DVC Resorts In January

[WolfpackFan]

I hate cold weather and one of my dreams is to spend at least a month in Florida during the winter (maybe mid-January to mid-February) after we retire (which is only a couple of years away). That is why I am so interested in buying into DVC. I want enough points so we can spend at least 2 weeks doing Disney - either both at WDW or one at WDW and one at Vero Beach. The other two weeks - I plan for us to take a cruise and then spend a week maybe down at Key West. We have always been to WDW in the Summer - how is WDW in January? How are the resorts then? I know one thing that will be different are the park hours. What I'm hoping is that there will be less crowds so you can do more. I'm also hoping for a more laid back, restfull type WDW vacation. Is it easier to get ressies at DVC resorts in January or more difficult because of the lower points needed? What about booking Vero in January, is it warm enough to go out on the beach then?

 

[anniet]

I've been to WDW in January every year since 1992. The weather is hit or miss, but since we always spend the last two weeks of January there it's rare that if the weather gets cold that it stays there for a long time. This past January we had a mixture. It was warm- 70ish for the first few days. Then around Thursday of the first week it turned "cold" with one day where I needed to pull out my mittens but the others I was fine with a sweatshirt and slacks or jeans. Then it got warm again and hit mid 70's for the last third of the vacation.

The park hours are reduced, but that's usually not a problem since you can walk onto most rides with very little if no wait. This year we even walked right onto Test Track.

Reservations haven't been a problem for us, but this was our first year booking DVC and we booked our home resort. But I'm not sure all the DVC resorts were full and we probably could have booked another DVC. Next year we are planning 2 weeks at OKW, and I'll book at 7 months without booking WLV (my home resort) as is always suggested. I think we'll probably get in without a problem-we are only looking for a studio and if not, I'm sure SOMETHING will be available.

Hope that helps!

 

[CarolMN]

January can be downright COLD! We were there the second week of January in 2001. We nearly froze! Thank goodness we had our winter coats, hats and gloves. We were the recipients of many envious looks during that trip, LOL! I'd never felt so cold and I am a Minnesota native, used to below zero air temperatures (and that would be before the wind chill). I think there was something about the temperature/humidity/wind plus my optimistic expectations that made it feel so cold.

I know January in Orlando can also be warm, even hot. It's best to be prepared for variable temperatures. Check out the January averages and records on weather.com:

January Average Temperatures


P.S. Your plan sounds wonderful!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Originally posted by CarolMN
P.S. Your plan sounds wonderful!

Thanks loads - this is something I've been dreaming about for years. Even though we live in North Carolina and our winters are nothing compared to alot of other state's - when we do get hit we seem to get hit hard. My dream is to leave around the 2nd week in January and come back about mid-February. We have a grown son and daughter who live close to us, so they can watch the house, tend to our cats, etc. I can retire in 2 years and my wife in 3; so I want to be ready by then and that includes joining DVC before then (hope to join sometime this summer, maybe even when we go down to stay at the Dolphin in June). I figure start with a week at WDW DVC, then a week long cruise (we love to cruise about as much as we love WDW), then a few days or so at Key West and end the month with either a week at Vero or a second week at a WDW DVC resort. Repeat this every year. I can't wait. You hear the term SnowBirds, I figure since we live in North Carolina and get so much ice we'll be IceBirds .

 

[mikesmom]

We were there in January 2001, also, and yep, it was cold (for at least a couple of days. However,with some layering things were fine. I recommend jeans and t shirts, with sweatshirt to pullover, and finally a windbreaker. Some combo of these on or off and we were quite comfy.

Now, for the parks - DO IT. We loved the parks in January. DS and I couldn't believe how uncrowded things were. We walked onto rides as many times as we wished. Yes, the hours are shorter, but we really had better use of them because without Florida's summer heat, we weren't all beat out and wilted by mid day. Didn't need to flee to the room and the pool to survive!

AK is particularly nice in January. With cooler temps it was a wonderful place to explore. More animals out, too.

 

[MdmMim]

Wolfpack, I retired 8 years ago, and I want you to know that your plan IS a wonderful one! For several years, I have been spending almost a month in WDW in Jan/Feb. (I try not to be there during President's Week.) It's so great not to have to pay attention to a calendar for most of the trip. I usually start my vacation by hitting the parks, then I just get into a relaxed mode, sitting by the pool and just taking it easy. Parts of my trip are solo, as DH is still working. I sometimes invite family and friends to come down to "visit" at my winter home.

I totally agree with CarolMN--the weather can be very cold with frost. My winter coat, gloves, etc. are always packed when I head south--and I have had to use them, especially this past Jan. (The cold in Fl is very damp and bone-chilling.) On the other hand, it can be very warm--70-80. It's best to be prepared for anything.

The crowds are very manageable--not many long waits at all. It is the BEST time of year to go--IMHO! (Although early Dec is really nice, too, with all the decorations up.)

 

[GoofyDad_STL]

I was at WDW in January 2002 for a week and it was wonderful, got into the 80s a few times and 70s the rest. I plan to return in January 2004 and 2005, I love January compared to June.

Regarding whether changing while at WDW, I understand weather changes, I am from St. Louis. That means you get weather like we had this weekend, a high of 77 on Saturday and a HIGH of 31 Sunday. Yuck!

 

[Disneyflyer]

I'm going to concur with the above posts. Yes it can be cold, but for your length of stay, you'll get plenty of nice days. We've always gone in late January to escape the crowds and winter up north! However with my oldest DD starting 1st grade in the fall, I'm not sure how much longer we can continue to do that Probably need to start thinking about an add on for going at more popular times !!

 

[John P]

We were there 17 days this past January, Jan 1 - 18, and only 2 days did the temp crack 70. Most days were in the low 60s and nights were pretty chilly usually in the 40s. But we had an awesome time. If was our first trip "home" and the weather didnt bother us. We were prepared and brought our winter coats and hats and were fine. We had a BW view and most nights after 8pm the Boardwalk was empty. We stayed 6 nights at the VWL and still did everything we had planned like the campfire at Fort Wilderness even there couldn't have been more that 25 people that were there. It was fun watching a movie cuddling up with my 4 yr old drinking hot chocolate. The night we left there was a hard frost warning and the CMs were out covering up a lot of the foliage with blankets.