First week in January.

[MSSANDRA]

So we finally got it worked out to book our trip. Arriving on Monday Jan 2 because then rates go WAY down after the 1st. However, no free dining that week.So anyone been this week? Can not imagine the crowds would be heavy at all as everyone goes back to work and locals are broke from Christmas. LOVE mid-January and an expert on that time but never hear much about this week......SO......how is it????

 

[TEK224]

There will be people arriving that week for Marathon Weekend. The 1/2 marathon is Saturday 1/7 and the full marathon is Sunday 1/8. I've never found it unbearably crowded during that time, but be aware that trying to get around the World on those two days will be tough, especially in the morning hours due to road closures for the races. I'd let those be the mornings to sleep in or go to the pool. Later in the day traffic will be fine, but before noon, especially on Sunday, it will be tough.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Thanks! If we fly we will leave that Sunday am, if we drive we will leave Saturday so we should be ok. Off to make some ADR's. Hope those runners do not want to eat before the race!!!

 

[AnninIowa]

We went that same week in 2010. Marathon crowds but didn't affect touring. However, it was FREEZING!!!! Temps were in the 30's and it even snowed. While we had warm clothing, it was still miserable being outside all day. Miserable trip! Just watch the forecast and be sure to bring winter clothing and gloves/hats/scarves if it looks cold as they don't sell much in the parks.

 

[Mickey527]

I love WDW after the New Year. Normally the crowds slow down the Sunday after the New Year but New Year is on Sunday this year so people have the 2md (Monday) off and might stay and extra day.
The Christmas lights and decorations are still up so you can enjoy them, although in the past the Osborne lights have looked past their prime by around Jan 3rd, lots of lights burned out. But make sure to check out all the gingerbread houses and the carousel at Beach Club. you won't get to see the Candelight Procession though, which is always my favorite.
I have been to WDW for the New Year when the temperature was in the 90's and we had to go to Walmart for shorts, and when it was in the teens and every store around ran out of gloves and hats. One year it was so cold I wore my jeans and a pair of sweat pants over them.
I always plan for both now even if it means bringing shorts, jeans and capris. Make sure you do bring winter coats, gloves and hats because they are hard to find if you don't have a car.
I will see you there, I am going to be at the parks from Dec 27th till the 4th of January.

 

[Marionnette]

So we finally got it worked out to book our trip. Arriving on Monday Jan 2 because then rates go WAY down after the 1st. However, no free dining that week.So anyone been this week? Can not imagine the crowds would be heavy at all as everyone goes back to work and locals are broke from Christmas. LOVE mid-January and an expert on that time but never hear much about this week......SO......how is it????

I've been therer before and will be going again in 2012!

Weather was good. Sunny, very little rain. A lot cooler than August, that's for sure! I needed a light jacket at night. My sister wore shorts but I stuck with capris and slacks.

Definitely make ADRs because even with lighter crowds, it was still difficult to get walk up dining at the more popular restaurants.

The biggest drawback would be the shorter park hours. But you can get so much done during the day that you really don't need to stay at DHS until late at night. There will only be one showing of Fantasmic each night but at least it will be showing. There will be no Fantasmic starting the second week and going thru mid-Feb. Typhoon Lagoon will be closed for rehab.

Avoid Epcot on marathon weekend. It's just too difficult to navigate the park with all the ropes up. And if you are staying at one of the value resorts, forget getting breakfast in the food court that morning. I found it to be chaotic with all of the runners and their families trying to get fueled before they left.

Overall, the first week of January is the best time to visit, IMO. The holiday decorations are still up even though there won't be any holiday shows or parades. You will still get to see the Osborne lights and the castle in its icy splendor. But by the end of the week, many if not all of the decorations will be gone.

 

[sherry7]

The last time we went in January (2009), we experienced very large, unruly, rude, and poorly supervised groups of Brazilian teenagers. As I understand it, they are on school break during most of January. I won't go further into our experience since I already posted about it once, but I will never go to Disney during January again.

 

[amy-momofthree]

We went this year Jan 1-7. The 1-3 was very busy but then was great! We didn't find that marathon weekend affected crowds. It was much busier the 1st and 2nd. Weather was perfect! Mid 70's all week but chilly in the morning. We had the best time! Have fun!!

 

[Marionnette]

The last time we went in January (2009), we experienced very large, unruly, rude, and poorly supervised groups of Brazilian teenagers. As I understand it, they are on school break during most of January. I won't go further into our experience since I already posted about it once, but I will never go to Disney during January again.

I was at Disney that very same week and didn't encounter any unruly Brazilian tour groups. Yes, there were many there but the only negative about them was the sheer size of their groups and trying to maneuver around them.

 

[DonnaL]

This January will actually be the first time in over 10 years that we won't be visiting WDW during the first week. As far as weather....we've encountered everything from low/mid 80's to overnight lows of mid 20's and daytime highs only in the 40's (2010....it was bad!!) Crowdwise.....we've seen that week steadily increase over the years also....not too bad....but, some of the more popular attractions will still have some waitlines of close to an hour or more.....i.e. Soarin, TSM....and some may be closed for rehab or closing during your stay... On the Marathon......crowd levels won't be affected too much until Thursday and Friday....and then not to an extreme. However, if you are departing on Sunday morning (Marathon morning) be aware there are detours all over property that weekend during the morning hours....some portions of the run take place on WDW roadways and traffic is re-routed......so if you need to leave for airport please be aware of this.....one year we had a difficult time getting from Wilderness Lodge in the early morning hours.....it was dark, there were detour signs, etc.
We still haven't decided if we're going to try and get last minute reservations at DVC for a few days later in January......so far we haven't had any winter weather here in PA so I haven't really felt the need to go somewhere warmer for a few days!! However, we're thinking ahead to January, 2013 .......and I think we may decide to go to Disneyland (first time...woohoo!!)