Are January crowds affected by marathon/basketball?

[susykt4]

I'm thinking about planning a January trip and the week I picked is bordered by the marathon weekend and a 3 on 3 basketball tournament weekend. We will most likely stay at a value resort (probably Pop.) I have 2 small children and want to do January to avoid large crowds and heat. I know these events will bring zillions of extra people to WDW for the actual event, but does anyone know if the resorts and parks are affected as well? Any other January tips would be welcome, too. Thanks!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

susykt4, which weekend is the basketball weekend? We are going Jan 11 - Jan 15.

 

[susykt4]

I think it's the 15th weekend. This may be completely inaccurate because I was looking at the 2005 January park hours and it was the weekend after the marathon THEN.

 

[Keyser]

I'm going the 7th - 14th, myself. I think the biggest issue with the second weekend is that it's MLK weekend. I don't know anything about the basketball tournament.

My understanding is that even with these events, the crowds are still quite low compared to other times of the year. I understand the marathon disrupts traffic some, but does not cause huge increases in park visitors. I heard that it can get busier during the MLK weekend. But the week in between should (I hope!) be low crowds.

 

[mckymama]

I ran in that marathon several years ago. We stayed for several days after that (because runn 26.2 miles wasn't enough for my feet!). Anyway, the crowds were very low, and we walked onto every ride. I don't know anything about the basketball. Be sure to take plenty of jeans and sweatshirts. There was a day that we even wore our winter coats. It was still a great time to be there!

 

[Keyser]

Shortly after I posted my reply I discovered another thread a couple of pages down (something like "When do January times come out") where it is mentioned that there is a huge (120,000 people) convention in Orlando at the end of that week. There seemed to be no consensus on how it would affect crowds, but I can't imagine it will help...

 

[kilee]

MLK does affect crowds. So that will definetly be something all to watch for. It is just the weekend- but it can get pretty busy that weekend.

 

[the kabuki]

Marathon does not affect crowds, at least the last 2 years we've been during that time it hasn't.

As for MLK, I've heard that it can get extremely crowded that weekend.

 

[jimmytammy]

Last Jan DW did the marathon and we made the comment several times how low the crowds were and how much we would enjoy going back that time of year.

 

[antmaril]

My big worry is the Builders' Convention. We arrive the Monday after Marathon Weekend (January 9th) and are staying three nights at Boardwalk Inn and two nights at Portofino Bay at Universal. I'm was very disappointed yesterday to discover that the Builders' Convention, which draws over 100,000 people, is scheduled from January 11-13, 2006. This cannot be good. I don't think it will affect the parks too much (because the convention folks will be busy during the day), but I'm concerned about how this huge crowd will affect the airport, traffic, restaurants and Downtown Disney (will probably be a zoo in the evening), etc. We are considering canceling our trip. I was so hoping it would be a nice, calm time in Orlando, but I fear it's going to be just the opposite.

 

[goofydad621]

My big worry is the Builders' Convention. We arrive the Monday after Marathon Weekend (January 9th) and are staying three nights at Boardwalk Inn and two nights at Portofino Bay at Universal. I'm was very disappointed yesterday to discover that the Builders' Convention, which draws over 100,000 people, is scheduled from January 11-13, 2006. This cannot be good. I don't think it will affect the parks too much (because the convention folks will be busy during the day), but I'm concerned about how this huge crowd will affect the airport, traffic, restaurants and Downtown Disney (will probably be a zoo in the evening), etc. We are considering canceling our trip. I was so hoping it would be a nice, calm time in Orlando, but I fear it's going to be just the opposite.

I would not cancel over it, Orlando was built to be able to handle far more then that for a crowd, So were things may be a little busier then normal for that time of year I do not think it will be horrible.

Just my 2 cents Dave

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

susykt4, here is a link to other thread that could be interesting for you (the one discussing about January, Convention )

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=922337

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Sorry but what is MLK weekend? I have noticed in the past few years that there are fewer and fewer low times at WDW. It seems that they fill all of the low times with conventions and specials. Makes sense from the WDW point of view, but for those of us that don't want to battle the crowds it is sad!

 

[antmaril]

Sorry but what is MLK weekend? I have noticed in the past few years that there are fewer and fewer low times at WDW. It seems that they fill all of the low times with conventions and specials. Makes sense from the WDW point of view, but for those of us that don't want to battle the crowds it is sad!

MLK = Dr. Martin Luther King

 

[HopperFan]

I was reading the other thread and it mentioned in one post how someone's company had rented out US for their company............a light bulb went on.

One trip we were there in May and went to AK for the day. Planned an open to close.........found out AFTER we were inside with one day tickets that we would have to leave early because of a private party. We were sent out (basically escorted to the exit) as they were setting up formal tables in the Oasis area. I felt like we had paid to be there all day with no warning that our day would be cut short. On another trip we went, our friends also went because of business. Because they told us, we already knew that MGM was being shut down early for their private party.

My point is, when there are big conventions, I would always inquire if any of the parks are going to be closed at any time, even if only for a few hours early, for private parties so I could plan my trip accordingly.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

HopperFan: When making plans in advance who would we be able to contact to find out if the park will be closing early for a convention party? Is that something that the park hours listings would show ahead of time?

Thanks for the info....MLK! I guess I wasn't thinking of holidays. Also I didn't realize that MLK increased the size of the crowds that much. I've always missed that holiday before.

 

[HopperFan]

I'm sure for private party closings if you called a week or two in advance of your trip, these should be noted. We have found that the best way to ask about any last minute park hours, new show times etc was at Guest Services at the hotel. I remember when we used to check in that these were always brought to our attention each trip, like one trip they told us they had added some character meals, so we quickly booked one. On recent trips we have initiated the questions, sometimes it is printed on a small piece of paper included with your check in package. I have been at customer service desk and watched them call the central operators with my question, so I would also try to call from my room as well.