DVC...during Jan.??

[dbprimeaux]

Opinions on going to WDW during Jan.?

 

[bama106]

We went last January and had a great time, and we are going again this January. Crowds for the most part are light once you get a few days away from New Years. I've heard it gets busy the weekend of MLK B'day as well. Other than that it's fantastic. Just be prepared for all kinds of temps as they can vary quite a bit from day to day.

 

[DeeCee735]

We went last January and are going again this January. Personally, January and February are my fav time of year. I'm not a fan of humidity and NY summers are about all I can handle.

The weather can vary. In both our Jan. trip and our February trips, we've needed jackets and sweatshirts in the a.m. and evenings, but during the day it was warm enough to walk in the rain without a jacket, warm enough to wear layers and peel them off midday. We've had 85 degree days in February and have gone swimming, and we've had 55-60 degree days when we really enjoyed touring the parks in the cool weather.

The only "down" is that the parks close early. Check the calendar months before your trip and see which park is open late with EMH hours. Make use of those and you'll get the most of your park tickets. For the evenings the parks are not open, we'll go out to the BW for dinner, a walk around and dessert, or we'll go to DTD, or resort hop, and have dinner at another resort than where we are staying.

My adult kids find enough to keep them busy and it's never been a problem.

I can't wait for our Jan. trip this year! Have fun planning and enjoy your vacation.

 

[y2khardtop]

I try and go EVERY January. Late one year, earlier the next, so that I can use AP's for 2 trips. I can be cold (not too cold), maybe a little rain, but you hardly wait in line for anything (nothing if you use fastpass efficiently), and with youngsters it really makes those long meal/potty breaks not cut into your fun time too much.

I'll be at Boardwalk Jan 24-30

 

[cogero]

Me and the two kids are going for the first time this January because I was able to book amazing airfare and get a 1BR at BW 4 months out.

I am excited about it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We like going in January. We've been doing it for more than 20 years. Well, we have been rotating between January and December. I love the low crowd levels and the changeable weather doesn't bother me so much, since it's always warmer than it is at home! We have had temps as high as the upper 90's and as low as 32 in January. Last year the first week of our trip was cold, but the second week was gorgeous. Just bring clothes for everything, and be prepared to layer if you have to. The good thing is that it almost never rains in January!

 

[Starr W.]

We're going for our 3rd MLK weekend trip this January. Weather is always better than Ohio(last 2 yrs at home it's been below zero without wind chill). Kids have been able to get in the pool at least one day during those trips.
I'm a big geek with watching the weather forecast before we pack, so we are well prepared with 3 in 1 coats, convertable pants and long underwear if necessary(though really needed them for getting back to Detroit).

We've been lucky at the 7 month mark and been able to stay at BCV and BWV(BW view) during this timeframe.

Though this year we are going to the Dark Side and using our Wyndham points to stay at BC.

 

[drusba]

Usually go every January. Good time as crowds are fairly low after first few days in Jan (MLK weekend time is more crowded but still not overwhelming). Downside is that Jan is a time when they plan refurbishments of attractions and thus some can be out of service. Biggest variable is weather. It can be 80 for a high; it can be 40 for a high; you can get nights in the 20s and others in the 60s; there can be some rain or lots of sun; and all of those can happen within a 5 day trip and sometimes they can all happen in the same day.

 

[jpeka65844]

I'm going in Jan as well. 1/8-1/12. DH and friends are running the marathon.

I'll miss going at Christmas but am looking forward to low crowds......

 

[rkwier]

We were there in January (21-24) and are planning on going again next January. Crowds were super low - rode EE three times in a row! (Be aware that is when the tour groups from Brazil are there, so don't get in line behind them. )Weather varied greatly in the four days that we were there. Record breaking FREEZING temperatures when we arrived, 75 and gorgeous when we left. Bring layers and you will be fine.

 

[lbdpw1285]

this will be our 4th january trip. going from jan 3 to 29 OKW, 1 bdrm.
just be prepared for ups and downs in temps, it beats new jersey in january.

 

[Golden Rose]

I've been twice in January. Had great weather several years ago, but was there during the record-breaking freezing days this year. DH is willing, but not eager, to go again in January.

DS's favorite park is AK, and one of the days we were there in January, there were almost no animals out at all. They simply won't bring them out of the barns if the temperatures are too low. We did go back to AK later in the week and, while it was still cold, it was warm enough for the majority of the animals to be allowed out.

The other problem with the cold was that we couldn't do any swimming or activities where we could possibly get wet. DS really loves several of the interesting pools around WDW, but swimming couldn't be a part of that trip at all. (Now, I will say, that swimming was not a problem on my previous January trip. We had enough warm days that we could really enjoy the pools on multiple occasions.)

Anyway, the biggest issue with January is that the temperature is very unpredictable. Aside from the first few days and MLK weekend, the crowd levels are great.

 

[GrandmaDeb]

DH and I go mid to late January every year - we LOVE it. Parks aren't crowded and since there are just the two of us, we can pretty much walk inot any restaurant without reservations & not much of a wait. (the exceptions to this are Le Cellier and the Character meals). The weather is definietly cooler - you'll want jackets at night and some attractions and food venues will be closed. Other than that, we find it very enjoyable at that time of year.

 

[bwvBound]

(Be aware that is when the tour groups from Brazil are there, so don't get in line behind them. )

TIP: The Brazilians are on vacation and don't seem to wake/organize/mobilize early. I find the best strategy is for me to get to the parks early ... enjoy what I can ... then leave if the tour groups become overwhelming.

 

[edk35]

Love WDW in Jan. We have been 4 times in late Jan. LOVE IT!!!!

 

[dbprimeaux]

Thanks!! I am planning on Jan. 16th-23rd. It will be during MLK holiday, so the kids will only have to miss 4 days of school. We live in Louisiana, so we are use to the weather changing at the blink of an eye....40 degrees at 8am and 80 degrees at 3pm....lol

 

[MinnieGi]

Another Jan. WDW fan!! We've made several Jan. or early Feb. trips to the World and love that time of year. Its such a nice winter break for us!!! The crowd levels are low and it just seems like such a special treat to be there an help my winter blues to go away.

 

[mdinme]

We love Jan trips too. I see the OP is from the south which may cause an issue when you think about swimming. We leave frigid Maine so any temp that Disney throws at us is fine. Our kids want to swim if it's above 60.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

We're heading down for the end of January so I'm more worried about weather back here at home. I'm just going to ship down a few extra things and layer, layer, layer! Can't wait!

 

[StalkerX]

Have to agree with everyone else and saying January is an excellent time of year for WDW. I have been twice in the last 3 years and I plan on going in Jan of 2011!.