though. I'm from North Florida so cold weather, as in the 40's, doesn't bother me, I love it actually...HOWEVER...the rain DOES! So I hope it doesn't rain. I want to move to California by 2012, so this trip is also for me to experience a little bit of winter in So Cal and see how I feel about it. I also look forward to the shorter lines. What's the temperature usually like around January?

 

[50sjayne]

If you go all the time it's a good time to go. If you can only get there once every couple of years or so like us....I'd wait this year until the World of Color and Silly Symphony swings are up.

 

[ctamama]

Thanks for all the tips! Our last trip was the week of Veterans Day '07 and the crowds got to be a bit hectic, so we would like to check the park out at a calmer time of year! I love the idea of Disney in the rain--I don't think it will faze our group a bit! We live in Utah, so we are all very used to cold weather.

Pixiewings71: Thanks for the Sham-wow tip--I never would have thought of that--I am assuming it is a type of chamois cloth--where do you purchase sham wows?

LOVEDISNEYLAND: thanks for clothing suggestion tips, we'll have plenty of room--so we will bring a good variety of items--especially extra socks!

 

[pixiewings71]

Thanks for all the tips! Our last trip was the week of Veterans Day '07 and the crowds got to be a bit hectic, so we would like to check the park out at a calmer time of year! I love the idea of Disney in the rain--I don't think it will faze our group a bit! We live in Utah, so we are all very used to cold weather.

Pixiewings71: Thanks for the Sham-wow tip--I never would have thought of that--I am assuming it is a type of chamois cloth--where do you purchase sham wows?

LOVEDISNEYLAND: thanks for clothing suggestion tips, we'll have plenty of room--so we will bring a good variety of items--especially extra socks!

They have them at Target in the automotive/hardware area with other "as seen on TV" stuff. You can also just type Sham Wow into google and you'll get some hits. The work amazingly well, and they are not too heavy to carry around either, if you don't get cases with yours (we got a different brand that had cases, they work just like Sham Wow's tho) just put them in a gallon size Ziploc to carry them around.

And just so you know, we've been 3 times in Jan, twice in Jan 08, once in Jan 09, Jan 08 was the 4-6th & the 25-28th, in Jan 09 we went the 3rd-8th, the wet trips were the early Jan trips, the 4th in 08 it was POURING rain, I was so wet at the end of the night my coat was dripping water. lol The second time in 08 it rained but it didn't pour so we were OK with our coats and umbrellas, same with the 09 trip, it didn't pour but we did get wet.

 

[Ride Junkie]

We went one year in mid-January, and the weather was nice. We had sweatshirts on in the morning, and by the afternoon, it was around 70 degrees & we were in t-shirts. Best to bring a variety of sweaters / jackets just to be prepared.

We're going again this January for my 40th birthday, which will also be DD's 1st trip to Disneyland. Hoping for good weather!

 

[funatdisney]

Well I don't want to throw in controversy, but I keep hearing about a strong El Nino effect for this winter. This will bring in more rain than average for So, Calif. We certainly do need rain. We are in a drought.

 

[funatdisney]

pixiewings71, what a great idea to use the Sham Wow for wiping the seats. I would have never thought of that.

Also, when it rains, we bring in slickers to ride the Grizzly River Run and Splash Mountain, if they are open. You will, of course get wet when it rains, but it will keep you from getting soaked through.

Also... I know I may be stating the obvious, but the parks close very early and so plan ahead. Maybe make dinner reservations for after the park closes, so you can the most of the time in the parks.

 

[pixiewings71]

pixiewings71, what a great idea to use the Sham Wow for wiping the seats. I would have never thought of that.

Also, when it rains, we bring in slickers to ride the Grizzly River Run and Splash Mountain, if they are open. You will, of course get wet when it rains, but it will keep you from getting soaked through.

Also... I know I may be stating the obvious, but the parks close very early and so plan ahead. Maybe make dinner reservations for after the park closes, so you can the most of the time in the parks.[/QUOTE]

Well it wasn't my idea actually, it was DBF's so I should give him credit for it. But it sure did work! lol And keeping them in Ziploc bags helps keep the water away from anything else in your bag.

And yes, we did this, dinner after the parks closed. Worked GREAT!

 

[funatdisney]

When I go to Disneyland in the off season, I have a small snack about 4pm, (well I really have a Caramel Apple with nuts my favorite) for a 8pm reservation. It keeps me going until dinner. It is so nice to sit and relax at dinner after you have finished your day at Disneyland

 

[ctamama]

ok, so how early do the parks close in Jan/Feb?? Of course the schedule is not out yet, but what I have researched looks like about 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily (other than weekends)

El nino, huh??? I guess El nino and my family will be partying together--I am fairly positive we really want to do a winter trip, but thanks for the heads up, at least all of us winter DLR's will go in prepared!

 

[ctamama]

p.s. I forgot to mention to Pixiewing 71: your DBF is a genius!

 

[pixiewings71]

p.s. I forgot to mention to Pixiewing 71: your DBF is a genius!

He has his moments for sure! LOL That really was the best thing for one particular trip, it was so nice to not sit on a soaking wet seat! lol