Going to Disney in Jan. 2009 and already planning!

[norwane]

Hello all!

I am so glad I found this forum! I have been to Disney several times, and will be taking my now 4 year old son, and my parents next year and I am already planning! So, in the next year, I am going to be a frequent visitor to this site!
My questions (for today) are:

Is the end of January a good time to go or is it too cold there? Granted, we are from MN, so cold will be relative! Will we be able to go swimming? Are a ton of the attractions closed at that time?

Will my son be too big for a stroller? He will be 5 when we go, and is tall for his age (about 41 inches NOW!) How big are the rental strollers?

My dad told me he has always dreamed of staying in the Contemporary. I want to do that, but as a single mom, my budget needs to be taken into consideration. Could we stay in the Contemp. for a couple of days, then move to a value or moderate resort? It will be my best friend, son, my parents and myself. My friend does NOT want to share a room with my parents for the whole vacation (which I don't blame her!) Suggestions?!

Sorry if this is too many questions in one post.

Thank you!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hello all!

I am so glad I found this forum! I have been to Disney several times, and will be taking my now 4 year old son, and my parents next year and I am already planning! So, in the next year, I am going to be a frequent visitor to this site!
My questions (for today) are:

Is the end of January a good time to go or is it too cold there? Granted, we are from MN, so cold will be relative! Will we be able to go swimming? Are a ton of the attractions closed at that time?

Will my son be too big for a stroller? He will be 5 when we go, and is tall for his age (about 41 inches NOW!) How big are the rental strollers?

My dad told me he has always dreamed of staying in the Contemporary. I want to do that, but as a single mom, my budget needs to be taken into consideration. Could we stay in the Contemp. for a couple of days, then move to a value or moderate resort? It will be my best friend, son, my parents and myself. My friend does NOT want to share a room with my parents for the whole vacation (which I don't blame her!) Suggestions?!

Sorry if this is too many questions in one post.

Thank you!

Welcome to the DIS I'll give you a bump to see if you can get your questions answered. I've never been in January, so I can't help you there.
As far as a stroller goes, you should be fine with the rentals - they are big and sturdy. We went when my oldest was 5 and he only needed one at MK and Epcot. My DD4 however, gets winded easily (asthma) and is a stroller sleeper so we decided it would be easier to bring a cheap one from home even though she is too big for it.

You can stay in one resort and then move to another if you book your rooms and buy your tickets separately. Not sure about with a package though. If you have to choose between 1 room at the Cont. or 2 at a mod or value, I would go with the 2 since you have more than 2 adults in the room. When I was little we used to stay off-site and I used to dream of staying in the Contemporary too so I guess your dad and I have something in common. If a stay at the Contemporary isn't possible for you, you can still eat at a restaurant there and check out the shops. Actually, the 1st time I ate at Chef Mickey's I realized the Contemporary isn't my style at all. My new dream is to afford the Poly someday.

Happy Planning!

 

[GrammyJudy]

We have gone in Jan the last 2 trips and it is good. We are from VT so used to cold. In 2005 we left and it was -30 and 70 in Orlando. It is cool. You need at least a sweatshirt but the pools are heated and there are a couple of warmer days. I'd say it ranges from mid 50s to mid 70s which is great forme. There is little rain, we had 1 day last year.The crowds are small in fact we walked right on most rides.We are going Jan 2009 also. I think we are going the second week as my nephew is running the marathon but in past have gone towards the end as family has Bdays on 26 and 29.

 

[mommy2aprincess4]

we were there last week. the weather varies of course but it was sunny and in the 80s all week. It was cooler at night but not cold. DD was in the pool every night watching the movies at ASMu. We had about 5 minutes of sprinkles and no other rain the whole week. We generally go the first or second week of January and have usually had good weather. 2 years ago it was a bit chilly, 60s mostly and was going down to the 30s the night we left, but that is very odd.
We packed 2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of pants, tshirts and 1 sweatshirt each and we were all comfy all week. We'll be there in Jan. 2009 as well, probably marathon week. Just waiting til I can book it on the Disney website.

 

[MALE*RN*777]

Welcome aboard, our last family trip had 5 families and 3 of the families spent the entire week at the All Star's Sports Value Resort and the other 2 stayed at a couple of other places before coming to the Value Resort on our last days. We were all on the same floor (by request) and all had our own rooms. Pretty much the only thing you do in your room is sleep so I wouldn't see it a problem for you parents to stay at the Contemp and you to stay at the Value because it is only a hop skip and jump and you could use Disney transit to get over there if needed. The funny thing is that I went over to the other resorts just to take a peek and looked in some of the rooms and the size of a standard room seemed pretty much the same to me. The only difference were the decorations and the facilities on the grounds but as for the rooms what more do you need then a bed and bathroom and you take a mini frig or bring your own if you have one. Good luck and have fun.... Our next Disney trip is planned for October of 2009.

 

[mouseINmn]

I've only been to wdw once and that was 20 years ago, but it was in Jan. Looking back at pics, I noticed I was wearing a sweatshirt with shorts and recall others, probably those from warmer climates, in coats with scarves and mittens. Most of the days were warm, though. Since you're from MN too I'm sure even a 50 degree day will seem great compared to whatever weather we leave behind. I, too, am planning a trip for next Jan. and couldn't be more excited about it!

 

[norwane]

Thanks for all of the advice!

When is the marathon? If I don't want to be down there for the marathon, when would be a good time to go, before or after the marathon?

Also, if we did stay in the Contemp. a couple of nights, should it be at the beginning or end of our trip? Should we do a moderate or value resort and which one?

Thanks again!