Disney in January? any good?

[karters*mom]

Help....I need to make a choice!
I want to go away in January/09.

What is it like at Disney World in Mid- January?
Temps?
Can you wear shorts?
I don't want to go on vacation and wear pants and a jacket on the rides.....

 

[jenb1023]

We were there the last week of January this year. Weather was very nice. Jackets or long sleeves in the mornings/evenings. We could wear shorts a few days but not every day. We did have one "hot" day. We loved going in January! The key for us was layers so you could adjust as the temperature changed throughout the day.

 

[wdwrich]

I'll second jenb1023's info. We went once in early-mid January and experienced the same sort of temps. That being said, I would choose January over summer any time.

 

[JustineMarie]

We always go on January and the weather is usually always pretty nice. Has there been times when it's been colder, of course, but being from NJ and being used to the freezing temps here in Jan, the weather in WDW is a pleasure! We have always been able to swim at least twice during our vacation and usually it's an every day activity. We love that the crowds are low and that we can get away from the winter weather at home!

 

[DisneyBrat]

January is our FAVE time to go!!! but pack both hot and cold. Weve been there when the temps were gloves and coats then the next week of our stay was HOT HOT HOT and shorts. The perks of January is of course not the overly hot humid sticky weather and one of the most important SHORT lines.


Have fun,
Lew

 

[kpm76]

We love January, but the weather can be unpredictable. If you are really opposed to wearing pants and jackets then it might not be a good choice for you. We were there in January a few years ago and the temps were mostly 60's some low 70's. It was pretty cold in the morning too. We loved it though! No lines, no humidity! Our friends went in January one year and it was HOT. They were in the pool everyday. So it all depends but it is really a great time to visit!

 

[peach3es]

Also be aware of the Disney Marathon the weekend of the 8th and the following weekend is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

I've been hearing that the weather is unpredictable, but rarely horrible. Lots of people say they still swim in the heated pools and enjoy the water rides at the park. I've also heard that sometimes a winter coat is necessary.

But to me, the shorter lines and discounted prices are worth it. I like cooler weather anyway!

 

[karters*mom]

Also be aware of the Disney Marathon the weekend of the 8th and the following weekend is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

I've been hearing that the weather is unpredictable, but rarely horrible. Lots of people say they still swim in the heated pools and enjoy the water rides at the park. I've also heard that sometimes a winter coat is necessary.

But to me, the shorter lines and discounted prices are worth it. I like cooler weather anyway!

We went in April this year..how much cheaper are we talking...lol

 

[peach3es]

We went in April this year..how much cheaper are we talking...lol

January has been considered value season. I think tehre can be a significant savings over other times of the year. I'd have to go check out the pricing at the official website.

 

[karters*mom]

January has been considered value season. I think tehre can be a significant savings over other times of the year. I'd have to go check out the pricing at the official website.

We went the week of april 18th this year and it was SO busy. We didn't realize that lots of people from the US were on Spring Break....

 

[lisabrown]

January is the only time of year to go, in my opinion. The lineups are almost nil. You can often ride over and over again - with no wait. Weather can be unpredictable, but as long as you are staying where there's a heated pool - no sweat!! We Canadians are made of tough stuff. It just might be sweatshirt weather in the am, though beautiful by 11am. I would say the crowdless parks outweighs the cool mornings.

 

[kerickson]

Also, be aware that Superbowl is Feb 1 in Tampa, WDW crowds expected to rise leading up to and shortly after Feb 1...

 

[blessedby3]

We were there this past Jan. and loved the time of year. Just beware of MLK weekend. Our trip fell over this time period and boy was it crowded. The temps were great, although we only wore shorts one or two days out of the 11 that we were there. I much prefer to have on pants and a short sleeve shirt and not be sweating like it is in the heat of the summer.

 

[cruiserkaren]

We went the last 4 days of January this year. We won't be going back that time of year. I spent one morning running around MK trying to find a pair of pants for my dd b/c she was freezing. She had a sweatshirt and shorts on. I thought after we got to the parks and walking around it'd be fine...wrong. She kept wanting to swim and it was cold.

I thought we'd like not sweating to death like during our September trips but we found that the other way wasn't much fun. We like swimming and dd adores playing in the spray fountains. She is a total fish and loves doing anything in the water. I think we're in the minority but we're going to stick to months that we know are going to be warm.

 

[Eeyorerocks!]

January is the only time of year to go, in my opinion. The lineups are almost nil. You can often ride over and over again - with no wait. Weather can be unpredictable, but as long as you are staying where there's a heated pool - no sweat!!

I agree! We visited the World in January 2006 and LOVED it! DH says this is fave time to visit, and I tend to agree. We were able to go to the pool on three of our seven days there. Low crowds except for the Saturday preceding MLK day.

 

[irene_dsc]

We were there the 1st week of January, and the first few days were definitely cold! I'm talking, in the '40's. Of course, we were coming from Chicago, where it was negative when we left, so it wasn't too bad for us - at least we had our winter clothes. Later in the week, it warmed up a bit, but I don't think I wore shorts the entire time.

So, it might be nice - but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[tink2]

We went to WDW the last week of Jan 2007. Oh my goodness- what a blast! We were in shorts all but 1 day- then just a short sleeved shirt with a sweat jacket. The lines were wonderful- almost none! The only day I considered 'crowded'- and that is a relative term b/c it wasn't crowded compared to other times of the year- was the one Sunday we were in the parks- our first day. I was kinda worried it may be more crowded than I had planned- but when Monday hit- it was wonderful! Try to plan around MLK, marathon weekend, etc. and you should be fine. If we could pick any time of year, it would be Jan! (maybe early Dec. too for the Christmas stuff)

 

[karters*mom]

We went to WDW the last week of Jan 2007. Oh my goodness- what a blast! We were in shorts all but 1 day- then just a short sleeved shirt with a sweat jacket. The lines were wonderful- almost none! The only day I considered 'crowded'- and that is a relative term b/c it wasn't crowded compared to other times of the year- was the one Sunday we were in the parks- our first day. I was kinda worried it may be more crowded than I had planned- but when Monday hit- it was wonderful! Try to plan around MLK, marathon weekend, etc. and you should be fine. If we could pick any time of year, it would be Jan! (maybe early Dec. too for the Christmas stuff)

Thanks for the info. Being form canada i forgot about MLK day! It was so hot and BUSY in april...

 

[JillPTFLA]

I live here in FL and another vote for the fact that January can be VERY unpredictable weather wise. I did the Half marathon about 7 years ago and it was 32 degrees that day (my mom and I were so cold that we walked the first mile faster than we had ever walked before!). Usually, it is pretty dry and not much rain but it can be quite cold if a cold front has come through. Now, as someone from Canada, you may still be able to wear shorts and tees but as a Floridian (not native but I have been here for 14 years), I am in a jacket and jeans when it is 75 outside!
Generally, though, the crowds are really light and I find it quite pleasant to be in the parks when it is cooler.
Good luck!
Jill

 

[emh1129]

We love January (hope to return again this coming January, in fact). The weather is unpredictable and it can be cold, but we don't mind it. Their coldest weather is still so much warmer than winter in New England!
We wear pants and short-sleeve shirts & bring sweatshirts just in case we need them.