Disneyland In January

[downunder]

We are going to DIsneyland Resort January 18th- January 20th.


We get to anaheim around 12pm and plan to go straight to the parks. I think they will be open till around 10pm. We will then spend all the next day at the parks. I think they will be open till around 11pm. DOw you think this will be enough time to explore the two parks? only 1 1/2 days??????

We will have just spent 11 days in WDW so i only really want to go to DL to take photos and go on the handful of different rides that are different and to see the parades. My DH has never been to CA so we will spend most of the time there.

I am assuming that there will be low crowds during this time???

Any ideas?

 

[DLR29]

Personally I don't think so. Since it's a weekend, I know for a fact that there's no way you're going to get on Nemo without a long wait. There is a bunch of stuff that's different from WDW. Even the rides that are at both are different.

Rides that are unique to DLR:
Indiana Jones (DO NOT MISS!)
Pirate's Lair (Tom Sawyer Island with better theming and stuff to do)
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Storybookland Canal Boats
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
All rides at DCA except Soarin, ToT, MuppetVision, Bug

Rides that have significant differences, but are at both:
Splash (seating is different and WDW's is longer)
PotC (DL's is MUCH longer and better)
Jungle Cruise (Different jokes/scenery)
Enchanted Tiki Room (original version is at DL)
Buzz Lightyear (guns are removable at DL which makes for easier shooting)
Autopia/TIS (Autopia you actually have stuff to look at)
Space Mountain (DL's Space is completely dark and is smoother, but MK's has more drops)
Tower of Terror (different scenes, no 4D room at DCA)

So you might end up riding more than you think. I think 2.5 days would be better even in the off season. P.S. HM and IASW will most likely be down because they will be removing their holiday overlays.

 

[stampinshauna]

Is that Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend? If so, the crowds may be a heavier than other weekends in January, but you never know. In 2006 we were there on the Friday night & Saturday of the holiday weekend and it wasn't bad at all (I think because it was rainy so the locals didn't come). We had a great time and were able to do a lot. With just having spent all of that time in WDW, you probably will have time to do what you want. Just be sure to try some of the rides that they have in both parks (like Pirates--it's better in DL).

 

[godalejunior]

SSHHHHHHH, don't tell anyone but January is not busy, except for the holiday weekend ( at least from my experience.)

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

SSHHHHHHH, don't tell anyone but January is not busy, except for the holiday weekend ( at least from my experience.)

That's been my experience as well. In 2005 I was there the weekend after MLK weekend starting Thursday and in 2006 I was there the weekend after MLK weekend staying through Tuesday and both times it was very low crowds. With judicious use of FP, I don't think we waited longer than 25 minutes for anything, most waits more like 15 minutes or less, lots of walk ons in the first couple hours of the day. The weather was nice, too, mid to upper 60s, which coming from the cold of the east coast felt like summer to us

 

[godalejunior]

It ranged 65 or so when we were there and got up to 69 one day and we went in the pool.

 

[Bsbllmom]

My son performs around that time at DL every year and it is never crowded. He performs on a Friday and the wait in line is maybe, on average 5 - 10 minutes. Most rides we just walk on. There are some exceptions like Space Mountain, Matterhorn and maybe BTMRR. Those might be 15 minutes or so.

I like it at that time of year because you are able to walk around with out having to walk sideways.