Good and bad of the last week January.

[Carolinagirl77]

I would really like to hear the good and bad of this past January. Thinking of going the last week in January. I know in the past that tour groups were an issue after reading different reviews. I would like to see how fp+ has changed things.

 

[hsmamainva]

Would love to know this too!

Heading down January 20-30!

 

[I_heart_Walt]

We've gone the last week of January two times and although there were tour groups, the overall crowd level was low enough to absorb them. The biggest issue for us was the weather. It was cold at night (relatively speaking). We wore gloves and jackets/jeans at night. I don't know why, but it really threw me. For us, it was too cold for swimming, in case that's important to you. Although the pool water is warm, the air was cold once you got out of the water. But otherwise, that time of year is lovely.

 

[Carolinagirl77]

Thanks. I saw the crowd calendar and we are thinking about going. We usually don't use the pool much. Usually once per trip.

 

[freckles04]

We were just there January 20-25. It was our first winter trip. The crowds were fantastic. We saw one tour group the whole trip. It was just too cold for me. The high temps were in the 50's most days of our trip and maybe it's the humidity but it felt much colder than 50's at home (I live in Tennessee). I wore a hat, gloves, 2 jackets and wool socks. At Epcot right before Illuminations there were plenty of places to stand right in front of the railing but we were too cold to stand still! Other than it being too cold for us it was a great time of year to go.

 

[mggeary]

We'll be doing our first Jan trip (1/24-2/1). I've read temps our more variable, average high 68-70, but ranges from 40s-80s. Being from the Northeast Im sure it will will be warm enough for us. We cant tolerate 85+ Orlando heat. Just hope for sun.

There will be ride refurbs, almost definitely Splash mountain, probably others.

Hoping the crowds are as nice as they say. We're used to crowd levels of 5ish, so hopefully will be a nice break. I think it could really open up the availability of extra afternoon FP+s. We'll see.

Love to hear more first hand reports

 

[mousekatool]

We were there the last week of January/first week of February 3 years ago, and it was perfect. No lines, no tour groups, 70s during the day and 60s at night. However, the week before was record cold for Florida! The only thing that might have been considered a negative for some was that some of the rides were undergoing refurb ( I specifically recall Splash being one of them), but it wasn't an issue for us. We never went in the pools, although this had more to do with the ages of our kids than the weather.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ok so the problem is that back home in whatever cold you're used to, most people aren't outside for 10 hours each day, going in and out of rides, trying to have a great theme park day. Unless you're a traffic worker, construction worker, or the like, you are probably outside for just a bit before going into a building to spend 8 hours of your day. Then back outside to the car to get home.

Also, it can change 40 degrees from one day to the next, depending on your body and immune system, this can wreak havoc with you. We were in the general vicinity for three weeks from jan 4 to the day after the Super Bowl. Now I'll admit that that very last week, I'd not have experience with because we were on a cruise, but those first three weeks were really really hard on us. Such huge swings in weather. And the humidity makes the cold feel so so so much colder.

I didn't follow my advice, but I still recommend thin long underwear. Layer from the bottom so you aren't bulky. Bring extra layers of warmth just in case. Gloves, hats, scarves. Be prepared for anything.

 

[FancyNancy]

I was there the last week in January this year and it was cold and rainy for 3 days the rest were just chilly with the exception of two days that got into the high 60's and low 70's. I decided that going in January is just not for me. I thought the crowds seemed like late April crowds to me. Even the CM's were saying they seemed high for that time of year. Their theory was that it was because pretty much the whole country had just had a very bad winter and people were trying to get away from the cold weather by vacationing in Florida.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I've gone last year and this year the last week of jan/first week of february and didn't really see much of a difference in crowd levels personally.

 

[csarenz]

We have been down 2 times the last week in January and love it. We have younger kids so the shortened park hours actually work out good for us.

Yes, we have seen the Tour Groups. For the most part, when we see them going one way, we go the other way. The only time we weren't able to get away was Fantasmic, and then the largest groups weren't disruptive, they were just having fun.

The temperatures are hit or miss, you may have really cold (for Florida) mornings or evening, and it may get warm during the day. But just have layers of clothes packed in case.

Overall, you can't beat the crowd levels and that is the main attraction for us.

 

[mum2four]

I was there the last week in January this year and it was cold and rainy for 3 days the rest were just chilly with the exception of two days that got into the high 60's and low 70's. I decided that going in January is just not for me. I thought the crowds seemed like late April crowds to me. Even the CM's were saying they seemed high for that time of year. Their theory was that it was because pretty much the whole country had just had a very bad winter and people were trying to get away from the cold weather by vacationing in Florida.

We were there the last week of January this year as well and our experience was about the same. We had a couple of nice days, but other days were down right cold and miserable! Crowds weren't bad at all, but it really didn't seem that much less crowded than it is when we visit in May. I think we'll stick with Spring visits from now on to avoid the cold.

As for tour groups the last week of January - we only saw a couple at Epcot and they weren't any problem at all.

 

[drdrowsy]

We were there the last week in January last year. A few days of amazing weather, a few days of crumby weather. We didn't mind the foggy, wet, cool days and nights, the only drawback to that was that the night we stayed for wishes was so foggy we couldn't see most of the fireworks.

Overall crowd level was shockingly low, especially a few of the days at MK. We did rope drop and did pretty much all of fantasy/new fantasyland, including multiple visits to princess fairytale hall and Peter Pan and Pooh before 11am. It was almost creepy how deserted the hub was on a few afternoons. Most rides were walk on, even in the afternoon. We used FP+, booked 60 days out, but with few exceptions (TT, ETwB, TSMM) FP+ was not necessary. We were able to get dinner reservations at normal dinner times for every place that we wanted to go (including CRT and BOG). The whole trip felt relaxing and low stress.

There were a few downsides that could effect people differently-- shorter hours (didn't matter much to us, we have young children so staying super later was never really in the cards), several closed rides and food areas (would have liked to go on splash mountain), we didn't use the pool ( but saw some who did). We saw tour groups, but that was about the limit of our interaction with them. Nighttime entertainment is more limited, but that that just meant we had to be a little more careful with our touring plans to make sure we saw what we wanted to see.

Overall, the low crowds more than made up for any negatives. We're planning on going again at the same time in 2015

 

[fortheloveofminnie]

We were there from Jan 25 to Feb 1 this year.

Good: Crowds were great! We hardly waited in line at all -- for anything.

Bad: For 2014, the weather was too cold for optimal theme park touring on few days. And we are from cold weather country! We are used to daytime highs that never climb above freezing, lots of snow, etc. There was a particularly cold, rainy day where the temp didn't climb out of the 40s while we were touring Animal Kingdom. Yes, we could ride EE ten times in a row with little wait, but it wasn't worth it. But the end of the day we were soaked (even with ponchos) and miserable. Honestly, though, we also had a day or two in the 70s and it was perfect.

So, I would go again at the end of January in a heartbeat (low crowds!). But I would expect some very cold weather and come prepared with hats, mittens, scarfs, etc. I couldn't even buy any on the really cold days because the shops were all sold out. Don't get me wrong, we had coats and warm clothes, but it just wasn't enough.

 

[Dannek]

Like others have said, you can't count on the weather being one set way at that time.

I was there from the end of January through the fifth of February this year and the week started cold and rainy during the day and then warmed up beautifully the last part of our trip. We always go the first week of February as the lines are low and the prices are as well.

I always go the second week of September and the first week of February and February is slightly cheaper for lodging and slightly less crowded in the parks. But neither time is expensive or crowded compared to other times of the year. Splash mountain will most likely be closed in late January/early February, and you may or may not want to hit whichever water park is open depending on your temperature tolerance. If the weather is bad for a day or two, do things like Disney Quest, La Nouba, and hit the indoor shows at the parks. We also visit resorts to hang out in the lobby areas and check out the restaurants on those days.

On the nice days it can be in the 70's, and touring around the parks is a pleasure as you can layer your clothes and never get hot.
Enjoy.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

I would really like to hear the good and bad of this past January. Thinking of going the last week in January. I know in the past that tour groups were an issue after reading different reviews. I would like to see how fp+ has changed things.

We went M-F that week this year and the first week of Feb. last year. This year there was a lot of rain. We were at MK on the lowest crowd day of the year and it was made lower because of the rain. We left before Wishes. Our last day at AK, we left early, because of the combination of rain and cold. However, the temperature was perfectly fine for us - the rain was what made it not so nice. It was hard/impossible to keep the stroller from getting soaked which made our dd2 miserable. We had properly packed with a sweatshirt for everyone along with a jacket/hoodie and purposely bought our souvenir rain ponchos there.

We would NEVER attend during the hot summer months or September. We would die in the heat and be miserable. So it probably depends on what you are used to.

For 2 years in a row, we missed splash mountain and the big Tom Sawyer boat (I forget the name) due to refurbishments.

They do close earlier in Jan., but we leave earlier due to the kids' bedtime and appreciate having Wishes earlier in the evening so we could watch them (usually from our resort, as we got to stay at BLT this year).

 

[FeralCatRogue]

oh just remembered something else about that time, that's when there's some cheerleading thing, so the all star sports will be jam packed.