Disney after New Years? Crazy crowded?

[princesslayla]

Thinking of arriving January 1 and departing January 5...with a 6 year old and 3 year old. Staying at GFV...focusing on MK and DHS...I have been on myfirstvisit and touring plans...they rate the days as NUTS. If I plan it right and stick to the parks at opening, use fast pass plus, break at lunch and go back at dinner time will it really be THAT nuts? Am I setting myself up for frustration? Anyone have firsthand experience?

We usually go in the last week of August when the crowds are a 4/5 but are sick of the hot weather.

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

January 1 is a Thursday in 2015, so the parks will probably be quite crowded through Saturday the 3rd.

There is little doubt that the days from Christmas through New Year's weekend are the busiest of the year at WDW.

 

[PrincessJo]

We spent this past NYE at Disney. Arrived Dec. 31 and left Jan. 6, 2014.

It was busy, but we're planners and had no problems at all. Had all of our FP+ and dining reservations made and didn't have long waits at all. We waited 10 minutes to sit at Biergarten (our longest restaurant wait) and our longest wait for a ride with FP+ was 20 minutes for Test Track.

We'd do it again for sure.

 

[Jennyvelaz]

Bump

 

[DonnaL]

A lot really depends what day of the week NYD falls....if it's a Sat or Sun....you should be ok anytime after January 2nd. For many years (due to college breaks...when our kids were in college and DH is also adjunct faculty) we arrived either on NYD or the day after because we had to leave for home (and back to school) by the 8th at the latest. At worst the crowds really thin out by the 4th. You mention you're tired of the August hot weather.....keep in mind...recent January weather in Florida isn't what it used to be. The past few times we've been there in January (most recent was Jan 2014 and Jan 2012) we did not take our fleece jackets off the entire time we were there.....daytime highs hovered in the mid 50's and nighttime lows in the low to mid 30's. Pools and water parks....no way.....actually in 2010 it was even worse...we had nighttime lows down to 26 degrees! All the pools had signs stating there was no lifeguard on duty due to the unseasonably cold weather and they looked like giant hot tubs with all the steam rising from them. After our experiences this past January (we had to make last minute plans to leave PHL a day earlier to beat one the monster snowstorms and on our return we were delayed by three hours at MCO due to the conditions at the airport in PHL (clearing runways of ice) and then once we got to PHL we couldn't even begin to think of driving home that night because I95 and 476 were nothing but choppy ice so ended up staying at an airport hotel again (we also had to do so at the beginning of the trip because the only flight Southwest could get us on a day early was at 6:00 a.m.) Needless to say, after that trip we decided we will not make a vacation trip in January again......we will not be visiting in January until we can spend 4 to 6 weeks and at least get some nice days!!

 

[pgende80]

Bump

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Since NYD is on Thurs you can expect it to be busy. most people get their new allotment of vacation days and will take Friday off to extend their vacation.

Plan to arrive early at the parks and stay all day. Parks tend to reach capacity by 10:00 a.m. during holidays. Your stay also overlaps the folks coming in for the first Disney marathon of the year.

Oh and don't forget Jan. is Florida's coldest month so pack warm clothes.