Going in January 2007! Need advice......

[mom2cuties]

Hi! This is my first post here but I have been reading Disney message boards for months now and this one is by far the best!

We are planning a trip in mid January along with my brother and his family. I have read that crowds are at their lowest, which is why we chose this time.

I was wondering if it were necessary (based on crowd attendance in January) to be seated for a parade or show (Fantasmic, specifically) one hour before start time? This would really mess up our dining plans. We will be traveling with a 5 year old, a 3 yr old, and two 1 year olds!

Thanks in advance!

 

[edk35]

Well we went in Jan. 2005 and of all of our trips..this was by far the least crowded. We were there the last week of Jan. basically. We were able to see shows without getting there 1 hour in advance. Now if you want center front and 1st row.....yeah maybe. But for us....we have been so many times that we don't have to be in the best spots. We seem to always get great views. You are going at a great time so don't stress over those small details.


Denise

 

[magicaldisney]

As stated.....if you aren't picky about where you sit you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Have a great time on your trip!!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Welcome to the DIS!

Unless you are there on MLK holiday weekend crowds should not be a problem. Be aware the the Spectromagic parade will not be running every night; that means there will be lots of people wanting to see it on the night(s) it does run. You probably should plan to get your spot reserved an hour in advance for that one. happy planning!

BTW, our family visited in mid-January 2006 and loved it. It was a bit cool for the pools, but we enjoyed the low crowds and cooler weather. We were planning to go in January 2007 but decided to go in October 2006 instead for MNSSHP. You are in for such a treat; you will love being there in January.

 

[ChristmasElf]

Hi! This is my first post here but I have been reading Disney message boards for months now and this one is by far the best!

We are planning a trip in mid January along with my brother and his family. I have read that crowds are at their lowest, which is why we chose this time.

I was wondering if it were necessary (based on crowd attendance in January) to be seated for a parade or show (Fantasmic, specifically) one hour before start time? This would really mess up our dining plans. We will be traveling with a 5 year old, a 3 yr old, and two 1 year olds!

Thanks in advance!

In the Magic Kingdom, go over near Pecos Bills and wait for the parade there. You won't have to do it an hour in advance, and you will be able to get some great pictures~!!!

 

[poohbear25]

Hi everyone!!
We are also planning on going in January 2007.
But we are thinking about going over MlK weekend because the kids are off. How crowded is it or is it not worth it to go to WDW during that time. Also did anyone get any good deals inJanuary 2007 ALWAYS LOOKING!!!
Thnx for any help!!!!!
Sorry one more thing, can the kids still go swimming in January? Becasue we usually go in August, but with our scheldue this year with soccer tryouts for high school, camps, we cannot really find time. Is it that big of a change?

 

[oxfordcircus]

In the Magic Kingdom, go over near Pecos Bills and wait for the parade there. You won't have to do it an hour in advance, and you will be able to get some great pictures~!!!

I was about to say the same thing. We had great luck there in Jan 06 just grabbing a seat about 15-20 minutes before the parade.

 

[oxfordcircus]

Hi everyone!!
We are also planning on going in January 2007.
But we are thinking about going over MlK weekend because the kids are off. How crowded is it or is it not worth it to go to WDW during that time. Also did anyone get any good deals inJanuary 2007 ALWAYS LOOKING!!!
Thnx for any help!!!!!
Sorry one more thing, can the kids still go swimming in January? Becasue we usually go in August, but with our scheldue this year with soccer tryouts for high school, camps, we cannot really find time. Is it that big of a change?

According to touringplans.com, the MLK weekend rates a 6 on the crowd calculator, compared to 5's for the rest of January. That's supposed to be about 10 extra minutes of wait time. The pools are heated, but it will probably be chilly when you get out of the water since there will be no humidity. We swam in Jan 06 and had fun, but we had to hurry back to the room after we got out.

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Late January is my favorite time to go went back in 2004 and going back again for 8 days 2007. As for waiting for shows and parades. You will not have the large mass of crowds to worry about however please keep in mind during the slow time parades like Spectro do not run every night and have a differnt schedule so you will have to plan which park you want to be in accordingly. Also the parks close earlier but taking advantage of EMH extends the time. I tend to forgo shows so I can have more ride time during January, last time my longest wait ever was 20 min and that was for Splash Mountain.

The only show I do plan for even in January is Fantasmic and that is because I book the Fantasmic dining package deal. It just makes it so much easier to not have to wait in the crowd line and just walk thru the back way for the sectioned seating.

But most of all it is just an enjoyable time of the year for a park commando like me and makes me feel like I can accomplish alot.