Early January?

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Hi all! We used to be experts and I need to do some serious reading… we have never done January, dd is a freshman in college this year and wants to end her Christmas break with one of our whirlwind trips. Looking at Thu-Fri-Sat, the 5th-7th of January. Looks like it will still be Christmas, is there a Christmas party I have to worry about now? We have never used genie, we’re pros at max pass. We typically get hoppers and try and zig when others zag, and are usually open to close park goers (no idea what the hours may be??) I assume we will only get nighttime entertainment on Friday because we will fly out Saturday night…

what do I need to know? I tried to find a Christmas post and was unlucky with search…

TIA

 

[mom2rtk]

Christmas parties end a few days before Christmas. Crowds will still be high since many schools won't be back in session yet.

That weekend is marathon weekend, so expect some travel delays at least on Saturday.

 

[mom2rtk]

I will add that I have gone around that time frame twice now with my college senior. Planning on a third time this coming January. It is indeed very busy, but the weather is generally quite lovely.

Resort Christmas decorations will likely be down, but most of the parks decorations stay up until the marathon is over that weekend.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We are used to Columbus weekend in October busy, surely it isn’t busier than that? Thanks for the heads up about the marathon… will take that into acount!

 

[limace]

I don’t think Columbus Day is huge at DL as it’s not a holiday for much of the west coast. So hard to compare. My birthday is the 5th and I spent it there in 2020-it wasn’t crazy but it can depend a lot on when school starts each year.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I don’t think Columbus Day is huge at DL as it’s not a holiday for much of the west coast. So hard to compare. My birthday is the 5th and I spent it there in 2020-it wasn’t crazy but it can depend a lot on when school starts each year.

in the past it Columbus Day coincided with fall break and UEA convention, so, yes it was very busy. Longest hours of the year, typically multiple halloween parties that week. 90 minutes for RSR and Soarin kind of weekend. Just trying to get an idea if early January would be comparable.

 

[limace]

I’m in oregon and fall break isn’t a thing a thing here so I’ve missed that.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We are used to Columbus weekend in October busy, surely it isn’t busier than that? Thanks for the heads up about the marathon… will take that into acount!

I think it will be at least that busy if not more.

1. Local kids not back in school yet.

2. Magic Key holders who were blocked out and now opened up for the last gasp of the holidays.

 

[l4dyj8]

Holiday decor will be up until at least Jan 6, which is Three Kings Day. They may or may not extend it to the weekend.

 

[sophy1996]

Christmas parties end a few days before Christmas. Crowds will still be high since many schools won't be back in session yet.

That weekend is marathon weekend, so expect some travel delays at least on Saturday.

There isn't a marathon weekend at DLR, since RunDisney stopped doing events on the West Coast. It's WDW that is holding marathon weekend during the first weekend of January 2023.

Last year DLR had a limited series of Christmas parties (5), with 3 in November and 2 in the early part of December (last one on December 9).

 

[mom2rtk]

There isn't a marathon weekend at DLR, since RunDisney stopped doing events on the West Coast. It's WDW that is holding marathon weekend during the first weekend of January 2023.

Last year DLR had a limited series of Christmas parties (5), with 3 in November and 2 in the early part of December (last one on December 9).

Oh my gosh, I blew that! I saw "Christmas party" and thought WDW. Forgot they have them at DLR now as well.

OP, scratch the marathon stuff. That's WDW.

At DLR, it's all about the Magic Keys and when they black out and when they open back up. I still suspect it's going to be pretty busy because kids won't all be back in school.

My trips with my daughter during winter break have been very busy (even if they were at WDW ) But honestly, these trips are not about how much we can get done. And I'm sure you know that. These trips are about reconnecting with our young adult kids and revisiting some very cherished childhood memories. Definitely go, brace for crowds, and enjoy your time with her.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Thank you all!