Early January crowd levels?

[hlm2007]

We are thinking of going to Disney January 1-6(ish). I realize the parks are insanely busy around Christmas and New Years but does it slow down at all after New Years Day? We have been over Thanksgiving week (last year) and it was suuuuuper crowded and wasn't ideal but we managed. How would you compare our dates to Thanksgiving week? Or to the week of Chrismas? We are planning this trip with another family and it's proving hard to find dates that work for us both and to consider not having our kids miss too much school. Those dates in January would mean no school would be missed. Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

The first week of January is still insanely busy -- much more so than Thanksgiving. Most of that week will be just as busy as the week between Christmas and New Year, the last couple of days might be ever so slightly less busy.

 

[mousestruck]

I am curious about this time of year as well - maybe second week in January. I imagine holiday crowds would subside by then, but weather may be less than desirable. Hope others will share their experiences!

 

[mom2rtk]

The crowds don't really die down until most kids are back in school. For many, that won't be until the 7th. At least they moved the marathon a little later into the month. That first weekend previously had been the date for it.

 

[cvjw]

Crazy busy. We were there that week one year when the magic kingdom closed to capacity. It was the busiest we have ever seen Disney and we’ve been during thanksgiving.

 

[Alesia]

I am curious about this time of year as well - maybe second week in January. I imagine holiday crowds would subside by then, but weather may be less than desirable. Hope others will share their experiences!

Holiday crowds will have subsided, but marathon crowds will have taken their place. It won't be nearly as busy as the first week of January, but it will still be very busy.

The weather is unpredictable that time of year. It might be warm. It might be cool. It might be downright cold. It might be cold and rainy, and the risk of that is enough to keep me away from WDW in the winter.

 

[GovieMom]

The first week of January is still insanely busy -- much more so than Thanksgiving. Most of that week will be just as busy as the week between Christmas and New Year, the last couple of days might be ever so slightly less busy.

This.

 

[mousestruck]

Holiday crowds will have subsided, but marathon crowds will have taken their place. It won't be nearly as busy as the first week of January, but it will still be very busy.

The weather is unpredictable that time of year. It might be warm. It might be cool. It might be downright cold. It might be cold and rainy, and the risk of that is enough to keep me away from WDW in the winter.

Well, I think you’ve talked me out of it! With my daughter starting college next year, we have the option of swapping out our summer trip for a late December (week before Christmas) or early to mid January trip. Wondering if crowds would be lower.

 

[Alesia]

Well, I think you’ve talked me out of it! With my daughter starting college next year, we have the option of swapping out our summer trip for a late December (week before Christmas) or early to mid January trip. Wondering if crowds would be lower.

The week before Christmas is also very busy. Much busier than summer.

 

[mousestruck]

The week before Christmas is also very busy. Much busier than summer.

Yikes! I guess our final option would be late May. Perhaps that would be a little better than summer. Or we’ll stick with July 4th week! I have to admit that crowds are far more manageable than expected, though heat is brutal!

 

[wfjny]

The crowds don't really die down until most kids are back in school. For many, that won't be until the 7th. At least they moved the marathon a little later into the month. That first weekend previously had been the date for it.

I second that. Same situation with our county schools. Last day of school in Friday, December 21. First day back is Monday, January 7.

Want more insanity. Our finals are the week of January 14th. One week back, then finals.

Then they are off for a 4 day weekend on Monday & Tuesday, January 21 and 22. Since Friday the 18th is actually a make up day for finals, you can expect a bunch of families arriving back at Disney starting Thursday evening, January 17th. Quite a few counties in our area (NC/SC boarder) have that schedule or something similar.

Then of course, some collages don't get back until later in January.

I guess, in the end, I don't know when there is a slow period anymore...

 

[Alesia]

Yikes! I guess our final option would be late May. Perhaps that would be a little better than summer. Or we’ll stick with July 4th week! I have to admit that crowds are far more manageable than expected, though heat is brutal!

May is my absolute favorite month to go. Earlier is better, but late May is still really great