First week of January - crowd levels?

[RedRuby]

(x-posted to the Canadian forum)
I'm wondering what the first week of January is normally like, re crowds, availability of attractions, etc.
What's been *your* experience? Or, what is the 'common wisdom' about first-week-of January.

Our school break (in most of Canada, it seems) 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 spans 2 weeks. But it seems that a lot of American schools go back int he first week, potentially meaning lower attendance/crowds? I'd also expect lower crowds in the week after the *busiest* week of the year with the highest attendance.

FWIW, my frame of reference is one midweek day at DL in November (2004) when it was pleasant and empty; and 10 days at WDW in October (2005) when the parks got busier and more crowded the longer we were there. I imagine food and wine, the new MYW tickets and the free dining offer were all factors in the crowds this year (2005).

I'd be going with two just-turned-four year olds, one adult of my generation (sister or friend - *maybe* DH), and one or two grandparents. Definitely staying on site and quite possibly splurging for a deluxe property. Probably 4-5 nights (depending on deals available).

Thoughts?

 

[RobbieLovesLulu]

I was in the parks on the 3rd and 4th of January this year. Epcot was definitly a bit crowded and MK was unusually packed too. My gf, an ex cast member, said that the parks shouldn't be as packed.

 

[Nancyg56]

We were there Jan 1 thru 8, and I thought it was busy. Friday in the MK was nice with no lines to speak of, but that was the only "quiet" day. I don't know if that is normal, but we will go later in the month next year. The desk in AKL said that occupancy was dropping off by 60% on Tuesday the 10th, which was right after the marathon weekend A friend took her family to Universal Studios, and experienced long waits also.